The road to Chunuk Bair

After the dawn service at ANZAC cove we were able to leave the stands at around 7 am, and I was helped onto a mobility bus to go to Chunuk Bair. We were bus no 49, all the earlier ones had gone to Lone Pine, as their (the Australians) service started at 11 am.Mostly expletive walked up and for those who could it was a great idea, as walking warmed up what was a very cold morning.The sky had clouded over, just before dawn, and so the temperture never rose much. Around midday it may have gotten to 12 degrees. One of the blankets I had overnight got left at ANZAC cove.  When we arrived at Chunuk Bair,  there was a service going on for the Turkish children(scouts), and we got to wait in marquees,  where we could eat our packed food from the ship.A group of youths called the youth ambassadors (chosen for essays they had written and being great all rounders), brought us water aND,  generally helped out. We were allowed into our stands at Chunuk Bair around midday, and prior to that we could watch the Lone pine service on the big screen. I believe ours was way better. The youth ambassadors entertained us with their sing prior to our service at 1345hrs accompanied by the NZdefence band. They were really good, and the music was a mixture of traditional and modern.  The navy's professional singer had a fabulous voice, this time the airforce contributed also. The waiatas were lead by Airforce.  Around 1300 everyone was seated after much shoe horning,  including spare seats in the vips area. I was given Area A which was alongside the VIPS and war widows, while all others disabl ed were given Area D gust behind the main speakers.  There was a particular N Z official who did a wonderful job of making sure people were given seating in Area A and the VIP area, and ensuring every seat was filled. Just before the VIP and speakers came in, some military turned up with 6 men with automatic weapons who perched on the high points of the stadium. They remained there until the end. While we were waiting, I sent Lynley off to plant the peace poppies in thChunuk Bair cemetery.  She was gone a long time, and when she came back she was very emotional and realised that she had been filmed by TV one while she was doing this. They had also interviewed her. Later when she came back I had to send her back there to take pictures on my tablet.
When I got emails from my cousin and daughter I realised that had been shown on NZ TV news.
The heightened security was because the Turkish president was at Chunuk Bair.  Between the Lone Pine service for Australians and ours at Chunuk Bair,  the Turks had their own service, which why ours was so delayed

 Going past Lone Pine.

 A Turkish memorial

 The same Turkish memorial.

 People walking up the road to Chunuk Bair

 Military Police on horseback N the Road to Chunuk Bair.

 One of the Turkish memorials at Chunuk Bair

 Another 2 Turkish memorials at Chunuk Bair.

 The remaining Turkish memorial at Chunuk Bair

 The N Z memorial at Chunuk Bair

 The NZ memorial

 The statue of Atuturk at Chunuk Bair

 Manukura at Chunuk Bair. (The albino kiwi from Mt Bruce,  Wairarapa), with poppy.

 Just before the service started in came royalty followed by the VIP . HRH the Prince of Wales,  came in and spoke to the military,  wHere as HRH Prince Henry of Wales ( Harry ) came to speak to those in the stands.The thirds stop was me and Harry spoke to me for around three mins including a handshake,  I was extremely surprised.  He asked about family s
at Gallipoli,  and had they returned. He also asked if I had any sleep, I had not. Then he asked if I had family letters and diaries,  I am not aware of any but I suspect they may be in another part of the family,  or lost when my patrenal grandmother's house got cleaned out.