Old Friends

Australia and New Zealand are like siblings; they try to best each other at everything, they argue about who did what first and they poke fun at each other at every opportunity! But, like siblings, should a third party come along and try to pick on either one, the other is instantly there to defend and support and they are suddenly the best of friends. This spirit of comradeship has been alive for a long time and never more so than during World War I when Australian and New Zealand forces fought their first major military action.

The ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th April 1915 in a plan by Winston Churchill to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire. They met with fierce resistance from the Turkish army and very heavy losses were sustained. News of the landing at Gallipoli and the bravery of the ANZAC forces against incredible odds made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April became the day on which we remember the sacrifice of those who died in war.


So today is ANZAC day and ceremonies are held in practically every suburb and town in both countries for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In Australia they wear sprigs of rosemary and in New Zealand they wear red poppies for rememberance.


Fittingly, the challenge at Just Add Ink this week is to just add comradeship/friendship and so I dragged out some of my favourite papers from 7 Gypsies many moons ago and a stamp I picked up at a flea market somewhere. The sentiment was embossed and then I added some crackle effects over the top to give it an antique look to suit the words. The wooden embellishment was painted with gold. Take a look:

Here's a close up of the crackle effect - makes it look like leather I think:

Thanks for stopping by and if you are in Aus or NZ, have a great ANZAC Day.


Cheers
Kez