Travelled : 74 kilometres from Ghent in Belgium to Middelburg, Zeeland Province, The Netherlands
Visited : Middelburg
Stayed : Middelburg Municipal Aire, free, the usual services + power âŹ1 per 4 hours.   N51.500710  E3.628170
We have really enjoyed our stop in Ghent, it has all the charm of an old city laced with canals and secret places. It is not as touristy as Brugge and much easier to move about without being collected by a fast moving car or horse drawn carriage. However we must have stopped near party central as we were woken several times by loud talking pedestrians seemingly in high spirits. We thought about moving but just decided to roll over and go back to sleep until the next loud drunk went by.
Walking home from the Thai last night we found a laundromat just up the street, so we decided to do a load of washing. Luckily there was a parking spot outside so we have breakfast and read the papers in the camper whilst the machines did there thing.
We hit the road again heading north, passing Zelzate we cross the frontier into The Netherlands. A new country for us as we have never been to the Netherlands before and the fourth country since we started almost a month ago. Our GPS is set for Middelburg in the Province of Zeeland.
Netherlands
Flat country out here as we make for the Westerschelde Tunnel. Mind you the the first thing you notice is the improvement in the roads as we cross into The Netherlands.
Driving down into the Westerschelde Tunnel. At 6,600 meters in length it passes under the Westerschelde (the main channel for ships travelling to or from the port of Antwerp in Belgium). A little expensive at âŹ7.50 however it saves an additional 70 kilometres of driving that it would otherwise take to reach Middelburg in Zeeland, so it seems like a bargain.
Pam looking like a local here in Middelburg, except for the helmet of course. You very rarely see anyone wearing a helmet in Belgium or The Netherlands (so far).
The Binnehaven Canal in Middelburg.
The Oostkerk. A bit of a mystery the old Oostkerk. There is no tourist office in Middelburg, just a help yourself kiosk where you get your map. We know precious little about the Oostkerk, so I suspect it where the Lodge meetings are held. Zoom in above the doorway ?
The Lange Jan stands tall amongst the other building in the old town. We find you can climb the tower for âŹ4 each, so of we go. 206 steps later we get a great view of the town and district.
View of the town square from Lange Jan. By the way Lange Jan is Dutch for Long John.
There is a trash and treasure market in the Stadhuis. We think that may be the old town hall, but we’re no sure.
A bit of active street art. Sit on the seat and get a little surprise.
A little sad, my last Leffe Brune. I’m not ordinarily a drinker of black, but the Leffe is very smooth with lunch. My Belgium beer stock will quickly be replaced by the Dutch I suppose. It’s an emotional journey you no sooner find a new best friend and there gone.
Large swing bridge turns to let a small yacht pass by. There is another bridge a few hundred metres up and the cars went on and over that. It was just us cyclists who waited the ten minutes for the bridge to re-open.
Our Aire for the night was on the edge of town, with a short cycle ride to the centre.
Random bonus photo. We notice lots of old push bikes chained to posts and other structures all over town. I have a feeling when you buy a new bike you just chain your old bike to something and say goodbye. I suppose you could ride by occasionally and say hello and reminisce about the good times.
Hi there, we are in Chester in a parking area near the town. Good spot if you come this way.Heading to Wightwick Manor today.We loved Wales. Found some good camps…eventually. enjoying your posts. Safe journey. Joy and johannes
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Hi there, we are in Chester in a parking area near the town. Good spot if you come this way.Heading to Wightwick Manor today.We loved Wales. Found some good camps…eventually. enjoying your posts. Safe journey. Joy and johannes