Be My Guest Dinner at an 18th Century Farm House.
Today we are traveling with our newly found family of 27 on
the Trafalgar Tours bus from Luxembourg to Bruges. It will take us all day but
we will be stopping at a few special places on the way. We will be travelling
along the back roads and seeing lovely little villages and the beautiful green
and lush Belgium countryside.
Our tour guide Patrick keeps us all well informed and happy,
and the time on the bus passes quickly as everyone is always chatting and really
enjoying each other’s company. There is a lot of laughter, banter and
jocularity amongst the travellers.
Our first stop is to the beautiful Cistercian Abbey of
Notre-Dame d’Orval. This Abbey is set in a forested area of the Gaume region
and dates back to the 12th century and was one of Europe’s most
powerful until its destruction in the religious wars and again in the French
Revolution in 1793. The Abbey became famous for its beer and today also makes
wonderful cheeses. We walked through the old Romanesque-Gothic ruins of the old
ministry church and saw the herb garden and old oak tree. We also could view
the new monastery, the living quarters of todays monks and travellers and the
courtyard.
The Entrance to the Abbey Of Oval and The Monastery.
The Ruins of the Old Abbey.
Views of the Abbey.
Next we went to the pretty town of Dinant, the birth place
of Adolph Sax – best known for inventing the saxophone, and we have lunch and
free time to wander and explore this lovely town overlooking a very picturesque
part of the River Meuse
Beautiful fine detailed stain glass windows in the Cathedral at Dinant.
We then continue on our way passing the capital city of
Brussels and eventually we get to the picturesque Bruges area.
Tonight we are all venturing into the real countryside of
this beautiful area to a little 18th century Belgium Farmhouse for a
special dining experience. Our bus takes us down many country lanes and
alongside the straight treed on both side canals and eventually stops at the
front gate of the farm house. We then walk down a narrow heavily treed drive to
a delightful farm house with several outhouses. The owners use their property
as a bed and breakfast and for weddings, confirmations etc. and it is just the
most picturesque and perfect place and looks wonderful and inviting as night
approaches. 
We walk down the tree lined drive to get to the Farm House.
The 18th Century Farm House.
Dinner is held in a large dining room with an open fire and
long wooden tables and period benches and chairs. This is one of the most
memorable dinners I have ever experienced. The food is fantastic –simple but
really lovely. It consisted of a ham salad, followed by a phenomenal beef
burgundy dish, mush potatoes, chicory and tomato and desert is the best apple
pie ever. The wine and company are equally as enjoyable. Judy our hostess is
just a delight. She makes you feel so welcome and loves telling us about her
business and what they do on this farm. They have the most beautiful large
white cattle that they use for meat. They are called Blanc Bleu Belge and they
are a magnificent looking animal.
The Dinning Room set for our dinner.
First Course is a Wonderful Ham Salad.
Sandy from Canada, Peggy from America and myself having a Fantastic Dinner at the 18th Century Farm House.
Saying Good Bye to Judy Our Host.
We finish our day with a magical horse and cart ride through
the cobblestone streets of Bruges. It has been a very busy day but the most perfect day ever.
Horse and Cart ready to go.
The Canals with evening reflections.
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