Lots of coffee and bike messages around the breakfast room, plus a cute display my grandkids would love.

After an ample breakfast, we headed off on a day ride. We were planning on meeting another Zwift friend, Luc. There was to be a surprise there, but I’ll get to that.

The traffic was busy in Bruges and it took 20 minutes of traffic lights, hopping on and off the bike, scooting, to be free.

Another city gate, with a macabre story attached about a so called traitor who was killed, head spiked at the gate, skull kept, then bronzed, now sitting in a museum.

I found this one a bit creepy. He has pulled the fish out of the pelicans mouth. I don’t like this kind of imagery. The pelican deserves to eat! Go catch your own fish!

Peaceful rivers and canals.

Loppem castle was built in the mid 1800’s and now houses art. Quite pretty by the lake. The skies are very grey and rainy.

In 2006, Ichtegem village was chosen to honour a local cycling legend Jules Vanhevel who had previously won this event.

The overall winner in 2006 was well known Tom Boonen. George Hincapie was third.

It was windy, headwinds of course, but at least today we knew we would get tail on the way home. It rained so the jackets were on then off multiple times.

46 km in we arrived in the town of Diksmuide, a lovely town with striking buildings, a super nice markt, and a nice statue.

We were standing at a statue waiting for our friend. Tony got involved in a conversation with a group of Vespa riders. I laughed as I watched his arm movements.

He then took a photo for the guys with their vespers. I was spotted by their ‘leader’ and told to come out of hiding behind the plants. In fact, he asked me ‘have you been pissing in those plants’.

I told him no, but that I did need to pee badly. Truth.

They took our photo.

They told us that 2000 vespers were descending on the region for Europes largest vesper gathering. It was being held at the hippodrome in Ostend. We were cycling through there later in the day.

Then our Zwift cycling friend rocked up, lady on his arm who gave us a big welcome, like she knew us. Turns out Jill, whom I do know through Zwift is his partner. I had no idea, but what a lovely surprise.

Jill, from England, got to know Luc zwifting, and now she lives with him in Belgium ❣️❣️

We had a lovely catch up. I talked too much in hindsight. Surprised?

Jill recently spent time in Australia, as one of her sons lives in WA.

But all good things need to come to an end, and we had to keep cycling.

This are of Belgium has a lot of war history from both world wars.

On the outskirts of town is this war memorial. There is a UN owned museum there where you can experience mustard gas. Not on my must do list.

I experienced tear gas during my army reserve military training. A highly unpleasant experience that triggered asthma.

The next major town was Veurne. Only 10 km from the North Sea, and even less to the French border.

It has a striking markt (yes spelled without the ‘e’).

We looked for some food. I went into one store that only sold beautifully made, exquisitely pretty things. Nothing savoury, so a scroll it was.

We sat outside a church, and I wandered in. It has a history going back to the 1100’s.

The church details differ in Belgium. The ceiling is timber.

The tiled sections of roof.

This looks creepy! Medieval reenactments.

We then headed towards the North Sea coast. I had looked at us riding to Dunkirk, but it would have added another 25 km or so to the day.

Through the Netherlands there were many such signs. Wildrooster.

We figured it out, as each time there was a wildrooster, we rode over a metal cattle grid.

We laughed, as with the English definition, I wanted to see a very angry, free range rooster!

Today we photographed the sign that had made us smile and comment lots.

The wildrooster existed due to these sheep grace grazing along the dyke.

We made it to Nieuwpoort.

We thought we were getting a ferry someone out into the gusty sidewinds along the busy causeway. Windsocks are full.

A shallow river, controlled by sluis gates. during one battle the gates were opened flooding the lower lands to stop the German advancement.

There were statues and picture frames along the route.

But there was no ferry! It was not running!

So a detour was needed, back to town adding about 7 km to our day ride.

On the detour was this war memorial.

Finally we were on the coast. Lots of sand was built up.

Wide promenades and buildings that were no taller than 10 storeys.

Lots of interesting art.

The beach rolled on and on.

So much beach.

Ah, the Vespa week. We did ride last the very busy hippodrome.

Junky art. Huge squashed metal objects.

Ostende suffered bad,y from war. German occupation, allied bombings destroyed much of the coastal structures. Ultimately they were rebuilt with the apartments.

The old church of St Peter and St Paul survived. It is a wonder how with such heavy bombing such tall, intricate structures do survive. It is great that they did!

It was then a fast ride back to Bruges over 20 km as we had a tailwind. What joy!

We followed a good canal path.

Here is our ride. 122 km for the day.

It was a good day to be out, we experienced all weather but good to be alive.

Many have asked if I spent today being pampered and spoilt? No, I rode. We did what we do!

Today I turned 64. Reminds me of a certain Beatles song.

I got lots of messages, and three videos, one from each of my grandchildren ❣️❣️❣️, and a lovely card from Tony.

He had pre gifted my present. A new Hammerhead bike computer that I’m using on this trip.

Thanks for reading.