On the 18th of January we were at it again. The small stretch that was left from Zoutleeuw to Sint-Truiden was our goal today. A fairly easy target since this is only 10Km.
We took the bus from Sint-Truiden to Zoutleeuw at the railway station, back to the place where we had left off the week before.
From there we set out and completed the last part of our "frontdoor to Frontdoor" walk along the GR128. Once in Sint-Truiden we had a nice meal together and decided to continue the GR all the way to Aachen in Germany, with as aim to get to Aachen by Christmas, so we could enjoy the Christmas market there.
Friday, 26 August 2011
GR 128 - Vlaanderen Route. Hoegaarden => Zoutleeuw
On January 10th 2011 Cilia and I decided to pick up our door to door walk along the GR128 again. We were hoping to complete the last part of this project. The GR was to take us from hoegaarden, through the Gete valley and past Zoutleeuw and Wilderen to Sint-Truiden. By road the distance would be about 20km, but the GR wouldn't be the GR if it wouldn't take a (big) detour to show you the different landscapes of the region along the way. So in stead of the 20 road kilometers we set out for 48km.
We started the day with high hopes and in good spirits in the railway station of Tienen... but after walking through the better part of day, walking got harder and harder. But when the going gets tough, the tough keep going, so we trotted along till our trotting turned to, well stumbling along at times.
Falling darkness (no flashlights in pack, because we had hoped to be in before dark) and sore feet made us stop in Zoutleeuw. So near to our goal... both a bit disappointed. We called my dad to pick us up in Zoutleeuw and takes us to Sint-Truiden (where not only I live, but my parents do too). Together with my folks we had "frietjes" for dinner and decided complete the last part really soon...
We started the day with high hopes and in good spirits in the railway station of Tienen... but after walking through the better part of day, walking got harder and harder. But when the going gets tough, the tough keep going, so we trotted along till our trotting turned to, well stumbling along at times.
Falling darkness (no flashlights in pack, because we had hoped to be in before dark) and sore feet made us stop in Zoutleeuw. So near to our goal... both a bit disappointed. We called my dad to pick us up in Zoutleeuw and takes us to Sint-Truiden (where not only I live, but my parents do too). Together with my folks we had "frietjes" for dinner and decided complete the last part really soon...
03/01/2011 - New Year's walk in the Voeren region with CIndy.
As a welcome to the new year, Cindy (also a member of team Alba 2011 and although our friendship is still rather recent, I call her a very good friend already!)and I decided to take a walk in the Voeren region, which actually lies in the Belgian province of Liege, but is part of the province of Limburg. (Don't ask me to explain... Belgian politics... it is a huge pile of nonsense)
Another cold and snowy day and as the pictures will prove, quite slippery in some places too. Snow was knee deep at places and on the windy parts of the walk through the open fields, it was actually quite cold too.
We ended the walk with a nice cup of soup in a local tavern and got back to Cindy's car at nightfall. Another very fond walking memory.
Check out the pix.
Another cold and snowy day and as the pictures will prove, quite slippery in some places too. Snow was knee deep at places and on the windy parts of the walk through the open fields, it was actually quite cold too.
We ended the walk with a nice cup of soup in a local tavern and got back to Cindy's car at nightfall. Another very fond walking memory.
Check out the pix.
18/12/2010 - Walk on the snowy slag heaps in Heusden.
December 18th was the day Angela (a.k.a "the Captain". A self-proclaimed sister of mine. a long time friend and one of the Alba 2011 team) and myself took a walk on the snow slag heaps of the (now closed) Heusden coal mine. It was not a long, nor a very strenuous walk, but it was absolutely beautiful.
We had a very nice time, and had a lovely evening meal after that, followed by some nice drinks to get warm again... a very nice day in my walking history :-)
We had a very nice time, and had a lovely evening meal after that, followed by some nice drinks to get warm again... a very nice day in my walking history :-)
GR 128 - Vlaanderen Route. Leuven => Hoegaarden
As we did this walk on the 10th of December last year, my story is not as accurate as it should be, but the pix speak for themselves I'd say.
On a foggy, cold winter day, we decided to tackle the next part of our GR128 project. As you may remember, this started out as a walk from Cilia's front door (Mechelen) to mine (Sint-Truiden). We decided to walk from Leuven to Hoegaarden on this next stint. I remember the GR crossing and passing and the E40 motorway and railway line 36 between Liege and Brussels.
It was a tiring walk in difficult conditions and although our research had promised us beautiful sights and splendid landscapes... we bare noticed any, because of the mist and the wintery conditions.
We did however have a good laugh and had fun in the snow, which was knee deep at some points.
On a foggy, cold winter day, we decided to tackle the next part of our GR128 project. As you may remember, this started out as a walk from Cilia's front door (Mechelen) to mine (Sint-Truiden). We decided to walk from Leuven to Hoegaarden on this next stint. I remember the GR crossing and passing and the E40 motorway and railway line 36 between Liege and Brussels.
It was a tiring walk in difficult conditions and although our research had promised us beautiful sights and splendid landscapes... we bare noticed any, because of the mist and the wintery conditions.
We did however have a good laugh and had fun in the snow, which was knee deep at some points.
Sloppy updating...
Ever since February I haven't updated my walking Blog and even then I was talking about walks I did in October of last year. So sorry for that...
A lot has happened since last october. I did some more prep-walks for Scotland and between the 21st and 29th of April 2011, I did achieve 2 goals. I went to Scotland with my friends Cindy and Angela and it was fantastic. It was everything I had hoped it would be. A beautiful country, with majestic landscapes and very friendly people. Once there, the three of us completed me second dream... we walked the West-Highland Way. Not with day-packs, from hotel to B&B with a luggage carrying service.... No! We did it the proper way. With hiking-pack, tent and sleeping bag... all the way from Glasgow to Fort William. I am very proud to have achieved this and discovered in the process that this is my new hobby. Walking and hiking. A healthy and relaxing way to spend your time off from work.
