Final Posting

Well finally on the last day of the trip I got a chance to see Antwerp in the sunlight. For that, I am truly grateful. It really is a unique and interesting place, particularly when you get past the chaotic downtown and dock areas.
I was intrigued by thatched roofs on some of the local mansions in the north west of the city. Not sure if these pictures do it justice, but beautiful tree-lined streets and huge mansions seemed out of place for a thatch roof but the quality was outstanding and the look was most impressive.


The rest of the trip was uneventful. I dropped the bike off with Gosselin warehouse and caught the train fom Antwerp to Brussels and then the Eurostar through the Chunnel to Waterloo Station in London. After that, I took the local commuter train to Gatwick International and from there, it was just the usual indignities of airport travel (pic below is Gatwick lineup to get into the next of 5 other lineups!)
The flight on Zoom started off with maintenance troubles on the apron (3+ hour delay sitting in the aircraft as the maintenance crews went over the problems with the brakes on the 767) Then a 7 hour flight and home to Ottawa.
The good thing about a lengthy flight is the opportunity to spend some uninterrupted time thinking and listening to your inner voice. "...about the next adventure Smitty old boy...... hmmmm what do you think about Australia winter 08/09. About a six week tour right around the continent....wonder if I can talk Lill into it? Ok... so here 's the plan..... they must have outstanding piping competitions in Australia and New Zealand so I was thinking....." Damn you inner voice! I feel another distracting preoccupation beginning...

All the best
Derek