Another Euro Road Trip

[neilbardsley]

We aren't sure about Leige. The countryside is stunning and parts of the town are very pretty but there are many ugly parts too. In evidence an older building sandwiches between some modern uglies. The ship like buildings which dominates the skyline and the great view from the rooftop cafe recommended by the tourist office. However, there are great parts of the city to visit too. Having mostly visited Flemish Belgium before. The city has a strong french influence.

We can particularly recommend Leige meat balls.

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[misteralz]

https://uglybelgianhouses.tumblr.com/

[neilbardsley]

https://uglybelgianhouses.tumblr.com/

Brilliant

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[neilbardsley]

As we pull into Brussels Midi today quite a few more ugly buildings but also some stunning ones

A very large market once we exit the station and walk for 30 mins to the Art Gallery

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[neilbardsley]

Trip gone bad. Battery completely flat when we went to start this morning (oldest reason in the world). Removed and wouldn't take any charge. Got a jump. Drove for 90 mins. The car was running well but then filled up with petrol and it started to run funny. Rev counter jumped down. I thought bad fuel but I only put 20l in. Felt like it was running on 3 cylinders. Stopped and removed ignitions lead from dizzy cap to see if one spark plug has gone wrong but no clear. Switched back to points from CDI. Ran a bit better but .. switched back and it cut out zero charge in the battery and no chance of a restart. My guess is that the battery is just completely gone and no longer supporting even the spark? Strange as I thought the charge from the generator was enough to run the car?

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[anglophone1]

Buy new battery and fit?
C

[neilbardsley]

Once I looked closely it was pretty obvious what had happened. The generator had disintegrated! I only had built 2 years and 4k ago. I think this included being rewound. Let's see if there is a warranty.

I took the fan belt off and fitted a new battery then the car started perfectly.

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[misteralz]

Glad it's home and the problem is relatively easily solvable.

[chris68]

Yes, as above, glad you've got it back safe Neil. A straight forward fix too. Maybe pick up a good used one? Thanks for the travelogue. I'm sure many like me were checking your (and Mrs B's) progress daily. Well done

[chris68]

Was wondering, is yours a 6V dynamo?

[anglophone1]

Great stuff Neil- a good finale.
C

[hot66]

That’s frustrating especially when you think you’ve sorted it previously

[neilbardsley]

Was wondering, is yours a 6V dynamo?

Yes

[neilbardsley]

I thought I would put our top recommendations on here

Accomodation

Strasbourg

A very well priced top floor apartment in the centre with secure parking (under cover and locked) 3 mins walk away. Our only worry was that it could get hot during the summer as not air conditioned but would stay here again.

A L'ill - Apparts & Studios Strasbourg Hyper Centre

1 Quai des Bateliers, 67000 Strasbourg, France

https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/alilla ... aid=304142

Bruno, CZK

Maai Apartment

A very nice apartment. Not quite as central as we hoped. About 15-20 mins walk into the centre. Secure parking maybe. We where able to park in a bike slot but I think a 911 would struggle. However, covered public car park near. Not quite as strong a recommendation as the Strasbourg apartment but the city is great.

Opuštěná 4 5 level, Apartment No. 107, Brno, 602 00, Czech Republic

https://www.booking.com/hotel/cz/maai-a ... aid=304142

Wroclaw

Super apartment on river. 5 mins walk to the centre square and secure parking. Very good value at £66 a night. A very strong recommendation for the apartment and city.

Dream4You Apartments

Księcia Witolda 25, Śródmieście, 52-443 Wrocław, Poland

https://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/dream4 ... aid=304142

Berlin

European Chain. Great location. 10 mins walk to catheral island or 15 mins to check point charlie and next to an underground station. Lidl 3 mins away. Secure parking. Room modern but basic (we booked the cheapest) but a cool lobby for a drink or snack.

Motel One Berlin-Spittelmarkt
Leipziger Straße 50, Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany

https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/motel- ... aid=304142

[neilbardsley]

Food

Leige

La Roussette de Savoie, Rue des Célestines 12, 4000 Liège, Belgium

Surprise of the holiday. We walked in without checking reviews and had a super meal that was nicely priced.
The Leige meal balls and frites were very good but lots on the meal and the potions are generous. I think it was about 65 eur for two mains and 4 drinks. We could of shared one main. French only spoken here but we survived.

Berlin

Qui Bar
https://www.themandala.de/en/bar/

Another luckily walk in. The manager was putting out the sign when we passed. We have 3 very good courses and drinks for 90 eur. Michelin guide quality. Lovely setting and great service. The top of the hotel has a 2* restaurant and the same chef created the dishes in here. We would definitely go again.

Utrecht

https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/utrech ... -madeleine

Super food, great location. Near the cathedral and canal. Very nice inside and good service. 3 course set meal and quite a lot to drink for about 160 eur. We definitely would go back.

Best avoided

Chez Yvonne - S'Burjerstuewel

Appears it's a city institution so well loved. We had the 3 course meal. Starter and meal average. The desert had so much Brandy we couldn't eat it. All in about 95 eur. I'm not sure why this is still on the Michelin Guide.