Behind the Scenes

Przejście Wielkiej Armii przez Berezynę w 1812¹
Wojciech Kossak (PD)

Well, I was going to continue following the Grande Armée in retreat from Russia, but other events intervened.

I very rarely suffer from insomnia, but I do, on rare occasions. Friday night being one such occasion. Two of my old comrades from work and I were going out for breakfast Saturday morning. One of the people I hadn't seen since December, it was Friday night that I realized that there were some people at work that I missed. A lot. These two folks are at the top of that rather small list.

We were going to a new place, convenient to all those traveling, sort of a midpoint venue which had been said to be very good. So we went. It was good. I've never eaten that much breakfast. I was so full that I required no further sustenance that day.

Anyhoo, in my excitement at seeing old friends, my brain decided that a full night's sleep fell into the "optional" category. I got to bed well before midnight (unusual for me) but would sleep about 45 minutes then awaken to see if it was time yet. Of course, it wasn't. Finally at 0600, I judged the time to be close enough. The restaurant is perhaps 20 minutes from Chez Sarge. I got there a lot earlier than I needed to be.

Oh well, we had a great time and plans are afoot to do it again next month. We plan on doing this monthly. Good food, good friends - you simply can't beat that.

So, the story will continue, we're not done yet. Not until the Grande Armée is out of Russia will I "down tools" and find something else to write about. But today, I'm just too tired.

But I do have a video for you which covers Napoléon's retreat. My story is based loosely on the events depicted therein. It's part of a rather sizeable collection of videos over on YouTube. If interested, I invite you to go visit the channel and see for yourself.

Good stuff.

Bis Dienstag, meine Kameraden!²

¹ The passage of the Great Army across the Berezina in 1812. (Polish)

² Until Tuesday, comrade! (German)