If you are managing to keep up with our travels, we are now in the UK. It is like they say the next country is never more than a quick trip away. We caught the ferry from Calais in France and now enjoying the white cliffs of Dover and surrounding areas of Walmer and Canterbury. The trip across the channel took us approx 90mins and cost 70€. Crossing the channel we experienced good weather with everything running like clockwork. It is very easy; just have your passports ready, confirmation of your booking and be prepared for a quick customs check.

Once you’ve crossed settle in and refamiliarise yourself with driving on the left handside again. Soon you instantly realise the differences, red telephone boxes, double decker buses, narrow streets and lots more history to fall in love with.

So, make sure you sign up to be a member of the National Heritage Trust of England. They care for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and places. It is well worth the effort as your membership fee will soon pay for itself. For us we have just spent the day exploring the Dover Castle, its church, war tunnels and hospital. (I’m even wondering if I can claim it as a day of work having visited a triage, theatre and two wards…lol)

And to top it all off, Mic thinks he’s now the King of Dover Castle, but we all know he’s just the dirty rascal. This place allows you to literally step into England’s history books and live out your inner ambitions even if it’s just for a few seconds.

All jokes aside, it has been a great day and one of the best in terms of weather as we were able to see from the shores of Dover, Calais on the other side. It is hard to believe from one side to the other is just 33.8km. On a fine day like this it would be possible to take a small run around from one side to the other. The strait was so calm and peaceful.

The castle was built for Henry II in the 1180s. The site has been an important vantage point for England during the middle ages and wars as from this fortification they were able to detect any emerging attacks and adapt to the changing demands of weapons and warfare.

Leaving the castle there’s a very scenic walk through land owned by the National Trust to a very special place known as the South Foreland Lighthouse. It is a Victorian tardis having witnessed an incredible amount of history, science and innovation. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic, flying a kite or taking respite in Mrs Knott’s tea room. Thankfully, it was closed.

Our next stop was the Walmer castle, often visited by the Queen and Queen Mother. This castle was once the Queen Mother’s home.

It is another castle perfectly positioned for defending the eastern coastline of England. It has real charm. There is also 8 acres of award winning gardens you get to discover, which includes the boardwalk and the serene Queen Mother’s garden.

In Canterbury, the centre point of any visit is the Cathedral.

It dates back to 597AD when St Augustine became the first Archbishop establishing his seat in this town. This cathedral is undergoing some significant restoration work at this time. In the grounds of the cathedral are the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey which includes the remains of the monastery where the monks lived and worshipped. There is also, St Martin’s Church, England’s oldest parish. The three sites are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We were fortunate enough this afternoon to attend the Evensong mass and got to hear the boy’s of the Cantebury Choir sing. They had wonderful voices and were truly talented as a group of choristers.

And for a treat you can’t come to Cantebury without trying the traditional Cornish pastry and with a name like Warrens bakery, you can’t go past it.

On our way to Villers-Bretonneux, we recognise another important landmark for Australians, “The Windmill Site”. After Pozieres fell, from 23rd July to early August 1916, Australians fought hard to regain this territory against the heavy German attack.

The significance of the landmark was that it was on the lower ridge to Thiepval.

Our commitment here until the 5th September, was three divisions of the Australian Imperial Force. There were 45 days in which 19 were under attack. In total there were approx 23,000 Australian casualties and 7,000 that died but we succeeded by recapturing the Mouquet Farm and restoring hope for a war that was in deadlock.

There is no evidence of a windmill here today nor much of anything as the area was decimated. But as the historian, Charles Bean, confirms “there is no ridge more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth”.

It is also the place were soil was taken for the burial of Australia’s unknown soldier. The final ceremony performed on the 11th November, 1993 by veteran Robert Comb, who had fought on the Western front, placed the soil into the tomb and honored the soldier by saying, “Now, you’re home mate.”

Now, that’s something to write home about, more than Aussie hope that’s our spirit.

Well, I’m not a real history buff and certainly don’t proclaim to know all the ins and outs about WW1 (the Great War), but what I can say is that I’m extremely proud to be an Australian.

