27.06.08 From Antwerp to Bergen op Zoom

We left Gent for Antwerp the other day, but there are a couple of things from our stay there that we haven’t mentioned:

First – Alex trying to play the agile goat (but only succeeding in playing the old goat!) managed to break a rib. This is how it happened: we were moored, as we have mentioned, in the middle of Gent on a low wooden walkway about 4 feet wide. Beyond this walkway was the original stone quay about the same height as the deck of Riccall. Alex thought he could jump between the two!

To be fair, having failed, he did land on his feet on the walkway some 4 feet below, but unfortunately, off balance. He staggered back into Riccall and the lower part of his back collided with the rubbing strake with an ominous crack. The winding lasted about 10 minutes but the cracked rib is still to resolve itself (though it gets a little better day by day).

Second – the theft of Alex’s bike. We had left both bikes on the said quayside for what we thought would be just a few minutes while we had a cup of tea intending to use them again almost immediately – so not locked. When we next looked at them about an hour later (a long cup of tea) one had been nicked under our very noses! The Bastards! Afterwards the harbour master (female) apologised for not having warned us that ANY bike left unlocked for two minutes would be stolen. (We had seen so many left around unlocked, we had become too complacent.)

So we are now on the look-out for a replacement. The repair shop in Gent offered us several second hand hand bikes, the cheapest of which was ∈85 for a heap of c - - p! The next cheapest at ∈95 had a bent pedal and only two gears operational. I mean really! The refuse tips of UK have better bikes for £5. We know because we bought a couple of folding bikes a few years ago from Harrogate tip for a fiver each and there is always such a heap of them. The only trouble is getting one back to Holland! We will check with Jet2.

Now listen! Jamie and others - we don't want any cracks about ribs or any ribbing about bikes in 'comments' please!

However, enough of all that. We barged out of Gent at 9 am on the 25th to catch the tide at the river lock onto the Schelde (Merelbeke) for passage to Antwerp. 5 hours later we were punching against the incoming tide for a further two hours as we approached the Royersluis (Royal Lock) into Antwerp’s dock area and our safe haven for the night.

We had to ‘stand by’ for a very uncomfortable half an hour outside the lock being buffeted by the wash of passing waterway pantechnicons, until eventually we were allowed through, then had to negotiate a couple of lift bridges into Willemdock where we spent a pleasant night recovering. But, as suspected the following morning, we discovered that quiet night had just cost us ∈27! The harbour master did, however, give us free electricity, which should have cost us ∈3 and free water and we spent a lovely relaxed morning looking round Antwerp and getting a general feel for the city - plus the obligatory coffee stop in the "Grote Markt". Then we walked to the most glorious building around, golden dome and fabulous architecture on the outside, marble and gold leaf on the inside, only to find it was the railway station!

Then it was off towards Bergen Op Zoom, but when we arrived at Kreekraksluize (we are now in Holland so 'sluize') we decided to call it a day. We were directed by the lock keeper to a lovely little mooring out of harm’s way beside the lock where we spent last night. The ‘big boys’ went on roaring past all night as they went into or out of the lock but it is such an amazing place. With luck, there should be some photos of the stuff we saw in Antwerp dockland and on our way here – just incredible.

It was so nice and intersting at Kreekrak Sluize we decided to spend a second night and so that is where you leave us on Friday evening.

BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS

At Bergen op zoom and

We got a bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Asked a nice lady in a florist of all places where we might be able to find a cheap bike. The usual suggestions - local rag small ads, etc. but then she mentioned the bike shop at the station where they buy and sell and recondition bikes. Off we went hot foot, but the young lad assistant said the cheapest was 125 Euros- too much for us. Fortunately the proprietor overheard and lo!! a 50 Euro trade in was proferred. We snapped it up, so I am now the proud owner (yes - it's mine because its a lady's bike - hurrah!!! all high handlebars, integral lock, gears and everything. We thought it was a bit cheeky to ask if he had a second one for Alex, but next big place and we think we could do the same again - "Alas, we have had our bike stolen and we dont have much money. Have you anything for 50 Euros? Well you have to be on your toes!!!