Euro trip 2019 - Theux - piscine communale.

Sunday 30th June - a swim and a lazy day

Breakfast, then piscine communale.  Unfortunately almost all shops in Theux are closed after 12 on Sundays!!  

A few clouds appeared in the sky today, but temperature was still 29 degrees. 

Lunched on remaining cheese, toms, olives and yellow pepper, bread and honey cake.

By the river we saw a kingfisher. Far too fast for a photo, of course!

Getting the ducks in a row?

Le Wayai

Chatted to the ex-gardener with a broken pelvis.

Cycled down to the local garage for quick meal provisions for tonight.

Glam cycling gear.

Cooked and ate quite late. 

Saw possible nutcracker birds in the trees.

Euro trip 2019 - Château de Franchimont, Theux

Saturday 28th June - Château de Franchimont, Theux

We walked into Theux and had coffee at le Beaubourg. we called at the  syndicat d'initiative to get a few leaflets and headed for the Château de Franchimont. Temperature 30 deg +.

 

A steep short track up the hill. 

 We sat and drew , then went to see if we could get a drink but the whole restaurant was booked out - for a wedding.

So we went round the castle. 

Medieval crane

Down into the depths

View beyond the wild flowers

We walked back via the boulangerie and garage shop. Harry cooked spuds with tuna and salad.

Afterwards we walked into Theux and back in the cool of the evening. There were swifts everywhere.

Euro trip 2019 - a hot day's cycling La Gileppe

Friday 28th June - cycling from Theux to la Gileppe.

We cycled to the Barrage de la Gileppe, a long drag uphill, but there was a fair breeze so we didn't feel too suffocated. 

A little tricky to find the route out from Theux at first. Then under the motorway viaduct. In spite of warning signs and  road works at Polleur but we managed to get through with bikes. 

The twisted spires of Europe....

I had a puncture, which Harry mended pretty quickly.  A longish hot drag uphill to Jehanster, on a mainish road. At Jehanster we stopped for a coffee and cake, in the shade next to the church. Then we took rue Alphonse Collette   We followed the Chemin du Bois des Recollets as far as the Chemin des Aubépines, mostly an unmade track, which turned right and became Vervierfontaine. 

This met a main road, which we crossed into Foyr. At the route de Foyr we turned right. Short pause to check the route. Then downhill quite a way, over the little river and up a bit, eventually turning left at Foyeuru. This led uphill briefly then more downhill to the Pêcherie de Foyeuru, then uphill to the N629. We came out opposite the Café de la Gileppe, which looked distinctly closed. 

There was a track beside it, called Chemin de Lisaion de ... La Gileppe. We  followed this downhill and up. It was not a brilliant idea, as at some point it turned into a mountain bike track, and we decided to head for the road through a thicket of brambles. Shredded legs proved too much, so we went back down to the track, pushing the bikes. And finally arrived at the route de la Gileppe and the dam. We visited this more than 30 years ago, when cars were still allowed on the road by the lion...I think.

 A coffee, then we rode over the dam and along for a mile or so.

Had a picnic in the woods, a nap on the grass, and set off back at about 10 to 4, taking the N629 as far as the cafe de la Gileppe (now open) and then retracing our route. 

We were astonished how far down the hill fromJehanster to Polleur was - no wonder we were knackered.

In Polleur we found a little alimentation and bought baked beans, spuds, eggs and strawberries. A feast was had on our return. Spuds were pretty awful, but ok mashed with yogurt. Strawberries were good.

Altogether we estimate around 25 miles. Google says 16 km by its route one way.And ours back was around that too. The return trip involved 761 feet of descent and 188 feet of climbing. I think the journey there involved more up and downs than that especially with the detour.

Watched France-USA women's football. Rapinhoe is an interesting character.

Euro trip 2019 - Belgium

Thursday 27th June - Zeebrugge to Theux

We had breakfast, disembarked and made great progress along the E40 until we approached Brussels, when the traffic slowed to a near standstill.  We changed our route and took the Charleroi motorway (E19). We stopped for coffee at the Aire de Nivelles. A decent service area with a large cafe area and friendly service. 

We turned on to the E42 just north of Charelroi, towards Namur.  For lunch we bought chicken and juice at the Aire de Verlaine. 

Turned off and had lunch at St-Georges-sur-Meuse, not far from Liège.  Then a very long winded drive along back roads and over to Theux, which is not far from Spa.

Very hot!! Then the Road works!! Our apartment was the Repos du Wayai.  The area near the river Wayai was having its sewers renewed. This meant road closures, one way systems and a lot of dust! After going round in circles we eventually found the way with the help of a local resident. The owner, Mona, took us out in her car to show us the best routes in. 

We cycled into Theux along the cycle path and feasted on frites and ice cream. In the evening, swifts were flying round.

By 10.30pm it had cooled. Phew. The apartment was excellent in spite of the heat during the day, so long as we kept the appropriate blinds closed!

Delayed diary of our travels, through Belgium, France, Germany, briefly Luxembourg.

Wednesday 26th June 2019 - to Hull and beyond

Set off from home at about 9.45. Weather gloomy and a touch of drizzle. We had a flask coffee break at a signposted viewpoint, not far from Scampton of Red Arrows fame.  A not too scenic viewpoint with a lot of litter, near Lincolnshire Showground. It served its purpose, but didn't impress.

Not too far to the Humber Bridge from there.

We stopped for our picnic lunch at the Humber Bridge Country Park. Disappointing to see no more than a pathetic caravan type burger and hot dog cafe. They are missing a trick here, i think.

We walked the half mile or so to the foreshore and the old chalk mill. 

The drive into Hull and to the ferry terminal was well signposted and we arrived with time to spare. we boarded Pride of Bruges at about 1500.

A well designed comfortable cabin, with a window. 

We sailed at about 7pm. 

We ate in the Brasserie - a white bean vegetarian cassoulet, containing

White beans

Dark lentils

Veg

Carrots 

Celery or fennel

Mashed potatoes with chives, pesto

? Yogurt 

Black olives

Sun blushed tomatoes 

 The beds were comfortable beds and the cabin was very quiet too.