![Ghent [2026] @BALES5000](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cQhhb1mLO4A/sddefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Sunday - 19 April 2026
Train from Bruxelles-Central to Gent-Sint-Pieters.
Info center for maps and to purchase 48hr Ghent City Card [€42].
Gravensteen Castle with the comedic audio tour [Highly recommended].
Belfry ascent [91 metres/299 ft/350-366 steps]
Exploration: St. Bavo’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, canal boat tour, old town, Patershol, medieval town gates, graffiti alley, Museum of Industry, multiple chocolate shops.
Train from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Bruxelles-Central.
[Step Count: 24903]
|---My Website Genealogy--|
balsancestry.com
|---Social Media Links---|
■ youtube.com/bales5000
■ instructables.com/r/bales
■ instagram.com/bales5000
Sunday - 19 April 2026
Train from Bruxelles-Central to Gent-Sint-Pieters.
Info center for maps and to purchase 48hr Ghent City Card [€42].
Gravensteen Castle with the comedic audio tour [Highly recommended].
Belfry ascent [91 metres/299 ft/350-366 steps]
Exploration: St. Bavo’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, canal boat tour, old town, Patershol, medieval town gates, graffiti alley, Museum of Industry, multiple chocolate shops.
Train from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Bruxelles-Central.
[Step Count: 24903]
|---My Website Genealogy--|
balsancestry.com
|---Social Media Links---|
■ youtube.com/bales5000
■ instructables.com/r/bales
■ instagram.com/bales5000
![Ghent [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cQhhb1mLO4A/mqdefault.jpg "Ghent [2026]
Sunday - 19 April 2026
Train from Bruxelles-Central to Gent-Sint-Pieters.
Info center for maps and to purchase 48hr Ghent City Card [€42].
Gravensteen Castle with the comedic audio tour [Highly recommended].
Belfry ascent [91 metres/299 ft/350-366 steps]
Exploration: St. Bavo’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, canal boat tour, old town, Patershol, medieval town gates, graffiti alley, Museum of Industry, multiple chocolate shops.
Train from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Bruxelles-Central.
[Step Count: 24903]
| My Website Genealogy |
https://www.balsancestry.com/
| Social Media Links |
■ http://www.youtube.com/bales5000
■ http://www.instructables.com/r/bales
■ https://www.instagram.com/bales5000")
![Oscar The Grouch Costume - Slideshow [Halloween 2015]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dpMrioIMmv4/mqdefault.jpg "Oscar The Grouch Costume - Slideshow [Halloween 2015]
After the successful Animal costume in 2013, I ended up with pneumonia in 2014 after crawling under the house to jack part of it back up. I phoned it in with a Boba Fett helmet and hoodie. For 2015, I decided to do another kid friendly, full body costume using faux fur and a sewing machine. Im horrible at sewing, but I pulled it off ... and somehow landed the Grand Prize in the Instructables Halloween Contest.
The Grouch squatting at my house
https://youtu.be/hd-orHBCaJU
| Project Instructable |
■ https://www.instructables.com/The-Grouch-Oscar-The-Grouch/
| Social Media Links |
■ http://www.youtube.com/bales5000
■ http://www.instructables.com/r/bales
■ https://www.instagram.com/bales5000
| Amazon Storefront |
■ https://www.amazon.com/shop/bales5000
| Music |
Songs:Grouch Anthem & I Love Trash
| Project Specific Materials |
Olive green faux fur, felt, styrofoam balls, metal trash can, strapping, foam, suspenders, wood, trash
| Camera Gear |
Canon EOS Rebel T5i EF-S 18-55 STM Kit - http://amzn.to/2jiPOS2
Cannon RC-6 Remote - http://amzn.to/2ik0m50
| BALES Workshop |
Tablesaw - http://amzn.to/2ijAs16
Miter Saw - http://amzn.to/2jvpcg
Jointer - http://amzn.to/2j7IkUI
Planer - http://amzn.to/2jvrs6R
2 HP Router - http://amzn.to/2ijIeIh
Trim Router - http://amzn.to/2ig29or
Drum Sander - http://amzn.to/2jvjLNY
Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander - http://amzn.to/2jj87Xi
Belt Sander - http://amzn.to/2igg39Z
Orbital Sander - http://amzn.to/2j7X0TT
Nail Gun & Compressor Combo Kit - http://amzn.to/2j7S0hX
Pin Nailer - http://amzn.to/2jvqKXf
Grinder - http://amzn.to/2j7S0hX
Shop Vac - http://amzn.to/2j77Vwz
Cyclone Separator - http://amzn.to/2j88BCu
Vacuum Remote Switch - http://amzn.to/2jjCBID
Weller 25 Watt Woodburning Kit - http://amzn.to/2igooui")
![Antwerpen [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/egJoT0pJHcA/mqdefault.jpg "Antwerpen [2026]
Tuesday - 21 April 2026
Train from Bruxelles-Central to Antwerpen-Central.
