Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 39 in Namur (Part 2)

Sunday, July 01, 2018

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”

Jack Kerouac, (1922 – 1969), American novelist

Namur (or Nameur in Walloon) is the capital of the province of Namur and Wallonia, hosting the Parliament of Wallonia, Walloon Government and administration (Wikipedia). As I've noted before, Belgium is made of two major parts: Flanders in the North and Wallonia (Wallonie in French), the predominantly French-speaking southern region of Belgium. With a land area of 16,844 km2 (6,504 sq mi), it makes up 55% of the territory of Belgium, although its 3.5 million inhabitants only represent 1/3 of the whole Belgian population. Most of the cities are located along the west-east axis formed by the Sambre and Meuse Rivers. And here am was, in the French center of Belgium, Namur.

Namur with Citadelle and Bridge of the River Meuse

When I woke up with a smile I took a nice shower first. For me, it is necessary to stay as clean as possible just to avoid and health and in particular skin on the trip. I packed my things and left the hotel. To reduce some of the high prices I did not order a breakfast; I've planned to eat somewhere else. As I checked out no one of the three receptionists was interested in this guest, I was not even worth a 'thank you' or 'goodbye'.

After I left I took a picture of the African Museum opposite the hotel and decided to go to the train where I saw an American fast food restaurant yesterday. Not many people were eating there so I've ordered an Angus Beef Hamburger Menu as breakfast and put the receipt in my wallet, not thinking much of it.

As I ate I watched an elderly couple ordering breakfast and the man stood in front of the toilet, took out his receipt and pressed numbers into the lock beside the toilet and it 'magically' opened and stepped in...I thought this is strange and I took out my receipt. After I finished my meal I separated my garbage and disposed of them in the proper boxes. I packed my things, took my sports bag and went to the toilet door. There I punched my 'secret number' from my receipt in a safe lock like in a prison cell - and I was able to open it and get in!

In my over 50 years on this earth, this was the first time I opened a door like a safe but in this case, so something ordinary like a toilet. Inside it I had to take out my camera to record one of the cleanest and loneliest toilets I had ever the pleasure to visit in my whole life! In amazement, I still asked myself "Is this effort just to 'easy your daily business' really necessary?"The Belgians believe this...

Full and energized I wanted to give the tourist information and 2nd chance; as I already wrote it was closed yesterday. So I walked to the nearby train station and, to my surprise, I opened the door to a bright and friendly room with three kind ladies only waiting for a tourist like me on this early Sunday morning. I chose one counter and asked if there is a Youth Hostel in Namur. With a friendly smile and a clear French dialect, the lady answered 'of course'! She took out a free map and drew the way with a blue ball pen on it.

Train Station of Namur with a Construction Crane towering over it in the Back

As it was early Sunday and my French is limited I asked her if she could call and make sure if they are open today and - she called. I did not understand their conversation but after she hung up the telephone she replied with a smile: "They have opened!" "Oh, mercy!" was my answer but even if I tried, my smile could never be as shiny as hers, that I am sure of!

With a map, good news and even better spirit I stepped out into a wonderful morning and was on the way to the Youth Hostel to make a reservation for the next night. As this part of Namur can only lead downhill to the Meuse River I've tried to choose another way but somehow I came again to the African Museum. There I took a picture of an African statue standing in a hallway - in other countries it might be gone long ago...

Statue of African Mother with Child

Looking at this statue, a mother carrying her baby, I could sense the power of the female in general and here the African women especially. But they often are mistreated and broken not only by men of her own race. Surely God created the women out with the rib of men but as a 'helper', neither as a slave nor as a toy for men. A male does not have the right to look down, be subject to sexual harassment or to control them but should rather respect the women and their sacrifices.

The USA had the chance to vote for an experienced female politician like so many other developed countries in this world. But they rather choose a coarse self-proclaimed ‘successful’ dominant male with too much testosterone who believes in steamroller approach than diplomacy to be their president. And now the Americans have to deal with what they earned...

(to be continued)

#Namur #NamurTouristInformation #toilet #NamurYouthHostel #WomenRights #USA

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!

