As an added bonus, this year Liege-Bastogne-Liege was taking place while we were there. I was almost giddy with the thought of seeing two monuments within weeks of one another.
Who would have ever imagined that a once in 100 years event would almost get in the way? Certainly not me, but that's what almost happened. Long story short: I found myself in Spain when European airspace was shut down thanks to Bjork, only managing to get back the evening before our departure.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/2d0daf3b.jpg)
After the usual 4+ hour drive, including the required traffic jams through Maastricht, we arrived in the sunny Ardennes.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/95683968.jpg)
We chose our rooms...
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/8990e359.jpg)
Fixed flats.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/4f58d381.jpg)
Unpacked morning provisions.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/68eab515.jpg)
Evening provisions.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/b3ddaa86.jpg)
And in-between provisions.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/abecb9ee.jpg)
Then it was time to start preparing our meal.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/3a6fe4b3.jpg)
Our dinner (Papaya salad, steamed rice, and Shrimp in red curry).
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/3fcac3aa.jpg)
Our desert (coconut custard with mixed fruit and roasted coconut).
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/bdb7c4b5.jpg)
The following morning we set off on rough roads, in 20°C weather.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/0d283a96.jpg)
Unfortunately there was a wheel touching incident 15 minutes into the ride, which meant two from our group of eight had to call it a day, before it had even begun.
After that inauspicious start we found ourselves traversing the Route Buissonniere once again.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/494c3e9a.jpg)
We had to walk through part of it, thanks to a Goth festival in one of the villages along the route.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/5211d66c.jpg)
After 5+ hours, and 2300 meters of climbing, we were done and dusted.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/823a5097.jpg)
Back to the house to put our feet up, and rehydrate.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/68eef598.jpg)
Once that was done, we got started on dinner.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/f91d9e37.jpg)
Before that, there was some bubbles from Moldavia.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/ba50ebf7.jpg)
And amusen from Mokum, followed shortly by...
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/16b361a9.jpg)
Langostinos with leeks.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/c284cec3.jpg)
Beef Wellington with Turnips.
![Photobucket](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/ardennes%202010/76fa4528.jpg)
And an orange chocolate mouse with a mosaic of fruit, and passion fruit cream.
Every calorie was counted. Honest.
2 comments:
Beautiful photos! You really know how to live
It's more a case of having friends who know how to live.
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