A weekend in Antwerp

Antwerp on Monday

I am prepared to put up with almost limitless inconvenience to spend a little time at sea. 

ABBA tribute shows and doubtful dinner companions, even the agonies of the Captain’s cocktail party, don’t deter me if there is the chance to go anywhere by boat! I’m not even a very good sailor, tending to turn green at the first sign of a swell, but nevertheless I just love the whole experience:  the endlessly changing view, walking around the deck, the comings and goings in port, the paraphernalia of navigation, and seeing other ships of all types.

The Belgian pilot is taken off having seen us safely down the river and out to sea.

 Our mini cruise to Antwerp over the Bank Holiday weekend aboard M.S. Balmoral was in every sense ‘good value’ and, predictably, I loved every minute.Having cruised up the River Scheldt in the pouring rain, the sun came out as we docked and we spent a fascinating 24 hours in port before returning to the UK. 

The home of Rubens,  Antwerp has a lot to offer, but probably its most unique feature is its railway station.  Surely it must be the most beautiful in Europe, if not the World.

As always, I was interested to see how the city manages its rubbish collection and was particularly taken with these bright compartmentalised rubbish bins.