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...

Day 33, 15 July 2014, Brussels, Belgium - Parliamentarium, Magritte Museum, Fell off the map, Got back on again. Direct from the "Who'da thunk it / No S**t Sherlock Department - 8 hours of walking the streets means tiredness the next day. Seriously? Yep. Made it out of the hotel by 10.30 am and was tuckered out by the time I reached the metro... all of 5 minutes walk away. Nevertheless, battled on and made it to the Brussels seat of the European Parliament. T...