Countdown to 60..Bubbly Party No.56..

Friday 18 August..Copine Cantine, Bruges, Belguim..

Europe 2023 : Bruges

 

Thursday 17 and Friday 18 August

Bruges is super touristy so beware. Stay away from the central Grote Markt until about 4pm when all the dreaded tour groups leave. It's a very pretty town in which to wander; stopping for a beer, a waffle or  fries.

We found a cool restaurant called Copine Cantine on the outskirts of the old town in a converted broom factory and a great natural wine bar called Cuvee.

One late and lazy afternoon Neil and I did find a table with a view on the Grote Markt to while away a few hours people - watching and catching up on emails etc.

The campervan parking is an easy stroll into the old town but quite pricey for 30 euro per night with no facilities.

Europe 2023 : Brussels

Sunday 13 to Wednesday 16 August

Camping Grimingen is well serviced by a bus service into the city. Central Brussels has a walkable touristy part centrered around Grand Place and a very modern area centered around the European Parliament.

We met up with Stephan and Andrea at over touristy Delirium Taphouse.

When in Brussels, beer is the thing to drink. Neil wanted to taste some Gueuze style beers as well as Kriek, which I generally ordered for myself; sweeter and fruity. There are quite a few good micro breweries serving plenty of innovative stuff. Try Moeder Lambic. 

Luckily, there are lots of super winebars in Brussels too, especially if you walk a few blocks out of tourist central to more local neighbourhoods. Neil's quest to taste lots of different natural wines was easily fulfilled too. Try Yves Wine Bar.

And for cocktails we discovered the amazing Arthur Orlans, set up in an old Tailor's shop.

And lots of great restaurants too. 

Walvis

Mazette

Kline

9 et Voisons

We went to the Magritte Museum, a Banksy exhibit and a great Comic Museum.

Everyone knows The Mannekin Pis, a  statue of a peeing boy but now they have added a Zanneke Pis. ( peeing dog )

And Jeanneke Pis. ( peeing girl )

Why?

Countdown to 60..Bubbly Party No.55

 A celebration in 2 parts..in two countries..on 2 consecutive nights..with 2 special families..So many of our Homer journeys have begun or ended with you guys at your homes..Justine, Arjen, Xander and Harry in Switzerland and Anique in Luxembourg.

Countdown to 60..Bubbly Party No.54

Wednesday 9 August.. Munich, Germany.. We were supposed to be in a beergarden but the weather wasn't great..over 15 years since we lived here..time does fly.. And a toast to all women for Women's Day, South Africa.. And I forgot the label but I'll blame that on jetlag..

Africa to Europe: 2023

 Monday 24 July to Saturday 12 August 2023

A few weeks between one exciting trip and the next.  From one continent to another.  From winter to summer. From friends to friends.