Knokke Belgium
Location & Description
Knokke is a seaside resort town in Belgium where
John Hastry owns an apartment that served as a crucial writing retreat for David Irving during June 2007.
Property Details
John Hastry's Apartment
- Size: Approximately 100 square meters
- Location: Seafront location with ocean access
- Amenities: Large living space but initially lacking some basics
- Missing facilities: No washing machine, no lavatory seat initially, VHS not working
- Internet: No built-in internet, required purchasing local access cards
Health Benefits
- Air quality: John Hastry believed the iodine in the sea air would benefit DI's health
- Environment: Seaside setting provided peaceful writing atmosphere
- Recovery context: Helpful for DI's recovery from Austrian prison health impacts
June 2007 Writing Retreat
Arrival (June 1, 2007)
DI traveled from London via Eurostar:
- Route: London Waterloo to Brussels-Midi, then drive to Knokke with John Hastry
- Transport cost: Only £29.50 for Eurostar ticket
- Airport-style security: Required body search and baggage checks at Waterloo
Accommodation Arrangement
- Duration: Full month of June 2007
- Cost: Free accommodation provided by John Hastry
- Purpose: Writing retreat during DI's housing crisis
Technical Challenges
Internet access problems:
- No internet café in town
- Purchased Telenet internet card (€10) - didn't work
- Required €20 for 24-hour Telenet Belgium subscription
- T-Mobile subscription not recognized despite supposed agreement
- Total internet costs: €30+ for basic access
Daily Life
- Writing schedule: Productive writing environment for book projects
- Social interaction: Regular meals and conversations with John Hastry
- Isolation challenges: Limited social contact beyond host
- Communication: Phone box near statue of naked man urinating into fountain (noted Belgian humor)
Local Character & Culture
Belgian Humor
DI noted distinctive Belgian cultural elements:
- Fountain statue: Life-sized statue of naked man urinating into fountain
- Cultural observations: Different aesthetic and social sensibilities
Town Characteristics
- Tourism: Seaside resort with regular visitors
- Services: Limited internet cafés, basic tourist amenities
- Accessibility: Easily reached from Brussels by car
Business Activities
Website Development
Despite internet challenges, DI managed online business:
- Bookstore launch: Bob Simpson's irvingbooks.com went live during June stay
- Sales monitoring: Checked daily sales figures and website functionality
- Correspondence: Maintained email contact with publishers and associates
Writing Projects
June 2007 served as concentrated writing time:
- Memoir work: Continued work on prison memoir
- Himmler biography: Advanced manuscript development
- Website content: Posted diary entries and updates
Strategic Communications
Media Misdirection
DI used Knokke location for strategic communications:
- Belgian presence: Announced presence in Belgium while planning other activities
- Security considerations: Used location announcements to manage potential surveillance
- Event planning: Coordinated UK speaking arrangements from Belgian base
Cross-References
Notable Quotes
On Belgian humor (2007-06-01):
"what an odd sense of humor the Belgians have" (regarding the urinating statue)
On internet costs (2007-06-01):
"This is getting ridiculous."
On accommodation gratitude (2007-06-01):
"he is letting me use it free for a month, and I can't complain"
Travel security observations (2007-06-01):
"The usual eight words from me: 'We have Israel to thank for all this.'" (regarding airport-style security)
On isolation challenges (2007-06-01):
"No internet in flat, no phone either for that matter, no lavatory seat, VHS not working etc."
Cultural observations (2007-06-01):
"What an odd sense of humor the Belgians have."
Health & Recovery Benefits
Physical Environment
- Sea air: Iodine-rich atmosphere believed beneficial for health
- Peaceful setting: Conducive to recovery from prison physical damage
- Walking opportunities: Seaside environment for exercise and rehabilitation
Mental Health Benefits
- Writing focus: Uninterrupted time for creative and memoir work
- Social support: Regular interaction with supportive friend
- Stress reduction: Remove from London housing and financial pressures
Notes
Knokke Belgium served as a crucial sanctuary during David Irving's 2007 reconstruction period. Despite practical challenges with internet access and basic amenities, the month-long stay provided essential writing time, health benefits from the seaside environment, and emotional support from
John Hastry's friendship. The retreat allowed DI to maintain productivity and business operations while avoiding the stress of London housing searches and financial pressures. The experience demonstrates the importance of loyal friendships and temporary refuges during periods of personal and professional rebuilding.