London

I had a short trip to London for a business review. Once again, not much time for site seeing, but that was OK since I had been to London years ago. As luck would have it my hotel was right on the Thames next the Tower, and Tower Bridge and I snapped some nice photos. I am starting to experiment with exposure times and aperture settings for different effects with mixed success. I am impressed with the versatility of a good digital Camera.

Click Here for Picture of London.

Calais

On our way back from Brugge we drove over to Calais for Lunch. It only took a couple of hours--everything here is very close. Though it was too hazy to see England. Click here for Calais Pics.

Brugge

Brugge is all people say it is. It is a beautiful even quaint city that has been somewhat frozen in time by it's river silting up in the middle ages. The river was eventually opened back up in the modern era, but the long slumber must have helped preserve many older buildings. The Basilica of the Holy Blood (said to house a relic of Jesus' blood) and the Stadhuis are all must sees. We stayed at the Hotel Jan Brito and found it be an excellent accommodation. Click Here for all the pics.

Ghent

Ghent was a surprise. We stopped there on the way to Brugge almost as an afterthought. I am glad we did--St. Bavo's cathedral is worth the trip along. Within it's walls is a mediaeval masterpiece known as the 'Adoration of the Lamb' as well as works from Flemish masters that are too many to count. The marbled and alabaster building a massive work of art in itself. Words or my pictures do not really do this magnificent structure justice.

Pictured here is the Alter piece with Candle sticks donated by N. Bonaparte.

Click here for more pictures of Ghent, including the Castle of the Counts. It looks great in the pictures, but I think in reality it would be more accurately described as a reproduction of a castle than an actual mediaeval castle.

Brussels--New years Day 2006

Click here for pictures around Brussels on New years day.