Many plans were made on just how we were going to make it to Norway for our next house sit – plane from Paris or train to Belgium, another train to Amsterdam and then flight to Oslo – to name just a couple of ideas. But it all changed when Leah suggested we share a hire car and all visit Caroline and Alexander – and of course little Florence – in Antwerp, Belgium. So we headed off last Friday morning very squashed into our hire car but still able to breath among the luggage! The trip was uneventful except for the road travel game we played – name an animal whose name starts with A, B, C…..etc. Lots of laughs with little variations of the rules being made as we went. The more tired we got the more bizarre the variations became.
Our Tom-Tom lead us safely to Caroline’s city apartment where we met some of her family and friends before heading out for dinner – a typical Belgium restaurant – wonderful goulash and red wine. We then went the Annicks -friend of Caroline’s who had recently visited the chateau – to stay. Annick also lives in the city centre of Antwerp but well out of the main shopping and business precinct. Her tiny 1 bedroom apartment is set on a very cozy square with heaps of restaurants and cafés and a great playground for local children. Only minutes from the city centre by tram or train but reasonably quiet – except for the odd delivery truck in the morning and some late night diners at the restaurants. A great place to stay, a real taste of cosmopolitan living.
We walked to the local markets the next morning with Caroline as our guide. Great range of food and clothes. We then checked out the shops, had lunch, walked some more and headed home. Birthday party for Alexander that evening – more food, more wine and more socializing! Met some lovely people – really enjoyed chatting to Peter, next door neighbour to Caroline and Alexander. Sometimes you just connect with people!!
Much love to all
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Belgium, Europe