Ghent in 2 DAZE

Arriving in Ghent on the train, we took a taxi to our apartment. What a difference the taxi drivers from Bruges. In Bruges, the drivers were proud of their town and were as much tour advisors as drivers. They took pride in the cleanliness of the cars and their dress.

Ghent is a little scruffy around the edges and so are the taxi drivers and their cars - well this one was. No help with the bags, a cheeky attitude and not a great knowledge or care about his city. He asked if I would like to sit in front and I instinctively went to his driver's side. "You want to drive," he asked?
Being a little bold, yet embarrassed, I told him yes and that he could sit in the back if he wished.
I seemed to break the ice and his cockiness. When he realised we were Australian also made a difference as he thought we were English. He asked about Kangaroos and I of course told him that where we live they hopped thru our yard and down the main street. Hmmm, well its true in Trentham.

With out prior knowledge, we arrived at Ghent in the middle of a 10 day summer festival. Music, food, beer. We met our son Andrew in the mid afternoon to check into our apartment. Andrew was the reason to visit Belgium as he lives here and is on contract at one of the Universities.
His mother needed to see him so it was, hop a plane and go!!!

Although Ghent is a large city with the usual brashness, graffiti and noise that we are now unaccustomed to in a small Victorian town, it has the most amazing commercial and architectural  history.

The Lion of Flanders - the emblem of the region.

Welkom in Gent

Could this also be a Ghent Welcome sign?

 Another Canal Trip

Like in Bruges, we took a canal boat trip with a local tour guide who enlightened us to those early trading days. He had much to tell us about the various buildings we passed by that we would never have known by walking the streets on our own. we were most impressed.

In the very centre of Ghent sits Gravensteen castle. It was built in 1180 by Count Phillip of Alsace on the same site as a castle constructed of wood in the 900s. As centuries rolled on the castle fell into disrepair, houses were built around it, stone from the castle was used for other building projects.
It was to be demolished but the city of Ghent decided to restore it. It is quite a structure and we viewed it from our canal boat on what was part of the original moat that originally surrounded it.

 The above building you will see is built from timber, a rarity in Ghent but in Medieval times there were many and usually owned by the less financially influential traders on the canals.

The Scenes from Ghent

 Never drank so much beer of so many varieties

So I was in constant need of Ghent porte-loos.

 And then there was the constant lunches and dinners to be enjoyed.

 So how happy are these two to see each other again?

 Reflections

 What would a travel Blog by Leon without a Citroen?

Or a Bike!

Night falls on our short 2 DAZE in Ghent - today we catch two trains on the way to Amsterdam.

I wonder what adventures lay ahead of us? We will be sure to share these with you soon.

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.