Tell you what... since I decided to continue this, I will briefly describe what walks I did between October 2010 and today and I promise I will keep this blog updated every day after a new walk or adventure. Thanks for reading and may our never-ending roads will cross one day... cheers Lieven
A lot has happened since last october. I did some more prep-walks for Scotland and between the 21st and 29th of April 2011, I did achieve 2 goals. I went to Scotland with my friends Cindy and Angela and it was fantastic. It was everything I had hoped it would be. A beautiful country, with majestic landscapes and very friendly people. Once there, the three of us completed me second dream... we walked the West-Highland Way. Not with day-packs, from hotel to B&B with a luggage carrying service.... No! We did it the proper way. With hiking-pack, tent and sleeping bag... all the way from Glasgow to Fort William. I am very proud to have achieved this and discovered in the process that this is my new hobby. Walking and hiking. A healthy and relaxing way to spend your time off from work.
Tell you what... since I decided to continue this, I will briefly describe what walks I did between October 2010 and today and I promise I will keep this blog updated every day after a new walk or adventure. Thanks for reading and may our never-ending roads will cross one day... cheers Lieven
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
GR571, Vallees des legendes - Ardennes rivers part II
On Tuesday, October 12th, Cilia and myself tackled the second part of our walk along the GR571. We started out at Aywaille, where we left off at the end of the first part.
From the railway station, we crossed the bridge and immediately started to climb towards a nature reserve called "la Heid des Gattes". We passed a veiwing point overlooking the town and its bridge. Over here there was also a small remembrance plaque for the allied soldiers and the resistance people that liberated Aywaille at the end of WWII. From there we climbed towards the top of the ridge where we entered the reserve.
From the top of the ridge the GR slowly descends towards Sougne.Along the way passing another viewpoint in Falize, with a spectacular view over the Ambleve valley. A little bit below the viewpoint we passed and old gun emplacement defending the valley.Finally you arrive in the village of Sougne at the bank of the river. Here the path follows the riverbank and passes underneath a large overpass that lets the E25 motorway cross the valley, without all the traffic having to descend into the valley itself.
From sougne, the route continues towards the Ninglinspo area. We stopped there and had our lunch, before continuing along the river towards the Chefna valley. The Ninglinspo stream has a beatiful valley, with its own walk as well, but we chose the less well-known and certainly less touristic Chefna valley. Marching past the river at les fonds de Quarreux, you see huge rocks lying in the water. A local legend tells of a miller that owned a mill. He wanted a bigger mill and made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul the devil would build him in bigger mill in just one night. The miller's wife, concerned for her husband's soul, hid inside the mill wearing a medal of Notre-Dame de Dieupart, preventing the wings of the mill from turning. The devil, outraged by his failure, destroyed the mill and rocks landed in the nearby Ambleve river.
After les fonds de Quarreux, the GR turns left across the motorway, climbing out of the Chefna valley. Al slow gradual ascent through the forest along the fast-flowing Chefna. Once on top of the hill a borders the moors. In this part of the walk all signs of civilisation ar far away. Nothing but nature and green as far as the eye reaches, only disturbed by the obligatory cross that was erected by a lost traveler who miraculously found his way back out of the moorland and erected a cross to thank his god for saving him.
Once out of the moors, a road descends the hill flank all the way to Stoumont.
Once here I changed my shoes at the bus stop, where we took the bus to Coo a gew minutes later. Timing had really been immaculate.Once arrived in Coo we had 40 minutes left before the train arrived. We went to see the little waterfall and had a hot chocolate in a tea-room near by. After that we took the train home, proud to have finished the second part of our GR571 walk.
Pictures of this walk can be viewed here.
From the railway station, we crossed the bridge and immediately started to climb towards a nature reserve called "la Heid des Gattes". We passed a veiwing point overlooking the town and its bridge. Over here there was also a small remembrance plaque for the allied soldiers and the resistance people that liberated Aywaille at the end of WWII. From there we climbed towards the top of the ridge where we entered the reserve.
From the top of the ridge the GR slowly descends towards Sougne.Along the way passing another viewpoint in Falize, with a spectacular view over the Ambleve valley. A little bit below the viewpoint we passed and old gun emplacement defending the valley.Finally you arrive in the village of Sougne at the bank of the river. Here the path follows the riverbank and passes underneath a large overpass that lets the E25 motorway cross the valley, without all the traffic having to descend into the valley itself.
From sougne, the route continues towards the Ninglinspo area. We stopped there and had our lunch, before continuing along the river towards the Chefna valley. The Ninglinspo stream has a beatiful valley, with its own walk as well, but we chose the less well-known and certainly less touristic Chefna valley. Marching past the river at les fonds de Quarreux, you see huge rocks lying in the water. A local legend tells of a miller that owned a mill. He wanted a bigger mill and made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul the devil would build him in bigger mill in just one night. The miller's wife, concerned for her husband's soul, hid inside the mill wearing a medal of Notre-Dame de Dieupart, preventing the wings of the mill from turning. The devil, outraged by his failure, destroyed the mill and rocks landed in the nearby Ambleve river.
After les fonds de Quarreux, the GR turns left across the motorway, climbing out of the Chefna valley. Al slow gradual ascent through the forest along the fast-flowing Chefna. Once on top of the hill a borders the moors. In this part of the walk all signs of civilisation ar far away. Nothing but nature and green as far as the eye reaches, only disturbed by the obligatory cross that was erected by a lost traveler who miraculously found his way back out of the moorland and erected a cross to thank his god for saving him.
Once out of the moors, a road descends the hill flank all the way to Stoumont.
