Brugge, Brussels, London and heading home

Will catch up a bit on last couple of days. We spent the full day in Brugge wandering and took the mandatory canal excursion around the city. Although the weather was a little overcast, it was still nice.

Canal tour

We also went to the majestic cathedral where we coud gaze on the Michaelangelo of Madonna and kind. If you saw Monument Men you will recognise it as the peiece of art retrieved at the end of the war.

Madonna and kind

We were able to stroll around and fill our day easily checking out shops, including what appears hundreds of chocolate shops! They are everywhere.

Me canalside with some art

Fully loaded up we went to a traditional restaurant for dinner as recommended by our friendly hotel, and we were not disappointed. The Habit is a family restaurant tucked away in back street and the food was sumptious. I had the rabbit and Fi the Wazooi, although she wished she had tried the mussells there as they looked awesome and were being devoured by bucketloads by the locals.

A full belly and a coule of drinks saw us out for the night, and we woke to clear skys for the morning. Last minute shopping before the hour train back to Brussells, to join the Eurostar back to London.

Arrived in London for my last night and so off to the Mews to catch up with all there and then sadly it was time to go home, where Fi, Leann and I sat up and chatted.

Last day has arrived so I am packing and will head off to airport this arvo for trip home. Has been a blast and this finishes up my trip and blog again for this year.

Hope you enjoyed my musings and until another time......

Brugge is a fairytale

Eurostar to Brussels was a doddle then the hour train to Brugge was easy.

A small walk to our hotel and a quick wash then we were out to explore. Sat down for a Belgian beer which came in a bucket!

Fi with beer bucket

From there we identified a restaurant for evening and just took in sights. Having trouble up loading so keep this short.

We will see sights today and enjoy the town.

Cooking and a Gin tour

Sunday was quiet after the hurley burley of the Test match day. Jill had returned and in the afternoon she and our old boss Caroline Hogg came over for drinks and nibbles. A few others came and Leann returned from Newcastle where she had seen her Sprinboks win.

We enjoyed a nice afternoon.

Monday meant some cooking and after Iain and lisa had worked out their week left for day whilst Fi and I cooked some chilli sausage rolls for my last night on Thursday. Fi also made scones.

All ready

Jill and Caroline came back about 3.00 and we had scones and a cup of tea before they were picked up by their mini cab heding home to Canberra.

Fi and I then made our way out to Sipsmith  where we caught up with Iain and Lisa for a really nice tour and tasting of a very fine Gin Distillery. 

Girls tasting

Made our way home and fairly early night. All up today with Iain and Lisa heading out for a 3 day driving tour, whilst Fi and I are off on Eurostar to Brugge.

Last few days and they will fly.

Wallaby power at Twickenham

Big couple of days after Iain and Lisa arrived and then the big day arrived. We left home at midday for the 8.00 pm kickoff! A couple of problems with trains but got out to Twickenham where the area was heaving.

Stopped at a pub for a quick feed and pint and watched the Japan/Samoa game with the growing crowd before we walked to the stadium and awaited the gates opening at 4.30 pm.

Selfie before match

(the ones after match are a bit messy!)

Once in we made our way to the big screen to watch the South Africa/Scotland game and caught up with Howie, Tezza and crew. A few more pints and by the time the team buses arrived it was chockers.

Fi and I outside Twickenham

Got to our seats for the pre game hype and although we were in middle tier it was a sight with 81,000 people.

Teams for the anthem

Well after that it was wonderful and the partisan crowd singing 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' were slowly silenced by a committed Australian team and the first try really kept that down to a hum.

What can I say, to see a game at Twickenham is a big tick and also to see Australia win fairly comprehensively made the night fantastic.

After the match they had music in the stadium as the fans dispersed and we caught up with not only only Australians, but British fans who were so friendly. Rugby crowds are just so good for the comraderie, win or lose.

We stayed until 11.30 and then walked with the rest back towards Twickenham town where we could get our minicab to pick us up.

Home at 2.00 am almost exactly 14 hours after leaving. Massive day and we just all collapsed. Up this morning to listen to the NRL grand final, and probably a BBQ this afternoon. Will be quite subdued I believe.

Thats all for now, and off to Bruges on Tuesday in my last week.

