We set out early to walk to Our Lady Church and see the only sculpture by Michelangelo that is not in Italy, Madonna and Child. It was cold and raining, but the statue of course was sublime. We battled the icy winds to the town square and caught a cab to the Train. We were on a mission. Back in Aus last year we had seen a show about a coastal tram in Belgium, and buying delicious hot chips ion little paper cones...
We got to the coast, onto the tram, but could not see the sea. It was behind forests, houses, sand dunes and eventually behind very ugly high rise buildings accommodating thousands of holiday flats. We jumped off the tram in De Haan, and walked to the sea. Max and Bill ventured down the beach to touch the chilly North Sea, and then back onto the tram looking for the chips. Off again at a huge pier with a restaurant on the end ... no that was shut, back on the tram to Knokke . The chip shop closed 10 minutes before we arrived... well what else to do but adjourn to the nearby bar 'Tracks and Travellers'? Pete the owner was such a character, all charm and humour and we had a great time there for an hour or two. He has an Aussie corner with flag, Vegemite and a few things people have given him. We left him with an Aussie badge and a scarf which he greatly appreciated. He got out his guitar and sang a couple of songs for us, very talented musician who has worked on a cruise ship and around the world. We had lots of laughs and decided that it didn't matter about the chips... the beer and gin might have helped, but we were soon brought back to reality when we got home and had to walk about 1.5k to a local laundrette to do our washing. Our day finished with pizza and red wine and a walk home in crisp moonlit air along streets whose shop windows offer beautifully crafted chocolates and lace products for which Belgium is so renown. Another different day, and a good one.
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