France/Paris-to-Bruges, Day 11

Another 42km of very flat cycling saw us arrive in Ghent/Gent depending on what language you're using - interesting that our guides said no french is spoken here - a young lady I spoke to earlier said that was untrue, many people are multi-lingual, and french was an obvious choice - being that this is a uni town, there's a lot of lively young around, who are helpful and talkative - except one group of around 20 'kids' we saw who were obviously (from the smell) smoking wacky-bakky, not that I'd no that much about it - like wow, man, peace rules ok ..... (Just kidding, tried it once a long time ago, in the company of trusted friends, didn't do anything for me)

Founded by the Romans, the town has a few canals, a ring canal 4km out of the city centre inc but is not like 'the Venice of the North' that we will cycle off to tomorrow (Bruges/Brugge).

There are lots of tapestries and laces for sale here (and some made in China if tourists are not careful) - as much as I'm not a lace man ;-) it is spectacular - Bruges also has lace though .....

A lot of work being done in Ghent at the moment - digging up, replacing things - there's also a tram system here, with the tracks set between cobbles ..... Again, bicycles rule, in the town centre cars are not an issue - being run over by a bike or hitting a pedestrian on the other hand, is .....

The long ride tomorrow is slated as 50km - the plus is we get to visit a beer brewery - often when we get our first ride coffee circa 11am, the locals have already tucked into a beer - but nothing is made of it - its just a way of life ..... Fri also although its slated as a walk around Bruges day, we might get a 15/20k ride in - this will likely push my total for 3 weeks up to 800km !

Well, quite tired, well fed though, must almost be time for a nap ....

Ttfn

Ps ; Beer is cheaper than water here !