Once here I changed my shoes at the bus stop, where we took the bus to Coo a gew minutes later. Timing had really been immaculate.Once arrived in Coo we had 40 minutes left before the train arrived. We went to see the little waterfall and had a hot chocolate in a tea-room near by. After that we took the train home, proud to have finished the second part of our GR571 walk.
Pictures of this walk can be viewed here.
Countryside walk in Heks (08/10/2010)
On Friday the 8th of October 2010, Cilia Gabi and myself had originally planned a walk in the Ardennes. Because Gabi was recovering from a back injury, we decided to take no risk and changed our destination to a more easy going walk. The hilly Ardennes would have to wait till a next occasion.
We decided to do the noose in and around the village of Heks in beautiful Haspengouw. It was a nice and sunny day autumn day. Along the walk we encountered everything that makes this lovely region worth the while: beautiful landscapes, shadowy hollow roads, the typical large manor farms, the orchards on the smooth rises,... all the reasons that keep me from moving anywhere else... this is home!
We decided to do the noose in and around the village of Heks in beautiful Haspengouw. It was a nice and sunny day autumn day. Along the walk we encountered everything that makes this lovely region worth the while: beautiful landscapes, shadowy hollow roads, the typical large manor farms, the orchards on the smooth rises,... all the reasons that keep me from moving anywhere else... this is home!
Lazy...
In spite of lots of time at home due to my shoulder injury, I have been way to lazy to update my walking blog. Why? I don't know... just because I guess.
With the start of this new year one of my resolutions was to keep my two blogs updated. So here I go... I will post links to the pictures of the walks of which I didn't write a small review...
This way they are at least mentioned on the blog even if the details are missing...
With the start of this new year one of my resolutions was to keep my two blogs updated. So here I go... I will post links to the pictures of the walks of which I didn't write a small review...
This way they are at least mentioned on the blog even if the details are missing...
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
GR571, Vallees des legendes - Ardennes rivers (01/10/2010)
Cilia found a brilliant website called trekkings.be. On that site we found the report of a walk along the GR571. This is a 166km (103 mile) walk through the valleys of 3 Ardennes rivers: the Ambleve, the Salm and the Lienne. It is called vallees de legendes/valleys of legends, because this vast and beautiful part of the Ardennes is full of saga and legends.
Both of us had time available on Friday the 1st of October, so we decided to tackle the first part (from Comblain-au-Pont to Remouchamps) of the walk. We would meet up in the new Liege-Guillemins railway station and travel from there to the start of the walk together.
Things were of to a bad start as Cilia's train got delayed and we lost one hour in Liege. Finally we set out from there to Rivage. Once there we walked towards the Pont de Scay, a bridge over the Ourthe river in Comblain-au-pont and the starting point of today's walk. The trekking site had promised us a challenging climb after only a couple of hundred meters. This seemed to be an understatement. Mudslides and people climbing the hillside with ropes instead of following the path had turned this climb into a mess. A steep climb over muddy and rocky surface, very difficult to find steady foothold. Especially hazardous (and maybe irresponsible) with an injured right arm. Still, we made it up to a cave, where Cilia took a brief rest, before we tackled the rest of our climb. While Cilia sat down, I decided to scout the cave a little bit further and found a path behind the cave. A clear path unaffected by mudslides, that gradually climbed to the top of the ridge. This was a relief for the both of us. This was the walk to the top as we had envisioned it from the beginning. Once topside we had to cross what seems to be the top of the climb, had we taken the difficult muddy climb. A 25cm wide muddy ledge over the mudslide. We conquered that last part of the danger are were in the clear for a carefree walk now.
The climb had taken is through a wood called "les tartines". From the edge of this wood, we took a walk through the beautiful Ardennes countryside towards the village of Oneux. Splendid autumn colours, birds of prey in the air and breathtaking views towards our starting point.... we were happy already.
We passed through Oneux and continued on the Grand Fawe plateau towards another village called Hoyemont. The plateau is situated at an altitude of about 300m. when descending the plateau on the other side, we stopped at le Puits Hayard. This is a old water pit next to the road. We sat down on the edge of the pit underneath the trees and had our lunch here. As we feared at the start in Rivage, it became clear to us at this point that we would not reach our intended destination. The hour we lost because of the delayed train resulted in setting Aywaille as new destination for today.
After lunch we continued our march down towards the valley floor, only to start climbing the next ridge. After the path took us over the top, we came across the wooden cross of Cwimont, from where you have a lovely view into the Ambleve valley and on the town of Aywaille. We passed the hamlet of Septroux in our descend and then found that the GR was closed at this part for the hunting season. Not willing to take the risk, we mate a detour along a busy main road towards the bridge over the Ambleve at Martinrive. After crossing the river, we crossed the railway bridge as well and started our last climb of the day towards the ruins of a 9th century castle. The castle was destroyed in the 16th century. The being a walk of legends and stories, it won't surprise you that this castle has a ghost story connected to it. A woman called Blanche de Montfort supposedly killed her lover and his wife in the chateau, only to throw herself from the castle walls into the valley after her act of despair. It is said that on the eve of All Saints day, you can see her ghost wandering through the ruins. Luckily for us, we didn't see any ghosts.
Because we had a train to catch, we only took a quick snapshot at the ruins and had no time to look at the splendid view from the foot of what remains of the main tower. From there you have an excellent view over again the Ambleve valley and the town of Aywaille. From the ruins our path went down towards the N30 motor way, which took us into Aywaille itself. Aywaille is a smaal town, but has supermarket, bus- and railwaystation and most other stuff you may need. A good resupply point.
Like I said earlier on, for us this was the end of today's walk. We arrived in the railway station 10 minutes before our train arrived and took the train back to Liege from there.
Seems like Aywaille will see us again soon, to start the second part of our adventure along the GR571...
