Travel Day to Antwerp

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We left right on time from the B and B, a very talkative driver who had just purchased the cab company. She had a firm understanding of business principles and was obviously pleased with the progression of her company. The day before the Pope had to call 6 different companies to get a ride. The cabs in the area are 1-man operations and the drivers were all watching the tennis! Because they are single operators they are continually on call, and have evolved into an attitude as that they are somehow doing customers a favour by being available. This is great for them, not so good for the passenger! This lady now has a schedule of drivers, she pays them a minimum so a slow shift does not leave them embittered, and her business has grown.

Our trusty hotel

We arrived at the station in plenty of time and made the 10 am to Paddington. The train was a little late coming in, fortunately our Eurostar to Brussels was not scheduled to leave for 90 minutes thus a scenic cab ride to St Pancras and all connections were made. We decided to upgrade to business, as lunches in the station are quite dear and dining was included with our new ticket.

The Royal Antwerp Clubhouse

Train travel is amazing in Europe, 2 hours after boarding we were disembarking in Antwerp.When all is considered a preferable choice to air travel given the stresses of airports!

The Chunnel took only 25 minutes, what an engineering feat. It took 6 years to build (1998-2006), and was 80% above budget. It represents the longest under sea distance in the world, stretches 31.4 miles and at its deepest point is 790 feet below sea level.

Front of a very understated clubhouse

I have a special membership with Eurocar and all the paper work was preprocessed, we were on our way in no time. Tom Tom guided us through rush hour traffic and save one ill advised turn, the Pope drove magnificently in our standard diesel Volvo, following the trusted instructions of his navigator.

Our hotel is quaint, the meals the last 2 nights superb! We met up with some of the Canadian contingent and the Brits, all great characters, with intelligence, wit and irreverence.

More on golf, the characters and Brian’s mishaps with the next post.