Benedeluxfra Biking Trip: Day 2

Here is the second of two posts I tried to send from my mobile phone that Blogger didn't like. I then gave up longer posts and made only a couple single-photo posts.

15 June, 2018

Andrew and I were tourists today, covering less than 40 miles. In Sint-Truiden we visited a well-preserved church founded by women in the 15th century. Then in Hasselt we went to the genever museum (genever is the original gin, though it no longer requires juniper berries, and is usually lower in alcohol content). We then tried a more scenic route along a canal, but it was fraught with detours and unmarked construction projects, so we ended up going along the N2 into Maastricht. There we visited a book store in an ancient cathedral.

Beneduluxfra Biking Trip: Day 1

Here is the first of two posts I tried to send from my mobile phone that Blogger didn't like.

14 June, 2018

I’m on vacation! I’m trying something very different—biking every day for eight + days with my friend Andrew Broan, who has been enjoying this sort of travel for decades.

Yesterday’s route was just under 50 miles through lovely countryside and charming Belgian villages.

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We ended with a superb dinner and a night in a nice hotel in a 608-year-old building.

I am noting birds mostly by ear, but I’m going to have to review my Sylvia warbler songs. Eurasian Curlews in a field were a highlight, as the songs of Blackbirds everywhere. But this isn’t a birding trip, hence the big departure from my usual travel.
Handsome and huge Woodpigeons are everywhere, even competing with feral Rock Doves for dropped fries.

 Another photo that might need explanation is this wood bee home installation that doubles as art.