#bawtree

[thisdayinwwi]

Dec 23 1919 in Belgium

The Democratic Banner. December 23 1919

This "estaminet" or cafe at Ypres was built by the Belgian at left of picture. It is constructed of circular strips of corrugated Iron salvaged from war dugouts. The proprietor and his wife live in the rear part of the structure

IWM Q 100381 "Estaminet made from a Nissen hut and a converted dugout, Ypres. The sign above the entrance says 'In de Bonte Osse Beer en Stout'.| by Bawtree, Ivan L (Photographer) 

IWM Q 100380 “ Interior view of an estaminet. A Nissen hut converted from a dugout, Ypres” by Bawtree, Ivan L (Photographer)

Estaminets were small shops established by French and Belgian civilians near the front lines that operated as a mix of bar, pub, restaurant and café for troops once pulled off the line (Pegler, Soldiers’ Songs And Slang of The Great War, p. 86).

[malinconialeggera]

Non ti voglio mai rinchiudere in una gabbia di parole

Non avere paura del mio silenzio Non ti voglio mai rinchiudere In una gabbia di parole Ma incontrarti ogni volta come per caso E fare un po' di strada insieme Per condividere un sorso di vita Con chi ha la borraccia più piena E magari sederci sotto un albero Ai bordi di quella che chiamano realtà Sul nostro cammino verso l'Infinito. Nicholas Bawtree