A bite of Belgium

This was a midsummer jaunt across the North Sea to our continental neighbour Belgium. What should have been a sun-blistered long weekend was dogged by inclement weather, and mostly spent dodging sharp showers and regretting the decision not to pack more appropriate attire.

These photographs were gathered from two cloudy day trips, exploring the capital Brussels and visiting the coastal city of Oostende, where the promise of cycling along the seaside boardwalk was replaced with umbrellas. While blue skies were a rare sight, the wet weather provided rich reflections, dramatically leaden skies and a wealth of detail. Bravo Belgium.

Warm thanks to Bart Vandenberghe for his hospitality, humour and enthusiasm.

Click first image to view this selection

Tags: architecture, Atomium, bad weather, beach, Belgium, Brussels, Europe, inclement weather, North Sea, Oostende, Ostend, people, photography, seaside, tourism, travel

16 thoughts on “A bite of Belgium”

jdtphotography.co.uk on September 10, 2015 at 14:06 said:

Love these images Mike. Did you manage to get any pomme-frites and mayo……

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 11, 2015 at 20:46 said:
  
  Thanks James, I did indeed! Belgian chip shops have about 382 varieties of mayo.
  
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  - jdtphotography.co.uk on September 16, 2015 at 15:00 said:
    
    Oh! Don’t I know it, having lived and worked for various design firms in Bruxelles in the 80s the temptation was often too great to resist.
    
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Arret Facultatif on August 30, 2015 at 12:46 said:

Nice pictures of my country: I really did appreciate!

Sorry for the weather ;-) But indeed this is not a reason not to have a good time and beautiful (a little bit more dramatic) pictures :-)
Geneviève

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 13:02 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Genevieve. I quite agree, bad weather need not destroy your photographic efforts and can enhance them. Next time there will be beautiful blue skies!
  
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andy townend on August 30, 2015 at 10:54 said:

Perfect capture of the atmosphere of this land!

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 10:59 said:
  
  Thank you Andy. You don’t sound terribly keen :)
  
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  - andy townend on August 30, 2015 at 11:25 said:
    
    The clouds can be depressing sometimes although also dramatic as you show… ;-)
    
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Cos on August 30, 2015 at 10:06 said:

Beautiful Belgium. Even on a rainy day it’s a nice country. I hope you’ve enjoyed the food too. Belgium cooks are the best :-)

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 10:10 said:
  
  I thought so too :) A civilised place. Hmmm, I wasn’t so sure about the snail soup on the coast…
  
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  - Cos on August 30, 2015 at 12:32 said:
    
    Snail soup? Isn’t that the same as haggis? :-P
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 12:59 said:
      
      Much worse!
      
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Laura Bloomsbury on August 30, 2015 at 09:26 said:

You captured the emptiness of the place which is half its charm and then compacted it with the tiniest of details – thank goodness for weather from which to make such wondrous shots – a photographer does not need sun ;)

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- mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 09:33 said:
  
  Thank you Laura. You’re right, wet weather encourages you to look at the world in different ways. But I’m still paranoid about getting my camera soaked beyond redemption!
  
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  - Laura Bloomsbury on August 30, 2015 at 09:47 said:
    
    Had not thought of the practicalities!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on August 30, 2015 at 09:51 said:
      
      The best solution is a kind companion to hold an umbrella over your head. Very regal!
      
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