Day 1 Monday 14th May

I have NEVER EVER been through the Chunnel.  When I used to go to Triton Square and occasionally walk through St Pancras, I used to say to myself when I’m retired I’ll take my passport and just go.  Well today was that day however things didn’t exactly go to plan; I was very excited about the prospect of going through the tunnel and wondered what it would look like, were there lights? could you see the tunnel walls? etc.  So got on the train, went and got a drink and settle down for the journey.  Thought I had an hour or so before the tunnel so played a couple of games of sudoku, looked up thinking we must be near the tunnel and it was all misty with fields and Dutch barns and funny shaped houses - not very English perhaps it was the french influence leaking through the tunnel!  Thought I’d check google maps and, knock me down with a stick of rhubarb, we were the other side of Calais - I missed the tunnel!!!!

Anticipation mounts at St Pancras:


Note to self:  make sure I have plenty of time when trying to navigate through foreign train stations!  Brussels is not a simple station - there are two wings and its really hard to work out which way to go. No signs as all boards show the same information.  Eventually found an information desk (no signs) just plonked near platform 13.  Originally I had 20 minutes to get to my next train, by the time I had been to the loo (one of those supposedly hygienic ones which clean them selves but actually just sprays the wee all over the walls and they end up smelling of p**s.), plenty time I thought - wrong, oh so wrong!  Another thing don’t take the train times as gospel - Isaw a train going to Bruges at 2.39 got to the platform at 2.34 only for that one to have long chuffed off - had to wait another 20 minutes and find another platform.  Still all’s well that ends well, get the train and have a pleasant hour looking out the window on a near empty train.

I notice that the Belgians do love a bike.  They have more space dedicated to bike parking than car parking at the stations.  See picture below of bike park at Ghent station.



Arrived in Bruges, lovely walk through the old town to the hostel (my home for the next 3 days).  First time in a hostel since I was about 14 or 15 when I went on a trip from school to Devon.  I was a little worried when the sign above the door said ‘Luxury Hostel Lybeer’, if they have to tell you its luxury then its probably not!  But after booking in and getting over the threadbare carpet on the stairs, my room is rather nice, very clean, comfy bed what more could I need - tea making facilities perhaps but they have tea in the kitchen on tap so not a problem.  The bar is nice also, chatted with some Canadian girls and all very friendly - not a bad place after all and smack bang in the middle of the old town.



Had a little wander around before finding a restuarant to get my bearings for tomorrow and had a couple of Belgian beers - they are soooo strong..   Hopefully have some nice pictures for you tomorrow.

Comments

  1. Unknown14 May 2018 at 14:26

    Sounds like a good first day Sue, I look forward to more of the same.
    Phil.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown15 May 2018 at 01:43

    Let me know, every day, where you are...so that I know where to start when I have to come and find you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tracy15 May 2018 at 05:34

    Yay - the Grand Tour is under way ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown15 May 2018 at 06:03

    Enjoy your chocolate tour x

    ReplyDelete

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