September 07

Last year we went to Belgium to watch the Grand Prix which was being held at Spa-Francorchamps. The race itself was rather processional but the nature of track made it a joy to watch. The topography of the place made for a unique viewing experience and the enthusiastic crowd, made up of Brits, Germans, Belgians, French, Italians, & Poles all barracked for their respective teams and drivers with great abandon. Perhaps Formula 1 should be considered the UN of the sports world.

Going to Belgium (via France) to watch the race was not the only reason we had for going. For a long time I have had an interest in the first world war and took the opportunity to visit as many war cemeteries as I could. Whilst the events of 1939 - 1945 are fresher in the mind for alot of people I am aware of the fact that the earlier conflict is perhaps fading into history as each member of that generation comes to rest.

I feel that my generation, who have never experienced war on our doorstep, are too quick to dismiss it as something that doesn't affect us and have become numb to the horrors of total devastation. We can see brief snippets from Iraq or Afghanistan on you-tube and then re-enact them on our Xboxes safe in the knowledge that we can respawn at any time