Belgium Part 3

Wednesday morning we headed for Gent. It was meant to be another good medieval city but I couldn't see it under all the construction so I really didn't find it all that beautiful.

So we cut short our morning there and headed down to the Ardennes region in the south of Belgium instead.

We stopped for lunch in the town or Namur. Not a bad little town but not as nice as some of the other Ardennes towns. Spent the afternoon touring the citadel that overlooks Namur.

We then headed to Rochefort for the night where we got a little hotel overlooked the ruined abby on the hill. A very picturesque little town.

Thursday morning we were going to do the grottos around Rochefort but after finding out how many steps were involved (over 900) and thinking about carrying Lexie the whole way we decided to forgo these and head instead for Orval to see the Abby de Notre Dame and the Orval Brewery. We toured the only part of the abbey that was open, the ruins of the original abbey.

Had lunch in the local cafe, including a sampling of the Orval Beer then headed to Bullion for the night.

This was one of my favourite places of the whole trip. It was a beautiful little town at the junction of two rivers with the citadel overlooking everything. We found a little hotel on the opposing hill side with a fantastic view over the whole town and citadel. (Our hotel was reputedly haunted, but we didn't see or hear anything! - Andy)

Friday morning we spent touring the citadel, we got to see the bird show with all the hunting birds that are kept in the castle - though it was all in French so didn't understand anything that was said. (There were a HEAP of school kids there too - Andy)

For lunch we headed up to Dinat. Another absolutely georgous town built between citadel and river. As it was a stunning day we had lunch out on the riverside which was fantastic.

Friday night we headed back to Brussels and stayed out near the airport ready for our flight home Saturday.

Belgium Part 2

Monday we picked up the hire car and headed out of Brussels. We drove down to Ypres

and explored around the Menin Gate Then spent the afternoon browsing through some of the world war 1 allied cemetaries. Very touching.

That evening we went back to the Menin Gate where every evening at 8 pm they play the last post, there was a bunch of kids from Canberra Grammer singing as well.

Tuesday morning we spent down in the trenches and exploring the german cemetary etc.

Before heading for the coast. We didn't spend long there as it was really not that inspiring, but headed instead to Bruge to explore that city.

A georgous city with canals running through it.

Belgium Part 1

On Saturday we caught the Thalys train from Paris to Brussels. That is definitely the way to travel, big luxurious seats. As you can see Lexie was definitely relaxed about the trip.

Spent the afternoon wandering around Brussels. A very nice little town. The Grand Place was amazing and the little streets around it were fantastic.

The photos really don't do it justice.

We saw the famous statues of Mannekin Pis and Jeannikin Pis. They were much smaller than I had expected from all the hype.

Sunday - My Birthday. Unfortunately not the best day of the trip as I was the one to get sick this time so felt terrible for the entire day. Decided to scrap out plans for the day and just took it easy instead. Explored the main center of Brussels again and went up to the Palace for a while in the afternoon.

Paris Part 3

Part 3

Thursady I headed into town I started at the Bastille and wandered around the Le Marais district which was gorgous.

Found another park for Lexie to play in.

Friday was another easy day with Andy at home in bed again. That evening I went into town with the other guys, the plan was for me to go in early and wait in the line to get up the Notre Dame towers and the others would join me when they got out of class, but here I had my first rude parisian encounter where they would not let me line up cause I had the stroller with me, so waited around the back till everyone else turned up and we went for dinner in the Latin Quater.

Both Lexie and I had our first snails...

Saturday we left for Belgium..

Paris Part 2

Part 2

Sunday we headed out to Versaille - we did actually wait in line here - figured we had to see something! was well worth it very impressive, though very hard work carring Lexie around as they don't allow strollers in.

Had lunch in the little town there which was very prety

Headed to the Opera distric for dinner that night to see the Opera House.

After dinner the reast of the group headed out to Pigalle region to see the Moulin Rouge but Lexie and I headed back to the hotel instead.

Monday we took the morning off as we had been going pretty hard for a couple of days. Met up with the guys for Lunch then look a cruise along the Seine in the afternoon.

Tuesady Andy had to go back to work and Lexie and I heading into town by ourselves. WE went to the PLace de la Concord then strolled down the Champs Elysees into the Jardin de Tulleries and down to the Louvre. We spent the afternoon wandering around the gardens. Lexie had much fun chasing pigeons and watching the other kids sail boats on one of the ponds.

Tuesday night Andy got sick, so Wednesday we all spent in bed (I wasn't feeling great either).