22/07/93

Went shopping in De Haan after breakfast got some chocolate bars as small presents. Had shower went to Ostend to check ferry place out and bought chocolates for Dad's present. Came back emptied tent and washed groundsheet and aired inner tent and sleeping bag. Had a sunbathe. The Dutch boys came back. Had some beers and chatted to the one that talked the most before.

21/07/93

Got up to rain ate had a shower de-camped i.e. Struck tent. Cycled to Brussels en route had a puncture took ages to find it on the tube but knew general area as was blowing bubbles at a spoke. Ended up filling a glass with puddle water and putting tube into it. Was dry for all the cycle to La Gare du Midi. Caught the 11:59 train to Gentand Ostend to get off at Brugges. There was a camp queen on the platform with I presume, other gays. But not sure had trouble finding the guard's van and he told me I wasn't supposed to have luggage on the bike. They never told me that on the way to Brussels!

Got into Brugges about 12:53 got bike off train and got a hand down the steps from guard! (not cute!) saw tow different cuties in Military uniforms one saw me cruising the other and didn't really react (maybe he was on?) Dry weather cycled to camping Lispanne at Vasseslag de Haan got a sunny break in the clouds to pitch tent very dry now. Got hotdogs for tea will buy some chips too. Found out there is a firework display tonite for the Independance day will go to it at De Haan. Must buy John a present tomorrow and Dad some Belgian Chocolates too! The cutie wot gave me a beer is still here with straight friends. He was obviously slagging me off in Dutch when I was putting up my tent. "what goes by you isn't for you" as Fred says! Bought 4 bottles of Juplier - a Belgian beer 25cl each. Drank 2 intending to go to the campsite's disco but didn't as the 6-8 Dutch guys in an ex-army mark next to me invited me for a beer. I crashed the ash and we had a chat - there was one there (the youngest - No.2 clipper 19 and still a virgin! I could have cured that by fucking him there and then! He was lovely - nice and slim and quite pretty - well prettier than Miss Gibbons - I'm getting a stirring of the loins writing this! Another one of them was a cycle repair man and said is there anything wrong with your bike. I mentioned the shimanos and he sorted them for me. That was a really friendly gesture wasn't it? Mind you offering me a beer was too. If the chicken offered me his arse that would be even better! But they think I'm straight as you have to pretend in unknown company so it's not to be....

20/07/93

Had to get a new towel because someone stole my wine coloured one... Went shopping after having found a laundrette. I couldn't remember the French for laundrette so asked the campsite handyman where there was a shop where one could wash one's clothes (in French!) he told me but his friend (no euphemism) said that since it was Tuesday, it would be closed! So, I went by bus and tram in the rain towards Brussels to ask at Tourist Info about a Laundrette. Saw one from the tram so got off there. A Chinese couple that I thought were the owners were very helpful showed me how to work everything and which powder to get from the vending machine. They turned out to be there only to do their own laundry. Went y tram the rest of the way to Brussels getting off at Midi to check the details of the train service on 21st because it will be the Belgian Independance day holiday. Trains were running on the Sunday service which was OK you didn't need to book a seat or anything. Went on to Bourse and had a wander near Grande Place to look for souvenirs. Got another 5,000BF from the bank as I only had 800 left. Saw Raul at the Galleries Saint Hubert cyaniding staring into space (as he does). I waved a hand in his face to attract his attention (what is he on? It must be good stuff!) we went wandering in the Galleries Saint Hubert for souvenirs for me. I got and owl lace brooch for Kirstin and a bookmark to in lace. We then went to look for a stamp dealer to get Dad 1kg of used Belgian stamps. I got half a kilo as it was quite bulky. I will get him some Belgian chocolates as well. We decided to wander again and stumbled on Manakin Pis! He was wearing a Military uniform in prep for Independance day tomorrow. I decided to get Colin an ornament of Manakin Pis as a piss-take it cost 350BF i.e. About On the way to the stamp shop Raul (Ra-ooool) said he wanted a pee so we went to Cancan. I got a fizzy mineral water and went up to the bog. When he came down I gave my drink and went for one myself. When I came down I got my drink back and was drinking it and the waitress (not the cute one but the one that looks like Elf Kevin) cmae over and told Raul he had to buy a drink or leave (he had filled a small mineral water bottle when he was at the bog - I don't know if he had a pee or not). Raul left as he is unemployed and has no money. I drank up quickly and left too. We wandered for a while and I got bored as it was raining and Raul is so vacant. I decided to go home to the campsites I had my laundry in tow. Arranged to meet him at Bourse Metro sation at 20:30 to go to Tel Quels. Wnt home by tram and ate and changed the. Left to get the 19:40 tram. Got to Bourse at 20:05 needed a pee so went to McDonald's and got a small fanta and went for a pee. Had a wander until 20:20 discovered an archeological dig of a site from 1238AD which was closed - they have an impressive, just below street level building over it that you can look through the winds and a glass roof at the site. Pity I didn't discover it earlier! Raul didn't turn up at Bourse until 20:45 said he thought we were meeting in Tel Quels. He's a dosey bitch so I accepted that. I was more worried than annoyed anyway. We went to Tel Quels and I had a beer. He had a banana juice which I paid for. We sat talking for about 1&1/2 hours. There was a group of guys playing pinball one was exceptionally cute I want to shag him- who wouldn't? Raul and me exchanged addresses left about 22:45 and got the 22:58 tram home. Raul kissed me on the cheek when he got off at his stop I did ditto. Apparently even straight do this when they say goodbye in Belgium. Got home about 01:00 went to bed.

