THE SOMME RIVER.

I CYCLED THE COURSE OF THE SOMME RIVER IN APRIL 2014, PRINCIPALLY TO CHECK IT OUT AS A FEASIBLE RIVER TO CANOE DOWN. MUCH AS I ENJOYED THE RIDE, THE SOMME ITSELF WAS A RIVER THAT HAS BEEN OVER-ENGINEERED BY MAN.

LONG SECTIONS HAD BEEN TURNED INTO STRAIGHT AND FEATURELESS  CANALS, AND OTHER BITS HAD A CANAL RUNNING ALONGSIDE AN OVERGROWN REMNANT OF THE RIVER. UPSTREAM OF AMIENS THERE WERE LARGE EXPANSES OF CONNECTED LAKES WITH SWAMPY AREAS THAT APPEARED A MAZE, (AND PROBABLY MOSQUITO HEAVEN IN SUMMER.)

I HAVEN'T RULED OUT PADDLING IT LATER, AND 2014 BEING  THE CENTENARY YEAR OF THE START OF WORLD WAR 1, IT SEEMED A FITTING TIME TO VISIT THE AREA AND THE SCENE OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME IN 1916.  SO MUCH BLOOD SHED OVER THIS PART OF FRANCE.

'THE SOLDIERS' GRAVES ARE THE GREATEST PREACHERS OF PEACE.'  ALBERT SCHWEITZER