Day 7 – A day in Bruges
After breakfast we got into Joey’s car and drove to the nearby town of Bruges. The plan was to just roam around and just be tourists.
Bruges is a beautiful town and super clean. I mean this place is really geared up for tourists and even though we were early in the season there were thousands of tourists from every corner of the planet.
So we did what all tourists do…
In front of the old government meeting-house, now a ceremonial building on the market square
On one of the canals with the Belfry of Bruges in the background
Another lovely canal scene
No shortage of chocolate shops
Even on sticks
Another lovely scene
To appreciate Bruges you need to go there. It’s a beautiful town and we highly recommended (off-season)
Later in the evening, after diner Monique and I went for a walk alone
The wind had calmed a bit and we had a chance to be alone
Close up of a fishing trawler just off the coast
And our sunset on the beach
Day 8 – May 6th – We made it 30 years together
This morning I found two more broken spokes on Moniques rear tire. I had just one spare so replaced one of them.
The rest of the afternoon was spent chilling on the beach
The wind had picked up again, but it was a perfect day without a cloud in the sky
On the beach near Wenduine we found a perfect sheltered place to relax, reflect and enjoy several beers in the sun
One with the whole gang
Later on we headed back to the apartment for a siesta
The day before we had booked a table at Picardie in Blankenberge for a nice diner with the sunset view
Femke and Joey
Yours truly
Dinner was great
Here’s to the next 30 years
Day 9 – Airbnb near Camping Duinenlac to Camping De Kruitmolen near Brakenburg, NL – 62kms
After a fantastic weekend we got on the road at 10:00. The weather was gray with a slight tail wind.
We decided not to stay in Belgium because our route would have taken us through the busy port of Antwerp. So we rode to Breskens and took the ferry to Vlissingen and eventually to this farmers camping.
Cold and tired we were in our sleeping bags by 20:00. It doesn’t feel like a vacation anymore because were heading home.
Camping is good if a bit dated.
Knokke-Heist. All along the coast many apartments for sale but couldn’t imagine us having one
Verdronken Zwarte Polder
We mostly followed the LF 1b Northsea cycling route
Great cycling paths al the way to Breskens
With plenty of benched to rest
The Norther wind was cold
A lovely yacht
Lighthouse of Breskens with Vlissingen in the background
Just great cycling
Our ferry
The cold wind took a lot out of us and our mood began to sink
We followed the Schelde – Rhein route which ends in Venlo (about 70kms North of Maastricht)
But later decided we would be going back into Belgium after Antwerp
We took the canal to Mddelburg which was going North when we needed to head Northeast.
But when cold and tired we make bad decisions.
Day 10 – Camping De Kruitmolen (NL) to Camping De Groene Linden (near Brecht) Belgium – 85kms
What a day. We got up to a gray morning with a cold NE wind and heavy drizzle. Later on the sun did come out and we shed our thermal sweaters but kept the jackets to keep the wind out. After we reached the camping I inspected Moniques rear tire and found another broken spoke but the wheel kept true so just made a note to stop at a bike shop the next day.
We knew that our destination was about 120kms from home and we were already contemplating making it home in just three days.
On the Calandweg near Sluis De Piet. Nowhere to hide from the wind and rain around these parts
Direction Bergen op Zoom
Following the N289
Crossing canal Suid-Beveland
Windmill in Kruiningen
After Krabbendijke we got off the N289 and headed for Bath on the Bathseweg
In the distance we noticed a huge container ship on the Valkenisse
Just looked strange seeing a huge ship in the middle of farm fields
The industrial area of Antwerp complete with its nuclear power plant
Still on the Bathseweg heading towards Schelde-Rijnverbinding canal
Finally some protection form the wind just before the Belgian border at Putte on the N289.
Things were looking up, the sun even came out
We were glad the woman in charge of the camping opened up the bar so we could get our favorite beers and warm up in the sun. Karmeliet tripple for Monique and a Westmalle double for me. Just love these Belgian special beers
After our drinks it was time to set up camp
Day 11 – Camping De Groene Linden to Maastricht – 122kms
We got up early and were on the road by 09:00. We knew the distance we needed to cover today so we just made a beeline in a Southeasterly direction and headed for home.
While having our second breakfast on a park bench we heard a spoke on Moniques rear tire pop. First time we’ve ever saw a spoke break with the bike standing still. Needless to say now we had to stop at a bicycle shop and have it repaired as there were now two broken spokes. The mechanic only charged us €6 and after hearing what had happened and inspected the wheel he recomended replacing the rim. It was severly bent and to make it true some spokes had to be over tightened while others were loose and the spokes would keep on breaking. So taking that Eddy Merckx route near Brussels was not the greatest idea.
We took a scenic short cut for a couple kilometers
Through farm fields and woodland
On the N153 heading to the Albert canal. Earlier we had passed Malle where one of my favorite beers is brewed Westmalle double. Unfortunatly it was a bit early for one
The Albert canal at Herentals
By now it was getting warm and we began to shed some layers of clothes
Welcome back to Belgian Limburg. Soon afterwards we stopped at a road side restaurant and a proper second lunch to carry us home.
By 17:00 it got really warm
Crossing the Kolenhaven in Hasselt
On the N2
Streight ahead
We had a couple detours due to road works
Crossing the Albert canal into Maastricht from the second of the two bridges
Smiles all around as we could smell home now
It was late when we finally reached home. It had been a very long day and we were happy we could cycle 122kms
Epilogue
It was a great idea to celebrate our 30th anniversary with a short tour. We truly enjoyed the experience and had a fantastic time. Even with those not so pleasant days along the way.
But that is touring, one appreciates the good days more when there are some cold and wet days in-between.
Would we do this tour again? Probably not. Reason being campings in Belgium are few and far in-between with facilities below par compared to other north European countries. We found out that this is mainly due to the strange laws Belgium has concerning campgrounds.
Overall it was nice to do this tour once.