FLANDERS

We have moved on to Dunkerque by train and are living on the Goelette Don Solano, a two masted wooden sail boat.  It's quite romantic and equally rustic.  We are moored in the outer harbor with expansive views of water and are a kilometer from town. It's quiet and peaceful here.  Gulls wheel and cry and the water laps against the boat gently rocking us.  The dark all wood cabin is aromatic with the smells of varnish and licoricey fuel oil.  Across the harbor are the industrial docks where giant cargo ships lay in wait, floating cities twinkling with a thousand lights.

Life here will be simple. We can wash with the water but drinking water is bottled.  The shower is nothing more than the rinse hose found on most kitchen sinks.  The head is rudimentary at best, no laundry, no refrigerator, no stove, no internet.  Lighting is dim and there is none on the deck but there are duel hammocks on the prow where you can watch the endless clouds cruise by.   The cabin where we sleep is just bed and walls and is about as cozy as can be imagined.We are off the tourist trail and off season as well.  Today we will explore the dunes along the English Channel and the farmlands of Flanders.