Tuesday 16th September 2014 - So breakfast included in the costs of a night, great free(ish) food!!
Down to the usual continental brekkie spread of bread, meat, cheese etc. Had a couple of cheese sandwiches, first cup of tea since I left too, ahhhh so nice, but was only in one of those pretend cups that hold two mouthfuls. Pocketed a few cereal and cake bars for later too!
Checked out at 10am and had a ride round Oostende. It is really nice. It was sunny, then all of a sudden you could see the sea fog coming in.
Whilst stopped to check map on way out of town, I saw out of the corner of my eye that someone had also stopped just behind me. They were hovering. I looked up and smiled at the man who had stopped and was also on his bike.
He said something I didn't understand, so I asked if he spoke English. Anyway, he was interested to know what I was doing. Where I was from and going to. He would've been maybe in his late 50s I reckon. He said he'd always wanted to go on a tour by bicycle, but he was too afraid and his wife said it was too dangerous! Also, turns out his daughter married an Irish man and she lives and is the principle of a school in Cavan. Ha, small world!
Anyway, found the canal to Brugge. It was cyclist, runners etc only on both sides, no cars, all the way. Awesome!
So quiet and peaceful being in the countryside again and no traffic whizzing by. Nice smooth flat tarmac too.
Saw a dead cow in a field so had to stop and go back. The squeaking of my bike as I wheeled it back down the path disturbed it. It was just sleeping, flat out in the field. It did look like it'd died, as there was only it there. It kinda looked at me in disgust for waking it up.
Had those bars from breakfast too, mmm some local cake thing they have. It was cinnamony and yummy.
Into Brugge, nice. Love the film too, if you haven't seen it, it's very funny.
Caught a glimpse of the tower through the streets which looked class. Into the main square - people, bikes, cars, horses, everywhere.
Madness and mayhem compared to the tranquil canal path I'd just come from.
Had planned to go up the tower, sit at a cafe etc, but in the end I just took a few pics and got going again. Too much going on.
On to Ghent. Along another canal, nice.
Was getting a bit thirsty, as I didn't stop in Brugge. Low and behold a vision appeared in front of me. Randomly, on the side of the path was a vending machine! Oddness, but very welcome. Nice chilled bottled of orange fanta €1.60, next bench along the path, sit down quench my thirst, relax and listen to the birds and the bees for a while!
They were doing some roadworks along part of the path, so had to detour to the other side of the canal. Which then turned from tarmac into gravel. Then into a grass track!!
I just kept on going though, flicked the suspension forks on and merrily pedalled along. It eventually came back to tarmac.
This meant though I was on the wrong side of the water coming into Ghent for the campsite.
Took a while to find bridge to cross. Then crossed the town through some nice park, nature reserve place. Lots of green areas in the towns.
Found the campsite. It was in a massive sports area. Rowing lake, velodrome, bmx track, squash, climbing wall etc etc
Nice enough. Cheap enough. Shop closed. No food. Tired. Hot. Its been really stuffy and hot and humid last couple of days too, which takes its toll on me. I am used to the cooler climates of home for cycling in.
Lay down after putting tent up and didn't, couldn't, move until morning!
Thought the group of lads next to me were throwing things at my tent in the middle of the night - but it was just the oak trees dropping their nuts on top of me!
I also fell asleep with tent door open and only realised in the morning there was a gap between the two zips on the fly screen inner tent part as well.
That would explain the hideous collection of bites on my face the next morning then!!
Day 18 - 16.09.14
Oostende to Ghent, Belgium
11am to 6pm
4hrs 29min cycling
76.6km
1868calories
612 metres asc
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