And in this blog both Mic and myself would like to thank all the service men and women both in the past, present and future for their acts of bravery, compassion and thoughtfulness as they go about their duties to keep our nation and those of others safe. It shouldn’t go unmentioned that their families also make sacrifices and to these people we are eternally grateful for the support they provide to the returned service men and women.

This goes without saying that this a wonderful site and is truly a must see for all Australians.

Although, today is not ANZAC day nor Remembrance day we are overcome by emotions and there is a definite sadness that I feel as I walk amongst the headstones. There were more Australians lost in this part of France than there were at Gallipoli. However, on the 24-25th April 1918 under General Monash Australian Soldiers recaptured this hill known as hill-104. It was from this front line that the Australians successfully advanced in the “Battle of Amiens” on the 8th August, 1918 and therefore the reason that this site was chosen for a memorial.

You can spend well over 6 hours here as there is a museum, named after Sir John Monash, that you can enter at back of the memorial. It is first class. It tells a wonderful story and paints a lasting memory of what it is to be an Aussie through and through, while giving context to the war itself and our involvement as a nation. There is an audio that accompanies the dialogue so remember to bring your ear phones and some identification to receive your device. It is definitely not to be missed and is all free.

Well done Australia, this is a site to be truly proud of.

Needing a little more time to stop and reflect we’ve headed off the beaten track to explore the French countryside. From what I can remember over 15 years ago it is as beautiful and tranquil as ever. Mic picked these buds for me this morning and the perfume is just so delicately refreshing. Our van now smells like roses.

We are camping overnight at a place called Boiry Notre-Dame. It is a perfect spot to reconnect with your emotions and breathe in all the goodness that the fresh country air has to offer. Even the cows here are blushing they know it is so good.

We are in the eastern part of the Artois Region. Today we are leaving the bikes at home and giving our feet a work out (or should I say our bums a rest from the cobbled lane ways). The decision is to walk to the next town Remy and see if we can catch up with the locals using our basic French phrases. I knew I should have worked harder at school and with mum being a French teacher there is no excuse!!!

Today’s intention is to drift along and photograph anything that grabs our attention. And so the walk begins, the duck pond is full of life, mother and baby ducklings, just gorgeous.

Or maybe a spot of fishing, the patience and stillness to catch that Herring or maybe something a little bigger.

Or the war memorial reflecting on the positive relationship Australia’s presence had in this region helping the French to survive the Great War.

Or for my friend Justine running the dog wash back home, might appreciate the “Cani Zen” van. No more dog bites here, just relaxed pampered pooches.

And for me the stroll as I work off all those pastries, relaxing as I meander along in the great outdoors with Mic in toe.

We stop to take a photo of the poppies as they are everywhere and each time I see them I’m reminded of Dad as these were one of his favourite flowers.

It is an amazing feeling when you walk down these quaint little streets and all you can hear is the sound of your own foot steps.

But my blog goes out today to a very special lady in the Town of Remy. Jean has been the shop owner of the patisserie in Remy for 21 years and prior to that for a further 6 years in another town, that’s 27 years in total. What an achievement! Or as Jean would say it’s “Supa”. Her husband is the baker and you can tell by her warm smile why they have been in business so long. She made two very weary Australians feel so welcome. We enjoyed coffee, cake and a deliciously fresh sandwich in her shop front while sharing photos of family and laughing lots. Thank you, we hope to be back one day. So, merci beacoup. Au revoir.

Centre stage in the Markt with the magnificent Belfry in the background. Make sure you get out of bed early as this city is known as Europe’s most picture perfect historic city and the tourists know it!!!

So, to keep up with the pace, there’s always time for a quick coffee break and “Li O Lait” certainly provided that energy boost we were looking for. Okay, I know Mic’s cholesterol, but what about mine!! 😋 I guess it goes without saying better to die happy.

It’s down a side street in Bruges, has a great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing coffee. This was a nutty latte. I loved the quotes here…”smile!!!! it confuses people.”

Back to sight seeing….we soon understand why Bruge is nick-named the Venice of the North as there are so many bridges and canals.

And with the skyline soaring with spires it is difficult to know whether to look up or down.

