Chambre D'Hotes 'T Waterhuis Ghent

... other Churches.

I did have a couple of moments with brief drizzles, but overall I had some beautiful, sunny weather and I enjoyed a few hours of walking around Brugges (while eating a delicious waffle for part of it), before returning on the 25 minute train back to Ghent.

Which is where I am now, and I'll go eat at a friend of Johanna's house for dinner tonight. It is, by the way, definitely ...

... riding the bus with my huge backpack. Things always seem tougher and the rides longer when I have to haul it around with me. I won't miss it that much, I'm afraid. Anyways, it was acutally only about a 10 minute bus ride to the area where Johanna lives,and I found her apartment right away.

I greeted her and we had some really nice conversation, and she made some delicious ...

... the market and the shops and then went on a boat ride which was fantastic, after which we went to a tea-room which claimed to have the best hot chocolate in town, and it was really good! It was incredibly sickly though and gave both Erin and I a headache for the ride home!

Altogether a really fun day out in Bruges, truffles bought, Belgian food eaten and Belgian alcohol drunk, and Belgian chocolate drunk! This is another place where we will definitely be returning!!

Dear Family and Friends, No, the "frozen in time" reference does not refer to Linda and me - but rather to Ghent (or "Hent" as the natives pronounce it). The story goes that both Ghent and Bruges were bustling ports when the course of the North Sea shifted, leaving both ports out of business. With no money, both became "frozen in time" and are beautiful medieval towns still. We were ...

... e à la gare et me suis rendue compte que je ne savais pas comment me rendre à mon auberge! Vive mon cell! Je ne me suis même pas perdue! Pour une fois, les indications étaient claires et facile à suivre. Alors voilà, je suis dans une chambre double privée pour cette nuit (y'avait rien d'autre de disponible quand j'ai réservé), et je vais être dans un dortoir à 6 lits pour le reste de mon séjour. L'Internet est payant (*grincement de dents*) alors je ...

Dave's parents kindly dropped us off at our next stop - just south of Brussels with Robert (Dave worked with him in Brussels), Hannah, Sofie (3ish) and newborn Thomas. They have built their own house which is great. Spend a few days chilling as I am feeling a bit under the weather. Think all the travelling around is starting to get to me - not that I should complain really. Also spend the day in Brussels with ...

... meandering down winding narrow cobblestoned alleys. I think I'm finally getting my fill of cobblestones, but they're still neat to see and wonder how old they are and who might have walked on the same stones years ago. I stopped in a place for Turkish Pizza, it was interesting, they're kind of boat-shaped, with lots of different kinds of meats, cheese, veggies, and eggs in the center. Right along the canal, hundreds of people (mostly students - this is a big ...

... at a local cafe, it seemed pretty much of a good place. So we agreed on trying to have a meeting there for beginning of March. ---------------- February 27 Today I'm leaving to Leuven, It was a bit rainy so I had to wait a part of the day. Then later, I simply went to the entrance of the tunnel at the Jubelpark with a sign ad stood there a bit longer than last time but it was fairly ok. Then not too long later I was in Leuven downtown and simply walked to meet with Stan at Parkpoort.

... December 5 Early woke up on monday morning, I finished packing and left with the bus to the center. Then I took the train to Mechelen to do some shopping and meet with Gil somewhere in the afternoon. We went for a drink and afterwhile we moved to Hombeek, where I could at last see Gieke again after such a long time. It was extremely great to hug her and play with her. I gave her the school lessons ...

Over the years, I have been asked by many a pom who have spent some time in Australia, why do I live in England when you come from Australia. Easy answer. Europe is so accessible. Lucy was going home for three weeks as she was having some visa problems. By the way, Lucy is a pom. Lucy had also been invited to a birthday party in Adelaide, and everyone had to bring a bottle of champagne. So, a run to France ...