Hengalo 2019

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• Monday 29th July

  Left Brighton about 4.00 pm, a good hour later than planned. Fairly bad traffic to The Woolpack Inn (Brit Stops SE52). Nice place, convenient, food disappointing.

• Tuesday 30th July

  To Channel Tunnel, successful crossing, to Dunkirk and to organic shop. Bizarre. Girl manning checkout, people in shop, rows and rows of empty shelves. Despondently left, and went to Auchen, where we got everything we wanted, although the bread left room for improvement. I think probably a general comment about all supermarket bread.

  Then on to Bruge. Campsite packs ‘em in like sardines.

  We were walking distance to Bruge old town centre. Walked in, tried to buy a drink, gave up when no one came, went to do the tourist thing and take a city tour on a pony and trap, only to find that whilst we were waiting for a drink, they had all packed up and gone home. Went back to the campervan, where we all melted. Just TOO hot!

  

• Wednesday 31st July

  

  

  Walked back into Bruge, not so hot, walked around a bit, heading for the Markt, in the centre. Didn’t make it, decided to go back to Campervan for lunch, Sue direct with Beckie, myself via cash machine. Drizzled a bit, threatened to get worse, but didn’t. Found we could catch a bus, although a bit vague about where it went. After lunch, caught a bus, the driver told us to change at the station. From there caught another bus into the old town, followed our progress on MapsMe. Got off when it went in a direction we did not want to go in. Walked back to Markt, and found a TIC office. How unhelpful the lady was! Told us to catch a city tour bus, or just wander round. At least we managed to obtain a map. Visited a few places on our way back to the camper, but little idea of the history of the place. Pity! A lot of wonderful buildings, and I am sure a fascinating history.

• Thursday 1st August

  Drove to a park and ride outside Gent. And it turned out to be next to a tram stop. Bought a couple of tickets (drama, machine gave me my ticket, but not Sue’s, perhaps it is biased). Seemed not to matter, no ticket check when we got off, and found the TIC right where we were (by the Castle of the Counts). Went in – what a contrast to Bruge!!

  

  Given a map, and an excellent booklet listing everywhere of interest, together with an explanation and brief history. And we were able to book a guided tour, which was OK (ish). Interesting end to the day – drove to campsite at Sas Van Gent, some 3 miles from Gent. When we were nearly there, saw a sign saying “Netherlands”. And another sign saying “Road Closed”. Found another way round, and it proved to be a gem of a place, on the banks of the Kanal Von Ghent. And free!

• Friday 2nd August

  Back to Ghent and our P&R next to the tram stop. This time took a boat tour. Magnificent view! Such wonderfully decorated and proportioned buildings.

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  Then the skies opened, and we were pelted with a violent downpour. Our lady boat driver made for a tunnel as fast as she could.

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  A replica 17th Century barge for transporting posh people in style.

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  The Castle of the Counts, the only place we couldn’t take Beckie.

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  The nave and the wildly extravagant pulpit of Gent Cathedral. We also were able to see the Van Eyke Triptiche, complete (or rather not complete) without missing section.

  

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  No more photos, but then onto Antoinette and Douglas, where we had a very pleasant, if rather hot, time – visited Antoinette’s allotment (which she will lose next year), and went for an OK ish Indonesian meal, but a very enjoyable evening.

• Monday 5th August

  Drive to Coquelles, and stayed at the Carrefour car park for the night, Tuesday tunnel home.