On home soil!

 I did get my waffle and it was covered with delicious Belgian chocolate!

A rather early start saw me at the Eurostar terminal. Boarding was easy and no one had taken your seat. Setting off, within a short time we were picking up passengers in Lille, France, and then we sped on to the Channel tunnel and in to London! It was a quick 2 hours and I  gained an hour!

I then took the  London underground to Paddington to pick up a train to Worcester! It was slightly strange as I couldn't see my intended train on the information board. A visit to the ticket desk caused me to wonder why Paddington and I just don't seem to gel - last year I was sent all over the country because of 'Storm Eunice' - this year I couldn't get straight through because I was told that a 'bridge had fallen down' so I was going to have to change trains!

Sis, Jake, and b-i-l John, were at the station to meet me and we headed off straight to the local hospital to get my name on a list to have cast removed. Information was taken - they wanted my sister's information rather than mine! She explained the process she had gone through a few weeks previously about what we had to do. We were told to wait and Jake went outside to tell John what was happening! Before she'd even got out the door I was called in. The doctor looked at my x-rays, which had travelled with me,  said " It needs to come off" and off it came.

 Goodbye old friend!

None of use could believe how quickly everything had happened. The doctor and I had a good laugh about my accident, but he had no clue what Pickleball ball was, and I had said if he hadn't taken the cast off I was thinking of different ways to get it off! I asked if I  needed to pay but was told no and within 15 minutes of entering the hospital I was out. Great service by the NHS. It does feel a bit strange without the cast but I am doing some exercises to get my wrist back to good working order - still a little painful when moving in different directions!

The weather was exceptional on Saturday and we spent the day lazing, reading

 and swimming!

 I am now a glowing red colour!

 

Sunday started with us all doing our bit to water the vegetable garden - you name it and it's growing! We then went for a walk down the lanes - all this before breakfast!

It became a dull cloudy day so we headed to Gloucester for retail therapy. There is a Marks and Spencer outlet store and I was able to replace some of my T-shirts! Also got new trainers - those cobble stones played havoc on my other ones!

Back home and we had a swim - think it's helping my wrist as it's getting a workout in the water - it was a bit chilly getting out so no sun bathing today! I was then put in charge of making gooseberry crumble! Gooseberries are one of my favourite fruits but we don't get then in Aus!

On to Brussels

 An easy 2 hour train trip in first class found me in Brussels. Unfortunately I reached my B&B to find the doors locked - I know I was earlier than check in time but my hosts had been informed! It appears that the Booking.com message, on how to get key, arrived when I had no Wi-Fi!

I sat at a cafe opposite the B&B until my host arrived. This place is on quite an eclectic street - home decoration, art galleries, home renovation type shops abound! It's on a one way street which is not overly busy but I must say I was a little worried when I saw ear plugs left on the bedside table!!! My room is at the top of the house 50 stairs up and no lift!

I decided to trace the path I would take to get to Brussels Midi Station for the Eurostar later in the week. It was so much longer and through some pretty dodgy, smelly, rubbish strewn streets that I decided a taxi at 7:15 am would be a better bet! There seem to be many more beggars and homeless people here than in previous cities!

Breakfast here is delicious - fresh bread and croissants, including pane au chocolat, yogurt, fruit, scrambled eggs if you so wish, cheese and Jamon! Needless to say I'm down to two meals a day although the number of steps I walk must make up for something!

With a good day forecast I headed out on the train - first class for over 65's is very reasonable - for Bruges, an hour away! Bruges was so much quieter than Brussels and with it's canals and interesting buildings was a lovely way to spend the day. I did a boat tour and plenty of walking - new trainers are desperately needed and I will be glad to see the back of cobblestones!

The market was still on in the centre of the town - the fresh fruit and veg looked very good!

I tried a couple of small beers at the beer museum - the dark beer was very good and the fruit one wasn't bad!

Unfortunately the journey back to Brussels didn't go so well with the train running half an hour late! The ticket collectors are very tough when it comes to people sitting in first class who haven't paid for the privilege- they are quickly moved on their way!

 After a slightly cooler start the day turned out to be sunny and warm. I have spent the day wandering around Brussels. The locals tell you that a sight is just around the corner and wave their hands in a general direction but that doesn't mean that you find where you want to go! I always try to keep a couple of view points in mind for trying to find my way back. I had been trying to find the square where Allan, Kerry and I  sat one weekend in 1998! Suddenly I came across it - total fluke! It might have been the sight of lots of tourist taking selfies in front of this landmark - Manneken Pis -  that did it!

During my ' I'm lost' wandering I came across some street art.

Perhaps I need to get my steps up, trainers back on and head out to test a waffle - another Belgian delicacy  - not sure I could cope with theses one's though!

Through the night!

Unfortunately my Saturday didn't turn out the way I expected! I left Bratislava on the train and headed back to Vienna. Vienna left luggage set up was pretty limited - not enough lockers, plus broken lockers. It meant that I had to sit in the station until I found a locker - this took 3 hours. I was planning to see some additional Vienna sites! I was getting an overnight train so had planned to use my time appropriately - didn't happen!!!

The train arrived at about 8 pm

Not snow on roof!

 I was in a couchette with a Uni student and a mother and 11 year old daughter. They were very nice people. The Uni student was Austrian but she was studying in the Netherlands because the course fees were cheaper. The mother and daughter were from the Netherlands and had been to Vienna for a mother /daughter weekend! They were able to speak some English so there was some conversation.

The beds were made up and we tried to make ourselves comfy! Could have done with a couple more pillows! The 'bed' seemed to be at a bit of an angle and that meant you rolled away from the edge! Unbeknownst to me the mum had looked us in tight - needing the loo and not knowing how to get out was a challenge especially as sitting upright after being shaken and rolled around resulted in a head spin!! Taking a deep breath, being calm and thinking I did eventually release myself without waking anyone! I did sleep a little but was glad to be able to stand up in the morning. It took 14 hours to travel through Austria, Germany and finally into the Netherlands.

Today, Monday, I realised that I had made an error with all my bookings - I knew the dates but not what day of the week! Novice mistake! As you might guess Monday means no Museums open - even the hop on bus wasn't running!!! All was not lost as the information centre told me that ferries were working and suggested a trip to Kinderdijk a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is where 18th century windmills have  their home! It was beautiful and a lovely area to walk in although I'd wished I was riding a bike as I could have covered more ground.

On my return back to Rotterdam I got myself on a boat trip up into the port area. If anyone is waiting for goods from overseas I wouldn't hold your breath as there are hundreds and hundreds of containers on the dockside.

It was a fascinating trip to see a port at work. The amount of different goods which travel up the river here enables you to just sit and watch the world go by!

I'm  staying in an area where there are lots of canals so plenty of boats.

The most fascinating site was this family in a hot tub tub!

The city of Rotterdam is an architectural 'mash' of different styles.

The weirdest was definately the 'Cube' houses. I went into one and it really makes your senses reel, the stairs are unbelievable too!

 The stairs were like spiral stairs and very narrow. The furniture had to be built in!