Our first stop was Ypres , also known as Ieper , which was only about 50 miles from the exit of the Euro Tunnel.
We stayed on an Aire ( up market Gypsy site for motorhomers ) which was about a 10 minute walk from the centre of town, which we did on the first evening.
Ypres is a beautiful historic looking town with lots of beautiful old Churches, Cathedrals and buildings. This is quite surprising considering that the whole town ( every building ) was destroyed and flattened in the 1st world war and was completely rebuilt between 1922 and 1926.
As luck would have it the builders, some of whom were British, must have had access to the original town plans as it was rebuilt to replicate the destroyed town. A very good job was done as you can't tell.
We attended the very moving last post which takes place at 8.00 pm every evening at the Menin Gate on the edge of the town . Every square inch of this huge gateway is inscribed with the thousands of names of the Commonwealth Soldiers who died in the Great war defending the region.
The town was beautiful and as usual we ended up in a bar drinking a local brew.
The next day Andy and I went on an organised Battlefield Tour of the area with Salient Tours. It was excellent. I was truly ashamed of my appalling knowledge of the great war. We visited several Battlefields, Dressing Stations and Memorials. Although fascinating it was also quite a sad experience when I discovered the true, yet unbelievable, numbers of casualties and needless deaths on both sides. Our Guide Chris was excellent and this tour is well recommended.
The following day we all set of for Brugge , another 50 miles and parked up in another Aire just outside town. We have been to Brugge several times before but always discover more every time we go.
On New years Eve we went into town to join the famous celebrations. On the way in we started to doubt we had the right day as it was deathly silent and nobody was about. We even wondered if Belgians even celebrate New Year. When we got right to centre of town we discovered a moving trail of people like ants all heading towards the square so like dutiful sheep we joined the lines and headed for the celebrations.
Luckily we managed to set up camp in a bar on the edge of the square and only joined to 8000 or so drink splashing ,singing and dancing crowd just before midnight. We are not great at being drunks so after about half an hour the decision was made to head back to camp for a "Cup of Tea ". We walked about 1 mile to get on a bus that took us straight back the the square were we had started. Oh well, even monkeys fall out of trees. Bladders bursting and feet aching we got back to camp about an hour later.
I would recommend Brugge and Ypres as great destinations, we had a fantastic time and look forward to returning soon.
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