Eneco road race comes through Blankenberge

We opted out of doing the coach trip to Blankenberge deciding to take the tram there instead. For 3 Euro's each, we could have an all-day ticket and hop on hop of as much as we liked. Margaret asked them in the ticket office if that was right. His answer... well yes but only when the tram has stopped!

Imagine all these along the towpath!

At the station

Ian, Margaret, Dave and Dennis waiting for the tram.

Many a close encounter during the trip.

Chose the wrong day to go to Blankenberge. Talk about standing room only on the trams. We were very lucky to get seated although not all together.  Deciding to head for the pier stop first, going through the centre of Blankenberge we saw wall to wall people, some standing and others heading towards a giant marquee. Found out later why.

Blankenberge beach from the Pier.

We caught the tram back to the centre and wished we hadn’t. Managing to get off fighting our way through the throngs, there was a mad dash by the public to get to the traffic junction which in turn blocked any movement by the tram or cars. Then in one huge mass loads of cyclists came tearing past. Obviously a road race and looking online discovered it was the Eneco Bolsward, Netherlands/Belgium, road World tour and this was the third leg.

Just see the cyclists helmets

And the support teams with the bikes

And the coaches

Needless to say, we got back on the very next tram and headed up towards the terminus in Knokke. Another place we found disappointing with not much to do other than shop. So deciding to give up on the sightseeing got the tram back to Oostende. We all found seats but the number of people getting on at different stops it's a wonder the trams managed to keep going. There was obviously no weight limit!. We did get slightly held up at one of the massive swing bridges across the huge locks. A truck long loader got well and truly stuck trying to get off the bridge and consequently wedged fast against the wall. Luckily for us it was on the opposite side and the queues of traffic behind it was phenomenal! Anyway back to the hotel and straight to the pool for a swim. Tomorrow is a free day so going to explore Oostende. Need to do as much walking as possible 'cos I know the pounds are creeping back on. All that hard work before we came away only to have to start again on our return.... sigh.

Seen by the pier