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There and Back again

How to spend 24 hours in Belgium and France by car (E40 + A16). December 2017

For some very pleasant reasons I found myself again in Diegem between Brussels and BRU INT Airport in my NH Hotel room, where always a bit colder than it has to be, as from my Siberian perspective, but still comfy as much as it possible. By the way, all of the hotels near BRU INT has their own or combined free transfers. You can check it upon arrival outside on the bus parking. It`s aslo simplifying the access to the airport, even you`d already settled down somewhere. So anticipating a long journey I swallowed my quite heavy breakfest and set off to get my car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Terminal

I booked preliminary the simpliest Renault Megan with AT, but at the moment of collecting there was no such car and they gave me this Mercedes GLA 1,6 diesel almost new and yes, front wheel drive. As for the car, with my height of 195 cm it`s a bit tight, not to mention that you can only put a laptop behind me on the floor either to seat Dobbie Elf, but even for him it`ll be too much, considering his rights and status.

My GLA-Ride

My GLA-Ride

My route was created in a week before when I spontaniously decided to visit some castles and chateu which are very numerous in Belgium fortunately. My second goal was to feel some sand under my feet on the coast of The North Sea in Oostende. My year is wasted if I hadn`t even a glance on the see. So I had to drive about 350 km round trip with 24 hours because of my next flight was already booked and I planed to visit this castles: Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Kasteel van Ooidonk and Castle Loppem

Let`s hit the Road!

Naturally, it was a Belgium part of the longest E40 European route more than 8,000 kilometres (4,971 miles) long, connecting Calais in France via Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan, with Ridder in Kazakhstan near the border with Russia and China. In Belgium there is 120 km/h speed limitation on roads with at least two-lane roadways separated by a median, and on freeways, so the whole stream is going quite fast, especially after BRU Ring.

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

My first Check-point has to be near Groot-Bijgaarden Castle. It is a 12th-century castle that was built for Almaric Bigard, the first lord of Bigard. Frankly, it was my first experince of observing such places and I was very inspired to see it. Ha, didnt went well. For some reasons it was closed for visiting this Friday. You better check before. Still, I`ve made some good pictures there and got out immidiately to save some time.

Some reciprocity in his face

Some reciprocity in his face

Kasteel van Ooidonk

Heading to the north to my next destination point you need to make a short detour from highway to the city of Deinze by the N466. On the roundabout near the Sint-Martinuskerk temple you can find a cozy Van Hecke grocery to have a bite and a cup of coffee before visting Kasteel van Ooidonk or after. Besides just after the corner in the same building there is an ATM to get some cash which you`ll need to pay for entry (2 EURO per person). You can also have a lunch in the restaraunt standing nearby, but I hadn`t.

I must to admit, that this time I was more lucky and entered the park and the territory, but not into castle itself. The owners are arranges the castle tours only on Sunday. It is a bourgeois and noble family from Belgium.

What to say. It is just amazing and so well-groomed. Rich of flowers garden with glowing of all colours of rainbow trees in a fall-time. I spent there about an hour just walking and breathing, turned-off my brains. Imagine, how to live there permanently. A curious notice that on every single bench in the park you can find a sign with womans name on it which correspond to real women in their family in all time. So nice.

The surroundings of this Castle no less beautiful and it`s obvious that previous territory of this land was surrounded by a large wall made of stones. So it`s time to move on

Castle Loppem

Kasteel van Loppem

Kasteel van Loppem

After large traffic intersection near Loppem city you need to drive on N397 to Loppem Castle. As for me, it`s became my favourite. I like the design and the park especially. There is something mysterious in this forest and bushes. It was built between 1859 and 1862 for Baron Charles van Caloen and his family, and designed by architects E.W. Pugin and Jean-Baptiste de Béthune in 1856. It is considered a masterpiece of civil Gothic Revival architecture. It has a really unique history and role in life of that region. You can find out more here, but a picture is worth 1000 words, so go directly there.

About 3pm I suddenly realised that I finish my castles program and it`s time to take a deep breath of salt air of the sea in Oostende, where my hotel was waiting for me.

Coastal wanderings

Dunkerque beach

Dunkerque beach

Finally arrived in Oostende and checked-in then I rented a parking spot on the desk of my hotel (there is a parking problem, I mean it) the spontanious decision blinked in my head, awaken by my last cinema experience to go to Dunkerque. I was really impressed by this movie not to mention the importance to tribute the courage and valor of the fallen and visit this historical place. One thing I didn't take into account, but should - incredibly windy weather in December on the North Sea. Beware of it and prepare seriously with clothnig. Eventhough you did, it`ll help you not more then for 15-20 minutes. It`s too chilly there.

Anyway, done and ticked and its time to have some rest and drop a shot of deserved single malt scotch and a beer, yeah, belgium beer, right! Cheers!

Coastal dusk in Dukerque

Coastal dusk in Dukerque

Same as always, here is my another Quick Ride for you with about 350 km in total for 24 hours. I`m out for now. See you on the road and take care!!

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