Waterloo Tour Report

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June 2007 - Battle of Waterloo Tour Report

Not knowing much about the Napoleonic era it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I went on this tour. Any concerns were soon quashed once I met our guide Major Gordon Corrigan. I have never been on tour with him before but have watched his programmes on TV and been impressed.
Immediately I was struck by the camaraderie that quickly built between the travellers and guide. It felt like I was taking a coach trip with my extended family. I like the way that the time on the coach was filled with Gordon giving us a brief introduction into the background and lead up to the battle itself. Once we neared the hotel our Tour Manager, Imogen, briefed us on the hotel and the timings which were invaluable as I really did not want to miss out on anything. Imogen ensured that check in at the hotel was seamless and the accommodation itself was top class.
Gordon started the evening with an opening lecture on the 3 characters that dominated this campaign and I went into dinner with a greater understanding of Wellington, Napoleon and Ney. Certainly it proved a talking point over the great food. Day two was spent looking at the battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras, both of which were inextricably linked with the run up to the Battle of Waterloo. Gordon took us to various stops along the ground and gave us fascinating 'mini talks' about the actions and outcome, the people that were there, and the tactics employed. You really begin to appreciate the complexity of staging a battle and Gordon really does make it come alive. Day 3 and after another great evening chatting with fellow travellers over a glass of wine, it was time for the main event. Gordon and Imogen took us firstly to the Butte de Lion which was built as memorial to the Prince of Orange and provides a great panorama of the entire battlefield. Mind you, climbing the stairs to the top was interesting! We spent the day covering the ground in detail with Gordon making sure that every detail was explored before reluctantly we returned to the hotel for our final evening. It was a full itinerary that's for sure and as I made my way home from London I realised that although I was tired I was very much better off for going. I have been boring everyone rigid about the trip and the things I learnt and will definitely be booking again soon.