June 15: Birthday Day


Crossing the border from The Netherlands into Belgium was a nonevent, as the only way to find the border was to monitor a map app on the phone. We did notice that road conditions worsened, rougher surfaces, narrower bike paths, and narrower bike lanes on shared roads. 

Traffic increased as we approached Antwerp, but conditions improved as soon as we crossed the bridge into Antwerp city limits. However, Belgium is famous for cobblestone streets, not great on a small wheeled Bike Friday with a trailer. Rough and noisy.

Dogs of the Day. 

Flat terrain as we rode south towards Antwerp, but these beautiful trails transitioned to pavers and brick surfaces as we entered Merksem, a northern suburb with lots of traffic.




Kevin's research of the top rated coffee shop worked out again. 

I started with a chocolate croissant, cappuccino, and the extra bite.

Kevins's specialty white chocolate coffee with whipped cream in a jar . . . 

. . . a Belgium waffle.





Around the corner from our Antwerp apartment.

Next door to our Antwerp apartment.


What could go wrong?


Memories of a prior holiday in the Dordogne. Spotted in a supermarket, I had to try it. Not great in Antwerp, but after hauling it in my trailer from Antwerp to Waterland the next day, it was better. I shared it with our host family. 

A series of photos of the Antwerp main square.






Dog of the Day #3



Cathedral 

Cathedral


Kevin's Birthday Dinner. Sometimes having a person who researches (over-researches?) everything really pays off. Kevin has done an amazing job finding good restaurants. Wonderful sushi—huge portions, Tibetan chef trained in Montreal, served by his daughter, who is training to be an esthetician.


We ordered the special platter. Unfortunately, the waitress didn't get that we were sharing, so it was doubled. We also had sushi for breakfast the next day.





Mandatory post-dinner gelato. 



Left of the Cathedral main entrance.

Kevin wanted music on his birthday. We managed to catch 3 different bands. The best was this 3-piece blues band at Kid's Rhythm 'n' Blues Kaffee, Antwerp, Belgium. Lots of Stevie Ray Vaughn played well. Kept his father up past midnight.

Note: Our Antwerp lodging was an apartment found on booking.com. Interesting story told in a separate post.


Cycling miles: 35 today; 270 total.  

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