Our dash cam makes it all look so easy. It was. A quick 3 minute video. Getting on the train.
Well we finally made it to Ghent and with great excitement settle down on our first camp site. Blaarmeerson just outside Ghent.
A short web cam of the journey Calais to Ghent.
We had come to really like Belgium and Ghent was one of the places we planned to visit. A short and uneventful journey via "The Tunnel" and we were soon through France. Madam Satnag did the business and we were soon settled in. Two days to explore Ghent.
Our pitch was in a small glade near a few sanitary blocks all of which were quite tidy. The site was pretty quiet but I guess it would get busy later in the year, we had booked two nights but we could have just turned up.The campsite is well placed for public transport and the bus goes into Ghent from the site. The campsite is attached to a leisure/conference centre which is just by a small lake complete with beach and life guards. As the weather was so beautiful on Sunday it brought the locals out to sample beach life. It was almost Mediterranean!
The beach at Blaarmeerson. Nice swimming and sun bathing spots.
Even the local fire service were available if needed. Obviously on important business or more likely just cooling down.
We decided to sample the local cusine and the campsite restaurant looked promising. We were not disappointed we had a really nice steak here. The next morning we were off for an exploration. 20 minutes to the town from the site and the bus was around the corner. Bus no 38/39 and 3 euros each, for a one way trip. We spent a very satisfying day wandering around Ghent. Morning coffee at the local launderette!
Quite entertaining, followed by a quick whizz around other Ghent highlights. We didn't need to do any washing but we could have done it in style.
Ghent is a very compact city and all the attractions are within easy walking distance. The Belfort, St Bavos Cathedral, Gravensteen Castle and a brilliant cruise around the city on the waterways were all waiting for us.
The next morning we were up early and back to the bus stop, soon we were back in the town. Gravensteen Castle was first on the agenda. Rather a gruesome place we followed the torture trail.
A bit of water boarding, or at least the medieval equivalent.
Followed by Madame La Guillotine! Much smaller than I imagined but pretty lethal.
The Castle from the river looking really grim.
After an hour or so we needed cheering up, so made for the river and went on a calming cruise. Strange how things look so different from the water, for 7 euros each ( with wrinkly discounts) we thought it was good value for money.
Our final bit of culture was a trip to the cathedral and a viewing of "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb". A Ghent altar piece by Hubert and Jan Van Eyke, early Flemish painters. Generally speaking I find Flemish painting pretty dour, but this one was fascinating and well worth paying 4 euros to see.
Sadly all to soon, our visit to Ghent was over. We did a bit of wandering amongst the back streets of Ghent window shopping and of course stopped for a Belgian beer.
Next stop Germany!
Buzz catching up on his e-mails and watching the ducks on the lake!
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