Leaving Belgium

We checked out of Hasselt on the Monday, travelling into Belgium in time for lunch. We had some excellent seafood at a nice cafe but we only had a limited time there as the staff were keen to close for the afternoon. Kirsten had a char grilled tuna steak and I had a grilled salmon fillet. Both were beautifully presented with tasty veg. Yum! We spent the rest of the afternoon having a wander, coming across some cool looking shops (sadly closed as it was Monday) before we reached the statue of the Manekin Pis. Surrounded by tourists, the small statue of the boy peeing seems a bit inconsiquential by comparison, we took a couple of photos regardless. There’s a large fence we couldn’t remember being there before though we’ll have to check our photos from 2000 to be sure. Following the Manekin Pis we bought some local chocolate produce before walking through cobbled streets to the main square, featuring amazing buildings from the 1600’s. I tried a local dark ale at a bar on the impressive main square before we went along to the Tintin shop, a must vist for some postcards etc. Our last task in Brussels was to procure some waffles, which along with chocolate sauce, strawberries and ice cream, I’m happy to report were magnificent. Leaving Brussels we dropped into Bruges, only an hour or so along the motorway. It is a very pretty town with an impressive square and high church tower, I was tempted very much to talk like Colin Farrell for most of our visit. We had a quiet drink in a character laden local bar, the Nocturne bar. That night we camped in a freepark on the motorway. We were suspicious of anywhere too remote so we stayed at a service station. Some of the English papers had reported tourists being robbed by people seeking to make an illegal crossing into the UK. Thankfully the night passed without incident and we made it to Calais for breakfast croissants and coffee (plus a later cherry beer) at a local brasserie, followed by some shopping in one of the nearby shopping centres. We reached the P&O terminal a bit late but were allowed onto the next ferry. The only issue getting through customs was that we had to deal with the most sour border security person I have ever dealt with. It seemed that the very act of having to breathe and then converse with us was causing her untold agony. Struggling not to be sarcastic we boarded the ferry for a calm crossing, before heading up the motorway to Humberston and to see Aunty Anne.