Belgium in October

Booked a cottage in Handzame, Flanders yesterday.
Ferry to Dunkirk too.
Hope to see a bit of the old Ypres Salient from The Great War, haven't been there for 11 years.
Try and see some sites in and around Dunkirk relating to 1940 and 1944.
My wife's Grandad was evacuated from there. As were some of the Veterans I have known.
What I want to do is get over to Moerbrugge south of Bruges to see where my Veteran friend crossed the canal with ASH of Canada. He's sent me some photos and other info.(I feel a thread coming on.)
Only two months to wait now.
Gives me time to read up abit more.
Found a good tour of Canadian 1944 actions here.http://maeci-dfait.gc.ca/canada-europa/brussels/PDF/route4-en.pdf#search=%22moerbrugge%22

 

Just back from spending a while in the old Ypres Salient where i decided to conduct myself on a "different" tour this year (much to the bemusement of some of the other Brit visitors I came into contact with!). Of course, you cannot avoid the Great War while there, but I was mainly studying the actions in the area of the Ypres-Comines canal (including the famous "Bluff") of late May 1940 (defending the retreat). Very interesting and something I wish I'd done years ago!

I'll maybe post some photos of the WW2 sites on here when I get around to it.

You'll be visiting the Canadian museum and cemetery at Adegem and Maldegem I presume? If so, mind the roadworks (if they're still there in october!!!)

Dave

 

Don't know about the roadworks, let's hope that the water level in Maldeghem has gone down a bit.

I would be fascinated to see some current pictures of the May 1940 sites. At some point, I intend to plan myself a route back from the Dyle (Dijl) line to the coast. Most "Battlefield tours" concentrate on Dunkirk if they do 1940 at all, so I'm going to have to research it myself.

 

It's also worth bearing in mind the rail network in Belgium, as they often have special offers (for example: train to Brussels+free ticket for the tour bus which you can get on and off as much as you like).

Most museums etc.. in Belgium have a special rate for people over the age of 55 (eg. Castle museum in Ghent costs 6 euros to enter, but only 1.5 euros if your over 55).

Good Restaurants:-
Brussels: Chez Leon
Bruge: De Vlaamsche pot
Ghent: Klokhuys

My wife is from a town between Ghent & Antwerp, and we visit relatives 4-5 times year, so i'm getting to know the country quite well.

Regards
Paul

 

Thanks for the recommendations chaps.
See what I can do. The rest of the family might get hacked of with too much battlefeild touring though............

 

I'm back.
Good to see site back to strength.
Will post photos soon.

 

I trust you had a good time?

 

Welcome back Owen.

As far as the site goes, they say a change is as good as a holiday.

You go on holiday and it all changes.