BOB DOES BRUSSELS -DAY 4

09//06/2015

Today there were no bicycles other the hundred or so near misses of us as we hoofed around Brussels so BOB could see some sights.  The journey included the Mannekin Piswho has a likeness just about everywhere, and chocolate chocolate chocolate.  Street performers, food, deserts, the YC(really a WC) and two twenty somethings from Oost Flanders added color to the day, which also included a 45 minute train ride that took 3 hours.

The day started with breakfast at The Cesar with chocolate croissants and crepes before a brisk walk as the Clows(been there before) were slightly tardy. We did get our train. However, Belgian rail closed some track so we went north to go south so-to-speak. At the time we were assured of the simple route back. Wrong. More on that later.

 Lawyers must work in Oudenaarde Hotair discovered. Of course, lawyers are everywhere.

There are cyclists getting out for their group ride

A hammer needed for emergency exit, but break the glass to get it!

Bicycle parking at the Ghent train station

Brussels was bustling with a comic festival, a color run a car rally and of course the beer festival. The old architecture with some new, the artisans, beer and food made for a fun  day.  As could be expected Water Closets were need from time to time. We learned that on the train the WC is free and everyone uses them. We wondered why so much traffic yesterday on the way to Antwerp.  Jackie preferred to call them a YC, so so did we.....all day.

Enjoy BOB's trip around Brussels. Comic characters on parade. A car rally also came into town. They were dirty but old cars due to the rain. Just fun, food, and  sightseeing in a great town!

Centraal Train Station

Smerfs are Beglian born and very present

Chocolate everything

Duh

Top hat and all

Tie heaven from days gone by.

Godiva

Waffles

Scoping out chocolate

Look at the chocolate

Lines for Friets all over

Views of Old Brussels

The car rally

Comic characters on parade

Coolest dog around

The Peeing Boy was everywhere. Signs novelties and as you might expect chocolate, which was plentiful to say the least. One stretch, which must be chocolate row and about 20 stores with duplicate suppliers. The Beer festival was near the Mannekin statue. Also, can you say waffles? Not just deserts, but also sandwiches were well represented.

A spitting lion

The  De Bier Tempel and a beer festival were were very busy. Two banana beers along with a few other flavors were purchased. Hotair and Lenore expect to enjoy pineapple and banana beer on the Kirkland departure as Portland will also enjoy the flavor of choice as Jackie endures mere apple.

The trip ended with a station not servicing by train Oudenaarde,a trip to another station for a canceled train and after more than two hours of relocating finally getting  our 45 minute train ride home. There was a silver lining though Jackie and Lenore  met two twenty somethings down to the big city for the annual Color Run. As soon as they heard English they stuck up a two hour conversation.  They had a little to drink and were very talkative. In the end they gifted Hotair a clean Color Run shirt.

Tomorrow we ride North of Oudenaarde to some small towns and hit some of the planned return trip from Ghent. The weather today was the best riding weather so far. Did it get mentioned the foursome did not ride? Therefore, good weather!

                                                              JUST PEDAL.