Kiwi Flying Solo

6th - 7th September 2017 Emily (from Lille) recommended a number of cities and hosts, so I changed my plans for the following day. Instead of heading straight to Bruges, I crossed the border to Tournai in the afternoon. My next host Laurent met me at the station and gave me a tour of the city. I couldn't get my phone working after leaving France, so I'm glad I didn't have any problems finding him. Tournai has several museums, impressive for such a small city! Laurent took me to the butcher, asked about foods I had or hadn't tried, and we chatted to the staff. The pâtés were beautiful! I tried mutiau, a bit like a pâté or a rillette, made from veal head. Every butcher in Tournai makes it, but each with a slightly different recipe. The locals each have their favourite. The mutiau is in the top left corner Next, we went to the local pub, where Laurent introduced me to some new beers! Laurent, my host, pictured with Moinette and Tournay  Sais

5th - 6th September 2017 It was raining as I left Nantes, boosted by an early morning cup of tea at the station with Clare. View from the train window; rain and train tracks 5 hours on the train isn't so bad with a kindle full of books! I arrived in Tourcoing on Tuesday afternoon, caught the metro to Lille, and wandered round the city for a bit. Old buildings in Place Charles de Gaulle There are lots of weird faces and busts on window frames The opera house Clock tower Optical illusion Look! It's me! In Lille! Mounted police officers - seems so old timey My couchsurfing host Emily met me outside the cathedral, where she told me about its facade - referred to as the ugly cathedral by locals, it was the winner of a design competition a few years ago. The ugly cathedral We went inside, and she wouldn't let me look round until we were in the middle of the church. The back of the church I turned and saw sunlight glowin