19/07/93

Day - can't really remember :-( evening went out to Cancan had a shit there - most satisfying lol! Was drinking beer two guys came in one was very sophisticated other was quite my type slightly dorky with thick glasses very cute. He was cruising me so I cruised back and we got chatting. I bought him a drink and we were going to leave when his best friend (since childhood) said he was going to another bar. Went with him and arranged to meet tomorrow at Bourse. Missed the last tram home because Raul (that's his name) met a friend we couldn't get away from . I got a bit of a soaking and got hone at 02:15 about.

18/07/93

Went to Brussels to sightsee as it was dull dry fairly warm did the No. 2 tour by foot had not worn sox because I was running low and thought it might rain. Should have worn sox with the trainers because I got blisters (really bad on back of left heel). About lunchtime on the tour I saw a McD's sign went in that direction and almost immediately saw a Quick Burgers they had a special on a quick king menu with a free glass so I had that. Found a dead insect in the lettuce when I looked for pickle/mustard/anything g they put I. I don't like. Told a very cute guy on the customer area about it then when finished went to counter and told duty manager. He offered me another burger even though I had eaten the one I said I wouldn't complain if he gave me another free glass. He did. I din't. Finished tour and went home after having bought 2 pornos which turned out to be crap and a postcard for Gregor Anthony.

17/07/93

Woken up by a coach load of Polish teenagers mostly girls but some cute guys (like with the Czecks). Get water then cycle tonthe supermarket for sprite milk and muesli. Probably didn't do much more.

16/07/93

Got up at 06:00 as several roosters were crowing like buggery couldn't have a shower until 07:30 but it was more like 08:00 by the time I got it. Went into brussels via a supermarket - big mistake as I then had to carry groceries around Brussels. Mind you, there were several cute checkout boys! I could have taken anyone of them back to the tent and to fuck with sightseeing! Got a tram into Brussels - an old dear at the tramstop chatted to me while the tram was coming - in French - they don't seem to mind talking French in Brussels! Couldn't find the Telkel Bar (now thinking about it in 2010 it was probably Tel Quels?) as the street name I got from the Switchboard was crap. Eventually got a Brussels guide from the Tourist Info - quick! Find the Gay Section! Tried to get to the Cancan Taverne but the guide gave the wrong opening hours. Found Why Not but opening hours were wrong too - by 12 hours! What was next door to Why Not? But a leather shop (I mean Leather Bob harnesses, cock rings, hoods - you name it!) It said coiffeur on the sign - Hair Dresser? NOT! Eventually plucked the courage up to go in and ask why Why Not wasn't open as my guide said it was. That guide is crap. Have the proper free one for Brussels - see it gives the proper hours 12 midnight not 12 noon! And look, I'm marked too! So he was! Under hairdresser!

