Third day on the Tour, at the départ in Aurillac (Cantal). No idea who the guy on the left is. Thanks to one of the Lotto Intermarché riders for throwing his cap into the crowd.

We have these - matches the blue-grey tone, easily distinguishable, work well. (Housewarming gift so don’t know from which shop)

Rest day in the sense of getting a three hour walk in before the sun got too hot and mostly succeeding.

Very local-to-me this one, but the dense network of rural trams (NMVB/SNCV), often electrified, that supplemented the rail network. Probably still less convenient than the private car but would have been an easy electrification win.

Dystopian children’s play area in Tulle (Corrèze)

Day one of following the Tour, starting in Beynat for the sprint on the Malemort-Ussel stage. Younger kid reading in (Het Zweet der Goden by Benjo Maso).

Last little wander around Montargis and off to collect the car for the next section of the trip south. Destination: Argentât-sur-Dordogne.

The Musée Girodet in Montargis was a nice air-conditioned way to spend an hour and my reward was a new reaction pic to use on Bluesky. A lovely little local museum, well modernised, in the former town hall.

Got to love a good Hôtel de Ville (this one, Montargis (Loiret).

The same party that wants to streamline government (but also create regional duplication of every government service) also wants people to work harder and grow the economy (while having an extra day off). Nationalism is a land of contrasts.

Nothing says “this insurance company knows my country” than using an AI generated map of Belgium that puts Ghent in Wallonie, gives us two Namurs and a south coast on the Med.

According to @demorgen.be: We had not opened the presents on the spot and so it was brought on board the military flight back to Air Force base Melsbroek. When we reached Melsbroek we became aware of it when the first news stories about the gift appeared on foreign news websites.

Definitely! We have something similar in our building here in Brussels (1927) - and the balcony ironwork feels vaguely Greek lyre-form. (Both bad photos but the best I have on a quick search)

Marine Le Pen can run in the presidential election next year, but must wear an electronic tag.

Of course he should really be attacking Luxemburg.

USA Today on the first ten minutes of the game yesterday. Truly, two nations divided by a common language.

Very harsh on Epke Zonderland if you ask me.

Came home this evening to find part of the Kanal site (under-construction modern art and architecture centre) on fire. Fortunately, rapid action from the fire brigade (who are based a block away) seems to have got things quickly under control. Video from upstairs neighbour.

Coin toss tonight.

Still going. To be clear I don’t live in a Moroccan neighbourhood

On TV, Peter Vandenbempt hasn’t even handed back to the studio and already outside…. Congrats Morocco!

Building summer party slightly inconvenienced by 3rd floor Diksmuide who hasn’t moved their refurbishment materials. But we are making do. 🥂

Because these days there might not be a Day Two?

I think the days of currency issues on posters are long gone too

Appropriate coffee mug for watching tram track being laid.

Football may not unite the world, but in Bosnia … (also, the idea that the smart fixed of yesterday become the problems of tomorrow feels relevant to Belgian politics right now).

Listen, I know a guy who can host and sort the catering too.

Younger kid, @dzyrl.bsky.social and me have a running “cool words” chat - most recent entries