Bruges

Friday 20/09/19

Bokkie is doing the tourist thing, squeezed into an overpriced aire with hordes of tourist busses dropping off their passengers nearby.

We left quite early this morning to make full use of our time in Bruge, some reports were that the aire can be very busy and difficult to get into, but we had no problems.

The Belfry

Sint-Walburgakerk

We've had a long walk around Bruges, and once we had recovered from the shock of having so many people around us we settled down and enjoyed it.

Brugse Vrije museum

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Markt

We found a nice quiet restaurant to have a coffee and Belgian waffle, as you do, and walked around taking in the views and ogling the chocolate shops.  One could easily put weight on here!  How do the Belgians stay slim....must be all the cycling they do.

Note the caption on the mug

It is a very picturesque town and clearly very popular, but we also found a few quieter spots to relax in, like the local park.  We have bought two beers to enjoy with our supper and may go out later for another walk, if we're feeling strong enough.

The bike 'wooden' go!

The beer wall

One too many beers!

Tomorrow is ferry-day, we need to get to Dunkirk and cross into Dover; I managed to book the ferry so that is perfectly clashes with the rugby so won't be able to watch that live! 

Lennik

Thursday 19/09/19

Bokkie is in the middle of Belgium, slowly working her way to the ferry terminal in Dunkirk on Saturday.  We're in an aire in Lennik just outside Brussels.  Most of today's drive was on motorways and the traffic around Brussels was quite grim.  We haven't really done Belgium justice by travelling this way, but it was unfortunately always a transit country for this trip, maybe we will explore better another time.

Bokkie and friends in a lovely fully serviced free aire.

Large horse statue in Sint-Kwintens-Lennik

The church in Sint-Martens-Lennik

The houses and gardens are very neat here, new and old alike.

We assume they frown on the French custom of pee'ing anywhere and everywhere??

Tomorrow we are going to try and get into an extremely popular aire on the outskirts of Brugge, wish us luck.

Near Mont Rigi

Wednesday 18/09/19

Bokkie is on top of the world; as far as Belgium is concerned.  We are rather unexpectedly parked at the highest point in Belgium.

We climbed out of the Mosel valley this morning and filled up with fuel and groceries in Wittlich. We then planned to stay overnight at a Belgian beer museum near St Vith - with a beer tour on the cards.  Unfortunately road works thwarted our efforts to get off the motorway, and we did a quick tour of the local farms trying to find an alternative road that Bokkie could fit down but eventually gave it up.  

It's 'Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland' we hope to be back some time.

Anyone know the way to the beer museum?

We re-looked at our options; Belgian doesn't seem to have a very good network of Aires like France or Germany, however  we managed to find a spot in the hills.  It is quite isolated and most of the motorhomes that were here during the day have left, so it's beautifully quiet.  The weather is forecast to get down to 3° C tonight so we'll be using Bokkie's heating for the first time in a while.  

We've been for a walk through the pine plantations and it looks like they are trying to restore some of the natural vegetation in areas where the timber has been harvested previously.  It was cold but sunny, rather a nice day to walk.

We have downloaded yesterday's GBBO (Bake-off) as we missed it last night due to the mobile signal problems so I think it's time for a blanket and a glass of wine.  Toni is cooking up a storm trying to use the last of our produce from the house sit - we've created many, many dishes with courgettes!

Ediger-Eller

Tuesday 17/09/19


We have had a wonderful drive along the Mosel today and are currently parked on the bank of the river.  Unfortunately the valley seems to be blocking the mobile signal and we have a very poor connection making loading the map impossible.

The Mosel valley is stunningly beautiful, bustling with tourists, and we are very pleased we came the extra distance to see it.  Every village along the way is prettier than than the previous one and there is a lot to see and do.  The vineyards seem to climb up to the top of the valley and they have specialised systems for harvesting on the steep slopes.

We'll let the photo's tell the story...

All the campsites and Stellplatz' are packed, it is a very popular area - with good reason.

There are walk/cycle paths which are very well used.

Ediger-Eller is a lovely little village

Very decorative steeple

Always wanted a Lamborghini!

We went for a long walk along the river and the river cruisers were serving supper as they floated past.

Tomorrow we will leave the Mosel and start to work our way East again.  We are really enjoying being in a different country - the Germans are lovely, and it helps that Toni can understand/speak a fair amount.

Trier day 2

Monday 16/09/19

Bokkie has been given the day off today and is still parked up in the same Stellplatz.  

 The city is very popular and the Stellplatz is quite  busy.  Luckily the circus ended yesterday as it was VERY loud.

We ran out of steam yesterday so decided to stay on to see the rest of the sights Trier has to offer - and we are so pleased we did!  The city is one of Germany's oldest and and still contains some wonderful Roman buildings like the Porta Nigra or black gate.

St George's fountain

Hauptmarkt

The Roman - built Porta Nigra

Trier cathedral

Very impressive organ pipe arrangement

The Electoral palace

We had a very long walk to see all the sights, browse the shopping districts and sample the wonderful pastries in a coffee shop.  It's a bit cooler today so we will relax the rest of the afternoon and head off further along the Mosel tomorrow.