Rock On!

For a few days every year, the village of Werchter becomes the Rock capital of Belgium. As you can see from the picture, it's taking place this year and I shall be going. My fiancée and myself decided last year that we would do a day at the festival, if the groups were good enough. When the line-up was announced earlier in the year, it was a toss up between today and friday. Today, Oasis are performing and I would love to see them. But how could we resist Elbow, The Killers and Coldplay, all playing on the same day! It was a no brainer. If that wasn't enough, tomorrow we are promised thunderstorms! Brilliant! I shall take my wellies...
Another thing going on over the weekend in this neck of the woods is Braderij. I'm not sure if it should be 'a Braderij' or 'the Braderij,' but whatever it's called, it's on and it's here! It's one of those things that we don't have in England. I'm not sure if it's unique to Belgium, probably not, but it is something that I really couldn't see being held in Britain.
Once a year, in the town, they close a number of roads and the shop keepers have a sale, bringing their goods outside and making a sort of impromptu street market. Not only that, but a travelling Fun Fair sets up in every available nook and cranny.
Actually, that's another thing that is different to Britain. In Britain, Fun Fairs are usually set up on fields or empty car parks. In Belgium they are set up in the most unlikely of places. If it wont fit in a car park then they will just put a Shooting Gallery or Food Stall in the next bit of space they can find. Hence, the road opposite our apartment being closed and a ride of some sort being erected across its width. It's still a bit weird to me after 3 years.
But, I have to say that despite this bit of Belgian strangeness, it creates a nice atmosphere, especially with a couple of beer stalls dotted around the place. Braderij takes place over 3 days and I expect we shall take a stroll down the road to see if there are any bargains to be had.