Day 38, 20 July 2014, Bruges, Belgium. For the first time in quite a few days I got to sleep under a quilt - A massive storm came through during the night and I went to sleep watching lightening and listening to rain pouring down. Awesome. Woke up so refreshed and listened to Madonna singing "Get into the Groove..." in the breakfast room - which of course became "Get into the Bruges..."! So I did. Took a heading and tootled into town for a look a the flea marke...

Day 37, 19 July 2014, Ghent to Bruges, Belgium. The heatwave, she continues. Not to harp (but) feel like a snowman in the Sahara... melting! The train was choc-full so me and half a dozen others stood up in the vestibule between carriages for the 25 minute trip to Bruges. Eventually got to my hotel (still not loving cobble stones - but gee, they're quaint). Situated on the banks of a canal in a quiet spot only 10 minutes walk from the main square, pretty happy...

Day 36, 18 July 2014, Antwerp to Ghent on the train, Sightseeing in a Euro Heat Wave - Made it to 36 degrees last time I looked! Firstly, let it be said, Ghent is a picture postcard town. I did a self-guided walking tour and have, quite possibly taken a photo of every picture postcard view there was to see - so today's entry won't be too long - to allow ample photo viewing time. Not unreasonably my room wasn't ready at 10.30 am, so I headed off with map in han...

Day 35, 17 July 2014, Antwerp Sightseeing Fiesta. Really. Having already got my money's worth out of the Antwerp City Card, I had until 3.30 pm to get even more value - another €37 worth as it happens. I had a plan! Left hotel at 9.38 am... Slightly behind schedule due to 3-toed sloth approach to breakfast. Made it to the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp's Notre Dame, by 10.03 am - just past opening time. Although completed in 1521 it's been trashed a few tim...

Day 34, 16 July 2014, Brussels to Antwerp train, trolley-bus around town and a visit to Rubenshuis - You guessed it - Antwerp City Pass for 24 hours, straight into it. Train travel in Belgium is slightly different to other spots. Probably because the joint is essentially small. Cities are close together - no more than 60-90 minutes on the trains, so booking in advance is unneccesary and of no financial benefit. Turn up, buy ticket, get on train. Without the inc...