The Grand Theft of Belgium - well, almost Probably the most bizarre trip of the lot (and that's saying something). We left Southampton by coach in high hopes and plenty of spare luggage space (for Belgium, of course!)
After a long coach ride we eventually arrive in Antwerp a tad earlier than expected. Leaving us with a little problem, just what are you supposed to do when a coach dumps you in central Antwerp at 3:00 in the morning, our answer, go get some beer until sun-up.
Down a small dodgy dark smelly alley way we found a place that was open. A quiet bar, full of insane clientele, ran by a petite woman wearing an over-sized pink boa, more than happy to serve us beer and food in the small hours. Sandra (a one eyed lady of negotiable affection, from Jamaica) was also more than willing� to point out all the tourist sites in Antwerp, while perched on Dave's lap.
After breakfast and a brief toilet stop in the Hilton it was time to find some tigers and drink some tea. Dave as always had remembered to bring the Hob-Nobs.
Four big pizzas, a few bottles of wine and a brief tour of Antwerp (+tea break) it was time to investigate Antwerps night life. This consisted of monkey ice-cream, beer, a local bar game that consisted of chucking huge disks of metal across a busy pub and listening to some fine Belgium bands until early the next morning.
After very little sleep it was time to visit the second city of the tour, Ghent. Here, S-Division recognisance has found the perfect fencing venue. The Castle of the Counts, which contains huge gothic hallways with nicely sprung floors. A quick tour of Ghent and a snooze later it was time to head for Brugge.
Whilst working our way through the 350 varieties of beer available in a rather nice bar, aided by a local butcher, tragedy struck, Dan somehow managed to lose an ear. With great reluctance we had to head back to the hostel, miraculously Dan's ear somehow managed to grow back. Just as we were recovering from this, there was a scream of horror from the bathroom as Jamie announced that "he had touched something he shouldn't have", in the dark - we felt it best not to ask.
Rather foolishly I had e-mailed our plan to steal Belgium to the entire fencing club. UK customs had obviously intercepted this and we were held in customs for hours while custom officials rather kindly took our coach apart. Which explains our lack of success in stealing Belgium.
