BRUGES AND BRUSSELLS

No photographs! Why? The battery in the camera had run flat!!

We took the Eurostar from Ashford International which left at 6.58 am. Early start made worse by missing the M20 turnoff the M25 due to heavy truck traffic. Found ourselves 15 miles too far down the M25 and had to turn back and go like blazes once we got back to the M20. Managed the 40 miles in under half an hour thanks to the trusty Vectra racing along at 90 mph.

Arrived at Brussells and found a lack of information available as to how we were to find a train for Brugges - but finally managed and had an enjoyable one hour trip through lovely Belgium countryside.

Of course it was raining so we took a taxi to the Hotel where we were greeted by a most friendly lady and dropped our bags off.Following her directions we were in the Old City Square in no time and enchanted with the beautiful old buildings. Pity about the rain. We had an enjoyable lunch at a restaraunt on the square - Carol had a bowl of mussells you couldn't jump over. Then we wandered down to the tourist information centre through narrow winding streets and di some window shopping en route of course.

Back to the hotel feeling very weary and decided on a bottle of wine and cheese and ham rolls. The hotel gladly provided knives and plates for us. Early to bed.

Much refreshed and after a very nice breakfast we decided on an escorted bike ride through the town and country. We were the only two on the toour so we had the undevided attention of our guide which was super. The riding was quite easy and Len's fears of not being able to go the distance soon evaporated. We rode through the old city, out to the new part, and then onto the lane alongside the Napoleon Canal. We went 5 kms along the canal to the village of Damme, a historic place associated with the early royalty. It was here that Hilda told us about Napoleon's impact on the area. Firstly he had instigated a census requiring everyone to adopt a surname. They had previously only had one name. Some of the eople took this very lightheartedly and so there were several Fukkers/Shitters/Pissers registered!It was Napoleon who set France (and Europe generally) on the practice of driving on the right hand side of the road. This was because he used his left hand to hold a sword and defend himself and that allowed him room to engage his enemies - at least that is what Hilda told us!

Back in Bruggewe had a light lunch and then took a boat ride through the canals which gave a very interesting aspect to the City and its buildings.
We splashed out for a super dinner that night and decided that in the morning we would take the train back into Brussells to spend some time there before taking the Eurostar back to Ashford.

At the Brussells station we parked the luggage in a locker, and took a tram into the City centre.We got off at the Bourse and walked down a couple of streets until we were into the Grand Square which really does take the breath away. It is a large are with the four sides lines with magnificent building, all superbly maintained. Len went into the Brussells Museum while Carol did a walkabout. After a lunch of Kebabs (!) we took a city bus tour which was great value. It lasted for nearly two hours and visited just about every possible site of interest . The EEC presence is enormous.

And so back to Eurostar and Ashford, where we were surprised to find ourselves off the train and innto our car in no time at all and racing off back along the M20. Home by 10.30.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST TWO YEARS

It is almost time to go home. Hard to believe that nearly two years has passed, and even harder to recall all of the various places we have visited during that time.France/Austria/Czech Republic/Iceland/Norway/Egypt plus Cornwall/Yorkshire Dales/Isle of Mull/Isle of Wight and dozens of National Trust and English Heritage properties. I am so pleased that I took the time to record a lot of these visits in my Blogsite and it will be nostalgia gone mad when we view them in time to come.

I have caught up with some old friends. Mike Lebrocq in Bournemouth,John Shapiro in Greatham,Dick Lancaster in Dorset,Clive Bowring at Fritham and of course my brother Peter and his wife Mary plus family. We have made a few good friends also, in particular Ruth and Tim at Wansford who we will greatly miss.

The highlights are hard to pick. Dog sledding on a glacier in Iceland is one. Christmas in Norway with Baards parents and family. The week on the River Nile. Mrs Coates cottage in Yorkshire and the Cobblers Cottage in Cornwall. The week on the Isle of Mull and the hand dived scallops is right in there too.

PORT LYMPNE ANIMAL PARK

Something a bit different this weekend. Courtesy of our bonus points from Tesco's we decided to make the trip down to the southern coast of Kent to visit the Animal Park and Gardens, a project that was set up by John Aspinall in 1974 to preserve and develope endangered breeds and species. The Tour de France was due to be visiting the area en route from London to Canterbury and we were a bit uncertain about the likelihood of traffic bans, but as luck would have it (despite reports of some 2 million people viewing the passing cyclists) we were unhampered both going down and returning.

The venue for this Park is simply magnificent. Set in hills above the coastal plain leading to the English Channel, with France almost observable, it was disappointing that there was some haze, as we were told that on a very clear day it was possible to actually see cars being driven along the French coast. But we had a bonus (for me anyway) when there were several fly bys of both a Hurricane and a Spitfire from the nearby Battle of Britain Museum.

We paid extra to go on an African Safari (see vehicle above) and it was well worth while as the terrain is very hilly and walking would have taken all day plus. The commentary in the truck was excellent and we saw many varieties of animals roaming around in the extensive grounds. We walked through the central part of the Park where all sorts of exotic animals are displayed.The highlight was the feeding of the Gorillas. These magnificent creatures emerged from their living quarters and wandered unhindered around the viewing area. There were three of them carrying their tiny babys on their backs which was fascinating.

A great day -and well worth the long drive.

HATFIELD HOUSE

This is probably the last of the great houses that we will visit during this trip.It was courtesy of Tesco loyalty coupons!! It is hard to believe that this massive pile of bricks is actually the home of the current Earl of Salisbury and his missus.
Built towards the end of the 15th century as a splendid palace for the Bishop of Ely, King Henry VIII later retained the property as a home for his two daughters Elizabeth and Mary. Hatfield Palace remained in Royal hands until 1603 when, in an extraordinary property exchange, James I took Robert Cecil's property near Waltham Cross and offered him Hatfield Palace. Not entirely happy with this arrangement, Robert, created first Earl of Salisbury, set about demolishing the old Tudor palace and began building the fine Jacobean mansion house that can be seen today.

Only part of the house is open to the public, but it includes the enormous gallery
on the walls of which are hung inumerable works of art, the value of which is probably astronomical. Another long gallery, the Armoury has agrand display of original suits of armour and it is fascinating to think of men actually allowing themselves to be kitted out with these obviously heavy suits and then trying to fight a battle thus encumbered. At least they would not have been in much danger of being hurt!!

There is a 18th century Dutch pipe organ at the end of this gallery,and while we were there it was being played producing a beautiful sound and so appropriate for the situation.

The gardens are extensive and immaculate, and although we had to dodge rain showers, we wandered around them delighting in the displays of both known and unknown varieties.

The original Tudor Palace, where Elizabeth 1st lived, has been extensively rebuilt, but unfortunately was closed for a private function while we were there. But we did enjoy an excellent lunch in the Coach House restaurant.