Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red

I had my first day of respite as a carer yesterday and just had to go to the place where Chris and I have fond memories. London. He first told me he loved me there and while we dated we went as often as we could, wandering aimlessly along the river, shopping at markets, and finding small parks.

The only real tourist attraction we visited in past years was the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square to sit and stare at Van Gogh's Sunflowers. My favourite flower, a fascination with his life and a lovely cafe drew us there many times.
Just before I started to care full time for my Grandmother, we decided we actually ought to do the touristy trips.Places we see on TV, though we have been near them often, glimpsed them while walking, we avoided. Often just because of the crowds, however because we like to see lesser known places.

Last time we were there, we went to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Horse Guards and stopped at the Tower of London. All worth going to if only once, even to look at from the outside.
A few weeks ago I saw an article on the internet about the poppies being planted in the dry grass moat of the Tower Of London, to mark the one hundred years since Britain became involved in the First World War. They were being planted and were only a few hundred at that point. I said to Chris, we must try to get there and see it, poppies being another favourite and the obvious symbol of lives lost in war.
I was aware that the aim is to plant 888,246 poppies by November 11th, the last one planted on that day at the 11th hour, I to mark each military life lost. A chilling figure when you think about it.

So our plan of wandering aimlessly yesterday and visiting antique markets had to include a look at how it was coming along.

The poppies made of ceramic and created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, start by cascading form one of the Tower's windows, like a sea of blood! They are now a lot further along than the pictures I first saw and now go around the two sides of the tower.

The aim is by December to cover the entire grass area, this takes many people all who are volunteers, not just by planting, but also assembling the poppies. Each night at sunset 180 names nominated by families of the Commonwealth services are read out and the Last Post is played

The poppies will encircle the entire grass moat all four sides, the first two sides are coming along well and when finished, will be a spectacular sight hopefully and planned to be for November 11th, I want to go particularly again around that time or in December when the display runs until. I imagine if it snows, it will be very poignant.

When I arrived, the sheer beauty of the poppies makes an almost romantic look to the Tower, but then the incredible enormity of the lives they represent, caught me and the terrible sadness.For me the futility of the loss conjured by this crimson blaze, flowers laid for a loved one are a symbol, whether on a grave, by a roadside or a memorial for lost soldiers, but here the sea of red and the blood lost from those hearts caught me and I grieved.

The Tower will be a location for a visible commemoration and I imagine personal reflection for many people who visit from not just the UK, but all around the world. It is my hope that these lives lost from 100 hundred years ago seen in such a dramatic way, brings not just remembrance but also a move peace and ending wars. A dreamers view I imagine, but I can hope!

You can buy one of these poppies that are making up the instalment when the display is over at a cost of £25 plus p/p, its a lovely chance to own a piece of history and the £25 will go to 6 charities helping servicemen in lots of different ways.

I have purchased mine and will look forward to receiving in 2015. To find out more about the story and news and the history other Tower in World War One take a look here. http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/ Follow #TowerPoppies on Twitter and Instagram for the latest photos documenting the evolving installation posted by our volunteers and visitors.

Jo Bryan

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red