June 18th 2015: Le Caillou and Hougomont.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
200th Anniversary
0700 to 0800, Breakfast at the Funkey Hotel
0900: Tour bus leaves hotel.
1000: Le Caillou museum. This was the site of Napoléon’s HQ on the eve of the battle of Waterloo. The charming museum was splendid; as were the nearby soldiers’ bivouacs where we were able to see re-enactors living in the lifestyle of 1815; no electricity, running water or other modern conveniences. This Waterloo Reenactment is on target!
1200: Tour bus to Placenoit. This pleasant village was where Prussian reinforcements arrived in the late afternoon to join the Battle of Waterloo. We enjoyed our sack-lunches and drinks in a quaint local eatery. We explored the village and the church there.
1330: We visited La Belle Alliance, the site of the Grand Battery. We then continued to Hougoumont for a scheduled visit at 15:00.
1500: Hougoumont visit. This fortified farm was heavily embattled during the Battle of Waterloo.
19:00 BBQ Dinner at the Funkey Hotel
1900: After returning from Hougoumont to the Funkey Hotel, we enjoyed a lovely outdoor BBQ hosted by Funkey proprietor Philippe Thibaut.
BBQ food: Hamburgers, bratwurst sausages, chicken, potato salad, bean salad, green salad, ice cream, fruit, Belgian chocolate cookies, etc.
