5 Dead, Scores Injured in Belgium Grenade, Gun Attack

The Tour de France Comes to Antwerp

One of the problems with not speaking Dutch/Flemish is that we really don't have a clue what is happening around town. Take for example today. We decided that it would be nice to take Ivan for a long walk along the river this morning. Upon our arrival at Sint-Michielskaai we discovered that the entire street had been blocked off. It looked like there was going to be a parade or something. We managed to ask a local what was going on, and they told us that the Tour de France was going to be coming through Antwerp.

Well how about that⁉ "Eh, whatever." Was my initial response. Not being a cycling enthusiast, the Tour has never been something that I've followed. However, as the day moved on, I found myself wanting to go an observe the event. Plus they were passing a block from our flat, so it really would have been the height of laziness not to go.

Jan and I gather ourselves up, grabbed the camera and headed out. I would guess we were standing outside for a good two, two and a half hours. Not surprisingly, I managed to forget sunscreen, and am now sporting a rather annoying 'truckers tan.' Well that's neither here nor there, back to the Tour. We found a great spot to watch. There were two curves that the cyclist would have to round and pass right by us. How exciting!

Before the actual racers passed there was an endless procession of sponsorship vehicles; throwing out all manner of swag.

FINALLY, the riders approached, and then they were gone. It lasted all of 20-30 seconds. The speed with which these men propel their bicycles can only be described as machinelike. It was incredible.

All-in-all I'm quite happy we went, it's not something that we're going to see everyday. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Here is a video (made with my iPhone, fancy that!) and some pictures. I have also included a link to a news article about the Tour passing through Belgium. Enjoy, and as always, please leave us come comments on the blog.

B & J

(Center picture) Right foreground is Lance Armstrong

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Brussels hosts the Tour de France

Brussels plays host to the world's biggest cycling event, the Tour de France, today. The first stage enters Flanders in the north and next passes through the city of Antwerp before finishing in Brussels. The Tour is to pay tribute to Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx, who has just turned 65.

Belgium's Fallen Premier Back in Cabinet as De Gucht Moves to EU

By Mohit Joshi
Top New India

Brussels - Belgium's fallen prime minister, Yves Leterme, returned to government on Friday seven months after leaving it, as he took control of the foreign ministry in a reshuffle of European dimensions.

Leterme's move to the foreign ministry followed the appointment of veteran foreign minister Karel de Gucht to the post of European Union commissioner for development issues.

The conservative Dutch-speaking Leterme, 48, topped a national election in June 2007, but found his attempts to form a stable government blocked by tensions between Dutch- and French-speaking parties in parliament.

Taking up the post of prime minister in March 2008, he offered to resign just four months later in protest at the two communities' inability to reach a deal. Belgium's king rejected that offer.

But Leterme was forced out of office in December after it was alleged that he had used his position to put pressure on judges in the disputed sale of collapsed banking group Fortis.

His return to cabinet caps a political rehabilitation which began in June when he scored a resounding success in regional elections....(Remainder.)

Kasteel Boekenberg

The castle was built for Maria Theresia Cornelia Kneiff, in 1752, and was designed by architect Jan Pieter Van Baurscheit. The castle and park have an interesting history. Willem Smets bought the manor in 1798 and build a tower . After many different owners it became, after being purchased by the municipality, a home for sick children. Later, in 1925, poor families are housed. Less then two years later, it was transformed into a hotel and restaurant for the rich. The park was opened to public in 1928. After a sale in 1955, to the Commission of Public Allowance, the castle was used as a rest home. Sold again in 1974, it has been reclassified and is now a home for young people.