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Published: April 23rd 2013
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A certain sense of Déjà vu overcame us as we arrived at Dover and set sail for Dunkirk
Woolly Says – it was quite a strange journey as Oliver’s Army set off on the same paths once travelled by Georgie. The best ferry we have had so far and though the crossing is half an hour longer than to Calais it didn’t seem it. We picked up the A10 and flew up the coast past our previous stopping points, we did a quick stop to see Fort Neopolian in Ostend (it was closed!) and since the wind was minimal we admired the beach for a few minutes before setting our one surviving female (Mia only works in the UK so we have left her there) Tomi, we were soon beetling along towards Gent. After a few left and rights we found the Camping Blaarmeersen with every facility under the sun, a beautiful lake, set inn woodlands it looked good, there were loads of motorhomes and we miss Georgie. At 4 euro a person and 4 for a tent or 7 for a motorhome it wasn’t a bad deal. The two man tent went up quickly as did the
lilo, the lilo then went back down once Jo realised it wouldn’t fit in!!!! She had checked the dimensions but it was uninflated and although we got it through the door it would mean sleeping with the tent wide open. Once Jo had put every quilt, sleeping bag and rug we possessed underneath us for padding, we settled down for the night. Half an hour later Ian made the wise move to join Oliver, at least he would be able to have his legs straight instead of wrapped somewhere around his armpits. Not the best of nights and the unanimous decision has been agreed – we put up the bigger tent!!!!!
With Woolly suitably clad we caught the number 38 into the centre of Gent (or Ghent), jumping off in the historic quarter – you know when you get there!! – we stood admiring the buildings surrounding us, with Gothic designs mixed in with modern and more traditional buildings it was incredibly pretty. The canal runs through the centre and the bridge running over it made an excellent photo opportunity for Woolly.
Woolly Says – well I do look good even if I say
so myself. By now it was raining quite a bit so we searched for an outdoor wear shop and bought her a new waterproof jacket, as being a numpty she had left it at Ian’s sisters. We were within a two minute walk of five HUGE churches, with camera’s clicking we went for a look into St Niklaaserk, so simple in places and so ornate in others it made for quite a contrast. Wandering through the streets and an open air market we headed to the Castle, a very traditional looking castle and very picturesque, with wooden coverings across the openings, just right for sliding nasty things down on your enemies. Paying our 8 Euros each (approximately £6.50 GBP) we followed the arrows on our tour. Inside was warm and quite cosy with high wooden beams and warm brickwork; I found a lovely suit of armour in the weapons room! With good basic information we were able to go from room to room easily, the torture room is definitely worth a visit! Having had our fill we headed for a coffee outside on the pavement, very chic, I was most impressed to get a free bowl of chocolate buttons with
my drink.
Having dragged Woolly away from the delights of Gent we programmed Tomi for Hulst, driving past field after field, Woolly kept his eyes peeled for Windmills and Tulips…..
Woolly Says – I haven’t seen any yet but I’ll keep you posted. Hulst was really pretty with a beautiful town hall, well worth a detour but we wouldn’t have got there in Georgie, Oliver nearly had to go on a diet to get up some of the roads. Finally we made our way towards our stop for the night, I found it!!!!!! It’s called Baarland and it made me think of my bestest friend Sion! We drove through the prettiest villages, and they had even put the bunting out for me in one! Set right on the reclaimed land of Zeeland with indoor and outdoor pools, bar, restaurant and birds tweeting around your tent, at 21 Euro for the night (26 Euro for Motorhomes) including the WIFI we can settle in for a night in comfort – hopefully!!!!
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