Red Star Line Museum tour. Highly recommended especially if you are into Genealogy and have ancestors who emigrated from this port.
Exploration: Central Station, MAS, Grote Markt, Nello & Patrasche Statue, Cathedral of our Lady, side streets and churches, Vlaeykensgang hidden alley, Het Steen/info center.
*Turns out you need a hired guide scheduled in advance to climb the belfry, so that was a failure on my part.
Train from Antwerpen-Central to Bruxelles-Central.
[Step Count: 22542]
| My Website Genealogy |
https://www.balsancestry.com/
| Social Media Links |
■ http://www.youtube.com/bales5000
■ http://www.instructables.com/r/bales
■ https://www.instagram.com/bales5000")
![Captain Jack Sparrow Costume - Slideshow [Halloween 2018]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fhn_Ko6P1n0/mqdefault.jpg "Captain Jack Sparrow Costume - Slideshow [Halloween 2018]
After the last full body costume almost did me in, I decided to take it easy for a year and use a costume I purchased with the store credit I won from my Oscar the Grouch Costume. Then I decided to make a sinking sailboat for the front yard. Followed by a treasure chest, pirate sign, and pallet boat dock.
| Project Instructable |
■ https://www.instructables.com/Captain-Jack-Sparrows-Sinking-Ship/
| Social Media Links |
■ http://www.youtube.com/bales5000
■ http://www.instructables.com/r/bales
■ https://www.instagram.com/bales5000
| Amazon Storefront |
■ https://www.amazon.com/shop/bales5000
| Music |
Song: Movie Theme
| Project Specific Materials |
EVA Foam, Barge cement, PVC,shop rags, spray paint, drop cloth, pallet, retail costume and wig (modified)
| Camera Gear |
Canon EOS Rebel T5i EF-S 18-55 STM Kit - http://amzn.to/2jiPOS2
Cannon RC-6 Remote - http://amzn.to/2ik0m50
| BALES Workshop |
Tablesaw - http://amzn.to/2ijAs16
Miter Saw - http://amzn.to/2jvpcg
Jointer - http://amzn.to/2j7IkUI
Planer - http://amzn.to/2jvrs6R
2 HP Router - http://amzn.to/2ijIeIh
Trim Router - http://amzn.to/2ig29or
Drum Sander - http://amzn.to/2jvjLNY
Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander - http://amzn.to/2jj87Xi
Belt Sander - http://amzn.to/2igg39Z
Orbital Sander - http://amzn.to/2j7X0TT
Nail Gun & Compressor Combo Kit - http://amzn.to/2j7S0hX
Pin Nailer - http://amzn.to/2jvqKXf
Grinder - http://amzn.to/2j7S0hX
Shop Vac - http://amzn.to/2j77Vwz
Cyclone Separator - http://amzn.to/2j88BCu
Vacuum Remote Switch - http://amzn.to/2jjCBID
Weller 25 Watt Woodburning Kit - http://amzn.to/2igooui")
![Karnak Temple Complex [Egypt 2019]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g3GFjq_vjfE/mqdefault.jpg "Karnak Temple Complex [Egypt 2019]
Egypt - Tuesday June 11th, 2019 [Day 7]
Only one site on this day, but it was the hottest at 99 degrees - way closer to the Equator than Massachusetts. A three hour exploration in the early afternoon. I believe this was the last day without long sleeves for me as I could feel my skin tingling the rest of the night.
Karnak
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnak
Red Chapel of Hatshepsut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapelle_Rouge
Dynasties of Ancient Egypt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasties_of_Ancient_Egypt")
