Belgium - Day 12-16

The last time I was in Belgium was almost 20 years ago as part of my whirlwind family European adventure. It was one of those 20 places in 21 days kind of tour where we went from England -> Belgium -> Netherlands -> Germany -> France -> Italy -> Austria -> Monaco -> Switzerland -> Luxembourg -> Liechtenstein and back.


(cheese shop!)

Arc de Triomphe

I was so excited to go back to Belgium! It was going to be a trip filled with visits to the Grand Place (my favourite), croissants, fresh bread, waffles, mussels and frites! Oh yes, a romantic holiday for two. In reality, we both came down with the flu and were sick beyond belief... high fever, body aches, headache, tiredness, dry cough and unmentional visits to the loo. To weak to spend more than half a day exploring the city. Too sick to eat any of the tasty delights above. Sadly, we also missed our day trip to Bruges and Ghent. We just couldn't do it.



The famous Manneken Pis at one of the many chocolate shops in Brussels.


Check out how the trees in the park walkway are trained to grow across!

These are all the images I mustered to take. We will return one day! Not to worry!


The Atomium.


Outside of the royal residences. Somebody had just left in a police escorted motorcade.


Grand Place ...




Every two years in August, the Grand Place is covered in a flower (begonia) carpet that covers 19,000 sq ft.




I was finally healthy enough to enjoy some frites on our last night in Belgium. With mayo of course!

London - Day 11

So, I fell off the blogging wagon for a bit. Somewhere between Cambridge and Belgium, I caught the flu. No, not swine. I checked. Yes, I was THAT sick. Of course, Rob caught it too and we were down for the past 4 / 5 days and still have not had a proper meal. I'm feeling so much better now, but still have a stubborn cough (that is killing me I may add). Being so sick in a country that speaks another language was quite frustrating. Good thing for high school french! Medication in Belgium are listed in 3 different languages plus Braille, but not english! Anyways, will tell you all about it in the Belgium post.

In the meantime, back to Cambridge for day 11! A fourty-five minute train ride outside London, Cambridge is absolutely beautiful and a lot less people!


Can you imagine going to school in these beautiful buildings and surroundings?


Feel like punting? You can either rent your own boat or sit back and take a ride with a guide.


Cambridge town map


Walking towards King's College Cathedral....



Loving the door within the door! (Although the small door looks tiny in relation, it would have fit a regular person, so you can see how large the big door actually is).


Side view of the chapel




Back in town ...


Weekend market ...


I can't remember the details of this church (sorry), but love the shot with the spider web.


Zoom in. Does the fake man on top of the pie shop remind you of anybody?


Trinity College was founded in 1546 and is the largest college in the University.


Today, the College consists of a Master; about 160 fellows, most of whom are teachers; about 320 postgraduate and 650 undergraduates.


It was closed during our visit, but they have the most amazing looking dining hall (pictured on the website). Apparently, the one from Harry Potter was based on this.


After our tour, we walked along the Cam river bank


Tons of boats along the canal - both recreational and homes.



... and what was at the end of the walk?! Our first pub food of course! Unfortunately, they ran out of Sunday roast lunch as we didn't arrive until almost 4pm. So fish & chips and steak & frites for us! nom nom nom ....

London - Day 10

Everytime I come to London, I get sick. New place. New bugs. So it shouldn't surprise me that I feel like I am coming down with something. Feeling a bit run down today and have a nasty cough. Blech.

London day 10 and day 11 was spent in Cambridge, about an hour by train from London. Thanks to E & M for hosting us this evening. We had a great time including our first pub, scone and Indian food experience! Yes, it was quite a weekend.



At Kings Cross waiting for the train... still can't believe the amount of people in London!



Looking out the train window...



E & M picked us up from the Waterbeach station and we headed to the small town of Ely for lunch and a quick walk through.

The cathedral ...


The downtown market that takes place every weekend ...


While we were in town, our friends had to pick up a few things at the local Tesco.


An american cheeseburger anyone?


For some reason, produce here always has so much packaging. Really? Is it necessary?

London - Day 9

We hopped onto the Victoria line and made our way to Highbury and Islington where the Make Lounge was located. It is a fantastic new area that we discovered and definitely off the tourist path.

We stopped and had lunch at a fantastic bakery called Euphorium in Islington. Delicious sandwiches and hot mochas!



Had a brief, but fantastic meet and greet with Jennifer from the Make Lounge! Her workshop space includes three studios over two floors and the retail shop (opening soon) is over two rooms.


Thanks to Deidre for a copy of Uppercase Magazine that we passed to the Make Lounge.


Fantastic store sign made to look like grosgrain ribbon.


Highland and Islington is near Camden Town, so we made the mandatory stop. I come here each visit and it just doesn't seem the same anymore. We were there on a Friday instead of the weekend, but it just seemed to be packed with young tourists and transients. A lot of the vintage and furniture shops seem to be gone and replaced with new fashion and food stalls.

I was told to get off at Mornington Crescent and walk down to Camden Town, but I believe that station is only opened on the weekend. I usually get off at Camden Town and walk down to Chalk Farm (row of houses in Chalk Farm).


Custom designed scooters at a food stall for customers to sit and enjoy their food.