My heart skipped a few (hundred) beats when the train pulled into Bruxelles Midi. Sure it's just the train station and doesn't speak for the city but the surrounding suburbs and dull countryside was extremely uninspiring. I wonder if the fog made it appear better......Wednesday brought on something like a resurrection in the old city. When there was almost no one around Monday and a few scattering of tour groups on Tuesday, market day (and perhaps the end of the Pentacost long weekend) has resulted in a flooding of people into the market square and throughout the city. Marvellous sunshine breaks the latest few days of drizzle and cold wind and enlivens spirits. There are a plethora of produce sellers in the market square, butchers, cheese makers, bakers and sweet makers. The flower market is gorgeous. Roses, peonies, lilies, beautiful bouquets and potted plants -so cheap compared to Australian prices yet apparently they are the most expensive they have been recently - mother's day in France and bad weather imports have skyrocketed prices from say, €6 to €10 for 10 stems of roses. Everyone here seems so house proud and are stocking up on flowering plants. Others are scoffing down freshly made waffles.It's bizarre what good weather can do; it's bizarre what an influx of tourists can do - while the past day and a half I had essentially, the entire city centre to myself, I now have to jostle through crowds and have to share the previously deserted streets with so many others. The canals are odiferous and I hate to imagine the state of the city in high summer. ...Amazingly I have not been lured by the chocolates or the waffles. What's wrong with me?!!
I have however, been having fantastic meals at the hotel du Passages. The word is that it's not moules season so the tourist restaurants are not serving the best quality. I in stead have a rack of pork spare ribs (only €14.50) which are amazingly good... the next night traditional Flemish beef stew, and the third night traditional Flemish fish stew. With fritjes and mayo, with a beer (I am not beer connoisseur but I am advised to try the house exclusive Fort Lapin) and that's around €20 each meal. Excellent value, wonderful atmosphere and convivial staff - perhaps a cop out eating there each night (the other places I wanted to go to were closed because of the long weekend!) but anyone in or travelling to Bruges definitely make your way there!
Thursday morning and I say good bye to De Corenbloem, the wonderfully charming and warm hosts and their beautiful dog; the most luxurious bed and my pheasant eggs (I can't get over how fantastic they are) and jump on the train to Paris.
Why is the weather so bad?!!
Boarding the Thalys train to Paris is shambolic... it's a free-for-all fighting to get onto the train. The weather is slightly improved
I have however, been having fantastic meals at the hotel du Passages. The word is that it's not moules season so the tourist restaurants are not serving the best quality. I in stead have a rack of pork spare ribs (only €14.50) which are amazingly good... the next night traditional Flemish beef stew, and the third night traditional Flemish fish stew. With fritjes and mayo, with a beer (I am not beer connoisseur but I am advised to try the house exclusive Fort Lapin) and that's around €20 each meal. Excellent value, wonderful atmosphere and convivial staff - perhaps a cop out eating there each night (the other places I wanted to go to were closed because of the long weekend!) but anyone in or travelling to Bruges definitely make your way there!
Thursday morning and I say good bye to De Corenbloem, the wonderfully charming and warm hosts and their beautiful dog; the most luxurious bed and my pheasant eggs (I can't get over how fantastic they are) and jump on the train to Paris.
Why is the weather so bad?!!
Boarding the Thalys train to Paris is shambolic... it's a free-for-all fighting to get onto the train. The weather is slightly improved
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