On Monday, five days ago, we left Brussels by bicycle. Today, after following a circuitous route through Flanders, we arrived in Bruges.

We cycled 55 km today, more than we ever have. After a week of it raining every day, we had almost complete sunshine, with 13°C temperature, today, through forests and fields and villages and towns and cities.

We are strong and powerful. 

Cycling through the Bulscampveld forest, we spotted a sign for “Urban Café.” As that’s our demo right there, we diverted.

The café is not urban: it’s in the forest. And it’s a “scene” as Lisa says. We arrived five minutes before lunch service ended. We shared an amazing burger, fries, and a salad, and two bottles of Dr. Ginger. An unexpected delight. 

An impromptu “eat before you’re hungry, drink before you’re thirsty” stop at De Koetshoeve resulted in excellent warm apple pie and a solid cup of coffee.

(While we’re riding regular old human-powered bicycles, we’ve been noticing e-bike parking, with plugs for charging, all over the place here in Belgium, including in the garden here.)

We had a quick visit to the S.M.A.K. contemporary art gallery in Ghent, and focused on the Fake Barok exhibition by Narcisse Tordoir, which was quite affecting.

My favourite piece of public art on the trip so far. A former factory on the riverbank in Schellebelle, near the ferry dock.