Pictures of this walk right here...
Both of us had time available on Friday the 1st of October, so we decided to tackle the first part (from Comblain-au-Pont to Remouchamps) of the walk. We would meet up in the new Liege-Guillemins railway station and travel from there to the start of the walk together.
Things were of to a bad start as Cilia's train got delayed and we lost one hour in Liege. Finally we set out from there to Rivage. Once there we walked towards the Pont de Scay, a bridge over the Ourthe river in Comblain-au-pont and the starting point of today's walk. The trekking site had promised us a challenging climb after only a couple of hundred meters. This seemed to be an understatement. Mudslides and people climbing the hillside with ropes instead of following the path had turned this climb into a mess. A steep climb over muddy and rocky surface, very difficult to find steady foothold. Especially hazardous (and maybe irresponsible) with an injured right arm. Still, we made it up to a cave, where Cilia took a brief rest, before we tackled the rest of our climb. While Cilia sat down, I decided to scout the cave a little bit further and found a path behind the cave. A clear path unaffected by mudslides, that gradually climbed to the top of the ridge. This was a relief for the both of us. This was the walk to the top as we had envisioned it from the beginning. Once topside we had to cross what seems to be the top of the climb, had we taken the difficult muddy climb. A 25cm wide muddy ledge over the mudslide. We conquered that last part of the danger are were in the clear for a carefree walk now.
The climb had taken is through a wood called "les tartines". From the edge of this wood, we took a walk through the beautiful Ardennes countryside towards the village of Oneux. Splendid autumn colours, birds of prey in the air and breathtaking views towards our starting point.... we were happy already.
We passed through Oneux and continued on the Grand Fawe plateau towards another village called Hoyemont. The plateau is situated at an altitude of about 300m. when descending the plateau on the other side, we stopped at le Puits Hayard. This is a old water pit next to the road. We sat down on the edge of the pit underneath the trees and had our lunch here. As we feared at the start in Rivage, it became clear to us at this point that we would not reach our intended destination. The hour we lost because of the delayed train resulted in setting Aywaille as new destination for today.
After lunch we continued our march down towards the valley floor, only to start climbing the next ridge. After the path took us over the top, we came across the wooden cross of Cwimont, from where you have a lovely view into the Ambleve valley and on the town of Aywaille. We passed the hamlet of Septroux in our descend and then found that the GR was closed at this part for the hunting season. Not willing to take the risk, we mate a detour along a busy main road towards the bridge over the Ambleve at Martinrive. After crossing the river, we crossed the railway bridge as well and started our last climb of the day towards the ruins of a 9th century castle. The castle was destroyed in the 16th century. The being a walk of legends and stories, it won't surprise you that this castle has a ghost story connected to it. A woman called Blanche de Montfort supposedly killed her lover and his wife in the chateau, only to throw herself from the castle walls into the valley after her act of despair. It is said that on the eve of All Saints day, you can see her ghost wandering through the ruins. Luckily for us, we didn't see any ghosts.
Because we had a train to catch, we only took a quick snapshot at the ruins and had no time to look at the splendid view from the foot of what remains of the main tower. From there you have an excellent view over again the Ambleve valley and the town of Aywaille. From the ruins our path went down towards the N30 motor way, which took us into Aywaille itself. Aywaille is a smaal town, but has supermarket, bus- and railwaystation and most other stuff you may need. A good resupply point.
Like I said earlier on, for us this was the end of today's walk. We arrived in the railway station 10 minutes before our train arrived and took the train back to Liege from there.
Seems like Aywaille will see us again soon, to start the second part of our adventure along the GR571...
Pictures of this walk right here...
Severe injury right shoulder and upper arm on the 11th of September 2010
On the 11th of last month I took a heavy fall in my brother's garage. While moving furniture out of the house, to store it in the garage while renovations were being made to the living room in his house, I fell into a grease pit in the garage.
It was quite a serious fall and I dislocated my right shoulder.
Meanwhile the shoulder is back in the joint since three weeks, but further examination at the hospital today showed serious muscle damage.
To fix this I will need surgery. After that a long recovery period will begin. Four to six months training with a physio to get my shoulder joint and upper arm back to it old self.
Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
It was quite a serious fall and I dislocated my right shoulder.
Meanwhile the shoulder is back in the joint since three weeks, but further examination at the hospital today showed serious muscle damage.
To fix this I will need surgery. After that a long recovery period will begin. Four to six months training with a physio to get my shoulder joint and upper arm back to it old self.
Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
Start to run = Epic fail :-(
My start to run project ended in failure.
During the early days of August I got an injury on my left hip. I still don't know why, but after several minutes into the STR-lesson of that day, it really started to hurt.
I took it easy for a while.... even interrupted my STR and that was the mistake i made. I should have kept up and continued. I never picked up the program again and so the dream ended.
I have promised myself that I will have another go next year. I want to do this and i want to participate in dwars door Hasselt.
During the early days of August I got an injury on my left hip. I still don't know why, but after several minutes into the STR-lesson of that day, it really started to hurt.
I took it easy for a while.... even interrupted my STR and that was the mistake i made. I should have kept up and continued. I never picked up the program again and so the dream ended.
I have promised myself that I will have another go next year. I want to do this and i want to participate in dwars door Hasselt.
Mechelen => Sint-Truiden Walk III Provincial domain of Kessel-Lo to Norbertine Abbey near Korbeek-Lo on June 6th 2010
I'm way too late with this report. The walk took place on the sixth of June and we're the fifth of October today, so an entire summer has passed.
Still I remember we started the day in the provincial domain of Kessel-Lo. We being, Cilia and her husband Karel, their two sons Kasper and Simon, Cilia's dad Gabi, and of course myself. During the morning we took it easy in the domain and enjoyed the nice morning and let the kids play in the local playground. At noon we pick-nicked in a meadow next to the playground.
