Looking back on Belgium. One

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DIKSMUIDE

The yachthaven of Dirkmuide where Deerste spent the winter. The club had 87 boats and was built with around 1.5 million dollars of EU money. Voted one of the best 3 in Belgium. We have been invited to join – an honor as we would be exceeding the 10% foreign membership rule. Perhaps we have drunk enough Belgium beer to be considered as locals!

The port from the top of the WW1 monument.

Market day is always a lot of fun and the local produce a must. Now strawberries are in season and some of the best we have tasted. 4 half kilo punnets for 4 Euros (A$6.00) (and no soggy ones on the bottom)

The area around here saw much of the worst fighting in the First World War. Australian names feature a lot in the numerous war cemeteries in the region. It seemed a very appropriate place to honour Anzac day so we invited some friends over for morning tea and introduced them to the delights of Anzac biscuits brought over especially for the occasion. Despite Lynda’s apprehension to their reaction to this Antipodean delight (vegemite is never a winner) most had 2 or 3.

Morning tea below on Deerste, Anzac day

Belgium friends Nicky and Walter on the left, Tony, me and Eyvonne from the UK, opposite.

Underway after a week of boat work and socializing. Lynda at the wheel, all rugged up, as we head off on a club cruise to Ieper. This town was the centre of the Western Front in WW1and was completely destroyed. It has since been rebuilt much as it was. A beautiful small city where 4 days just slipped away.

It seems the Aussie fighting spirit still lives on around Iepers.