Belgium, traversed in my first Inter-Rail trip back in 1976 travelling from Köln to Paris, why interrupt the journey? Inter-Rail #2, 1978, a French train strike meant no way back to the UK via Calais, Oostende was the solution, no Bier partaken of. Inter-Rails #3 &4 in 1980 and 1982 saw Oostende as the preferred route, let’s miss out France altogether. By 1997 and Inter-Rail #6, let’s fly to Brussel, avoid England. The palate had developed, bring on all styles, especially Lambic. Then Charleroi, aka – Brussels South – aye right – came into vogue. Since retirement, and the lack of pressure on time, Eurostar has been very useful – when a friend gets me a ticket at the right price. Flying from Scotland to Amsterdam was the preferred route in 2018, with a short hop to Antwerpen.
Hector’s Holländisch Hootenanny, a Brugge too far – was the summer tour of 2011, the detail is written, as is 2014’s – Hector Bounces Back. However, as was always the intention in Bier-Traveller, the venues visited are illustrated below:
Brussel / Brussels / Bruxelles
Oostende