Once we had finished our meal, Gabi and Karel went to and parked one of the cars at our destination. While they were doing these, it started to rain: gently at first, but ever more and harder after that. The water was coming down so much, that we decided not to take the kids on this part after all. The cart they were sitting in was not water proof (enough). We feared that they would end up wet and cold in their transport and that they would likely catch a cold.
Karel agreed to go home with the kids and take care of the boys, while Cilia, Gabi and myself would walk part III of our little walking project. Thanks Karel! I know you really felt like trotting along with us on this part and I do hope the day will come soon where you can join us.
I don't remember the exact route we took. I would have to consult Cilia on that matter, since she is the one that prepared the whole routing and was in charge of maps. I do know that via some nice green places we ended up on the other side of the city of Leuven, without actually traversing the city center. A wide semi circle through the green hills that surround the city brought us to the Norbertine abbey near Korbeek-Lo. This would be the starting point for our next part of the track... from the abbey to the town of Hoegaarden.
Still I remember we started the day in the provincial domain of Kessel-Lo. We being, Cilia and her husband Karel, their two sons Kasper and Simon, Cilia's dad Gabi, and of course myself. During the morning we took it easy in the domain and enjoyed the nice morning and let the kids play in the local playground. At noon we pick-nicked in a meadow next to the playground.
Once we had finished our meal, Gabi and Karel went to and parked one of the cars at our destination. While they were doing these, it started to rain: gently at first, but ever more and harder after that. The water was coming down so much, that we decided not to take the kids on this part after all. The cart they were sitting in was not water proof (enough). We feared that they would end up wet and cold in their transport and that they would likely catch a cold.
Karel agreed to go home with the kids and take care of the boys, while Cilia, Gabi and myself would walk part III of our little walking project. Thanks Karel! I know you really felt like trotting along with us on this part and I do hope the day will come soon where you can join us.
I don't remember the exact route we took. I would have to consult Cilia on that matter, since she is the one that prepared the whole routing and was in charge of maps. I do know that via some nice green places we ended up on the other side of the city of Leuven, without actually traversing the city center. A wide semi circle through the green hills that surround the city brought us to the Norbertine abbey near Korbeek-Lo. This would be the starting point for our next part of the track... from the abbey to the town of Hoegaarden.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Update Sunday 30th of May 2010
Been a very long while since I last posted something here, so here's an update.
I picked my "start to run" on the17th of May. I know I know.... that is about a month later than I intended to, but still... I'm back to running training 3 times a week. Starting week 3, lesson number 7 tomorrow. So far all is going great: no injuries, no cramps, and no giving up. The whole difference is that before I felt like "I have to go and run today" and nowadays I feel like "are the two days of rest in the weekend really necessary?". I really look forward to my runs now. The feeling that I am actually on the right track and that I don't have any problems at all (so far) is very encouraging. Add to that the feeling you get after your run.... yeah I'm totally hooked.
As for the walking... haven't really done any major walks after the one in Borgloon. The good news is that the date has been set for the next part in our Mechelen to St-Truiden walk. On Sunday the 6th of June we will be walking part III. I have no info yet on the number of participants and the exact path we're going to walk, but we have a date and that is the most important. More info and pictures will follow soon.
I'm still looking to make some additional walks outside of the hometown to hometown walk. Schedule at work is really busy for June however, so I'll have to see where I can squeeze that in..
I picked my "start to run" on the17th of May. I know I know.... that is about a month later than I intended to, but still... I'm back to running training 3 times a week. Starting week 3, lesson number 7 tomorrow. So far all is going great: no injuries, no cramps, and no giving up. The whole difference is that before I felt like "I have to go and run today" and nowadays I feel like "are the two days of rest in the weekend really necessary?". I really look forward to my runs now. The feeling that I am actually on the right track and that I don't have any problems at all (so far) is very encouraging. Add to that the feeling you get after your run.... yeah I'm totally hooked.
As for the walking... haven't really done any major walks after the one in Borgloon. The good news is that the date has been set for the next part in our Mechelen to St-Truiden walk. On Sunday the 6th of June we will be walking part III. I have no info yet on the number of participants and the exact path we're going to walk, but we have a date and that is the most important. More info and pictures will follow soon.
I'm still looking to make some additional walks outside of the hometown to hometown walk. Schedule at work is really busy for June however, so I'll have to see where I can squeeze that in..
Saturday, 17 April 2010
16th of April 2010 - The countryside walk in Borgloon/Grootloon
Weather predictions for Friday the 16th were rather good for walking: overcast, with a slight breeze and temperatures that would rise to 13° celsius throughout the day. I took the 09:17 bus (23A - the bus to Tongeren) at Sint-Truiden railway station and descended in Borgloon at 09:45. Not knowing if anybody would join me, I waited till 10:00 as I had announced.
Nobody showed up, so when the towerbell sounded 10 o' clock I set out all by myself for 12.5km through the Borgloon area. Borgloon coming from the word "Borg" meaning fortress or castle and the Germanic word "lauhun", which means wooded hill. So the town is basicly called "Castle on the wooded hill".
The first part of the walk, indicated by the yellow markers on the signposts, takes you over the remnants of Borgloon's city walls and past the chateau on the hillside. From the very beginning Borgloon made me happy. I felt why I loved this town so much right away and if ever the possibility is there, this is the place where I want to settle. A small medieval town with lots of history and friendly inhabitants. After you have gone down the hill on which the towncentre is situated, you have to cross the N79 motorway (Sint-Truiden - Tongeren). Mind the traffic as this is a rather busy road at times. Once across this road a dirt road takes up a light hill towards the orchards that are surrounding the hamlet of Grootloon. On this first part of the path you already have some splendid views of the hilly Haspengouw countryside surrounding Borgloon. Through the meadows and orchards the path continues towards Grootloon. You actually pass through some meadows that have cattle or sheep on them. A small path with a fence on each side and enclosed by turnstiles takes you safely past these animals. Once past the last turnstile you reach the church of Grootloon. From here the path makes loop around the village, following the GR for some time.
