Belguim and Koln

Us country bumkins are surprising our selves that we are managing to be in the right spot at the right time to catch these trains!

After a super time in London, Kew gardens, Earles court, St Pancreas to the euro star to Brussels. Then to Ghent on the local train. Carolein (accountant)Kwinten( train driver) and Splinter (retreiver/pom cross) welcomed us at Moorstele, small village 20 min from Ghent. They had friends in for dinner and then we went with them to the local pub, where they joined a pub crawl, an annual event. Music and dancing and even smoking in the bar. We are surprised how many smoke ! Tiring for our hosts translating all the time for us, so at midnight we left them to the fun and headed for bed.

They have renovated their home, was a kindergarten, a real credit to Carolein, she started with the shell. Now they are looking for another property, to repeat the project.

They went off to work and we took Splinter for some lovely walks through country lanes before we had a day each in Ghent and Brugge. Ancient buildings and beautiful artitecture , we went on canal boat trips, and walkings tours, warm pleasant temps.

Our last day we borrowed there bikes and cycled about 45 kms, thankgoodness for Verns good sense of direction and map reading!! we passed lovely homes, every bit of arable land is used, very profific crops, potatoes, corn, beet, wheat , barley to mention a few.

Train to Koln, another huge city on the Rhine with the most beautiful cathedral. We cycled 50 kms up and down the rhine,amazed at the boat traffic. We walked all day another day, through a town belt of parks. The street life at night is great, everyone eating and drinking on the pavements. Mostly some one will translate for and have enjoyed the food.

Koln was preparing for a light festival, on the river, huge affair with stands all along the river.

Both Koln and Brussels had huge underground railway stations, like a mall as big as Sylvia Park.

We had a 4hr train trip here to Hamburg, Sigi and Manfred and Christen here to meet us, so great , we went into central hamburg for a meal and today we are heading for a few days on the north sea,.

 

Now we are on the Danish border at Dagebull, on the North sea. Fascinating place, with many islands to visit on the local ferries about 1-2 hrs away. Beautiful sandy beaches with people everywhere, making the most of the summer weather. 20 degrees, with gentle winds. today we went and cycles the length of the island Amrum. Very touristy, houses all with the thatched roofs.

sigi and Manfred have planned a wonderful look at this area for us, thurs we return to hamburg for 2 nights and will go to a tennis tournament, may see Federer playing.

All going well, next stop Italy with Peter Kate and boys.