Sat down on the pavement and had a read of the guide A2 sized folded up sheet. Found out there was a gay snack bar on the other side of Why Not. So went in and had a Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese toast with a nice side salad included) and a beer. Really cute chicken playing the Adams Family pin-ball machine. He had a friend with him and a big shaggy dog - looked friendly too. But left after I finished my toast, the "patron" wasn't busy and came over and told me about the best places to go to. When I was finished my beer, I left in search of a gay sex shop to get a Porno mag for exercising my tool with. It was getting so hot that I decided to come back to the campsite and sunbathe. Saw some cuties on the tram - black chicken (or chickenish) with an absolutely HUGE packet! Still sunbathing but it's clouding over but not cold yet. Will probably go into town this evening or night - for scientific interest merely of course!

I'm in the Cancan Taverne and it's a bit of a hole - subdued lighting but nice music - disco type stuff. Very small 2 booths and about a dozen bar stools round the walls. The waitress is "kinda cute" but attached I fear. Nice touch the stairs to the toilet (upstairs) you can get a good look at a guy you fancy when he goes up to the bog! I just have... 2 guys sat down next to me one very sexy one each! Chatted for a while the cute one is a Zippo collector sees my Zippo doesn't close properly and fixes it for me. They buy me a drink and the cute one pours half of his into the one I have - I'm not complaining. We chat for ages and have a lot in common. I get the idea that I'll be going back with him his name is Donald. Tall slim light brown hair well tanned and really cute. Then he says he has to go or he'll miss his tram gives me his address and phone no - I should have asked to go with him. I stay on and finish my drink. Other and me go to Cercle 52 a club. Buy each other a drink and get introduced to the back rooms - don't do it with him but get some nice blow jobs and wanks from persons unknown. Leave on my own at about 04:00 and have to walk back to the campsite more than 5 miles! Get back about 06:15 and crash until about 13:30 or so.

Never came in the back rooms as was probably too drunk - I'd had equivalent of 7 bottles of Becks - didn't really get fully hard but them lot seemed to enjoy it will probably go to Cancan again and maybe Cercle 52 - I have a week's honorary membership to there. They have T.V. Monitors in the bars showing porn all the time interesting!? Didn't end up going back there...

15/07/93 -- Brussels

Got up to drizzle and had to pack a wet tent. Cycled to Brugges in the drizzle(well, spitting anyway). Got the train to Brussles. Had to get help with the timetable from two Canadian girls - very cute if you like that sort of thing. Spent the journey fro Gent onwards cruising a Belgian soldier who had a sore finger. He was very nice - very tall dark air and very tanned and slim! I think he was cruising me back but not sure - anyway I enjoyed it! Had a pee in the train toilet - weird soap it was powdered. Got directions from the tourist info in the staion to get to out of Brussles. Dizzy bitch missed out several streetsin two places on her list! I was well pissed off as it was raining and she sent me by urban streets which were cobbled which had been tarred over and most of the tar was worn away and there wa only about a foot wide of road between the parked cars and the tram lines to cycle on! I got a puncture (blowout the air went in seconds) when I was crossing a tramline about half a mile from the station(Gare du Midi). I almost cried as it was raining and I didn't know if I'd be able to find the hole - it was easy to find in the wall of the tyre. I had the bike upside down on the pavement to sort it! Eventually found the campsite after akin 3 people the way. Ground was impossible to get tent pegs into more than halfway. A lady lent me a hammer to get them in. Campsite is cheapest yet 70BF a night and 25BF for a shower. I had tea then crashed out to be woken by a bus load of Czechoslovakian teenagers mostly female but a few chickens very cute they were too!but noisy buggers - it wasn't quiet until 23:30! Should have been at 23:00 - lights out and no noise.

