Zeebrugge - September 2011

Our latest trip to Zeebrugge was on 7th September 2011, a very windy day, though thankfully it didn't rain while we were in Zeebrugge!

That was the windiest I had seen Zeebrugge, and the kites were up! I made a video but the bits with the strong zoom are very shaky, you can still see the waves crashing up, the kites and a big ship coming in to port.

It was much more sheltered near the West Hinder boat.

We had ribs and chips for dinner in our favourite Old Barrel and then a nice cold glass of Hoegaarden in our other favourite Old Steamer.

I hope to see Zeebrugge again this year, I love it there!

Port of Zeebrugge

Zeebrugge has been one of my favourite places since our first visit on a hot day in September 2006. I am just sorry that I shall not see it this summer, we have visited the port each year since our first visit on that hot day. What would I give to go there again this summer.

For all you Zeebrugge fans, enjoy this superb official video advertising the port:

Just for a change - Belgium by ferry

Sorry for the late arrival of this post, as my computer developed a boot problem and was away for eight days being fixed.

We went to Belgium for Christmas, as usual, but this time we were going by sea. We sailed from Hull overnight to Zeebrugge. It was good fun, but not as good as the plane!

The weather in Belgium was very cold, but we had some great food (including very nice chips and a Chinese Christmas dinner).

To see the pics from the trip click here.

I don't know when I'll see my beloved Belgium again.

Zeebrugge

Zeebrugge is one of my favourite places in Belgium. Going there in September you feel you have the place to yourself, and in the week the beach has been quiet. A trip to Zeebrugge (especially if you go on the train) involves a bit of walking. If you go on Monday to Friday you arrive in Dorp station, and then if you want to head to the beach area you walk all along Kustlaan past cranes and with trams and big trucks passing you at regular intervals. I find it quite an amazing place. 

We first went to Zeebrugge in September 2006, on a very hot afternoon. It was so nice to get into a bar - Old Steamer - and have a big glass of ice cold Hoegaarden beer. Now every time we go to Zeebrugge we have Hoegaarden in Old Steamer (Rederskaai). They used to have a fish tank in there but not any more.

For meals we discovered Old Barrel (Zeedijk). We have had mostly pork here - chops or ribs - but last time we had a beautiful steak as it poured with rain outside! The photos in the report were taken on our latest visit, which was ruined by rain.

Cat on Markt Plein. I think it's a British Shorthair.

A fishing boat returns to port.

I think the white boat is the one used for sightseeing trips on the harbour.

A cat outside Suffolk Ferry pub near Dorp station.

A containership below the cranes.

Zeebrugge marina. The low building behind the white van is our beloved Old Steamer bar.

Stalls on Markt Plein.

Markt Plein.

Near Seafront Maritime Theme Park.

Seafront flags.

I have many photos of Zeebrugge, taken near the beach, near the container area, along the marina, along Kustlaan and from the boat. I have too many to post in one go here, but more will follow.

I have not finished visiting Zeebrugge yet!

Holiday Update

We had a great holiday in Belgium, though the weather could have been better, we got serious soakings in Oostende and Zeebrugge. 

We had some great food and equally great beer and I will be posting more detail soon.