Sunday, August 24 - Monday, August 25, 2014

Sunday - I was abandoned by my women today. All three of them were packed and out of the house before 10:00. I didn't think they could do it. Everything packed into Joy's car and off they went.

At 11:00 I walked over to have coffee with Margaret and Andi. They wanted to have us both over, but waited too long. So, it was just me. We had a nice visit talking about all the normal things: the weather, kids, and grand kids.

Later, I walked down to Albert Hijn and bought a few things and then it was inside for the rest of the rainy day. It has been raining every day for most of the day for the last week.

Linda called and reported they had arrived in Dijon, France, at their budget hotel.

Each had a basic room that was just fine for a one night stay. En-suite bath.

Diane drinking. I'm sure she was not doing it by herself.

Here is a person making mustard. It is Dijon.

Monday - Our architect friends: David and Johnny, who live in London wanted to meet for lunch in Antwerp. They are staying with David's brother, Rob and his wife Barbra near Brussels. Rob is a Navy pilot who is assigned to NATO.

We met at the Grote Mrkt. Rob was not able to come because of work. You know, after I retired I came to understand just how much work gets in the way of having fun. Anyway, Barbara came and brought Fala: a beautiful pure white German Shepard who is not yet one year old. Still a puppy. 

Lunch was under an umbrella in front of the Stadhaus on the square. A beautiful setting. Rob and Barbara have 4 teenagers - I think 3 from his previous marriage and one from hers. One just started college, but that still leaves 3 in the house.

Everyone had a fish dish, mine was mussels. I always need to have mussels when I'm in Belgium. There is a good place on 8th Street, SE, in Washington, D.C. named Belga's that serves Belgium mussels that are very good too.

After we parted, I walked round the corner and purchased some chocolates made by the shop. What do you do in Belgium - eat mussels and chocolate. Yes!!

I had a little problem getting out of town. There was construction on one of the streets that the Garmin wanted me to take. But, she rerouted me and then I missed a turn and took the wrong ramp onto a highway and had to go over 4 kms out of my way in heavy traffic. Then it was clear sailing until I got near Utrecht and stopped on the A27. After about 20 minutes, I was able to move over and exit onto the A28 and come into Soest from another direction. So, a 1 1/2 hour trip took almost 4 hours. I was tired. It rained the entire time.

A vodka and some Netflix shows: Weeds, Mad Men, and Orange is the new Black, filled out the evening.