Walking my Baby back Home

It was our last night in Bruges, we took an evening stroll back from dinner admiring the buildings and the promenade of the locals and tourists just like us enjoying the slight breeze on a balmy night.

The Canals of Bruges

Yesterday we decided we would view Bruges from a different aspect. We took one of the canal boat trips. It gave us an insight of this historic town from the "backyards" looking into the properties that overlooked the canals.

At various stages, we in the canal boats became the centre of attention as those crossing the bridges waved and smiled at us. The trip passed by some quite grande buildings but also some delightful smaller buildings, one of which was dated at 1620. There many from the late 1700s at the time the first fleet arrived on Australian soil. It just opens your eyes of how young (European Settlement) Australia is. If we think in terms of our early indigenous peoples, then the subject of the inhabitation takes on a whole new perspective.

Sue tells me while I write this post, the reason that Bruges has so many well preserved buildings is that there was no bombing here during war time. How fortunate that the town retains is important architectural history.

The afternoon was set aside for a little shopping time of which Sue purchased an intricate lace table runner for home. Me!!!!! Well, I found a great Bruges cycling T-shirt - of course!!!!!

Jack and our travels to Belgium

If you are a Facebook person and a friend of mind you may have already been aware that my father Jack passed away last week at the age of 96. He been around the cycling world for ever and tributes continue to flow to my Facebook page, "Cycling Scrapbook" such is the measure of the man they called a living legend in cycling circles. We had a lot of fun over the years didn't we Jack?

We flew out from Melbourne on our planned trip just prior Dad falling into a deep sleep but we did spend time together when he was more lucid. 

My sister and daughter were there in his final hours as we were on our way to Brussels.

We received the news as we settled into our hotel at Brussels - it wasn't a surprise to hear that he had been in and out of consciousness not long after I returned to Melbourne from the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Dad lived a full life - he set a good example to us kids.

Now its time for Sue and I to follow that example by enjoying our travels in Belgium, Nederland and for the seventh time - France to visit our friends in the Loire.

We are currently in Bruges for four nights after only one night in Brussels to sleep off jet-lag. Having arrived in Bruges yesterday, we are yet to see the full delights of this historic town. We did however get in afternoon and evening walks to enjoy both lunch and dinner. 

We return to Ghent before meeting our son, Andrew and spending time in Amsterdam. Then back to Brussels to help Andrew move to another house (yes, that was part of the plan for this trip). 

After fulfilling our parental duties, its off to France and the Loire Valley.

After arriving in Brussels, we headed down to the Grand Place for Moules Frites with the rest of the tourists.
After returning to our hotel room, the jet-lag took its toll and we dozed for several hours before going to dinner.
We return to Brussels later in the month to fully appreciate what the city has to offer.

I've heard it said that Bruges is a mini Venice and it certainly has that charm about it but a bit more endearing.
Love to see people out on bikes and not being harassed by angry motorists as happens occasionally in Australia.

A town of many reflections!

Bruges' buildings are unlike those we have seen in our travels in Italy and France.
Its a nice change and we are looking forward to what our future journey has to offer. 

We settled in the Market Square for lunch which consisted of shared plates of pate and salmon on toasted bread which we washed down with a white wine for Sue and a huge beer for me. 

The sun was setting as we walked home from dinner - it must have been about 10.00 pm.
Think we'll really come to enjoy these evening walks while we are here.

We will now post each day so please to travel with us on the Blog.

They are Leaving Me!!!

Oh no. They are doing it again - leaving me at home while they galavant around Europe. I've never been to France, let alone Paris and this is their seventh time.  They bought me the pillow and since then, Ive always had the passion to go there. At least it wasn't some silly T-shirt.
How can they do that at their age, not to mention at my age. I'm 20 now and I need them to feed and cuddle me.

However while they are sunning themselves in the northern hemisphere, I'll be taking a little vacation with their son Mitchell. He and I met when they came to pick a kitten from the litter that I was part of. I couldn't resist him. He was so handsome and kind so I picked him to go home with.

I'll miss being with Sue and Leon but Mitchell is easy to take as long as he feeds me regularly and gives me a lap to sit on. I understand that Sue has purchased my favourite food and hopefully it won't run out before they return as I do have standards.

MORE GHOST SIGNS

There's a little village lost in time called Clunes, not far from Trentham. It's been used in Aussie films due to its uniqueness. It's also famous as a book town. I recently purchased two books on a visit - one on the TdF and another on Jean d'Arc. Clones is a "lost in time" village and many of the shop fronts retain their original signage, many in gold leaf.

We do love our new home of the Victorian Central Highlands - there's always a new experience around every corner.