Koetrijk, Belgium

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Saturday,
Another rainy morning. This afternoon the rain abated and we decided
to go to a small city about a 45 min drive from us.
Kortrijk is quite old I think 12 century. But has been destroyed in many
wars. The latest in 1944 when it was a main railroad terminus for the
German army. I believe the RAF dropped over 5000 bombs on it in
one night. Not too much left. Except the city hall and a few churches.
The one area I thought was interesting is the Beguinage. It is a cluster
housing paid for by benefactors and facilitated by the Catholic Church
to house widowed women (caused basically by the death of their husbands
during the wars) They did not want to take religious vows as nuns in a convent,
These were started as early as the 13th century mostly in Belgium.
You can Google "Beguinage" if that interests you.
(Be sure to click on the image to see the other images and enlarge them.)
Lowell

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Photos

The Beguinage
I really liked this image

Parker pens
The one in the middle is
339 euro $475
Of course
that includes TAX!

Comments

[Arnie and Kathy]

Nice to see a new entry.
We were starting to worry a little about you when we hadn't seen anything new. Hope you're enjoying your time in Belgium!

[Ann]

city hall
That's REALLY OLD!!! Hard to imagine buildings built to last that long.

[Ann]

pens
Why so costly. Made of sterling silver?

[Sharon]

Great photos and also loved the Beguinage! The medivial castle was outstanding! Looking like rain here today too! Hope so and will cool off the 98 we had yesterday!! Fair is over and now maybe some normalacy! Love you, S.

[Lowell and Glorias trips]

Ann, Why not, we're old and we last a long time! Maybe not that long!

[Lowell and Glorias trips]

Still in Belgium
Ann, The store was closed. Other wise I may have inquired. Thought of getting one for Mike! Hmmmm!

[Tom Kewan]

Hi
Hi Lowell and Gloria, We just got back from UP NORT. Gene caught a ton of fish as usual. You folks are seeing and learning a lot of WW2 sites and learning a great deal of history. I'm sure you've discovered some things that aren't in the history books. I can't wait to get together with you and hear about your discoveries. By the way, I can't imagine anyone paying that much for a pen, (other than our president) that is.