Dusting off the Blog and Trying Again

After much debating in my mind about whether to blog on this trip or not, I've decided to give it a try. I found over the years that I often refer back to trips to give recommendations to friends or just to refresh my memory about what we did, when we did it, and what we thought. So here we go.

This trip has been in the works for years. I think a version of it was planned (but not booked) just before Covid, and we haven't been across the pond since then. This trip will be different in a couple of ways. First, we older so our activity level might not be what it was 8 years ago. Also, Greg and I made the decision to just use public transportation this time. Renting cars and driving in other countries was fun but stressful. We're willing to give up some of the flexibility for a more relaxed trip. And finally, Greg will not be schlepping his camera this time which means any photos I use on the blog will probably be ones we take on our phones. I'm guessing none of you will ask for prints for framing. (I will always remember our sweet friend, PD, asking if she could have one of Greg's prints so she could paint it!)

Our plan was to stay in two places for at least 10 days in each location. And then take day trips from each spot. We also wanted to avoid travel trauma as much as possible so booked roundtrip to our final location, and then taking the train to the first spot. Anyway, it looks like this:

April 23: Fly from O'Hare to London

April 24: Arrive in London - keep ourselves awake by walking as much as possible- stay in a hotel close to St. Pancras station

April 25: Train from London to Ghent, Belgium (changing trains in Brussels)

April 25 - May 7: We have an apartment in the heart of Ghent. We plan to take day trips to Bruge, Antwerp, the coast/beach area, possibly Brussels, possibly Mechelen. Ghent is centrally located so all of these are within an hour by train.

May 7: Train from Ghent to London.

May 7 - May 16: We have an apartment in Fulham close to Parsons Green. We plan to take day trips to Oxford, Bletchley Park, Richmond/Hampton Court. I'm sure we'll return to some of our favorite food markets/bakeries/restaurants and discover new ones. We have tickets now for two plays while we're there, and I hope we can add one more. Plus several museums we want to visit again - or for the first time.

May 16: Fly back to O'Hare

I'm taking our old Chromebook (thanks, NW) so fingers crossed it survives the trip. I may not have the chance to set it up and post anything until we are settled in Ghent on Saturday, April 26. 

Follow along if you'd like. Throw in a comment if you have some suggestions for us!