Day 5: Antwerp to Sint Amands

Antwerp to Sint Amand 52 kms

It was not a very inviting weather prediction for our first full day of riding in Belgium. 9-12 degrees, with some rain and it was accurate. Today was wet, windy and very cold. It was a five layer day, none of which was removed.

We were informed on the previous night that if the boat was moving at 7.30am, then we could sleep and have a late breakfast. Unfortunately that did not happen, so we ate at eight. Then, halfway through breakfast, we had 15 minutes to get off the boat. The Belgian port had called to move the boat into the lock promptly. Consequently I forgot to bring my bike computer and was lost for the rest of the day, with no navigation, speedo , wind indicator or calorie counter.

After touring Antwerp and using an incredible under river tunnel only used for cyclists and pedestrians to leave the city, we stopped for coffee in a little village.  One of the locals introduced herself and told us that she had visited K'gari. Small world.

We were going to return to the boat to eat our packed lunch, but our 40 km day turned into 52 kms, as the boat could not dock in its intended position. We ate lunch on the side of the track. Then we all donned our wet weather gear and rode on a further 5kms to the boat. However we could not board, even though it was starting to rain, and I had my hot shower and hot coffee all planned. 

So off we went a further 6 kms, but we beat the boat by at least an hour, so rather than stand around in the rain and the freezing cold, we went to a bar to await its arrival. When you order coffee in the Netherlands or Belgium, it always comes with a biscuit or a small piece of cake or even a Baileys. Enzo could learn a thing or two.

Now we are finally ensconced in our warm cabin, and the sun has appeared. Hopefully it will reappear tomorrow.

Not sure what the building in the distance is but my guess was it is the control tower for the busy port of Antwerp.

Our first stop on our early tour of Antwerp.

Some hero ripped off the hand of a giant and stood on his head. 

The Antwerp Town Hall

Gothic style buildings in the Antwerp Square

The Antwerp Cathedral

A sculpture near the entrance of the cathredral which represents a myth about a child and his dog who died whilst trying to get into the cathedral. So much for the generosity of the catholics.

After the tour of the city, leaving Antwerp we had to take the tunnel under the river. After going down in the lift, here we are, lined up before riding our bikes through the tunnel. The tunnel was extremely busy.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a shot of the 86yo Karin struggling to keep her self and her bike from falling down the timber escalator which ws one of the highlights of the trip for me. Trying to be her guardian angel, I followed her onto the escalator, then carried my bike ap a few steps to make sure she didn't fall over when she got to the top of one of the flights. By some miracle, she managed to stay on her feet at the end, saving me the embarassment of trying to pick her up off the ground, whilst trying to manage my own bike. With Arie's advice we were able to navigate the second flight with more aplomb. This shot is one of Carolina, our main photographer, who took about 100 shots per day. She seems far more composed than Karin.

The crew rugged up and ready to ride. Taken by another Carolina.

Near the dock just near Sint Armands. There was a long series of docks, and it took a while for our captain to find a dock that would allow him to load us on board.

Ride Notes

This is a map from the tour company as brenda forgot to take here bike computer in the rush to get off the boat.

We actually rode on to Hof Ten Rode

The highlight was the ride under the river.