In Brugge

Sorry I didn't get these up earlier. We went to Brugge for a couple of days last week. Here are some highlights of a very beautiful town.  

The belfry tower off the town plaza. You can climb to the top for a small fee, but I didn't.

Bruges square as seen from a cafe. Great cafes are all about.

Mary and Kris enjoying an espresso...or was it a beer and wine?

Behind the Camera

Some extra photos for my sister who says I don't include enough people in my pictures. 

Author and wife in Brussels

Wife, author and son in Leuven

A Belgian Windmill

Most people would probably associate windmills with the Netherlands.  However, many windmills are found in Belgium because of the proximity to the North Sea coast. 

Mechanism to direct the windmill into the wind. 

Mary and Kevin pick out some peaches and plums at a roadside stand near the windmill. 

Day Trip to Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the capital of the European Union (EU). It is only 20 minutes from Leuven.

Brussels city hall

Kris and her sister Mary in the Grand Platz

World's first Galleria of shops

Brussels' most famous resident - The Manneken Pis.  He is the result of Belgium's reputation as a center for great beers. I understand they have a whole collection of costumes including an Elvis costume to wear on his birthday. 

Like father, like son. Two great beers brewed in Belgium - Julius, a wheat beer, and Chimay, a Trappist brewed beer from a monastery in Hainaut, Belgium. 

To Market, To Market...again.

We like to eat, so here are more market photos. 

One aisle of fruit, veggies and flowers

Looking out over the square. I couldn't get enough elevation to show all the stalls.

Our favorite butchers.

Row upon rows of rotisserie chicken for sale

Belgian version of the Cancan.

Horst Castle

Since it is Belgium National day, we decided to visit a castle. Horst Castle was built in the mid 14th century. It had many owners over the centuries. Maria-Anna van den Tympel died in 1658 as the last resident/owner. 

Horst Castle from the tower side

From the couryard-side 

Kris and Kevin on the castle bridge

Lakeside view

A Visit from my son, Kevin

Kevin and Frank (my brother-in-law) decide where to have dinner.

La Parma Restaurant in Leuven

Mussels and Frites

hhhhh

Evening in Leuven