Saturday 20th April – National Shopping Day

Cathy couldn’t believe her luck when she saw the signs for a shopping day today. Determined as ever, she climbed the 366 steps to the top of the Bellfry tower and learned about the history of the bells first. At different levels, we learned about the bells, the deeds of the city stored in iron chests and other interesting facts.

At the top, we could see for miles in all directions. There were rows of wind turbines beside the canal to the sea. The Markt square below got busier and the queues to climb the tower got longer. We queued for an hour as only 50 people can be up there at a time.

Next, we did make it to the market in time to buy clothes better suited to the sunny weather. We resisted the baby chicks and rabbits. We also bought ready cooked Belgian delicacies to heat up for dinner. Followed of course by Belgian ice-cream and strawberries.

We did of course have our mid-afternoon pre-dinner beer whilst the clothes were washed at the laundromat.