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.
Showing posts with label walks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walks. Show all posts
Friday, 26 August 2011
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 :-)
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.
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
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.
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 ;-)
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!
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Mechelen => St-Truiden, Walk 1 - Mechelen-Haacht
Today I completed the first part of the Mechelen to Sint-Truiden walk in the excellent company of Cilia and her father Gabi. We've known each other since forever and have remained the best of friends throughout the years.
I had two black toenails (walking shoes too small) and was a little stiff in legs and joints from the day before, but apart from that I felt pretty good, so it was off to Mechelen. Gabi picked me up at about 08h15 at the railway station in Sint-Truiden and we set out for Haacht. This would be the end point of our walk so we parked the car there. Karel (Cilia's husband) picked us up in Haacht and took us to Mechelen, the starting point of our journey.
After a quick change of trousers and shoes we were off. Second walk in as many days; I must admit I was a little scared and felt unsure whether I would be able to pull this one off.
We started in Mechelen city, in the court yard of Cilia's home. From there it was only a short walk to the banks of the river Dijle. We followed the path on the riverbank till Muizen, enjoying the beautiful countryside and the nesting birds. We even saw a couple of storks.
From there we bridged a small gap between two GRs to arrive at the GR 128. We followed this path, which continued along the banks of the Dijle for a while. This was the hardest part of today's walk. Not because of the terrain, but because there was a sharp and cold eastern wind, which blew head on for the whole riverbank part. Afterwards the path turned away from the river a bit and lead us through some soggy meadows. After a muddy last 2 kilometers we arrived back at Gabi's car. First part of our big walk from hometown to hometown completed.
My pedometer today showed 20640 steps, for 17km which we completed in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Next part will be Haacht to Leuven.
I had two black toenails (walking shoes too small) and was a little stiff in legs and joints from the day before, but apart from that I felt pretty good, so it was off to Mechelen. Gabi picked me up at about 08h15 at the railway station in Sint-Truiden and we set out for Haacht. This would be the end point of our walk so we parked the car there. Karel (Cilia's husband) picked us up in Haacht and took us to Mechelen, the starting point of our journey.
After a quick change of trousers and shoes we were off. Second walk in as many days; I must admit I was a little scared and felt unsure whether I would be able to pull this one off.
We started in Mechelen city, in the court yard of Cilia's home. From there it was only a short walk to the banks of the river Dijle. We followed the path on the riverbank till Muizen, enjoying the beautiful countryside and the nesting birds. We even saw a couple of storks.
From there we bridged a small gap between two GRs to arrive at the GR 128. We followed this path, which continued along the banks of the Dijle for a while. This was the hardest part of today's walk. Not because of the terrain, but because there was a sharp and cold eastern wind, which blew head on for the whole riverbank part. Afterwards the path turned away from the river a bit and lead us through some soggy meadows. After a muddy last 2 kilometers we arrived back at Gabi's car. First part of our big walk from hometown to hometown completed.
My pedometer today showed 20640 steps, for 17km which we completed in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Next part will be Haacht to Leuven.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
"De Straffe wandeling" by the "Bergpallieters" in Godinne
Today Me and Captain Angela teamed up with sportsclub "de Bergpallieters" for their tough walk in Godinne. And a tough walk it was indeed...
At the end of the day the pedometer showed 23.5KM, which equaled 30402 steps and all this in a time of 4 hours and 57 minutes.
I completed the walk rather unscathed. Sore legs, totally empty and a bit of tension on the achilles tendon.... other than that no problems so far.
For me as an untrained walker I felt that I had really pushed myself today, maybe even overdone it a bit. But in the end I am proud to have completed the entire hike.
My intention was a "virtual kick in the butt" a "wake up call"...
The West Highland Way consists of 8 days of similar walks and if I look at how I feel now, I have finally convinced myself to take training for Scotland 2011 a bit more seriously.
Tomorrow "virtual buttkick" number two.... "how does it feel to be walking two days in a row?". A shorter walk tomorrow with friends from Mechelen to Haacht...
Fingers crossed..
At the end of the day the pedometer showed 23.5KM, which equaled 30402 steps and all this in a time of 4 hours and 57 minutes.
I completed the walk rather unscathed. Sore legs, totally empty and a bit of tension on the achilles tendon.... other than that no problems so far.
For me as an untrained walker I felt that I had really pushed myself today, maybe even overdone it a bit. But in the end I am proud to have completed the entire hike.
My intention was a "virtual kick in the butt" a "wake up call"...
The West Highland Way consists of 8 days of similar walks and if I look at how I feel now, I have finally convinced myself to take training for Scotland 2011 a bit more seriously.
Tomorrow "virtual buttkick" number two.... "how does it feel to be walking two days in a row?". A shorter walk tomorrow with friends from Mechelen to Haacht...
Fingers crossed..
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Walking weekend 6-7 March 2010
The weekend of 6th and 7th of March will see the real start of the preparations for Scotland. The planning with books and maps and websites has been going on for a while now. Eating habits have been changed since 1st of March, but this weekend will see the real kick off... the virtual kick in the butt that will show me that i should take this seriously and start practicing more often...
Saturday the 6th I will participate in the "Straffe Wandeling" by the Bergpalieters. A walk organized by the sportsclub of my colleague Geert. My good friend and sport guru Captain Angela will join me on this walk. The walk itself is a 23km walk through the region of Godinne, South of Namur in Belgium.
Sunday the 7th takes me to Mechelen.
Another friend of mine, Cilia has come up with the brilliant plan to walk from Mechelen (her hometown) to Sint-Truiden (my hometown). The distance between these two towns is about 60KM. In this first stint we depart in the direction of Muizen (4KM) and aim for Haacht (14KM). Cilia's dad Gabi will join us on this first part of the trip.
Saturday the 6th I will participate in the "Straffe Wandeling" by the Bergpalieters. A walk organized by the sportsclub of my colleague Geert. My good friend and sport guru Captain Angela will join me on this walk. The walk itself is a 23km walk through the region of Godinne, South of Namur in Belgium.
Sunday the 7th takes me to Mechelen.
Another friend of mine, Cilia has come up with the brilliant plan to walk from Mechelen (her hometown) to Sint-Truiden (my hometown). The distance between these two towns is about 60KM. In this first stint we depart in the direction of Muizen (4KM) and aim for Haacht (14KM). Cilia's dad Gabi will join us on this first part of the trip.
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