2 thoughts on “Great Plains”

  2. Slightly Bemused

    Back when the British Army controlled the Curragh Camp they dug trenches in that area – I am wondering if the straight rut is one of them. These were used to train soldiers for trench warfare in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
    Back in the early 80s as a young volunteer with the Red Cross we occasionally went out to this area for various types of practice. We would be placed around the area, sometimes in the wet, boggy remains of those trenches, sometimes in amongst the gorse on the low hills around. Then the various agencies, including the Red Cross, Order of Malta, Civil Defense, Army, Gardai, Ambulance and Fire services would carry out searches, removal and treatment.
    This was all as preparation should it ever be really necessary. Once the time for the exercise was reached, a loud siren would call out and those who may not have been located would trudge back to the central area. Here, the Civil Defense catering teams would shine, using what to me were enormous mobile army kitchen units to make good strong tea, with tea leaves, sugar and condensed milk boiled up together and kept hot. Strong enough to trot a mouse over, it helped wash down the meal you were given, usually a stew with slices of bread, or if lucky a chicken curry and rice.

    I have fond memories of those days, although I suspect I do not remember the discomfort of the wet and the gorse.

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