An Afternoon in Oostende...

After a nice walk in the dunes, we headed to Oostende. With a population around 72,000, it is the largest city on the Belgian coast.

Higgins did a great job choosing our drink stops...

…and our restaurant for dinner.

We saw a lot of funky art, including these huge crushed metal cubes on the beach...

…a variety of murals...

…and this kooky statue.
 

Sculptures on a Belgian Beach...

There were a lot of great sculptures spread across the beach at De Haan. 

Back to Belgium...

In late August 2024, we headed back to Brussels to celebrate Higgins’ 60th birthday. Rather than just have a party, he planned a multi-day experience for around 100 hashers from around the world. While Jimmy had to work that Thursday, I went along on one of the optional tours. Our small group just happened to be led by Higgins. We took a train to De Haan Aan Zee on the coast.

It was a windy day as we walked along the beach...

...to our first optional drink stop.

Many of the buildings were built during the Belle Époque (Beautiful Age) from 1870 to 1914. 

Albert Einstein lived in Villa Savoyarde for five months in 1933. 

Most of us grabbed a snack before going to our first official drink stop in an old bar.

It must be crazy there in the summer when there’s a bunch of underage drivers speeding around. 

 

Saturday Hashing in Eupen...

As usual, the fearless Ballbreakers, including Opee, set off earlier than the rest of us to allow enough time for them to run their crazy long trail. 

I started later with the Chickens to do the medium running trail, which was just a bit over 9.3 miles (15K).  

I really enjoyed the trail through misty fields...

…forest...

…and hills. That’s me holding onto the tree before scampering down the hill, miraculously without falling.

Opee and I met up at the drink stop...

…which was next to a dam.

I finally had Veronica set me up on Strava so I can track my runs regardless of how slow I am.

 

Pub Crawl at Belgian Nash Hash...

There was no party bus arranged to get hashers to Belgian Nash Hash in Eupen, but rather than travel by train, we caught a lift with Moulin Rouge and Wax My Plank after seeing their lovely new home. The views from the grounds of the hostel were very nice. 

Most years, the Friday night opening event is a pub crawl manned by hashers. This year was a very good trail through the charming town of Eupen, where the locals went out of their way to welcome us. 

Tuna + Tasty

Some of the strange things spotted on trail. 

 

Leaving Belgium...

Opee and I went separate ways from the castle. He caught the party bus back to Brussels, where he enjoyed a beer with Waaaah and Slippery before catching the train home. 

I hitched a ride with Boar Whore and Tasty in their new electric car along with most of Opee’s DJ kit. We had to stop along the way for a charge, which was the perfect chance to use the loo and buy a popsicle. I couldn’t resist taking photos of the fancy artwork. 

The fox was especially crazy to see on a toilet stall. 
 

BNH Hangover Hash...

Sunday’s Hangover Hash started at the castle. This time I did the runner’s trail. 

Opee hitched a short ride on the van carrying the beer stop. 

We passed a lot of fields...

…and a cemetery. The circle was lots of fun, with some extra drama when one of the cars started leaking fuel and needing to be towed away.