If you get the headline, you must be 50 or older. By way of explanation for the younger crowd, there was a light-hearted comedy made in the late 60's about a European tour through multiple countries in one week called "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" - sort of the Chevy Chase "European Vacation" of that era.
Anyway, it's Monday, not Tuesday. But it is Belgium - one of my favourite places in Europe.
Yesterday was the "Tanks in Town" event here. Dozens of collectors of World War Two military equipment stage a mock "liberation day" event in Mons each year with Jeeps, trucks, motorcycles and tanks while dressed in period uniforms. It's quite a thing to see a bunch of vintage military Harley Davisons, lots of big trucks and troop carriers, and a dozen real Sherman tanks rolling down the cobblestone streets of an old European city. George and I really enjoyed it.
This morning was for the kids - we took them to the city aquatic centre for some fun in the water. The weather forecast said this was going to be the last 30 degree day, so we thought we'd hit the local 6 pool complex. It was great fun, but they don't allow loose-fitting bathing suits, so George and I had to buy Speedos. He didn't want to put it on, but I reminded him that nobody here knows us, all the other guys were wearing them, and Mom promised not to take any pictures...
After swimming we drove 50 km east to Malonne to visit our friend Laurie Gilson, a former Rotary Exchange student in Haliburton who we've kept in touch with over the years. We spent a lovely afternoon visiting with her, her husband and son (who spent a month with us a couple of summers ago). We had a nice dinner, then drove back to Mons.
Tomorrow we're headed to Flanders Fields to learn about World War One. Jean Paul has taken the day off work and will go with us. Like everywhere, it seems you need to have visitors from afar before you visit the famous tourist sights in your own area!
Anyway, it's Monday, not Tuesday. But it is Belgium - one of my favourite places in Europe.
Yesterday was the "Tanks in Town" event here. Dozens of collectors of World War Two military equipment stage a mock "liberation day" event in Mons each year with Jeeps, trucks, motorcycles and tanks while dressed in period uniforms. It's quite a thing to see a bunch of vintage military Harley Davisons, lots of big trucks and troop carriers, and a dozen real Sherman tanks rolling down the cobblestone streets of an old European city. George and I really enjoyed it.
This morning was for the kids - we took them to the city aquatic centre for some fun in the water. The weather forecast said this was going to be the last 30 degree day, so we thought we'd hit the local 6 pool complex. It was great fun, but they don't allow loose-fitting bathing suits, so George and I had to buy Speedos. He didn't want to put it on, but I reminded him that nobody here knows us, all the other guys were wearing them, and Mom promised not to take any pictures...
After swimming we drove 50 km east to Malonne to visit our friend Laurie Gilson, a former Rotary Exchange student in Haliburton who we've kept in touch with over the years. We spent a lovely afternoon visiting with her, her husband and son (who spent a month with us a couple of summers ago). We had a nice dinner, then drove back to Mons.
Tomorrow we're headed to Flanders Fields to learn about World War One. Jean Paul has taken the day off work and will go with us. Like everywhere, it seems you need to have visitors from afar before you visit the famous tourist sights in your own area!
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