If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium

....and the title of a long-forgotten 1969 romantic comedy becomes real because it is Tuesday and we are in Belgium. In Antwerp to be precise where we are overnight at Camperpark Vogelzang which is effectively a green parking area for the Antwerp Expo, which has nothing on at the moment. Lots of space and trees. Bit of road noise but nothing as bad as the M65. Motorhomes from half a dozen nationalities spread out around us. One daring soul has hung out the washing.

A quiet time by the canal

Yesterday we crossed the Channel, or rather travelled under it. Our firmly held belief is that if you have dogs Eurotunnel is the only way to go. On arrival in Calais it was straight to Carrefour to stock up on a reasonably priced wine or two. Bargain of the day was a Sauvignon Vin de Pays for an extortionate 2.60 euros. Eat your heart out Majestic.

Then it was along the A16 to the Belgian border where I managed to conceal my disappointment that we crossed without even a bump. I did wonder how the farmer to the right of the road got on. His house is in France and his barn is in Belgium. Do his cows have passports I wonder.

First night on the continent was spent at a lovely little aire by the canal in Beernem. Very quiet and a nice dog walk for the spaniels by the water although Max was intent on getting in and terrorising the ducks. We were joined by a lovely German couple to whom I explained the mysteries of the ticket machine in fractured English. Fresh water and toilet dump were all we needed. It really is a joy to be

Bruges has to be one of the most beautiful towns in Europe

in Europe where motorhomers are seen as an asset rather than the nuisance we seem to be in most parts of England.

This morning we took the train from the local station for the 12 minute journey into Bruges, a town we had last visited in December around 20 years ago. This time it was warmer and rather busier but the beer was just as good, as was our delight in rediscovering the wonderful taste of Belgian chips. How do they get them like that?

The spaniels had a tiring day walking the cobbled streets and being smiled at by passers by. When we were waiting for the train back a nice Dutch lady came up and wanted to take their photographs. English Springer Spaniels seem to be a bit of a rarity in Belgium.

The weather has been beautiful and at 8pm it is still 23 degrees. Tomorrow we head to country number three with an overnight stop at Arnhem. Didn't they make a film about that too or was that A Bridge Too Far?

Time for a rest and a drink.