Playlist
Various - Cloudland Blue Eclectic Selection 2025
EH3 - EH3
Eurico Costa Trio - Copal
Francoise Hardy - Quelques titres que je connais d’elle, Vol. 1
Goose - Everything Must Go
Up just after 7, thinking it was just after 6…
Wrote this up for yesterday…
Out just before 9 and round to Carrefour for provisions…
Post breakfast, out at 9:30…
We walked the 15 minutes to the other end of Vlaamsekaai and then, on along Kloosterstraat, with its, as yet, not open collection of interesting shops, statues and buildings...
We continued along Oever and Hoogstraat…
After 45 minutes’ walking from the apartment, we reached the Grote Markt, Antwerp’s central square, again taking in the sights, including the statue of Silvius Brabo..
According to the legend, a giant named Antigoon demanded a toll from boatmen crossing the Scheldt river. He would cut off the hand of anyone who refused to pay and throw it into the river…
A hero named Silvius Brabo killed Antigoon and threw the giant's hand into the river. This act is said to be the source of the name "Antwerpen" (throwing of the hand)…
From there, it was short walk to Het Steen, the oldest remaining building in the city, which, in its modern extension, now houses the Tourist Office…
On the way in is a statue of Antigoon confronting some boatmen…
Much good info was gleaned and good views were obtained from the roof of the new part of the building…
We noted a few attractions on their scale model of the old town and determined to view them...
Accordingly, out and to the cathedral, then, the unpictured, as it’s being worked on, first skyscraper in Europe, and then the Groenplats, with its statue of Ruebens…
Back along Hoogstraat to the flea market at Sint Jansvliet Square, where, after over two hours walking, a rest was taken in den Absjaar, where coffee/beer was enjoyed and a tip re frites was received from the bar lady…
We were at the entrance of the St Anna tunnel, so, of course, had to descend and walk through it to the “left bank”, which provided splendid views of the city…
We took the free ferry back...
... and made our way to the recommended Frites No 1 for an unhealthy but tasty lunch…
We shared the extortionately priced large blob of mayonnaise…
Then, we sought out the hidden passages of the Vlaeykensgang...
...before walking back in the direction of Kloosterstraat, finding Sugar Pie Records on the way, sadly 100% vinyl...
...and, then, to Chelsea on the Kloosterstraat…
This place was just overwhelming - crammed full of LPs and CDs which, while all nicely filed, just weren’t conducive to casual browsing, purely because there was just so much stuff to go through…
I left empty handed…
But would heartily recommend a visit - if you have an entire day to spare to browse!
We stopped halfway along Kloosterstraat for more beer/coffee…
…before taking a detour around the area rather than just going straight home...
...ending up at Hopper jazz bar for more drinks…
Finally home after 8 hours of wandering around…
A well earned rest, then, at 6:30...
...a short walk to De Nieuwe Linde for more beers...
...a super top Spaghetti Bolognese for me and Croque Monsieur for the lady…
A further walk around the environs, including the palace of justice...
...and home at 8…
Some music listening and reading was followed by the film “Momento”, luckily subtitled rather than dubbed…
Weird and enjoyable…
Bed at 11:20 following another long, tip top day…
Highlight of the Day : Discovering Antwerp
Today's New Music:
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