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