Florenville

Florenville is a small town about 20km from Le Chalet. We ventured there for some groceries and dinner. Xavier's family is from here and they built the Chalet for a nearby retreat. The town has many heroes, as memorialized by this statue. We thought the Americans were back, but no, some bachelor party mischief: several drunken "soldiers" playing around with an army truck....?




Despite our muddy, smelly clothes, we were graciously seated at a fine dining establishment. The amuse bouche was a cucumber gazpacho with white sausage from the region. The table enjoyed many regional delicacies including the fromage croquette. Miles enjoyed the adouillette-- a slow-cooked tripe sausage. Remy enjoyed the pied de cochon: fried pig's feet. And the fois gras salad included duck sausage and riz de veau. Most of us were too full for dessert, but Miles enjoyed the Crepe Normandy.

Le Chalet

After less than six hours in Brussels, we headed to Les Epioux to camp for a few nights at Le Chalet Forthomme. We drove south to from Brussles to Les Ardennes to the region La Gaume. Once we turned off the highway, we came to the country. We paused to skip some stones and admire the fields. Right before the turnoff to the Chalet, we encountered a herd of cows. A bull kept watch. Remy found number 4512 to be particularly charming.





We came to the chalet about 8pm, there was still light. In these pictures, you can see the view from the chalet down the river. Remy and Miles in chalet style. Alex, Mallory and Remy enjoying the view, the candles that provide the evening light, and Mallory in his sleeping place the next morning.




While everyone else slept, Remy and I took a walk into the Ardennes forest, where the rules ask you to respect nature.






When we came back, we made breakfast on the campfire.







The chalet has an incredible history: built by Xavier's grandparents in the 1960s. Despite my face, I am enthralled by the photos. I am less enthralled by the rainstorm that approached swiftly.





We made several excursions from the Chalet, which are documented in other posts, but I hope to return here. Much like my family's farm in Tennessee, this is a very special place. Thank you Xavier for the opportunity to discover your family's chalet.

Brussels

Arriving in Brussels, I immediately began meeting the family. Remy hosted me for the weekend, and is here with Miles, who always looks this dapper when he flies from Atlanta to Brussels.


We spent a lot of time at Chez Franz, which is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Congrats to Mallory, here on the left, listening to Miles' important point.


Space invaders are in Brussels.





Xavier enjoying the sun on the terrace of Chez Franz.


Miles and Sumiya outside of Chez Franz.


We watched the Italy-Spain match in an Italian restaurant. From left: Remy, Alex, Xavier, Mallory, Arnaud.



Even the hanging shoes are fancy in Brussels.



Brussels has plenty of pleasing street art.







The city also boasts many churches.







Stefan's shop of treasures.



A warning to those in San Jose, I have become a huge Jacques Brel fan.








Le Grand Place--a UNESCO world heritage site.











This cookie shop has been open since the 1800s.


This bar is the oldest in Brussels and serves special beer.





Space invaders are everywhere.




Brussels has many sculptures devoted to its delicacies.





Miles reminds us to always look down.







Filet americain for lunch.





Tuesday evening ended with a lovely dinner in the garden at the mother of Arnaud's, a wonderful painter.





Breakfast on the last day in Brussels.





After seeing a fantastic exhibit on European landscape photography, we enjoyed an afternoon beer on the top of the MIM: Museum of Music.





We then headed to enjoy more delicacies of Brussels: shrimp croquettes, escargot and young herring, which are available for only several weeks each year. Remy demonstrates the proper technique for eating them.




While a special dessert was no longer available from this vendor, we then enjoyed (another) beer, on a tree-lined plaza.








This turret was part of a building built in the 1300s.


Some fragrant cheese we brought to share at a dinner hosted by Xavier's mother.


The Brussels family.



While in Belgium, we took a trip to Xavier's family chalet. This and the side trips of the weekend are detailed in the next few posts. Tomorrow I head back to Paris for a couple of days before meeting Brian in Greece!

Au Revoir!