Waterloo

Belgium, April 2005

On the final day of our road trip around Belgium and Luxemburg, Ania and I took the faithful Skoda across to Waterloo - scene of Napoleon's famous defeat in 1815 and ... a name of an Abba song. 

First stop was the Wellington Museum in town where we spent an interesting hour checking out all the pictures, weapons and memorabilia before heading off to the Lion Hill Memorial and another picnic lunch.

Lion Hill And The Visitors Centre

We had lunch and drank a few beers in the car park before attempting the 226 step climb to the top of the Lion Hill Memorial.  The panorama of the battle is in the circular building off to the side.

The Panorama Of The Battle

The panorama is a circular building where in 1912 a painting of the battle was housed. The painting, in circular form, is 110 meters long and 12 meters high. The visitor stands on a central platform and finds himself in the middle of the battle, surrounded by the infantry and cavalry of both armies.

This picture shows Highlanders fending off a French cavalry charge.

Cavalry charging the guns.  Whose guns, I have no idea.

The Lion Hill Memorial

The Lion Hill, which is the main memorial monument of the Battle of Waterloo, indicates the spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded. A total of 226 stairs leads to the top of the monument where one can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire battlefield.

I can't say the climb of 226 stairs up the Lion memorial is particularly easy after just one 11% beer and a heavy sandwich lunch but it was great to sit up there, admire the view and take in the fresh air. 

And we drank another beer.

The view of the battlefield from the top of Lion Hill

Anka

Anka being shy about having her picture taken

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