Avenue Hotel Blankenberge

I slept really well last night at Johanna's place (yes, I promise to make entries -even if they're short- for past days/cities). Then this morning I took the bus under a light drizzle to the Ghent main train station. There I paid my 6.6 Euros for a round trip (weekend price) to Brugges (Brugge/Brujas), which I had heard so much about.

I had quite the positive attitude, even as the rain fell against my ...

... cuisine before (nor was I really aware that they had a particular style of cooking) but I have to say it was one of the tastiest meals I've ever eaten - I was impressed! I had a glass of Sangria to go with it too, and it was sooo good!

We spent the rest of the last evening of the rally in the bar with the others, having a few drinks and a good time. It was a late night too - not getting back til gone 3am! Overall it was a great time, we met some great people and had lots of fun.

... two. We decided to try them both. They sure do like their mayonaise in Belgium, and they have a ton of different sauces that go with the fries... the one on the right is the better one.
The next day we went to possibly the worst museum ever... the French Fry museum. Yes, an entire museum dedicated to the harvesting and frying of the potato. So bad but pretty hilarious, and of course you get french ...

... 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!!

... started forming in the 12th century and although they devoted themselves to God and the Catholic Church they were not nuns and were able to marry and keep their property. They eventually changed their beliefs and became more of mystics and were eventually thought to be heretics and were condemned by the church. They have since greatly declined in numbers and the Beguinage in Brugge is no longer functional. It is beautiful though ...

... the bar that we had met during dinner at a local restaurant called de Hobbit.It was a tiny little place with little tables. Steve had ribs and I had lamb with feta cheese- delicious! We also met an older British couple at the bar that we sat and chatted with as well. They were very nice and had interesting stories about Europe. The man looked like he had time-warped out of the 70s or 80s and he looked so British to me, like from ...

... all through the city. It was gorgeous. After that we stopped in a church really fast to see Michelangelo's Madonna and Child then we went to the local brewery to take a tour and get a free beer, walked around the city then went to pick up Josh.

If anyone is ever in Bruges there is a little restaurant, The Hobbit, that has all you can eat ribs for pretty cheap and right across the ...

... about my romantic cruise!!! If they knew!!

Frank compares the speed regarding to the ground (GPS) and to the water, and realizes that although we seem to go quite fast, because of the reverse current, we only do some 3 knots! "We'll never get before dark if we go on like that... we take the sails down, and go on engine: this will allow us to go straight to the destination instead of having to zigzag to it"

Ok, engine on...and we look both at each other...yess, we both hear a ...

... that now. 70km under my belt yesterday and I feel as though I could ride forever. However, I just need a day away from my steel companion and although I'm picking up strength and fitness faster than I anticipated I realise that it's best not to push these things. In fact I will probably even jump on a train for a bit over the next few days as there are a few things that I want to see in Amsterdam before heading back to the UK - time is running short.

... made out way to Antwerp the fashion capital of the Flemish state. We emersed ourselves in the Diamond district, had a most delicious dinner and watched a fashion show in the train station. I am now back in Leuven and very happy. Orientation starts on Wednesday and I'm excited to meet people. I'll continue to keep you all posted but please let me know what's going on with you. You can email me at djospe@gmail.com and as long as I like you I'll respond. MISS YOU ALL