Train-ing Winslow

Winslow took the train this past weekend to Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

For only €4, a dog (hond) on a leash (aan de leiband) can travel round trip (heen en terug) from Hasselt to Ieper and back.

Sniffing and waiting for the train.

My very own seat.

Ieper is as far away from our house as you can go and still be in Belgium. Whether you travel west or south, nothing is over 2 hours away by car.

On this map, Hasselt, where we live is near the top right in east Belgium and Ieper is on the far left in west Belgium.

You may not know much about Ieper (also known as Ypres in French), but it is an ancient city known to have been raided by the Romans in the first century BC.

It was also an important city during WWI. The invasion of Belgium by the Germans brought the British Empire into the war in 1914. The second battle in Ypres (Ieper) was the first time Germans used poison gas - against Canadian, British and French soldiers.

This beautiful cemetery - Ramparts Cemetery - where 198 soldiers are buried, lies on the banks of the Ieperlee.

You know . . . the Belgians and the Germans have come a long way.

This is the Lakenhalle (Cloth Hall) originally started in 1200 and completed in 1304. During medieval times it was the heart of the city and where cloth and wool were traded. It was reduced to rubble during WWI. Rebuilding began in 1928 and was finished in 1967.

St. Martin's Cathedral, originally built in 1221, was also destroyed in the war, but was rebuilt following the original plans.

Aerial view of the destruction. This cathedral is in the bottom left in this picture.

The grounds were interesting. All these parts of the original church were in this courtyard and I couldn't help but think it looked like a huge chess game.

This is the Menin Gate. A memorial to the soldiers killed in Ypres (Ieper).

All the buildings lining the streets of this city are in excellent condition

with beautiful gardens.

I love this huge tree shaped like a gumdrop.

One of Winslow's favorite things was this path that went nearly around the entire city.

You can see from this map how this river (light blue) and walking path go on forever.

A walker/jogger/dog's dream city. Really beautiful.

Now you know a little more about Ieper (Ypres) Belgium, but you probably had already heard of it and didn't realize it. Flanders Fields is also in Ieper. The cemetery pictured above is one of 120 cemeteries around Ieper where tens of thousands of soldiers from WWI are buried.

The poem, In Flanders Fields, believed to have been written by Canadian physician, Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, is probably familiar to you.

And yes, poppies really do grow like this when the ground is disturbed - even when it's disturbed due to war.

Our trip was cut a bit short when it began to sprinkle. Then downright rain. In our effort to be more like the natives, we often leave our umbrella behind.

You know, they say you can always tell a tourist in Belgium if they are carrying an umbrella. Ha. Usually it doesn't rain long and always a good excuse to duck into a cafe' or pub.

Well, we got caught and here's Winslow preparing for the 3 hour ride home - wet. His two companions looked similar :) Perhaps we should consider wagging that paraplu around again.