The way connects to the old Roman military road, called "de Romeinse Kassei" (the road from Boulogne sur mer in France to Köln in Germany) The Romans paving stones are no longer visible and the road has been reinforced to support the tractors that use them nowadays, but still... it's not hard to imagine a regiment of Roman legionaires marching through towards Tongeren. (called atuatuca Tungrorum back then. Tongeren is Belgium's oldest city, founded around 16 B.C.)
After following the military road for a short while the path turns South towards Magnee bos and Manshovenbos. Two small wooded patches, remnants of the woods that used to be in these lands before Roman occupation. Magnee bos is privately owned and access is forbidden. Manshovenbos is a nature reserve and so there as well you are not allowed to enter the wood. From the dirt road along Magnee bos you take the cobblestone road past Manshovenbos and a large farm estate called Manshovenhof. The cobblestone road crosses a road, watch out for the traffic and then takes you to the hamlet of Sassenbroek. On your way in to this place you pass a nice and cosy little holiday house called "het saske" (www.saske.be) which can be rented for up to 8 persons to enjoy the beautiful Haspengouw countryside.
From Sassenbroek an unpaved hollow road takes you up the Haringsberg. A slight climb and only a trial for rise up ahead. On top of the Haringsberg you make a right turn and rejoin the Roman military road. A short but steep climb up, only to take you down again on the hollow road on the other flank. From this high point you can already see Borgloon again. The descent along the hollow road takes you back to the N79 motorway, which you again have to cross. (once again watch out for the traffic).
Once safely across the road, the small and picturesque streets take you all the way back up the hill gradually climbing back towards the town square.
I added a small walk around the town to get to 15km. My pedometer showed 16570 steps for 15km in 2 hours and 36 minutes. You can immediately jump in your car or take the bus back to Sint-Truiden or Tongeren. Another possibility is to sit down in one of the many nice little cafe's and enjoy a meal or a well deserved pint of beer. For the fans, brasserie "De Burcht" serves all 7 Trappist beers.
Check the pictures I took on this walk HERE
Nobody showed up, so when the towerbell sounded 10 o' clock I set out all by myself for 12.5km through the Borgloon area. Borgloon coming from the word "Borg" meaning fortress or castle and the Germanic word "lauhun", which means wooded hill. So the town is basicly called "Castle on the wooded hill".
The first part of the walk, indicated by the yellow markers on the signposts, takes you over the remnants of Borgloon's city walls and past the chateau on the hillside. From the very beginning Borgloon made me happy. I felt why I loved this town so much right away and if ever the possibility is there, this is the place where I want to settle. A small medieval town with lots of history and friendly inhabitants. After you have gone down the hill on which the towncentre is situated, you have to cross the N79 motorway (Sint-Truiden - Tongeren). Mind the traffic as this is a rather busy road at times. Once across this road a dirt road takes up a light hill towards the orchards that are surrounding the hamlet of Grootloon. On this first part of the path you already have some splendid views of the hilly Haspengouw countryside surrounding Borgloon. Through the meadows and orchards the path continues towards Grootloon. You actually pass through some meadows that have cattle or sheep on them. A small path with a fence on each side and enclosed by turnstiles takes you safely past these animals. Once past the last turnstile you reach the church of Grootloon. From here the path makes loop around the village, following the GR for some time.
The way connects to the old Roman military road, called "de Romeinse Kassei" (the road from Boulogne sur mer in France to Köln in Germany) The Romans paving stones are no longer visible and the road has been reinforced to support the tractors that use them nowadays, but still... it's not hard to imagine a regiment of Roman legionaires marching through towards Tongeren. (called atuatuca Tungrorum back then. Tongeren is Belgium's oldest city, founded around 16 B.C.)
After following the military road for a short while the path turns South towards Magnee bos and Manshovenbos. Two small wooded patches, remnants of the woods that used to be in these lands before Roman occupation. Magnee bos is privately owned and access is forbidden. Manshovenbos is a nature reserve and so there as well you are not allowed to enter the wood. From the dirt road along Magnee bos you take the cobblestone road past Manshovenbos and a large farm estate called Manshovenhof. The cobblestone road crosses a road, watch out for the traffic and then takes you to the hamlet of Sassenbroek. On your way in to this place you pass a nice and cosy little holiday house called "het saske" (www.saske.be) which can be rented for up to 8 persons to enjoy the beautiful Haspengouw countryside.
From Sassenbroek an unpaved hollow road takes you up the Haringsberg. A slight climb and only a trial for rise up ahead. On top of the Haringsberg you make a right turn and rejoin the Roman military road. A short but steep climb up, only to take you down again on the hollow road on the other flank. From this high point you can already see Borgloon again. The descent along the hollow road takes you back to the N79 motorway, which you again have to cross. (once again watch out for the traffic).
Once safely across the road, the small and picturesque streets take you all the way back up the hill gradually climbing back towards the town square.
I added a small walk around the town to get to 15km. My pedometer showed 16570 steps for 15km in 2 hours and 36 minutes. You can immediately jump in your car or take the bus back to Sint-Truiden or Tongeren. Another possibility is to sit down in one of the many nice little cafe's and enjoy a meal or a well deserved pint of beer. For the fans, brasserie "De Burcht" serves all 7 Trappist beers.
Check the pictures I took on this walk HERE
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Friday 16th of April - 12.5 km walk around Grootloon
To keep up practice and to step up the rhythm, I have decided to walk the countryside walk of Grootloon. A 12.5km walk in and around lovely Haspengouw.
