Day 15 • Babblers of the world unite!
It's going to be the day of the BBB meeting, so we head to Brussels. We stop in Ixelles, still looking for the $100 Leica, and find instead a Leica 1 from around 1935. It was more than $100, but a necessary addition to my dad's collection (I don't get it… you can't drink it or drink out of it, so why bother?).
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We
finally locate our new base, a B&B one block off the Grand Place recommended
by Chris of Achouffe. He said that Pierre Zuber, who had a shop downstairs,
was 'a beer guy' so we would get along well. We find the place, 51 Rue des Pierres
(02/5121451) and I must be dreaming… his shop is a beer shop! Just what
I need…more beer!
After settling in, my dad decides it's time for a nap so I head
cautiously down to visit with Pierre in his shop. I'm confident I'll resist
any new purchases, as I have probably found all the new beers in Belgium. Wrong!
We drank, we talked, and I bought…
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I head off to meet the gang at Le Zagmann leaving my beer and
cameras to be picked up on the way to Bier Circus. On opening the door, I'm
greeted by a crowd representing 75% of the occupants with "Hi Glenn".
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much
for not being recognized!
I meet Mark, Jeremy, and surprise, Dick from Denver. After a few quick ones, the crowd heads off to the Circus while I stop at the room to deliver my dad his dinner and pick up the beer brought for the exchange. Along the way I take a few minutes to photograph the Grand Place in the night lights… most impressive!
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I don't remember the beer being that heavy when I packed! Maybe it was the long uphill and the rain that made it seem like a hike in Colorado. I finally arrive to find everyone into at least their second beer. I decide in advance that I'll stick with the low abv lambics that turns out to be a great plan. Considering the quantities consumed, at 10% I would have been in trouble.
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Photos,
the beer exchange (I got a Hen's Tooth), and lots of fun conversation. We had
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mix
of nationalities… The 'locals', Frank and Lotte Fiew a colleague of Dick's,
Sofie and Mark Caygill. Jeremy & Theresa Gray where there from England while
the US was well represented by Dick & Diane Hess of Denver, from Boston…
Dann Paquette, Aaron and Dee Dee, Priscilla Estes from Philly (her husband was
recently transferred to Antwerp) and me. The surprises were Dann from Boston
and Dick from Denver who came just for the weekend. Only Mark A in Denver knew
Dick was coming and kept the secret. I didn't realize who Dann was when I replied
to a post on BBB asking about the location of the gathering, so I too was surprised
to see him.
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In
a last desprate attempt, Jeremy tries to convince the bartender of the superior
quality of British beer… nice try! I finally left with Jeremy, Dick and
their wives at 3:00am… That would normally be ok, but my dad thinks 0700
is 'sleeping in'! Arriving at the B&B I meet with Pierre who is also returning
after a late night.
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How to find Pierre Zuber's B&B |
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Click on map for large image. Black arrow shows B&B.
Red arrow shows Grand Place (Grote Market)
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