Bruges - Ghent 🇧🇪 55kms 🚴‍♀️

I awoke to sunshine and, according to locals, the best weather all year! 

I had booked to climb the 366 steps to the Belfry in the Market hall in Bruges and I would have to say it's the steepest set of spiral stairs I've ever climbed! Superb views.

Fabulous 800yr history and I love that the 'bell' sound is actually a song, played from a drum and every 2 years they create 4 different tunes for the quarter hours. It sounds beautifully melodic😊. Then the 24 bells chime!

Then, on my bike headed for Ghent. A truly delightful cycle along dedicated tree lined cycle paths along canals. Canal boats, cyclists and joggers out enjoying the day.

After about 10kms I met a lovely inspiring lady called Su. She was on her longest cycle (55kms) on a basic commuter bike. We chatted and cycled into a headwind for about 30kms. She is a Thai lady who studied English in Tasmania years ago (spotted my Aussie flag!) and 10yrs ago moved to Belgium. Her daughter's at Uni in Ghent and so she was cycling to visit them on her day off. We had a little picnic beside the canal 😊

Then I arrived in Ghent! First sight was the castle, right in the middle of town with canal moat.

The centre is all cobbled and so I bumped my way along past gorgeous buildings and spotted the canal boat cruises. I asked the ticket seller if she would be able to look after my panniers if I did a cruise and she said yes! 15 mins later I was cruising along the canals learning the history of Ghent. The 2nd industrialised town in the world behind Manchester for textiles. The canal was hand dug in the 1200's!

After the tour I cycled around the beautiful buildings, dodging the Tramlines and speedy cyclists and a lot of tourists, everyone enjoying the sunshine.

A Belgium waffle beside the canal 😊

Tonight I'm staying with Jan and his family, warm showers hosts. This is an inspirational family who go on long cycle adventures with their children (now 10 & 8yrs). Last year they took 4 months to cycle and camp from Lisbon, Portugal back to Belgium. Great conversation, Jan helped me fix a mechanical too.  

A blessed day 😊

Lille 🇫🇷 - Bruges 🇧🇪 77kms🚴‍♀️

Today I cycled north and have crossed the border into Belgium! My 17th country and 6006kms cycled since I left Australia 10 months ago.

I did a little cycle tour around Lille this morning.  It has a fabulous huge town square surrounded by buildings that escaped being bombed in the war.  Most of the town has been rebuilt and so this cobbled centre is treasured.

I visited the famous cafe ‘Meert’, serving filled waffles since the 1600’s.  The wafer thin waffles are filled with a marzipan type of cream.  Very sweet and so kick started my cycle with a sugar rush 😂

The first 15kms out of the town followed dedicated cycle paths.

Once out of town I rode through a rail trail greenway flanked by trees and quite a few out jogging, cycling or walking their dog. 

The last 30 KMs were a bit boring along a main road or railway line through an endless stream of car yards and industrial farm machinery showrooms. 

I was very excited to cross the border into Belgium.  I've wanted to visit since being given the country for a tourism assignment when I was at TAFE night school 23yrs ago!

I'm now in the absolutely gorgeous city of Bruges.  The cobbled stone streets, quaint Flemish architecture and grand Palaces, Town hall, canals are so pretty.  I arrived about 530pm and quickly changed and out to explore. The sun came out which made it even more beautiful.  There are Belgium chocolate shops, waffle shops, lacework wherever you look.  It's relatively car free and many tourists out enjoying a sunny wintery evening.

I treated myself to a very touristy Flemish dinner.  Garlic scampi, Flemish dark beer stew and chips, pear tart and a local Pilsner with a view of the canals.  I may have had a Belgium waffle when I first set off to explore 😊

A big day and I'm in my comfy bed in a very stylish hostel 😊