All friends willing to join are more than welcome of course, but if nobody shows up, i will walk all by myself. The way Scotland was initially planned.... my very own crusade :-)
I chose the Grootloon walk because it was the longest they had around here. It will be a bit weird as well. Since Borgloon, the starting place for the walk, was the last place I called home, it will be special to be back there. Lots of memories and unhealed scars there. But hey... may as well start replacing them with some positive vibes. Grootloon here I come ;-)
All friends willing to join are more than welcome of course, but if nobody shows up, i will walk all by myself. The way Scotland was initially planned.... my very own crusade :-)
I chose the Grootloon walk because it was the longest they had around here. It will be a bit weird as well. Since Borgloon, the starting place for the walk, was the last place I called home, it will be special to be back there. Lots of memories and unhealed scars there. But hey... may as well start replacing them with some positive vibes. Grootloon here I come ;-)
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
12 till 16th of April
The good thing about night shifts is that you always have a couple of days off after them. I'm at home from the 12th till the 16th, restarting with late shifts on the 17th.
As promised I will REstart to run on the 13th.
This time I won't let go. Training for dwars door Hasselt, for which I officially inscribed today.
I also want to make a local walk during these days off. I will go and buy the maps of the Local walks on the 13th and choose one. There seem to be several very nice walks around my hometown.
Lately my heart and mind have been wandering off to the Ninglinspo valley
Time to gather a party and rediscover this beautiful place...
...anybody wanna join?
As promised I will REstart to run on the 13th.
This time I won't let go. Training for dwars door Hasselt, for which I officially inscribed today.
I also want to make a local walk during these days off. I will go and buy the maps of the Local walks on the 13th and choose one. There seem to be several very nice walks around my hometown.
Lately my heart and mind have been wandering off to the Ninglinspo valley
Time to gather a party and rediscover this beautiful place...
...anybody wanna join?
Mechelen => Sint-Truiden Walk 2.... completed!
Sunday the 11th saw us (Cilia, Gabi and myself) complete the second part of our walk from Mechelen to Sint-Truiden.
It was a bit hard to find a suitable day in our plannings and this one was the best solution we could come up with. As for me, it still was a tough undertaking. I was at the 6th in a series of 7 night shifts at work. This meant I only had got home at 0800 in the morning and slept till 1330, when i got up, because Gabi would come by to pick me up at 1430. It also implied that after the walk I would have to go work to do my last night shift of the series. To top all of this off, I also had to take my selor exam the day after at 0845 in the morning... quite a challenge.
Today's walk would take us from Haacht (where we left off last time) to Leuven. We were joined by Kristien (Cilia's colleague) this time. Liesbeth (her other colleague) canceled, due to a better offer that came through. We started out at 1600, since I had been sleeping all morning because of my night shifts.
Like last time Cilia had plotted the course in advance. Taking us over the GR from the place we left off at the end of walk nr 1 to Leuven. We started out from Haacht railway station and right away decided to turn into the fields avoiding the main roads, changing them for a little cross country stint, till we encountered the first red and white GR markers at a small bridge in the fields. we followed the GR from there. It took us right back to the railway line, which we followed till Wespelaar-Tildonk. There we followed the Dijkstraat for a while and turned right past the communal sports center. After the sports fields we pretty much walked across the open fields in the direction of Wakkerzeel. We walked past an old mill at the outskirts of this village. A place that had been nicely rebuild to make comfy modern apartments. Well it looked very much like a place shared by several people with a shared court yard and garden. Very nice place.
From there the landscape rose slightly, this was the Kwellenberg. This short easy climb took us back to the banks of the Dijle river. From here our road turned East again and we saw the hills that surround Leuven on the horizon. Cilia promised us we would have to climb them later on...
Somewhere along the course, when we stopped to eat something, I discovered that in hurrying and being only half awake when i was gathering my walking gear, I had completely forgotten about food and drink. Luckily for me the fellowship kept me alive and fed me and gave me something to drink.
We continued, meeting the railway line now and then, and crossed the E314 motorway. All off a sudden the hills seemed very near. We continued through a residential area, and past a lumber mill and there it was... the start of the climb. On a forest road we climbed up the hill. No gradual rise like the Kwellenberg, but quite a steep climb. All in our own stride we all reached what looked like the top. Kristien proved to be an excellent climber. Without any visible effort, she climbed the hill leaving all of us behind and welcoming us back at the top. Well, like i said, what we thought was the top. From there the path descended a short while and turned left along the flank of the hill. A couple of minutes later we were climbing again. This time it would take us all the way to the top of the hill. Once again we all tackled the climb in our own tempo and once again Kristien shot away from us. Just great the way she seems to climb effortlessly. I'm gonna have to train on a similar climbing technique i think. Will come in very helpful next year when i go to Scotland.
At the top of the Hill we walked along the path and began our gradual descend to the Norbertine abbey that was to be the end point of this day's walk. We arrived at the panorama point overviewing Leuven... very nice view. Only wish I had brought my camera. By the way we got off the hill and arrived at the entrance of the Provincial Domain of Kessel-Lo, it was slowly getting darker. And our timing came under pressure. It was already past 1900 and I had to start thinking about work. Cilia had to get home to Karel and the kids and Gabi and Kristien... well guess they still had the drive back to Limburg ahead. All these combined made us decide to take the bus to the railway station of Leuven. Too bad. I really would have liked to arrive at the abbey at nightfall, like a real Pilgrim. But alas... time left us no other option. Maybe we can start out from the monastery for the third part. That way I can feel like the Pilgrim departing from the monks on to new horizons :-)
Anyhow. The party split at the Leuven Station. My pedometer had counted 21104 steps, for 20 kilometres in three hours and 27 minutes. Not bad...