14/07/93

Went for a walk near the campsite at Loppem saw a couple of trees in the woodland that intrigued me. One had leaves like a maple but only about a third as wide - picked one of them to find out what the tree was. (later looked it up and it is an American oak) Other had leaves like birch but the bark wasn't the silvery peely silver birch on the trunk nor the dark brown on the branches - its bark was more like beech - I only recently discovered it was probably aspen (LukePast 23/072022). Morning was dull and rainy until 09:30 went shopping 11:30 to Brugges on the bus 13:19 had ravioli for tea in a bolonese sauce. Phoned Mum pm.

Now finished both Tales from the City books - what am I going to read now? My Flemish is coming along not too bad! - Well, I managed to ask for Groot Frieten met Mayonnaise Mionaise is how they say it. But, I didn't manage to say no thank you when she offered me salt- a Flemish girl scout had to tell the woman I was English - Yah boo sucks!

13/07/93

Cycled from Vasseslag de Haan to Loppem through Brugges. Got stopped by an armed cop for not using a cycle lane which I hadn't noticed was there! It was on the other side of the road and their law says if there is one you must use it whatever side of the road it's on. Had to wait from 08:00 to 10:00 until the showers opened (bloody freezing water today!) at the campsite before I set off. I was a bit bored with waiting - phone Mum about 07:25 as she hadn't been in the night before. Also phoned Brussels switchboard pm and found out one of the bars names - would you believe it? WHY NOT!

The campsite is nice - pity about the weather. A nice lake - probably artificial - people were water skiing in the evening. Woods and trees everywhere - you get a map of the campsite when you book in to it. Had beef stew for tea tonight.

12/07/93

Cycled to Brugges and back today sunny but a shower in Brugges at about 2-3 in the afternoon. Rather windy on my cycle back - the knee was playing up and back hurt a bit. This waiting until 10 in the morning for a shower is a bit of a pain! Had hotdogs and fries (frietten) with curry sauce for tea. Took some nice photos when I did a partial walking tour of the town.

11/07/93

Cycled to Ostend and had a McChicken sandwich meal in the main square for lunch - listened to a band mainly brass playing tunes during lunch. They played I can't help falling In Love with you... Which I, of course, sang along to. Also played the tune of Happy Birthday when I was leaving to buy postcards. Had hotdogs on brown bread for tea tonight. The "Summer Menu" McMeals had large drink and large fries unlike Britain's medium ones - welcome extra and free mayo from a big pump dispenser!

10/07/93 -- London and Ostend

Had to cycle across London from Euston to Victoria because I couldn't find Euston Square tube station. Got a little mixed up with the traffic at Regent's park/Park Lane junction. Spent ages looking for milk in Dover. phoned big sister in the ferry terminal as brother wasn't in. Had got Dad in at Euston early morning.

Arrived in Ostend about 10-15 minutes late on the ferry. Booked in to anise campsite. Had frietten with Mayo for tea and phoned to brother -- bloody expensive from the cafe phone must be metered high to pay their phone bill only got to talk for 40 seconds for 120BF - wasted 20BF on an aborted first call too. When I had got my .tent pitched, a very cute local from 2 tents away came over and handed me a bottle of Juplier beer! Nice dark hair tanned, small pencil moustache gorgeous! But, he fucked off when he found out I wasn't Flemish pity! I could have screwed him. He never even took me on for the rest of my stay!

09/07/93 -- Over-night train to London

Got a lift to Aberdeen from Mum and Dad and got on the train to London. Didn't sleep much at all. When I did drop off , Sean (a really cute guy from a Hettie couple - he was a student she was a travel agent from Banchory) woke me up asking if I had a spare packet of fags to sell him! I had 5 left and gave him 2. God! But that train journey was boring!

Camping in Belgium -- Summer 1993

Camping in Belgium - A Holiday Diary of a 27 year old gay guy

Written long hand and only typed up 17 years later when found in a box of papers...