The Battle of Waterloo

Last weekend we decided that, after two weeks, we were settled enough to take a fun Saturday trip to somewhere outside Brussels. The place? The site of Napoleon’s final battle: Waterloo. We learned about the battle lines and strategy (through an engaging light/slide show…I’m joking about the engaging- Ben’s comment afterwards was, “…And that was put together by the local grade schools!” HA- it did resemble a science fair project). We then saw a video about the battle, which was actually very interesting- learned a lot! From the video, they funneled us outside to the actual battlefield. A giant hill (300 cubic meters of dirt) with a statue of a Lion on top was built on the battlefield to commemorate those who lost their lives. Apparently the battle was pretty much Napoleon and his followers against the whole of Europe and Prussia- Yikes. They say that over 47,000 were killed or wounded- double Yikes and hence the memorial. We watched marching practice, witnessed a pirate throwing knives (I have no idea what he was doing off his pirate ship or why he was there as I’m fairly certain the battle of Waterloo did not include pirates, but he was pretty cool anyway), climbed to the top of the hill (my calves hurt for a week), saw one of the largest battle paintings every made (longer than a football field!), and visited a sweet wax museum. Overall, it was a pretty fun experience- next week we travel to a medieval festival in an authentic medieval castle complete with murder holes, oubliettes, and a castle ghost, so until next week!

Ben at the top of the giant hill. Marching pratice...they needed a bit of work...good effort though!

The Lion with the paw on the world. Once we got to the top of the hill, this is all we could see of the Lion...hmmm

View of the battlefield.

Climbing the giant hill.

Ben at the bottom of the hill- he looks pretty happy before the climb- doesn't he?

Me with the marching people. See the guy with the mustache in the background? He decided I needed a bit more adornment for the photo...see next...It was a pretty heavy hat- my head felt like it was leaning- can you tell?

The of the hill from below.

Hill info.