Belgium

[Flood51]

My brother and I had planned on attending the Somme 100th anniversary on 1st July and visiting the graves of three great uncles. However bro has had a recent health problem and since the Somme anniversary was mainly his idea plus I would prefer not to get stuck in France with an empty tank on my first Cali trip to Europe I am thinking of turning left at Dunkirk and heading into Belgium. But apart from Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges I have no knowledge of the country or where to go. Got about a week. Any ideas before I cancel the French campsite ?

 

[GrannyJen]

Liege.

The Ardenne.

Liege is a hugely historical fortress city and possibly the one place more than any other where the Von Schliefen plan was delayed sufficiently for it to be subsequently undone. It is a bit metropolitan but still worth a visit.

The Ardenne is streams, rivers and woods, rolling hillside, narrow roads and tracts and, of course, history. Franco - Prussian, WW1 and WW2 significantly.

I will be in Albert on July 1st so hope that your fears about French fuel supply prove groundless

 

[Hotel California]

1 july is a long way ahead, the strikes and blokking of the oilcompany's are already now over....read the thread on it.
So think your planned trip would be no problem , even if you could drive acrros the border to fill up as you will be near it.
But if you planning to visit Belgium , there are not that many places to freecamp or camperspots. You need to look out for campsites if you want facilitys and hook-up.
The big city's as you say , use parkings and public service like metro in Brussel
Antwerp and Brugges by foot.
Antwerp got two campsites , one on the other side of the river "Schelde" walk thru a tunnel and arrive at the ancient city and cathedral.
Other campsite is bit further and need bikes or tram/ metro in to town
The Ardennes got lots of campsites and some camperspots
Beware school holliday starts a 1 july over here..
Edit : at work /lunchbreak , if you do dicide to visit Belgium , let me know , i will give some links and tips when on my I-pad at home

 

[Flood51]

1 july is a long way ahead, the strikes and blokking of the oilcompany's are already now over....read the thread on it.
So think your planned trip would be no problem , even if you could drive acrros the border to fill up as you will be near it.

HC your logic is compelling, i didn't realise the strike was coming to an end. I will continue to Albert for 1st July as I have a pass for the ceremony, but I think some day trips into Ardenne would be good.

Phil

 

[Flood51]

Second trip now planned, to Bruges. Since we are now faced with the £=peso to euro exchange rate my trip has changed from buying cheap booze to possibly selling cheap booze plus a cultural exchange of course. HC where does one shop in Belguim on a budget ? I am talking specifically about Belgium beer, ie Leffe.

 

[calibusje]

Hellow, are you staying at campsite Memling? Then the carrefour (about 5 min. walk from the campsite) is a cheap one for beer. For all the rest: aldi & lidl , they are along the 'Maalse Steenweg' (straight road to town from the campsite).
Greetings
Calibusje
Bruges

 

[Hotel California]

Think @calibusje gave you great tips, he lives in Bruges .
And i gonne give you a intel about myself: i don't like beer so never drink it and therefore do not have any clue on prices....
Have fun in Belgium, when is your trip planned?

 

[Flood51]

Ferry to Dunkirk on 12th July returning on the 15th. I have a free pass from my wife, a school teacher, so going with male friend so it will be a bit like the TV programme "Last of the Summer Wine". We are staying at Memling with bikes to tour the beautiful city of Bruges. Really looking forward to it.