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 38 in Namur (Part 1)

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

André Paul Guillaume Gide (1869 – 1951), French author and Nobel Prize winner

 

As the reader might understand after some days on the road it took some time to get used to the number of cars and people in this city; after my arrival in a ‘new town’, in his case Namur, I needed some time to get used to it.

My first concern was obviously to find a suitable hotel or hostel. Preparing the trip I remembered that Namur has one youth hostel within my budget but unfortunately I did not bring the address with me.

For non-Europeans, most cities in this continent are built around the train station and the same building represents commonly the city center. Namur is not built differently... Still on the N4 (National Road No. 4), I’ve passed the rear of the train station (or Gare Namur). I’ve passed a bus terminal and turned right over a wide multi-lane bridge which led me to the roundabout ‘Place Léopold’. Along this circled road there are many historical three and four storied buildings, witness to a rich past.
From the roundabout, there are several roads leading to the river Maas (or the Meuse in Dutch) which gives the city its distinguished location and view. I chose the Rue Lucien Namêche which, after passing the 'rich' buildings on the front, became quite ordinary.

Renovating a historical building, Belgium style

(Taken the following morning)

On the Rue Rogier, I've turned right and came after a short walk to the Hotel Ibis Namur Centre, right across from the African Museum. On this Saturday early evening, there was a big wheel, roller coasters and other amusement attractions behind this museum. For now, I passed because I still thought about finding this youth hostel…I followed the road and finally, the river Maas unfolded its beauty right in front of me.

African Museum with Big Wheel in the Background,

taken the following morning

I followed an easy and flat walking path beside the river banks. It is really amazing how a river can transform a view or a scenery wherever you go. I had to cross the river La Sambre which flows here into the Maas and followed the road parallel to the river until the Grand Casino de Namur. But even asking some locals they could not help me to find the youth hostel. I did not want to camp 'wild' in a city so I went back and decided to stay in a hotel for the night after paying a hefty price for a simple bed and a shower. But I do not want to complain, sometimes it does not work out how you planned it.

My most expensive Bed during the whole three weeks in Belgium

In the evening I took the chance to wash some of my clothes (underwear, socks, shirt and trousers) to be prepared for the next morning. I also called my wife thru the free WiFi of the hotel and let her and my daughter know that I am all right.

In my bed I was surprised how smooth the whole trip went. My sports bag, which I never used before, worked as planned, my tent was small but light, my new sleeping bag was comfy. Furthermore the weather was very great, I had lots of sunshine and even got a tan. My feet did not get hurt in my 'old' trekking shoes' which accompanied me already in Australia three years ago. I've met some great people and had a very interesting time in Belgium.  

My plan for the next morning was to take a train ride to the north coast of Belgium, a contrast program to the fields and hills I passed walking the last few day. At that time I did not know that I will change my plan the next morning.

Life felt great and with a smile I went to sleep!

(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!

Bicycle Water Bottles - Plastic, Alloy or Stainless Steel?

Riding bicycle everyone has at least one bottle cage mounted on his or her bike, in it is one bottle. For convenience some people put small water, carbonated or sports drink bottles (500 ~ 600 cc) as they buy them supermarkets or convenient stores.

Experienced cyclists buy specially made cycling bottles or bidons (French for a bottle) in which they pour their drinks of choices. These could be an own mixed sports drink, juice or even plain water and everything in between.

I carry two bottles; in one I pour only water while in the 2nd bottle I throw one Effervescent Tablet. These tablets are cheap, convenient and came in different tastes and contents. From her last trip to Germany my daughter bought three different Effervescent Tablets:

- Vitamin C with Lemon taste

- Calcium with Peach-Passion Fruit taste

- Magnesium with Orange-Grapefruit taste

Be aware that by buying too many of these German made tablets President Trump might view them as a 'security threat' and enforce punitive tariffs like onto German cars!

Bicycle Bottles are made out of different materials like plastic, alloy, and stainless which I want to describe below.

Plastic:

is 'the' common material for drinking bottles - no professional rider in the ProTour or World Tour either enters a race nor do drinks from plastic bottles during a competition. They are so cheap and so convenient that riders just throw them beside the road after usage; lucky fans pick them up for their personal shrine at home. Or other riders, like Mario Cipollini, use plastic bottles as projectiles for race officials.

