The news on the lock wasn’t looking too good, so we decided to give it one more day before making a decision. Quite a cool day, there wasn’t much incentive to do much more than remain on board.

This was the day we waved goodbye to Brussels and commenced our journey along the Brussels – Charleroi Canal. Unfortunately, it was a city that we just couldn’t connect with in the short time we were there. The waterway is filthy and dead fish float upon the canal’s surface, whilst the city itself had an overall feel […]

It was a trip beneath ground for Bob and I today for here was to be found the remains of the former Coudenberg Palace. Once way back in time, high upon a hill overlooking a beautiful valley in which lay a tiny village, a family climbed and built a simple wooden keep. Over the years, […]

An hour’s train journey and a 5km bike ride transported Bob and to the battlefield where Napoleon’s final downfall took place. Rising above the flat farming lands below, the memorial mound constructed in commemoration of the wound the Belgian monarch took during the midst of battle, is the first object that draws the visitor’s eye. […]

Another museum well worth visiting, as we were led through time from the Big Bang. Well set out, with more than enough to keep all ages intrigued. there were paths and seats, 3D displays, slideshows, and short films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV_SURkWQZw&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29W-CU_zCcc&feature=youtu.be   Water and land, it was all there. Most impressive was the section on the dinosaurs. […]

Sensational!!! Extraordinary!!!! These are two of the words that one can use to describe this incredible museum. Inaugurated in 1877, the collection initially consisted of 100 Indian instruments gifted to the Belgian king in 1876, and the purchase of musicologist, Francois – Joseph Fetis’ collection in 1872. Initially used for the sole purpose of introducing […]

Grote Markt(Grand Place), Royal Palace, Museum of the Black Sisters and Basilica. Having been advised it was far too dangerous to ride our bikes within the city centre , Bob and I chose to make use of the rail network: apparently, drivers have a bit of what we call road rage when it comes to cyclists […]

Upon the relatively straight Zeekanaal Brussel Schelde, one lock, several lifting bridges and plenty of others beneath which we easily passed led us along a mostly industrial section of waterway, interspersed by a town here and there, or an occasional field. The twenty kilometres easily travelled, Gratis arrived at the Brussels Royal Yacht Club. Thirty metres […]

Another 20km day of travel took us through the Duffel Lock and onto the tidal Beneden Nete. The lock at Duffel had more than enough bollards evenly spaced within the walls and presented no problems as the water level lowered. Another friendly lock operator informed us of bridge heights and wished us the best of […]

After wending our way through the streets to the market square, where a major clean up was taking place after celebrations that incorporated the town’s giants, our first stop was the 14th century Zimmer Tower and its Wonderclock at the time and space museum. The son of a watchmaker and born in Lier in 1888, […]

Informed by the harbourmaster that the bridge out of the marina would be closed Sunday, our departure was moved forward to this morning. We had to take a snapshot of this. Locks, how you love and hate them! No matter where you are, no two locks are the same, which means the cruiser must prepared […]

A 10km ride took us from Antwerp to the edge of the Peerdsbos, a delightful nature area that was created when the land forming a number of manors once owned by the nobility was taken over the by the state. Once an area of woods, field and meadows, polders and dikes were created to provide […]

We discovered a secret. On the last Wednesday of every month, entry to Antwerp’s museums is free and we made the most of it.   MAS Museum Each floor dealt with a different display. That showcasing items from various cultures held our interest most. From the top floor, there was quite a view. Can you find […]

All museums are closed on Mondays, so today was church day: Cathedral of Our Lady, St James, St Charles Barromeo and St Pauls. It was a study in art for us, as each contained paintings by Rubens and other famous Belgian artists. Descent of Man 1611 – 1614 Resurrection of Christ  1611 – 1612 In addition, […]

This day saw us re – entering Belgium, via the Schelde – Rijn Canal. One easy lock, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slUTOMf5Sro&feature=youtu.be One of the reasons why a boat must be secured. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43zKDSKF_s&feature=youtu.be and a lifting bridge or two made for an easy 40km or so motor. Large ships were towed in by tug. The building at the bridge […]

First thing this morning, the water came alive with the sound of the young as they prepared the steel dinghies and took to the water. Our last day in Bergen op Zoom finally presented us with one of sunshine and we made the most of it. At the Ravelijn Op den Zoom, Bob and I […]

On entering the church (how was this for a doorknob!), Bob and I had the opportunity to climb the 150+ steps of the spiral staircase to partake in the panoramic view. It was well worth the effort, as we found ourselves espying Antwerp far in the distance from the top of the fourteenth century tower. […]

Situated just 42km from Antwerp, the town Bergen op Zoom is in the perfect position for sightseeing. From the marina, it is a short four minute bike ride, or fifteen for the walker, into the town centre. Despite its canal network being filled in during the nineteenth century in conjunction with the growth of the […]

In conversations with locals regarding entry to marinas via the locks of the tidal Westerschelde, we were informed it was only possible at set times so two other options were left to us. Returning to Ghent then heading east, or retracing our steps north to Bergen op Zoom then head south to Antwerp. Surprisingly, the […]

With the fuel barge not open to customers on Sundays and the Netherlands proving to have the best price, to Terneuzen Bob and I have returned, and shall remain for a few additional unexpected days. It seems that this is the year for items to break down. Late Saturday evening, the fridge had a hissy […]