Gorgeous Ghent - churches, canals and castles

We trained to the city of Ghent, about halfway between Bruges and Brussels.  It's a city of 250,000 people, with 70,000 university students.

This is the view from our room at the Ibis Central next to St. Bavo's Cathedral. It was noon on Sunday, and we were treated to a concert. It seemed as if all three of the churches were in a bell-ringing competition.

The hotel is right on the main square. We wandered down when we saw a commotion below us.

 

People in medieval costume, carrying falcons.

 

 

And others, demonstrating the birds' prowess.

 

 

 

 

 

It's a beautiful city of churches...

 

 

 

And more canals.

 

Our young canal boat

tour guide spoke seven languages fluently, and gave the tour in Flemish, German, English, and Spanish, based on nationalities aboard.

 

 

 

This castle was built by Philip of Alsace in 1130, not to defend, but to intimidate the independent minded residents into submission.

 

When we left the next morning, our cab driver asked us where we'd been and what had been our favorite places. We'll post the answers next.

 

In Bruges

A fairytale of a medieval city

 

St. Gilles church across from our B & B

 

 

 

 

Bruges is laced with canals.

 

 

 

 Fellow sightseers pass us.

 

 

 

 

A view from a canal.

Beautiful cobblestone hidden alleyways.

 

Ancient buildings where old combines with new - delicious lunch at Tom's Diner

 

 

Monet's Garden in Giverny

 

This is the chambre d'hote, B & B, L'Hermitage where we stayed near Giverny.

 The gardens and the lily ponds.

Our buddies

Our "port buddies," Rosie and Jamie, who moved to their own "fermette" in rural France.

 

 

 

 

Their farmhouse...

 

 

And the bucolic view of their garden and orchard.

 

It was great seeing them again after four years.

 

 

Dole France

We've always had a love/hate telling anyone about Dole. Part of us wants to keep it to ourselves--it's just our favorite mid-sized city in the world. Period.

But for you, we'll spill the haricorts: it's Beaune without the tourists, and a college town to boot. The people here have always been welcoming since they are not burned out by hordes of tourists.

 

The collegiate church - different from a cathedral since a bishop doesn't "sit" there.

 

 

 

Louis Pasteur was born here. His father was a tanner, the main industry that used the canals lacing the city.

 

 

We used to moor "Imagine" with a view of the church.

 

 

One of the most beautiful places to stay in France.

Burgundy Bliss

 

 

This is the "gite" where we stayed for two and a half weeks. We had a lovely wisteria-covered upper balcony...

 

Two bedrooms, 3 baths and good kitchen facilities in Noiron-sous-Givrey.

 

Lunch at L'Amiral in St. Jean de Losne.

 

Our friends Richard and Jo Ann along the Burgundy Canal where they were married aboard "Imagine."

 

 

We watched a large hotel barge, 'Fleur de Lys" cross over an aqueduct near Chez Bryony.  Not an inch to spare on either side.

Beaune Market

 

Saturday Market Day in Beaune.

 

The sausage man. He's been here at least 13 years. Same corner every time, sausages 3 for 10 Euros. Yummy.

 

Fall produce, moving into root vegetables and wild mushrrooms...

"Tapenade is a Provençal dish consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Its name comes from the Provençal word for capers, tapenas." Translation  --Deliciousness.

Deja vu

Today, we are picking up our good friends, Jo Ann Hay and Richard Whitman from the Dijon train station. One email from me sparked this trip back in February for the four of us. I wrote to Jo Ann, "Are you still thinking of going to France for your anniversary this fall?"

They exchanged wedding vows aboard "Imagine" in 2000. Here they are back then:.

Here's the group of us waiting for a taxi on our first year cruising:

 

That's me, Jo Ann, cousin Renee, Richard and Gary.

 

 

We'll be celebrating their anniversary and my birthday together.

 



Along the Burgundy Canal

 The beautiful Burgundy Canal.

 

 

The towpath runs alongside, good for walking or biking.

 

 

A lockkeeper's house next to one of the locks.

The lockkeepers' well-tended gardens

Châteauneuf-en-Auxois

We're home in Burgundy, where we spent over five years (10 years worth of cruising seasons.) Paul & I stayed at a Chambre d'Hote, a B & B in Crugey, on the Burgundy Canal.

Those of you who cruised with us on this stretch know this small village as the "Summer Home of Santa Claus." He was still there, fishing in the canal.

We took a short drive to  Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, a favorite spot we've shared with many of you who have cruised with us.

It's still officially one of the five villages in Burgundy named Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of  France.")  Here's  an example why it qualifies:

View walking down the street, toward the ruins of the chateau.

We tried to go to our favorite creperie in town. They were open, but not for us. A large group had reserved for lunch. So, we ended up at "Le Grill du Castel." We've wanted to try this place in the past, so we decided it was fate.The chef grills over the open fire that provides great ambiance on a chilly, rainy day.

Jambon Persille, a Dijon favorite

 

 

Since this was our first true Burgundian meal, we went the full Monty: jambon persille, (ham, garlic and parsley terrine) followed by boeuf bourguignon, the classic beef stew. Great cheeses - chevre, tomme, and strong, gooey epaisses. For dessert, a light ile flottante, floating island. A formidable meal.

 

No escargot...yet.

 

 

The view down from Châteauneuf-en-Auxois. That's the canal below.

The view up the hill.

 

The "new house" built in the 12th century