July 24-28th
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We took the 10 a.m. train on Thursday to Tielt Station where we were met Walter, the husband of my grandfather's cousin, Brigitte. On our way to their lovely home we drove by many beautiful farms and were amazed to learn that the region produces ten percent of the world's frozen vegetables. We were met by Brigitte at the house in Ardooie. Walter prepared a wonderful lunch and we had a look around. We also met some other important members of the family - the chickens!! That afternoon we visited my Great Grandmother's former home and took many pictures. The house will not be there much longer as it is slated to be torn down. We were then off to Roeselare and had coffee and pancakes. They serve a liquor with the coffee. Even to me! That night we met Brigitte and Walter's son Dieter and his lovely family.
On Friday we visited the seaside town of Ostende, saw the sand sculptures and had a nice walk on the beach. Saturday was a day that we had all looked forward to for a long time - Bruges!!! What a beautiful town! There is so much to see there, you could spend a week just taking photos. That evening we met Siska (Walter and Brigitte's daughter) and her family at their beautiful home.
On Friday we visited the seaside town of Ostende, saw the sand sculptures and had a nice walk on the beach. Saturday was a day that we had all looked forward to for a long time - Bruges!!! What a beautiful town! There is so much to see there, you could spend a week just taking photos. That evening we met Siska (Walter and Brigitte's daughter) and her family at their beautiful home.
Sunday was a subdued day, as we visited the World War 1 Flanders Fields sites. We were awed and humbled at the Tyne Cot Cemetary. This is the resting place for 11,956 soldiers. I believe I saw the grave of my Great, Great Uncle (I verified this with Grampie later in a phone call). We then continued on to the amazing Passchendale Museum and the Menin gate in Ypres. The Menin gate is a mauseleum for the missing 54,896 soldiers who are believed to have perished in Flanders Fields but whose remains were never found. Every night at 8:00pm since 1921 the Belgian bugle corps plays the Last Post to honour the dead.
Sunday evening was a fun time at Cintha and Bernard's very pretty home. Even though we didn't all speak the same language there was lots of translating, singing and laughs.
On Monday we said our goodbyes to Brigitte and Walter and thanked them for being such wonderful hosts and tour guides. I said a final tearful goodbye to the chickens as well, but was happy to bringing 6 of their fresh eggs back to my Brussels home. Over the course of the week I had named the hens based on their personality. There was Bold Bertha, Lonely Lou, Silly Sue, Mean Margaret and Messy Missy. The biggest rooster had already been named Chief by Walter, so I named the other one Little Chief. Man, I'll miss those chickens!! And, it goes without saying, my relatives! |
July 31st
Today Mom and I took the train to Antwerp. We had an amazing tour of Rubens Museum. We then toured the city, had a great sushi lunch (BEST SUSHI EVER!!) and shopped until we dropped. We made our way back to the train station and boarded the wrong train (thanks Mom!). Luckily we were discovered by a conductor and we got off at a station that allowed for an easy transfer to Brussels. Mom might know trains, but she needs to remember her Flemish is not that great – especially when she tries to read it!
Aug 2nd
We woke up early this morning, checked the weather forecast, and decided to head back to Bruges. We took the 9:00 am train and spent 7 hours touring our favorite little city. We asked for waffles at a great café around 11:00 but they had not yet turned on the waffle iron (waffles are eaten in the afternoon here). Luckily they decided to turn it on and, once again… BEST MEAL EVER! We are going to look for the real Belgian waffle recipe before we head home because OMG they are good!
We then went back to our favorite little German ornament store and had a really good look. We followed that with a boat tour, a walk around the city and a late lunch (almost too late – kitchen closed 5 minutes later) at Dad’s dream come true – Straffe Hendrix. For this entire month’s vacation we try to explain to Dad that you have to eat what the Europeans eat when they eat it. Lunch is between 12:00 and 2:00. If you wait until 3:00 you are out of luck until dinner, which starts at 7:00. I don’t know how many days in Paris and Brussels we missed lunch. Of well, it’s not like we are starving! There is always chocolate and beer available!
After lunch we made our final decisions on a German smoker ornament (we have decided we now have a collection – 2 and counting), and lace ornaments as well. We made it to train that takes us to our neighborhood station with 3 minutes to spare. We thought we were clear sailing until our train stopped in the middle of nowhere. Because we were still in Flanders the information on the speaker was only in Flemish, but based on the other passengers’ reactions, we think that there was something on the tracks. We arrived safe and sound at our station under the EU 2 hours later. Mom commented that it took less time to go to Paris.
We then went back to our favorite little German ornament store and had a really good look. We followed that with a boat tour, a walk around the city and a late lunch (almost too late – kitchen closed 5 minutes later) at Dad’s dream come true – Straffe Hendrix. For this entire month’s vacation we try to explain to Dad that you have to eat what the Europeans eat when they eat it. Lunch is between 12:00 and 2:00. If you wait until 3:00 you are out of luck until dinner, which starts at 7:00. I don’t know how many days in Paris and Brussels we missed lunch. Of well, it’s not like we are starving! There is always chocolate and beer available!
After lunch we made our final decisions on a German smoker ornament (we have decided we now have a collection – 2 and counting), and lace ornaments as well. We made it to train that takes us to our neighborhood station with 3 minutes to spare. We thought we were clear sailing until our train stopped in the middle of nowhere. Because we were still in Flanders the information on the speaker was only in Flemish, but based on the other passengers’ reactions, we think that there was something on the tracks. We arrived safe and sound at our station under the EU 2 hours later. Mom commented that it took less time to go to Paris.