Marita goes Walkabout

From Brussels I took the train to Breda in the Netherlands. From there I had a choice of two busses (326 or 327) to Oosterhout. And then a 10 minute walk to what was going to be home for the next 16 days. Naomi (the homeowner) wanted me to arrive after 4pm to give her the opportunity to pack and clean after work. She quickly showed me what was where and how everything worked and introduced me to Miami, the Giant Flemish Bunny whom I would be responsible for. Naomi (who is a very tall Dutch gal) then left to pick up her boyfriend and depart on their Swiss holiday. The home is small but comfy and tidy. The only problem (for me!) is that the bedroom is upstairs and the only toilet is downstairs and in between the two there is a very steep spiral staircase! Oh fun, especially at 3am when I am half asleep. Miami is gorgeous. Sadly , Arizona, his mate had died 2 days before my arrival and the first few days he was definitely not a very happy bunny. But then he cheered right up and is now...

On Tuesday the 4th of September I drove from Boscastle back to Barnstaple to return the rental and catch the train back to London where I stayed at the YHA St Pancras, right by the International Railway Station. And on Wednesday the 5th I caught the Eurostar to Brussels. I had always maintained that I am not comfortable with the idea of being in a train in a tunnel going deep under the water. But, challenge yourself a bit I always say (usually right before I do something really dumb and hurt myself or put myself in a weird situation!). This time it all went well I am happy to report. The train goes at close to 300km/h and crossing under the channel takes only about 20 minutes, the whole trip only taking around 2 hours. Before I knew it, I was in Brussels and getting myself lost in the streets around the station. As in so many cases, the area around the station is not nice. Not nice at all... full of staring men just hanging around, some talking loudly on mobile phones, others just....