Ypres 24 Sep
Corbon Sur Semois to Ypres 180 mile
Leaving Corbion behind, the weather showed no signs of relenting. After a brief overnight respite, the rain returned with a vengeance, making for yet another arduous ride. With visibility severely limited, my only practical option was a 180 mile journey along Belgium's motorway network. By the time I arrived in Ypres around 1 p.m., I was on my third pair of gloves, once again soaked through.
Navigating the cobbled streets of Ypres was no easy feat. While these historic streets lend charm to the town, they become treacherously slippery in the rain, particularly for a motorcyclist.
Ypres holds a special place in my heart as one of my favourite destinations in Belgium, rich in history and remembrance. The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is especially poignant. My son visited it as a young schoolboy and returned home visibly moved by the experience. At present, the memorial is undergoing remedial work, with scaffolding and screening obscuring parts of it. Still, I’m confident that once the restoration is complete, visitors will again be able to appreciate its full grandeur.
As the weather finally began to improve, I seized the opportunity to stretch my legs and take a long walk around the town. After days confined to the saddle with little opportunity for movement, my body had stiffened considerably. The walk provided much needed relief and a refreshing change of pace.
Dinner that evening was at Bacon. The husband and wife team behind this modern, cosy restaurant have transformed a former family butcher’s shop into a delightful dining venue just a stone’s throw from the Menin Gate, outside Ypres’s city walls and a 10-minute walk from the city centre. They specialise in fresh market cuisine, often infused with global flavours and rich in taste, complemented by a well curated wine list featuring biodynamic and natural selections. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed.
Having dined here once before, I was reminded of just how exceptional this place truly is. Being back in town, I couldn’t resist the chance to return and it did not disappoint.