But the most interesting fact about Bruges is that they have a receptacle of Holy Blood (a valuable relic that once stored Christ’s Blood). Every year during Easter there’s a procession in which thousands of pilgrims come to Bruge to bow to it. The chapel is called the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

It is tucked away in the corner of the Burg Square. The square is known for its political and religious influence, as it was the base for the Counts of Flanders. The most impressive building on the square is the Town Hall pictured below.

There is no doubt getting around Bruges can really make your heart race as there is a lot to see and appreciate with the grandeur of the architecture, history and hustle and bustle of the tourist crowd. So, whether you choose to do it by horse and cart ….

Or by foot,

It is well worth the time.

Ghent is approximately an hour’s drive from Brussels. It is a gorgeous spot to spend a lazy Sunday with its haphazard streets, old squares and waterfront cafes.The picture above is a famous stretch known as Graslei and Korenlei. In the 11th century it was a thriving port with all grain trade from Flanders passing through this spot. Today it is bustling with a colourful mix of people sitting on either side of the river Lys. It can get quite lively here so be ready for any surprises.Back tracking a little we commenced our cycling tour of this city at St Bavo’s Cathedral, Home of the Mystic Lamb. This magnificent parish church is the oldest in Ghent.It houses many treasures such as the Baroque high altar of marble and painting by the Van Eyck brothers, “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”.The artwork is a series of oak panels measuring approx 4.4m by 3.4m. The panels were initially covered in chalk, then several layers of oil paint applied and finished with translucent paint to provide an extra dimension, which is why the work exudes an inner glow. This painting is arguably the most influential painting in history and is also the most frequently stolen, according to Noah Charney. So, never underestimate the power of a sheep, “Ba ram ewe” to take control of a situation. 😉And a quick browse of some other interesting icons on the must see list in Ghent is the Belfry.This structure was built to symbolise freedom, power and urban prosperity. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and houses an alarm bell which was used to warn residents of any imminent threat.There’s also, the “Big Red Devil”, a cast-iron cannon weighing 12,500kg and dates back to 1431. Imagine this beast being fired on market day. 🤯 It’d really go off with a bang.But if that’s not to your liking why not explore the “Castle of the Counts”.It’s the only remaining medieval fortress in Flanders with it’s defence system intact. Good enough for Uni students to take control of the place and protest about increasing beer prices. Well, that’s one way to get noticed and a worthy cause to say the least.Or just wander the streets enjoying all the splendid heritage and infrastructure that this creative city has to offer.

Red luscious berries, just 20km outside of Bruges. This is a first for me a vending machine which dispenses refrigerated strawberries for 2€.

Well, worth the stop. We will be back tomorrow as they were sooooo good we finished them all this afternoon.

The grower is part of a fair trade initiative. This means that the farmer is accredited with meeting criteria to produce strawberries sustainably and responsible for marketing the produce as such. Every year the farmer’s in the region come up with different ideas to promote food being grown sustainably. This year they have introduced the short chain card which is a competition in which you can collect stickers like the one in our box from each participating farmer for a chance to win a basket of fair and sustainable products as a gift.

Great initiative for such a sweet treat, packed with vitamin C and goodness. Thought we need to seek a healthier option for Mic’s cholesterol🤗

This story is devoted to our beloved new home on wheels.

Well, our van was built in 1999. It has a Fiat engine and manufactured by Dethleffs, name of model Espirit. It has had one owner, so we are the 2nd or 1st Australians 😊.

Take a step inside and you get to have a glance at Mic’s renovations to accommodate our electric bikes.

This area used to be a second eating space and accommodate another double bed. It is now more functional to our needs as we have extra bench space, home office and seat for getting ready.

Our kitchen although compact is just perfect for motorhome cooking. I’ve really prepared some culinary delights from this innovative space.

And we enjoy each morsel along with, good wine, beer and strawberries here.

So, what about our bathroom?? It has everything a girl needs, hot shower, hand basin, 2 mirrors, plenty of storage and a toilette of course.

The bright yellow in this bathroom reminded me of the toilet seat in our first home.

Our sleeping quarter’s have us perched higher than an eagle (okay, slight exaggeration, but we’ll worth the effort it is so comfy and it is a queen size bed).

This view is from our bed looking down to the back of the van.

From the other perspective,

To take a look at the cockpit and where the navigation happens we step forward into the front of the cabin.

We upgraded the radio and installed a reversing camera. In the evenings we have surround sound and all Australian music playing through the speakers.

