Our next day was destined for challenges. After dodging the weather fate caught up with the group.. The first sign: the Clows(we blame it on Jackie therefore not Kirklands) overslept. We still made the train but those coffee drinkers needed to wait for our train change.
It was cold as some hid from the wind, but BOB was up for the trip. Trains and bikes are cool things. So are some of the cyclists. One cyclist was a little bruised talking of her "Thunder Thigh" but in good spirits. Another old guy was met on the train
The trip to around Antwerp centers around the buildings and their variety. Many are shown for the viewer. Alas, the tour was cut in half to avoid the afternoon of showers that came big time. Our first attempt to avoid the rain was coffee and hot chocolate(you mix in your own choice of chocolate while the others eat the non-choice) in a cute place called the Downtown Bar. The next was waiting under a tree in a high end neighborhood. Finally, at lunch the serious rain came and we abandoned. Rain riding is not a vacation, but 7 KMs back to the barn was bearable. Lunch was at a Scandinavian type place with a great salad/meat bar with tap soda and wine. The wine was panned.
In Oudenaarde, we found a select chocolate shop on our return and chose dinner at a place called Huis Van Parma. Portland had another potato adventure, but ALL liked the food. In the past two days Hotair has sampled the local sweet scene. A common candy is everywhere(see below) and the surprise is that they are like jelly beans on steroids.
The carnival is in full swing outside out window. One vendor,yes the one with banana shakes, has been in business since 1909. De Vliegher's has it all including the Belgian beigne called Olliebollen. The very hot donut type smothered in powdered sugar was great on a cold evening, A son now owns the business started by his grandmother and his two sons operate the others. The oldest photo is from 1978.
Tomorrow we hoof it around Brussels.Therefore, we have no use for those dirty bikes!!! A planned visit is the Temple of Beer to acquire Banana beer for the next Super Bowl Party. A visit to the peeing man (actually a boy which explains his size) is expected as well. Rumor has it his nature breaks are longer than Portland's. We have heard and will verify that there is a beer festival tomorrow as well. Eat your heart out Diesel. Imagine, lots of Belgians and lots of beer!
On the whole the trip has had less cycling than expected. The weather has limited but not dampened our vacation?? Nevertheless, we are riding in Belgium. The only negative sure to leak out is the RED bike rented by Hotair, Mr. Blue Bike, is also a SHITALIZED. Regardless, we are riding in Belgium. Once again,, we are riding in........... Again, many of the photos are idnetified below.
Cold
Neal's friend asleep right before his stop
His first train ride
And off he goes
Boys whooping it up before a festival
Great station
On the outside as well
BOB in Antwerp
A museum
Hot Chocolate and coffee
Wedding in the park
A Bike Cafe(Fietsenstalling)
Begin the neighborhoods
Enjoyed the tree protection from the rain
Park riding--rough
Leased gardens--460 of them
Lunch
Rain, rain, rain.
Why use a hood when you have an umbrella?
Back to the train
The Zoo-next to train station
Wedding in the train station
Raising money for Disney Paris
Wet
Dirty
Back to the Carnival
Their food truck festival--not quite like Portland OR
Oversized Jelly beans!
Look closely and see someone you know from the carnival below
REMEMBER--JUST PEDAL(even this)
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