Old Dutch Fortified City… to Charming Belgium Canals

6fartsinacart
Aug 31, 2017
3 min read

14 August 2017, Monday: The heavy excursion of yesterday allows us a lie-in this morning. We leave around 11am after a photo-shoot of the marina and stopping at Lidl. Having done one of the last cities, there is a rather somber atmosphere as the end of our tour is imminent. We pass through Utrecht, a city that has the same name as a town which Dad recalls from his childhood days in the Eastern Transvaal, South Africa. From Lexmond to Meerkerk we drive down Lakerveld Lane where different sections exhibit or display a season of the year, starting with spring, continuing into summer and autumn, and finishing with winter. Almost every house in this stretch is partaking (in many creative ways) in this festivity or tradition. We continue to Woudrichem, an old Dutch fortified town and park up at 4pm inside the broad embankment/rampart raised as fortification. Strategically situated on the river Merwede with a moat surrounding the other sides of town, it became a fortress in the 16th century with ramparts which can still be visited. Entering the old fortified centre of Woudrichem two buildings dominate the skyline, the massive ‘Mosterd Pot’ (Mustard Pot), tower of the gothic Saint Martin Church, and the ‘Nooit Gedagt’ (Never Thought), a mill that still has its original function. The beautiful Prison Gate is the only one left of five, guarded by 15th century leading lady Jacoba van Beieren. We explore the beautiful old fortified town which is surrounded by water and relax the rest of the afternoon overlooking the marina and its activities. I prepare one of our favourites, spaghetti bolognaise, which we have outside while enjoying the view from a bench on the embankment in front of Merzy. After devotions us kids return indoors while Mum and Dad stay to enjoy the tranquility and cooler fresh air a little longer. An hour later we’re all in bed, ready for a snooze.

15 August 2017, Tuesday: A gentle rain causes a relaxed mood and a peaceful route-planning session. We leave at 11.45am. Just after 2pm we cross into Belgium and soon after stop at Neerpelt next to the canal for a late lunch. As Neerpelt is a paying camper-stop we drive another 27km to the motorhome parking at ‘De Kieper’ which sits on the same canal at Tongerlo-Bree. We park at 4.15pm. This motor home stop allows for 4 campers. Considering our time of arrival and the campers that arrive after us and have to leave again, we know that the Lord has put aside the 4th and last open spot for us. We are thankful! We relax in front of Merzy and after a few drops of rain we put out the awning. As we are having supper our Belgium neighbours greet us. The next moment we are having coffee, chatting away like old friends… in Dutch and Afrikaans. How does that saying goes… ‘En die Kaap is sommer Hollands!’ (Life is just great). It turns out that both our Belgium neighbours, Carolus (a widower) and Pieter and his wife Katrin, live permanently in their motorhomes. Later during the evening we make use of the nearby restaurant’s wifi (on the jetty) to catch up on news after which we head indoors to get some rest.

The marina at Huizen

De Zalmvisser (Salmon Fisher) Statue by Ton Koops - Woudrichem was one of the most important fishing spots, especially salmon fishing

Canon on rampart

Overlooking the Old Harbour and Afgedamde Maas (Dammed-Up Meuse) River

A statue of Jacoba van Beieren (Jacoba van Bavaria), cast in bronze at the city gate. The Countess of Holland and Zeeland and Duchess of Bavaria lived a tumultuous life