Arriving in Belgium Tuesday morning 4 August to a HOT day, we were met by Claude (who was with us at the Highland Rally) and is the President of the Belgian Indian Club who took us, carefully, on a ride along the coast to The open-air museum Atlantic Wall. This museum consists of more than 60 bunkers and trenches and looks exactly like it did 60 years ago. 
We spent over an hour walking through the bunkers and trenches and then had a meal at a local restaurant before our final ride to the Groenendijk Motorcycle Loft Hotel where we arrived mid afternoon. 
This hotel is only for bikers and has been purpose built to accomodate the needs of those riding around Europe.
Girls went to the beach and boys went to Claude and Rolly's house to talk bikes and see Claude's workshop.
We spent over an hour walking through the bunkers and trenches and then had a meal at a local restaurant before our final ride to the Groenendijk Motorcycle Loft Hotel where we arrived mid afternoon. 
This hotel is only for bikers and has been purpose built to accomodate the needs of those riding around Europe.
Girls went to the beach and boys went to Claude and Rolly's house to talk bikes and see Claude's workshop. 
Meals were "cook yourself" prepackaged food and Mason and Hannah were in heaven as they microwaved and fried their duchess potatoes, hotdogs and chicken nuggets. Adults ate curry and veal ragout and found the food to be OK to eat for one night. Drinks on the other hand reminded us of our stay in Ireland and many tourers found the drinks bill at the end of each night to be more than the savings of an entire small european monarchy! I hear that Peter is taking on a second job when he gets home to Bundalong to pay for Toni's "I'll shout the bar" drinks bill!! 
The entertainment tonight was an Elvis impersonator (no Lyndel, it wasn't Elvis - just a little helper) and in Sloth's words - "he is so awful he is great". 
Sue and Mick showed how to really jive and others just jumped around alot. Gerrard has given up his profession of "sleep therapist" and has opened up pole dancing school. 
Lyndel strained her neck by "burying her face in a gay man's abdomen". Yes readers, Elvis liked Jim! We had a blast and thank Claude and Rolly for welcoming us to their country by showing us how it is really done in the land of cakes and chocky.
Our trip to Belgium was planned so we could visit the Western Front Battlefields and the many First World War sites of interest. Claude and Rolly, who you met in photos of our friends that travelled with us, had organised with Frankie (you met him too - on the BMW) to drive a big bus with us in it - so we could visit the sites in the luxury of a coach and have a bit of a rest too.
Our first stop was the "Trenches of Death" on the river Ijzer. A very sobering tour and of great interest to all - well preserved as the information brochure said "so the younger generation can learn and live in peace".
Our next stop was in Leper or Ypres where we were introduced to Marcelle who became our tour guide for the day. He talked about the war in the area and told us the history of the memorial built by the Belgian's to those fallen.
Next stop - lunch. Peter B has been banned from playing on childrens' play equipment as he blew a tyre on the go-carts that the kids were riding! After this we went to the Ypres' War Museum, now housed in a fabulous building that once was a weaving factory. We saw the "On Flanders Field" exhibition and experienced the interactive displays.
Finally we drove to Polygon Wood to the memorial to the 5th Australian Division (Buttes Cemetery) and then onto Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial.
Arriving back at the Loft around 7pm discussions were had as to what to do for dinner. Some went into Oostende for a meal at a restaurant on the boardwalk. 13 members of the tour walked to local restaurants to "beg" for a meal. I do mean beg Readers, as by 9pm Belgium has finished serving dinner and most places shut shop. One lady shooed the hungry patrons out the door saying "13 people Nooooooo". So finally after Frank S told the nice lady at the restarant they did dine at that she was "their last hope" they ate. Unfortunately the mussels did not agree with Sharon and the poor love was ill the next day - full awards go to her for her stamina and active participation in the next day's event - including a full vomit out the door of the moving "Mafia Staff Car" with Annie driving.
But I digress...
Next day (hottest day in Belgium for 10 years!) we rode into Brugges and were given a tour by yet another Indian enthusiast - Paul the dentist.
We had a horse-drawn tour of the town,
a lovely lunch, a boat ride on the canal and then a little time to sample the delicacy of Belgium - CHOCOLATE! 
At 4pm we left Brugges and rode to Ypres to attend the Last Post ceremony that is performed at the Menin Gate every night at 8pm.
A moving and again, sobering experience. Before this we stopped at Zonnebeke - near Buttes Cemetery - at a small hotel and had an early dinner. Riding home the weather was cooler and a stop at an automated fuel station saw us top up enough to make the 60 mile distance. An earlier night for many with an early start planned for the next morning to enable us to catch the Eurotunnel train back to England.
The entertainment tonight was an Elvis impersonator (no Lyndel, it wasn't Elvis - just a little helper) and in Sloth's words - "he is so awful he is great". 
Sue and Mick showed how to really jive and others just jumped around alot. Gerrard has given up his profession of "sleep therapist" and has opened up pole dancing school. 
Lyndel strained her neck by "burying her face in a gay man's abdomen". Yes readers, Elvis liked Jim! We had a blast and thank Claude and Rolly for welcoming us to their country by showing us how it is really done in the land of cakes and chocky.Our trip to Belgium was planned so we could visit the Western Front Battlefields and the many First World War sites of interest. Claude and Rolly, who you met in photos of our friends that travelled with us, had organised with Frankie (you met him too - on the BMW) to drive a big bus with us in it - so we could visit the sites in the luxury of a coach and have a bit of a rest too.
Our first stop was the "Trenches of Death" on the river Ijzer. A very sobering tour and of great interest to all - well preserved as the information brochure said "so the younger generation can learn and live in peace".
Our next stop was in Leper or Ypres where we were introduced to Marcelle who became our tour guide for the day. He talked about the war in the area and told us the history of the memorial built by the Belgian's to those fallen.Next stop - lunch. Peter B has been banned from playing on childrens' play equipment as he blew a tyre on the go-carts that the kids were riding! After this we went to the Ypres' War Museum, now housed in a fabulous building that once was a weaving factory. We saw the "On Flanders Field" exhibition and experienced the interactive displays.
Finally we drove to Polygon Wood to the memorial to the 5th Australian Division (Buttes Cemetery) and then onto Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial.Arriving back at the Loft around 7pm discussions were had as to what to do for dinner. Some went into Oostende for a meal at a restaurant on the boardwalk. 13 members of the tour walked to local restaurants to "beg" for a meal. I do mean beg Readers, as by 9pm Belgium has finished serving dinner and most places shut shop. One lady shooed the hungry patrons out the door saying "13 people Nooooooo". So finally after Frank S told the nice lady at the restarant they did dine at that she was "their last hope" they ate. Unfortunately the mussels did not agree with Sharon and the poor love was ill the next day - full awards go to her for her stamina and active participation in the next day's event - including a full vomit out the door of the moving "Mafia Staff Car" with Annie driving.
But I digress...
Next day (hottest day in Belgium for 10 years!) we rode into Brugges and were given a tour by yet another Indian enthusiast - Paul the dentist.
We had a horse-drawn tour of the town,
a lovely lunch, a boat ride on the canal and then a little time to sample the delicacy of Belgium - CHOCOLATE! 
At 4pm we left Brugges and rode to Ypres to attend the Last Post ceremony that is performed at the Menin Gate every night at 8pm.
A moving and again, sobering experience. Before this we stopped at Zonnebeke - near Buttes Cemetery - at a small hotel and had an early dinner. Riding home the weather was cooler and a stop at an automated fuel station saw us top up enough to make the 60 mile distance. An earlier night for many with an early start planned for the next morning to enable us to catch the Eurotunnel train back to England. 
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