It had been another nice afternoon in splendid company. I must admit that I am really looking forward to part 3. It was also good to hear that Kristien seemed to have enjoyed the afternoon, since at the parting of the fellowship she said "see you for part 3". So our little party of three has now become a party of four...
A last short note on my new walking shoes. The withstood the walk really well as did my feet. No sore of black toes this time. A slight pressure on my front sole, but i think that can be resolved by other/better walking socks. All in all the my Lowas were fantastic, even without much testing or trial walks. Hurrah!!
It was a bit hard to find a suitable day in our plannings and this one was the best solution we could come up with. As for me, it still was a tough undertaking. I was at the 6th in a series of 7 night shifts at work. This meant I only had got home at 0800 in the morning and slept till 1330, when i got up, because Gabi would come by to pick me up at 1430. It also implied that after the walk I would have to go work to do my last night shift of the series. To top all of this off, I also had to take my selor exam the day after at 0845 in the morning... quite a challenge.
Today's walk would take us from Haacht (where we left off last time) to Leuven. We were joined by Kristien (Cilia's colleague) this time. Liesbeth (her other colleague) canceled, due to a better offer that came through. We started out at 1600, since I had been sleeping all morning because of my night shifts.
Like last time Cilia had plotted the course in advance. Taking us over the GR from the place we left off at the end of walk nr 1 to Leuven. We started out from Haacht railway station and right away decided to turn into the fields avoiding the main roads, changing them for a little cross country stint, till we encountered the first red and white GR markers at a small bridge in the fields. we followed the GR from there. It took us right back to the railway line, which we followed till Wespelaar-Tildonk. There we followed the Dijkstraat for a while and turned right past the communal sports center. After the sports fields we pretty much walked across the open fields in the direction of Wakkerzeel. We walked past an old mill at the outskirts of this village. A place that had been nicely rebuild to make comfy modern apartments. Well it looked very much like a place shared by several people with a shared court yard and garden. Very nice place.
From there the landscape rose slightly, this was the Kwellenberg. This short easy climb took us back to the banks of the Dijle river. From here our road turned East again and we saw the hills that surround Leuven on the horizon. Cilia promised us we would have to climb them later on...
Somewhere along the course, when we stopped to eat something, I discovered that in hurrying and being only half awake when i was gathering my walking gear, I had completely forgotten about food and drink. Luckily for me the fellowship kept me alive and fed me and gave me something to drink.
We continued, meeting the railway line now and then, and crossed the E314 motorway. All off a sudden the hills seemed very near. We continued through a residential area, and past a lumber mill and there it was... the start of the climb. On a forest road we climbed up the hill. No gradual rise like the Kwellenberg, but quite a steep climb. All in our own stride we all reached what looked like the top. Kristien proved to be an excellent climber. Without any visible effort, she climbed the hill leaving all of us behind and welcoming us back at the top. Well, like i said, what we thought was the top. From there the path descended a short while and turned left along the flank of the hill. A couple of minutes later we were climbing again. This time it would take us all the way to the top of the hill. Once again we all tackled the climb in our own tempo and once again Kristien shot away from us. Just great the way she seems to climb effortlessly. I'm gonna have to train on a similar climbing technique i think. Will come in very helpful next year when i go to Scotland.
At the top of the Hill we walked along the path and began our gradual descend to the Norbertine abbey that was to be the end point of this day's walk. We arrived at the panorama point overviewing Leuven... very nice view. Only wish I had brought my camera. By the way we got off the hill and arrived at the entrance of the Provincial Domain of Kessel-Lo, it was slowly getting darker. And our timing came under pressure. It was already past 1900 and I had to start thinking about work. Cilia had to get home to Karel and the kids and Gabi and Kristien... well guess they still had the drive back to Limburg ahead. All these combined made us decide to take the bus to the railway station of Leuven. Too bad. I really would have liked to arrive at the abbey at nightfall, like a real Pilgrim. But alas... time left us no other option. Maybe we can start out from the monastery for the third part. That way I can feel like the Pilgrim departing from the monks on to new horizons :-)
Anyhow. The party split at the Leuven Station. My pedometer had counted 21104 steps, for 20 kilometres in three hours and 27 minutes. Not bad...
It had been another nice afternoon in splendid company. I must admit that I am really looking forward to part 3. It was also good to hear that Kristien seemed to have enjoyed the afternoon, since at the parting of the fellowship she said "see you for part 3". So our little party of three has now become a party of four...
A last short note on my new walking shoes. The withstood the walk really well as did my feet. No sore of black toes this time. A slight pressure on my front sole, but i think that can be resolved by other/better walking socks. All in all the my Lowas were fantastic, even without much testing or trial walks. Hurrah!!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Mechelen => Sint-Truiden Walk 2 - Haacht to Leuven
Part two of our walk from Mechelen to Sint-Truiden is scheduled for the 11th of April. Hoping for fine walking conditions and a little less wind than we had on the first episode. This will also be the first test of my new walking shoes.... fingers crossed and hope that there will be no black toes this time.
Participants will be, Cilia and Gabi, but also Kristien and Liesbeth (two colleagues of Cilia) and myself of course..
More news will follow at the end of the week!
Participants will be, Cilia and Gabi, but also Kristien and Liesbeth (two colleagues of Cilia) and myself of course..
More news will follow at the end of the week!
New walking shoes
I got myself new walking shoes today... after trying on several pairs and testing them on the test course in the shop, I settled for Lowa's.
They are the harder (Type B) shoes, which makes them suitable for trekking with a backpack as well.
The first real test will follow on Sunday the 11th...
They are the harder (Type B) shoes, which makes them suitable for trekking with a backpack as well.
The first real test will follow on Sunday the 11th...
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