Belgium

So after a few quick days at home, changing clothes and sleeping in our own bed, and driving our real car... we headed off on the next stage of our Spring Break... a train to Brussels.

Brussels was gorgeous. We stayed in a Novotel, and split the kids - one with us, and one with Mum and Dad. The hotel was just off Grand Place, which was stunning. Overwhelmingly stunning. We checked out the churches, the mussels, the Mannekin Pis statue, and the beers. And some chocolate. Was perfect!!

Then after two nights, we jumped on the Eurostar and headed to London for my little nephew's christening. Once again, the whole of my side of the family was together again, with Mum and Dad, all of us staying at my sister's house. The christening was at their house, and was a sweet little service, followed by a sumptuous BBQ reception. Great chance to also get my brother-in-law's family together, so very special for them having both sides of the family all together.

We left Mum and Dad in London for a week, because sadly it was the end of the Spring Break and we had to get back home to go to school. It had been a great 2 weeks - full of activities and seeing so much.

OK - so it's no secret... I'm catching up on blog posts now that school's out for the summer holidays... I had done the first part of this trip, with Mum and Dad in the family truckster... so now here is the second part.... Belgium....

So we left Delft, to head to Ypres, or Ieper in the Flemish West Flanders province of Belgium. Again, the drive wasn't too far, only about 3 hours. And we enjoyed the countryside, were stopped for a while by a bicycle race passing, and then eventually got into the town. It was cute. We drove through the Menin Gate to find our hotel. It couldn't have been in a more convenient spot - just down a tiny side street, right opposite the In Flanders Fields Museum. So once again, Mike unloaded the car and us and then drove it off to park... not too far away this time.

We found a quick place for lunch, but were admiring the chocolate shops and cute cobbled streets, and adorable buildings. And working out what we needed to explore! The purpose of our visit to Ypres, was largely to hear the Last Post - which is played by buglers from the Ypres Fire Brigade in the Menin Gate Arch every day at 8pm, come rain, hail or shine, since 1928!! Ypres occupied a strategic position for both sides in WWI, and the town was pretty much destroyed.

The main square and Cloth Hall (now In Flanders Field Museum) were painstakingly reconstructed, and are gorgeous now. Ypres in known now as the City of Peace, and thrives on a tourist trade of visitors curious to see remnants of WWI. Including us. We went on a tour with a British group, to see the Commonwealth War Graves, German trenches and several sites of key significance in various battles and also within the history of Ypres. We loved the In Flanders Field Museum as well, and it told many personal stories of the effects of war and was very well done.

We then headed back home to Düsseldorf for a few days to wash clothes and celebrate Easter... before the next bit of the holiday!! The kids and Mum and Dad played games in the car, ranging from eye-spy to making sentences up using number plate letters... we all enjoyed travelling together and driving in one big car made so much sense!!