The laundry also takes care of itself a large blender shaped washing machine. One of the best inventions ever just needs 80 watts of power to run it and 7 litres of water.

Mic and I love our new abode it is so versatile and is allowing us to explore every day as a new adventure. We are parked up today on a farm 20km just outside of Bruges. They sell home made Ice cream. No prizes for guessing what’s for dessert tonight.🍦Yum!

Today is a very special day, there is a Bithday “n” Brussels. I’m 45 today and feel like I’m 21 again (lol).

Thanks to my wonderful husband for organising a beautiful 4 course lunch at L’Auberge St Pierre and our waiter Giovanni for making the experience so enjoyable for both of us. You never know what’s around the corner and this is what makes travelling so unique and enjoyable. The food was exceptional and would now be in one of our top 3 restaurants we have eaten at. Magnifique! And to my beautiful children, family and friends for making the day special for me.But aside from it being my Birthday it is also a public holiday in Belgium being Ascension Day; this day is similar to our labour day back home. So, thankfully we did all of our exploring yesterday cycling over 40km on our bikes as most services and shops are closed today and Mic wouldn’t have got to taste another waffle!!!

One of the more unusual attractions in Brussels is Atomium. It is a modern structure measuring 92m high. A very large molecular shape structure that provides 360 degree views of Brussels.

Brussels like all major capital cities has a square known as Grote Markt, but none more splendid than the exceptionally beautiful Grand Place. You could stand here for hours just mesmerized by all the statues, gold and architecture. Most buildings date back to the 17th century.

And just a few hundred meters from the square you get to meet a very famous little boy and no it’s not Ryan but Manneken Pis. This statue represents Brussels’ mischievous spirit.

If you are lucky enough you will get to see the little boy dressed up. This little boy has been stolen 7 times and one of those times for a good cause by some university students who promised to return the statue if funds were raised to support an orphanage. A little further along, next to the Parc de Bruxelles and Palais Royal,

lies Mont des Arts, an urban complex comprising of buildings and garden created by landscape architect Rene Pechere.

And the last stop for the day for a quick respite before heading home the three arched city gates referred to as the Arcades du Cinquantenaire which is adjacent to the grounds of Jubelpark. This year the Tour de France will commence the ride from this vantage point in Brussels.

We will be moving on tomorrow heading to Ghent and I sign off today with this quote as I think it’s very appropriate for a birthday girl, “when you love what you have, you have all that you need”. Family, friends and more fun times ahead, what more could I wish for.🥰

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend but in my case I’ll settle for chocolate 🌰, but wait in Antwerp you can have it all; chocolate, diamonds and beer. Heaven for both females and males alike or maybe not the male’s wallet. Belgium chocolate is 40€ per kilo but it is deli-choco-lush.Oh, and I forgot to mention their famous waffles.Okay, so it’s my turn to show off. Waffles with whipped cream, artisan lemoncello ice cream on a mouth watering crunchy but soft in the middle warm waffle.But don’t be fooled by all the treats, there are other hidden gems to be found in this port city that is constantly evolving and changing with time. There’s the Museum aan de Stroom. Take a ride on the escalators for gratis inside the Museum and you will get the best bird’s eye view of the city.

Although this city was heavily bombed during WWII it has managed to retain an impressive cathedral known as the Cathedral of Our Lady.And an interesting fountain that tells a story about the legend of Brado, who was a Roman soldier that sailed past Druon Antigoon’s castle on the river Scheldt and refused to pay the toll. He challenged Antigoon to a duel and won. Now this is where the story gets a little gruesome Brado cut off Antigoon’s head and hand and threw the hand in the river.This statue is located in Antwerp’s Grote Markt. Flemish (Dutch/French) renaissance architecture is best represented in this central square alongside plenty of cafes and restaurants and the cobbled pathways (not so good for riding).Our final stop for the day (no pun intended..lol) was Antwerp’s Central Station. It is one of the most beautiful train stations I’ve ever seen and I’m not alone. It has been rated as one of the five most beautiful train stations in the world.Stay tuned our Belgium adventure has just begun and my hunt for chocolate has been satisfied. Yummy, chocolate flakes for coffee and truffles for petit four.