This blog continues the previous Part 20,
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Back into Tervuren I still had to figure out my way to continue the
walking tour to Namur.
As it was already late afternoon I tried to find a shop where I could buy
something to eat. I've discovered a Carrefour (super) market (Hoornzeelstraat
12, 3080 Tervuren) in which I stacked up food and drinks for dinner and
breakfast. I went to the market place in front of the Sint-Jan Evangelistkerk
Church and had a late lunch or early dinner on a bench in the shadows.
Not far away from the place I have just eaten I've discovered a police
station and planned to ask there for my way. When I went through the door into
the station there were two windows through which people can talk to the police
officer on duty. One lady was in front of me so I put my rolling sports bag in
the corner and had to wait for my turn.
To my surprise the officer on duty could speak English. After I inquired
about the way he invited me to come into the police station! It was fun to walk
between policemen, he lead me to and typed something into a computer. He showed
me the way on a map and explained me how to go there. But somehow he came to an
impasse with his English and asked another policeman to joined us. He explained
me that I had "to pass one 'arch', turn right, follow the street through a
forest until I come to the 2nd 'arch'. After it I had to turn left and on the
right side of the road there is a clearly marked walking path through another
forest!" Three of us had a small chat and a laugh, finally I left the
police station with my sports bag still waiting for me!  |
| The 1st Arch on my Way to Duisburg |
I
followed the advice and passed the 1st arch which lead me to a road named
'Rijkunst' (English: horsemanship), from there I had a nice walk through the
refreshing air of a forest. I followed a very old wall protecting some houses
behind. As the road name changes to Capucijnenpoortdreef (English:
Capuchingatelane). I suppose that these historic walls were originally
protecting a monastery or another religious institution of the 'Order of Friars
Minor Capuchin' within the Catholic Church.
 |
The 2nd Arch or rather Gate on my Way to Duisburg
|
At
the end of the road I came to the 2nd arch. I turned left and crossed the very
empty main road, the Duisburgsesteenweg. I could walk into the forest but the
sinking sun worried me. In the dark through an unfamiliar forest? Forget it!
So I've decided to walk into the town of Duisburg to find a suitable
place for the night. Shortly before Duisburg the road name changed into
Tervuursesteenweg. Upon arrival to the town I turned left to the Sportcentrum
van Defensie. I walked until I came to a another forest but did not find a
suitable place. So I turned back and followed the main road. After the last
houses I turned left and came upon some fresh cut fields. I thought I found a
suitable place but after I sat down I got 'attacked' by many flies. I continued
and came upon a crossroad and walked straight ahead, later I would turn
right.
There, between fields and the crossing of two rural roads, I discovered a
large linden tree with two wooden benches and a table under the tree's branches
and a garbage box. There was enough space between the bench and the tree for my
small tent; I've decided that this it 'the' place for the night!
 |
My Camp for the Night!
|
First of all I gave a prayer of thanks to our Lord for providing me with
such a nice place and asked for His protection during the night!
I
'claimed' the benches and the table for myself, opened my bag and started
building my tent. While I was busy out of nowhere came an old farmer and tried
to talk to me in Dutch. He looked a little confused but not scary. I could not
speak his native language and even he served in Germany for two years with the
Belgian Army he could not speak any German at all! But with good will and
gestures with our hands we tried to communicate. In moments like this I was
glad that we wanted to communicate and made the same efforts to try to
understand each other. Feeling that we do not come very far we said finally
farewell to each other...
Trying to get familiar with the environment I've discovered a map
with mountain bike trails around the town of Duisburg which shows me that the
Belgians make efforts to invest into their own country and to improve the lives
of their citizens.
 |
Map of the Mountain Bike Cycle Network
|
The 2nd discovery was a statue of Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord
Jesus Christ, within a memorial. I am not a Catholic but this showed me that
people living in this area have a reverence for their religion beliefs and thus
confirming that this would be a safe place for the night.
 |
Statue
of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ within a Memorial blessing the Fields around
|
As the sun went down I crawled into my tent
and sleeping bag with my sports bag serving as a pillow. I know, my tent is
very small but it was my home for the night and provided me with a simple
shelter which I longed for. It is strange but under my small roof I felt very happy
and even I was very tired I could not fall asleep right away. Too many
impressions, too many things to be appreciated and thankful about during my 1st
day of walking. Finally I felt into a good and positive dream only to be
disturbed by some cars stopping by and throwing their own garbage in the provided public garbage bin sometimes. But I did not care too much, I slept like a baby...
(to be
continued@
Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome!
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