Aalst to Ninove to Aalst to Ninove to Aalst to Ninove…

Saturday 17^th, Sunday 18^th and Monday 19^th October 2015

It’s not as complicated as it sounds….

Bidding our havenmeester Mario farewell we began the first leg of our journey back to South Africa after just over a month in Belgium.

South, up the Dender

As the locks do not operate on Sundays in winter the decision was taken that we would cruise back to Ninove and take the train back to Aalst to watch the Springboks play Wales in the RWC quarter-final that evening and then return and have the whole of Sunday to explore Ninove. Which we did.

Some pics taken on our walk to the station.

We couldn't figure out the relevance of this one.

 Much to our delight, and that of a group of visiting South African tourist lodge promotors (and two ex-pats – they were both in BE having “followed love” then somehow received ‘permanent relationship’ long stay permits and, having given up on “love”, were now awaiting permanent residence status. Mmmm…), the Springboks won having put in a sparkling second half following their very sub-standard first session.

The final whistle!

 Then it was back on the train,

Aalst station

a quick walk through Ninove’s shopping area,

and into bed.

Sunday the process was repeated but this time the idea was to cycle the 18 kilometers to Aalst, watch the Ireland-Argentina semi, and cycle back home again. Which we did.

Except that two kilo’s into the ride the back tire of Lynn’s bike, which had been threatening, popped off the rim and, after putting the tube and tire back in place on the rim, the tube burst when I was pumping it. So it was a walk back to Elle to collect my Dutch bike and instead of a leisurely eTrip to Aalst and back, I had a rear-end testing experience, not enhanced by my decision to take a short cut as we entered the outskirts of the city, which added a couple more kilometers to the trip.

Anyway, much to the dismay of the proprietor of the pub who had assumed, as a certainty, that the Greens would triumph, Ireland lost to an outstanding Argentinian team effort and we now have, for the first time ever, an all southern-hemisphere semi-final.

Monday was tire fixing day but on Monday all the shops are closed, aren’t they? Or so their internet sites say. We carry spare tubes but when the tire came off the rim the rim cut through the sidewall so we have to find a new tire; tire repair will now happen tomorrow. So instead, the first part of the day was spent doing chores, me doing engine checks and filling the stuffing boxes with grease and getting myself covered in the stuff at the same time, and Lynn, inter alia, cleaning out the shower strainer…

…and then it was onto the bikes for a look around.

 We found this rather austere cathedral

with a stunning interior – despite the wealth of imagery one had a real sense of peace in the cool white surrounds.

 A late lunch/early supper and a relaxing evening.