Well here I am - first day of the grand tour and have survived the somewhat emotional journey that marked the start of two months in Europe. It wasn't without incident:
1. Sustained first luggage-related injury be clobbering my knee with outsize trolley case taking it off the conveyor at Eurostar security
2. Arrived safely in Brussels, then with the help of my schoolgirl French and a very nice woman clambered aboard a train to Ghent. Schoolgirl error however - of course as in any major city Ghent has more than one station, and I arrived at the one furthest away from my accommodation. It was of course persisting it down (it's really quite chilly here!) so decided to splurge on a cab (well only a mini splurge at 11euros) which was just as well as I would never have found it on foot and would've knackered myself in the process.
3. Very nice cab driver drops me off a Hotel Flandre which looks nothing like the cheap and very pink Hotel Flandria which I have booked. The giveaway was the 4 stars on the sign. Thankfully he didn't pull away immediately so I was able to call him back and he didn't charge me any more for finding the right hotel.
4. The hotel is - ahem - basic. I am on the first floor, and there is no lift. I lift case bit by bit up narrow winding staircase muttering "I can do this, I can do this".
My little room is clean and fine with a wash basin. The smallest toilet in Ghent is next door - I have to open the door to have enough room to turn around and flush it - and of course I can hear the visits of all the other guests - plus the bathroom is at least 30 metres away, but hey it's cheap, is only for 2 nights, I have wifi and am perfectly located in the historical quarter, a few mins' walk from the cathedral.
I've already been to see the iconic lamb altar piece - cathedral is terribly ornate and very very gothic with white lilies and gladioli everywhere - and listening to the commentary via an audio guide alongside the altar piece and about 30 other people all listening in their own languages, it felt what I'd imagine it's like being at the UN. I also loved the nearby Belfry with a flying dragon on the top of it, which looked especially gorgeous lit up when I went by tonight.
Had a good wander round the historic quarter which also has some great shops - and you may not believe this, but I didn't go in. That suitcase can't take any more, especially if I encounter any more spiral staircases. And as for the chocolate shops - well, it's way too early for presents and I can't handle the calorie count. You can't imagine the willpower it's taking to step away from the truffles.
Had a lovely dinner with dear friends Helena and Tony, also coincidentally visiting this weekend, at the Pikhuis, the old post office warehouse. Felt quite trendy but fun with good and different food. We called in at a friendly bar for a nightcap, where I'd downed my first Belgian beer earlier, close to St Nikolas' church and across the road from the very striking modern city pavilion. If you can tinkle the ivories, there's a (slightly out of tune) grand piano that sits there for anyone to have a go.
It's very laid back here, and friendly. Pretty too - apparently Ghent and Bruges fierce rivals.
So now having woken at 5am, it's time to turn in so I can make the most of tomorrow when I hope the weather may be a little sunnier. Can't quite believe that this is my life for the next 2 months.....
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