101) is easily worked; consequently a most elaborate and well made system of trenches was established in front of Messines.

The brown sides of the trenches became dry and hard in the sun, and the bath-mats along them made walking easy.

The trenches were named, "Currie Avenue," "McHarg Avenue," "Seely Avenue," and so forth.

The men had their cookers and primus stoves, and occupied their spare time in the line by cooking all sorts of dainty dishes.

Near the trenches on the other side of Hill 63 were several ruined farm houses, known as "Le Perdu Farm," "Ration Farm," and one, around which hovered a peculiarly unsavoury atmosphere, as "Stinking Farm." Hill 63 was a hill which ran immediately behind our trench area and was covered at its right end with a delightful wood.