Food for thought when planning your VF walk

[Bob from L.A. !]

I am currently in La Fere France while walking from Canterbury to Rome.
Two days ago I was in Peronne and stopped in a bakery for a morning coffee. The owner/barista commented on my backpack, asking if I was walking through France to Switzerland. I told him I was, took my coffee and found a table.
Several minutes later he poured himself a coffee and came and sat at my table. We talked briefly about local things then he asked if I was walking through the agricultural/farm backroads in France
I told I was when conditions allowed.
He then cautioned me to not touch, pick up or step on any unusual items. He went on to explain through the years farm machinery has unearth a number of unexploded munitions from World Wars 1&2 in the region, and several farmers have been severely injured.
I thanked him and left bearing these cautions in mind.
I later Googled; "Zone Rouge France" and found the mapping of areas to be aware of when walking through the region.
I worked on this trip planning for a year and this topic never surfaced.

 

[Bradypus]

I walked mostly on canal towpaths through France. Not far from Peronne I sat on a low wall to rest and looked down at my feet. I spotted this in the gravel between my boots. Not dangerous in itself now but a reminder of the not-so-distant past. It is a region which was heavily fought over twice and not all that surprising that unexploded munitions appear from time to time. The number and size of the military cemeteries tells the story very vividly.

 

[Tassie Kaz]

I doubt it's an issue for walkers...unless you plan to do some excavating or boldly go where no-one has gone before...or at least not in the last 80 or so years.
I had heard of war relics surfacing occasionally but the likelihood of a walker just passing through coming to any harm is almost infinitesimal; I didn't give it a moments thought.
Instead I focussed my thoughts on the massive & senseless loss of life laid out so confrontingly along the way.
Of course heed local advice but weigh it up against actual risk.
Hope you're enjoying your VF so far.
Happy trails.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

@tas. Loving it and again thank you for your help in planning

 

[Tassie Kaz]

@tas. Loving it and again thank you for your help in planning

It was a pleasure Bob, glad my info was useful & hope it continues to be all the way to Rome!
You're making good progress & I'm happy to know you're enjoying it so much.
Stay safe.

 

[Kitsambler]

I have done work with an organization that's been very active in de-mining and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in Vietnam. While they do find the majority of their old munitions surface during farming (plowing/ploughing) or construction operations, quite a few just seem to work their way to the surface through rain and other natural processes. So, your local's advice was still kind and appropriate.

 

[henrythedog]

Working in a potato-chip factory many years ago; when processing potatoes from northern France and Belgium our metal detectors separated out a couple of First World War hand grenades every week. Whenever we had a bucket-full the army used to collect them.

 

[Bradypus]

Working in a potato-chip factory many years ago; when processing potatoes from northern France and Belgium our metal detectors separated out a couple of First World War hand grenades every week. Whenever we had a bucket-full the army used to collect them.

On exercise in Poland with the British Army in the 1990s I was digging a trench along with the unit doctor - we were both very bored that day. There was a clang from Bob's shovel and he said "We'd better stop now." "Why?" "Cos I've just hit a bomb!". Called out the disposal squad who arrived with the back of their Land Rover half full of shells and other military junk. The Soviets were not very thorough in tidying up after exercises. When the bomb squad did a controlled explosion in a nearby swamp at least one proved to be high explosive. I personally found another two in the course of the exercise. One when on a shovel recce in a clump of bushes. Quite fortunate in the circumstances....

 

[henrythedog]

On exercise in Poland with the British Army in the 1990s I was digging a trench along with the unit doctor - we were both very bored that day. There was a clang from Bob's shovel and he said "We'd better stop now." "Why?" "Cos I've just hit a bomb!". Called out the disposal squad who arrived with the back of their Land Rover half full of shells and other military junk. The Soviets were not very thorough in tidying up after exercises. When the bomb squad did a controlled explosion in a nearby swamp at least one proved to be high explosive. I personally found another two in the course of the exercise. One when on a shovel recce in a clump of bushes. Quite fortunate in the circumstances....

That would have certainly speeded up the purpose of your ‘reconnaissance’.

 

[Bradypus]

That would have certainly speeded up the purpose of your ‘reconnaissance’.

A very effective antidote to the infamous effect of a diet of biscuits brown.

 

[Harington]

I walked mostly on canal towpaths through France. Not far from Peronne I sat on a low wall to rest and looked down at my feet. I spotted this in the gravel between my boots. Not dangerous in itself now but a reminder of the not-so-distant past. It is a region which was heavily fought over twice and not all that surprising that unexploded munitions appear from time to time. The number and size of the military cemeteries tells the story very vividly.
View attachment 146974

Three times! Franco-Prussian War as well.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Bob, I'd wondered where you were as I'd not noticed any new posts, yet knew you were planning the full Via F. this spring. I will be watching for your updates.