It's that time for a walk in the Blue Forest...The bluebells are blooming in Hallerbos

Time for a walk in the woods to get away from it all. Hallerbos – or Bois de Halle – is a beautiful, tranquil location mostly in The town of Halle about 15 kilometres south of Brussels. The woods is home to a range of indigenous trees, stretching from Lembeekbos to Tervuren and offering a relaxing countryside walk at any time of the year.

However, around April / May, it becomes a somewhat unique location in the whole of Europe. The floor of the forest is transformed into the most warming, comforting blue carpet imaginable.

Bluebells are relatively common woodland flowers across Europe but the expanse and density with which they take over the almost 520 hectares of Hallerbos, creates a truly distinctive environment.
Unfortunately it lasts only a few weeks, so you are running out of time.

Map to Hallerboss

It's Spring in Brussels and the Beer Fests Are Blooming.

Looking forward to the Vilvordia BierProefFestival in Jette on Saturday. Also the Tour de Geuze on Sunday. Yessir, gonna be a fine weekend here in the Brabant.

Head over to the Thirsty Pilgrim for more details on both events.

Joe's book, "Around Brussels in 80 Beers" will be coming out in May!

Biking in Belgium and Brussels

I was hoping to get this up before the Tour de Flanders, but it slipped my mind. This is a posting from Dave, who is now back in Milwaukee about his biking experience here in Belgium and France. Some very stunning pictures that you can click to enlarge.

Hey STUDS, I am sending some photos of biking related stuff and some info on where to go and what to do.
The first couple of photos are of the Foret de Soignes or as I called it, the forest. It is not too far from Stokkel. I don't know if your new members are more into mountain biking or if they are roadies....but there is good off road biking in the forest.

I am also sending photos of the Tour of Flanders. This is a pro road race that starts in Brugge and ends in Ninove, which is not too far from Brussels. The cool thing about this race is that on the day before the pros race they have an organized ride for citizens on the same course. You can ride all or part of the route. I did the 75K route and it was quite challenging with lots of cobblestones and hills. The website is here and it was fun to photograph this race.

I am also sending photos of the Tour de France. We saw three stages when we were in Europe. One ending in Ghent, one in the French Alps and the final day in Paris. The photos are of Michele and I biking in the Alps. We booked a non guided week long tour with a company called Cyclingclassics.com. It was the best vacation of my life.

Their is an English speaking mountain bike club called Brussels International group of Mountain Bikers. They are a good bunch of guys and a great resource for biking in Belgium.