Walk in the park

Lovely day finally in London and bodes well for the footy tomorrow.

After doing a few chores I made my way to Hyde Park where it was a great stroll around and got across to the Northern side towards Paddington where the Italian water gardens are situated. They were a gift from Albert to Victoria and are very nice.

Looking at the gardens

Sat in the sun for a bit like a lizard warming the blood before meeting up with Fi at the Victoria for lunch.

Looking West

After lunch I was off to St Pancras stattion to meet Iain and Lisa fresh from Paris. A tube ride and then overland got us back to Greenwich where we dumped their stuff then down to the Mordern to watch Wales play Fiji.

We made our way back then to meet the girls after work and enjoyed each others company until wearily Iain and I went off to bed whilst the girls imbibed in more Baileys!

Friday here now and the day will unfold as it does.

Preparations

Fi has managed to get next week off so it has meant that we can do a trip to Bruges! So I have spent some time booking our trip for next Tuesday returning to London Thursday as my time runs down.

Last couple of weeks for me, so it seems to fly by!

Lots about to happen with the World Cup game on Saturday and the influx of Iain, Lisa, and Jill today and tomorrow. A bbq perhaps on Sunday weather depending.

Anyway just a note to let you know it is still going well.

Cheers

Musings from Italy

We got back to London after spending the day wandering in Amalfi. The whole trip was wonderful and I will try to recount some of the differences we encountered.

Firstly you must understand this is a tourist area so there will always be mobs of people from the rich and famous to the tourists like us as well as the locals. The mix is not always perfect.

The boat below 'Quantum Blue' was parked at Capri and is owned by a russian Billionaire who made his money in shops! It is 107 metres long and we watched his private skiff taking his shopping back and forth. They also took on board a stylist from Capri in the afternoon obviously they were going out that night!

Quantum Blue

On our way to airport in the taxi we also stopped at a crossing in one of the small villages and allowed Sir Bob Geldorf to cross over! I wanted the cabbie to nudge him so we could meet but he would have none of it!

Lets talk about roads and driving there... Strongly recommend that you do not drive! The roads are incredibly scenic long the coast but narrow and overlooking 200 to 300 foot drops to sea. Coupled with coaches travelling and crazy drivers it is far better to see coast from the the comforts of the ferries which run regularly and is far less stressful.

Even on the motorway the drivers tend to stray over 2 lanes and the road rules appear more of a hint rather than to be obeyed.

Sea travel is best

Being a tourist area we expected a few nationalities, but by far the most common were Aussies! Perhaps it was school holidays in Australia, but really! Naturally there were a few yanks who were mostly good, but there were definately a few of the loud brash variety. The only way they could improve is to have their tongues removed!

Did chat to some lovely Poles, Czechs, and an interesting Israeli couple.

Walking around is great but be prepared for lots of steps! Our appartment had 67 steps to our room and when we moved to a hotel for last night it had over 100 steps up to it. As the villages are all set into the cliffs, you need to be part mountain goat to get around. Is worth the few euros to hire a porter to take your luggage!

View from our hotel at night

Plumbing is a bit hit and miss... bathrooms are always nice with lovely tiling, but showers seem to either not have any temperature control and/or the shower heads will not stay up! All very clean though, which is a bonus.

Food is wonderful from the cafes to Michelin rated restaurants. Wine list at Da Gemma went from 2,000 Euro bottles of Rothschild to 20 Euro local wine. We went local!

Possibly had the best ever pizza at Gran Cafe on the waterfront, and gelato is a wonderful refresher in the heat. All made locally and is great.

Yes I was there

Fiona found a new summer drink there called an Apro Spritz, which is a bit like Campari, but I am assured is better. The Peroni is always cold and the local wines, which we always went for, were all good. Both the reds and the whites were good and really well priced. No need to get bottles, just get a caraffe.

The locals and staff were all very friendly and naturally we saw and heard a lot of animated Italians discussing whatever. We loved sitting around in squares and cafes just people watching and I guess we were also watched!

Anyway back in London now and preparing for Jill to return and also Iain and Lisa's arrival for World Cup this weekend between Australia and England at Twickenham. Some admin this morning and catching up on washing etc.

Until another day.....