So, do you ever have a sneaking suspicion that you probably should have checked the internet for something before you got to a place?
I had that feeling a few days before the trip, and I should have. Having lived in Brussels before I knew they did the car free Sunday thing once a year. And we just happened to visit on that day.
Everythign within the ring would be closed as of 0930, so the only option was to check out early and go travelling for the day.
We did just that and hit the road after yet another busy breakfast, albeit this time with my wife to join along.
Our plan was to head out of the city towards one of our favourite towns, Ypres.
Our first stop was at a small memorial to the Battle of Frezenburg from the first world war. I once belonged to the regiment that fought here, and it was redone in 2014 for the 100th anniversary of the regiment. I thought it was only fitting to stop in and see it. If you didnt know it ws there, you would never find it.
Rare to come across a Canadian VC winner. This was at Tyne Cot cemetery.
Our next stop was the Brooding soldier. This was the runner up in the memorial design contest after the first world war. The winning entry was the memorial now in place at Vimy Ridge.
We spent the rest of the day touring around and visiting a very busy Ypres. Sadly the Menin gate was under renovation so we could not get a good picture of it.
We managed to get to the airport with about 2.5 hours to go before our flight and after a quick argument about where to eat we went to chill at our gate. We had hoped for access to the lounge, but our ticket was bought via Brussels Airlines but flown by Air Baltic. As such no access for us.
Our Airbus A220 arriving from Riga.
This is not my first time flying this airline. The planes are still nice and new, but with an economy fare you get nothing in the air. Not even a glass of water.
Not a tonne of room, but the seats are very comfortable.
I like the little screens giving us the distance and time to destination.
Before we knew it we were on the ground and ready to head home. We only waited a few minutes for our baggage and then we were in a Bolt and home 15 minutes later. We made the mistake of arriving home from a 9 day trip on a Sunday night at 11 pm with work the next morning, but what can you do.
I hope you enjoyed following along on our journey. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear them. We hope to do another pub tour in the North of England next year at some point.
But up next, a gigantic Christmas trip that only a fool would take. Hope you will check out that trip report when I get to it!!!
