From Sanne in Brugges to Griet in Booitshoeke

Sanne was my host for Brugges. She is the producer of television shows in Brussels and drives a couple of days a week and also works from home. I arrived just as she was headed out with her sister to a birthday party. She quickly showed me everything although she had written notes already .

I spent the afternoon catching up on everything. When I went to go to the grocery store, it started to rain so I decided to eat my cheese sandwich instead. I was getting ready for bed when she returned and we talked for about an hour. She has travelled  through many countries down to Spain in her gravel bike.

In the morning she had to leave for work vut let me stay in the house until I was ready to leave. With her directions I went to the grocery store to buy a couple items. I left at about 10:30 in a drizzly rain that increased as the day went on.

I think Sanne would be beautiful on the dance floor.

Sanne's house. She lives in the bottom floor.

Living room

 This drum set was in my bedroom but I forgot to ask if she plays.

I was now headed to Booishoeke, a small area between Brugges and Dunkirk

Windmill

Butterflies

Selfie

More mailboxes

A Christmas tree farm

My hosts Griet and Pieter for the App, Welcome to My Garden

Since it was raining I didn't have to tent. It was a relief to hear that I could set up in the garage because all the rooms in the house are full.

Daughter Kathleen who is also a long distance tourer

Daughter Iles

Pieter's brother, Philip

I took about half an hour to unpack the wet things and set up  Griet made me a nice snack with croquettes and we chatted all afternoon. 

The Old Inner city and the FietskeukenFietskeuken

 I woke at 7 and did a blog . At breakfast we had muesili with lots of delicious, healthy ingredients. Then I loaded Silver and Mick checked the tire pressure. I accompanied them to look at one used to be the inner city for the workers of the textile plants.

Close quarters made for lots of diseases. There was only one toilet building for everyone.

Mick and Sofie volunteer one evening a week at a bicycle kitchen. People can come to get help and advice on repairing a bicycle and also come and have some food and social time. It all runs by contributions. There is also a section that puts together bikes from parts and sells them. 

The table is original wood from the building.

Mick is very handy. He works for Tradewinds which builds various outdoor product for the garden. He has devised many bicycle things such as this lamp

Bicycle clock

Bicycle medallions from Ghent

The table for eating and socializing. Sofie brings extra vegetables from her job on the organic farm.

A bicycle frame mirror

Thank you so much for the tours Sofie and Mick

A tour of Ghent

 

Sopie and Mick with Ghent's 3 towers in the background

The old Harbour area

The cathedral

The dragon on the steeple

The buildings date back many centuries

Old facades

The former horse entrances and cement posts so the carriage drivers didn't hit the edges of the walls.

The "Sheep Barn"

By the canal

The Behijnhof  for women

The castle

We met friend Sofie and Peter

By the statue commemorating the death during the inquisition of many opposed to the king. They were marched out in their nightgowns with noises around their necks.

A plaque of a boat for well to do people

Mick and Sofie were excellent tour guides and it was an enjoyable evening.  Thank you!

 We went back to their home , did the dishes and went to bed.

One of the textile mills that this area was known for.

To the reader.: I have not learned yet how to delete a photo once it is on. Bear with me as I learn