A quick bimble around Northern France and Belgium

[Multirider]

So, we had a 5 day visit to France and Belgium. This is roughly how it went.......

We decided to take the tunnel on the Friday evening and overnight in Calais to get a good start in the morning and not loose the hour on the boat, good in theory but 8am in Calais was monsoon like. However, by the time all the faffing around was complete and we were underway it was just drizzle.
First stop was Cassell, a very pretty town from where you can see England on a clear day ( not this one!)





From Cassell to Ieper, in ever increasing temperatures, where they had thoughtfully laid in an international rally





We came upon this wee Strom that had travelled from Oz

[Multirider]

From Ieper we exited via the Menen gate and visited the Sanctuary Wood museum. Outside the trenches and bomb craters still exist





Inside, there are some fascinating "magic lantern" type of slides with some extraordinary images from the First War. They seem to give a scale to the horror which I hadn't appreciated before. Very sobering.

The next night was spent in Mons, a really lively city with some gorgeous buildings and great bars.






Next morning the sun really shone as we ambled from Mons to Namur via Dinant. The centre of almost every town and village was closed as there seemed to be a parade in each one





We came across some good unsurfaced sections between Mons and Dinant

[Multirider]

By Dinant it was Hot (30+). After a brew by the river we sought sanctuary in a church





Then on along the Meuse valley to Namur and a welcoming Jupiler.
The following morning was gorgeous. First stop La Citadelle de Namur, until recently the finest Moto Cross track in the world - sadly lost to the tree huggers.








This used to be the start and finish



Next stop Stavelot and the Spa museum, which is in the vaults of the Abbey. Loads of old F1 cars, bikes and memorabilia





IIn a quiet corner something quite sobering

[GB]

Cool right up, been to Cassel a few times myself, always seems to be the right place to stop for a Stella :laugh:

[Multirider]

After a belt around the outside of the race circuit at Spa/ Francorchamps, we did a lovely unsurfaced road of about 5km (my friend with the SV 1000 was not best pleased!) Then we came upon a Tiger and a GS prototype











From there through La Roche en Ardennes to the next hostel in Champlon.
Managed to get TinTin's revenge, which is no fun in 30+ temperatures and leathers, so the next day was a slog to Arras

[Multirider]

Last day, from Arras to the tunnel. We went on all the minor (D) roads to the best field in France





Even the visitor centre is a tribute to the long bow




Then on to Etaples to pay some respects








Really enjoyed the trip, some great roads and fabulous scenery. If you haven't visited this corner of Europe it is well worth the effort.

[jasext]

Great report and pics ,looks a fantastic trip .