During my own cycling life, I had so many plastic bottles with different brand names on them that I do not even try to count them. Some have been made out of a solid color, some had a clear window while some were completely clear to visualize how much fluid is still left. A current trend is 'insulated' plastic water bottles in which an insulation material (alloy foil, 'nanogel' or even cork) is manufactured between the inner and outer wall of the bidon thus keeping it cooler or warmer over a longer period of time.

For me, as a mortal cyclist, plastic, in general, is not great material for cycling bottles. Not only because of the material itself (see BPA below) but also because of its influence on the contents. I live in Taiwan, a hot southern country with a often very high ultraviolet (UV) index. The result is that whatever plastic bottles I use the contents becomes 'plain' or 'spiritless' after a while. Water does not have a refreshing taste; even when you drink it you feel thirsty.

The above-mentioned pros have a constant supply of fresh drinks, either from a domestique (a cyclist whose job is to support the higher-ranking members of the team, by carrying water etc. ) or from team members waiting beside the road for the riders to pass. I would and could not ask my wife to wait for me on a certain point at the road only to handle me a bottle of fresh water...

Furthermore, plastic bottles can not easily be sanitized and scratch on the outside by moving them in and out from the bottle cage; they look 'worn out' very fast.

A warning about BPA (Bisphenol A) in Plastic

BPA is a common building block in resins and some types of plastic. It's what's known as an endocrine disrupting compound. In the body, these chemicals can act like hormones or disrupt normal hormone functions. Mounting public pressure pushed companies to move away from BPA, leading to an influx of products touting their “BPA-free” status. But the FDA only officially bans the compound from use in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging.

- How to Identify BPA products?

Consumers can also take steps to avoid BPA and BPA alternatives entirely, notes Trasande. He suggests steering clear of plastics with the recycling numbers 3, 6, and 7, which all contain compounds of concern.

- How to treat plastic products in general?

Don’t put plastics in dishwashers or the microwave, which can damage them and cause them to leach more BPA or its alternatives. Throw away plastic when it looks aged or scratched.

(BPA information courtesy of https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2018/09/news-BPA-free-plastic-safety-chemicals-health/)

!All plastic cycling bottles should be BPA free!

Alloy or Aluminum

without inner coating could be a healthy dangerous material for food and drinks. Generally aluminum has a very low level of toxicity to humans, meaning, in general, it can be considered safe. The concern comes from overexposure, a problem that could occur more easily in the modern era. Studies have pointed out that increased amounts of dietary aluminum may contribute to skeletal issues in preterm or at risk infants. Additionally, in higher doses, the metal can cause neurotoxicity (a form of toxicity in which a biological, chemical or physical agent produces an adverse effect on the structure or function of the central and/or peripheral nervous system) of the blood-brain barrier.

( courtesy of http://www.isustainableearth.com/green-products/understanding-the-health-risks-of-aluminum-water-bottles)

That's why alloy bottle manufacturers use a coating within the aluminum bottles. I don't have any information about these coatings but in my humble experiences, every coating will sooner later dissolve.

Due to above reasons, I don't use alloy bottles on my bike; our family has 'banned' everything made of alloy out of our kitchen and even replaced our beloved rice cooker with a newer model containing a stainless steel pot a long time ago.

Stainless Steel

is for me the material of choice. All professional food- and kitchenware is made from this material, a hospital operating without sanitized stainless steel cannot be found! It does not leach chemicals, is corrosion resistant, is neither affected by hot nor cold temperatures and can cleaned easily and safe.

On my training rides, I use stainless steel bottles with a plastic spout (BPA free). Surely I can not squeeze stainless like plastic and therefore a sip might take seconds longer, but a fresher and 'safer' drink makes them worthwhile.

During cycling tours longer than one day I a pair of two stainless steel bottles:

- one single wall bottle for refreshing drinks

- one double wall (thermos) stainless bottle for hot and cold drinks (mainly coffee) or as storing liquids for the single-walled bottle. This thermos bottle has a screw cap made of stainless steel with a rubber ring; I don't mind to stop for my fresh coffee beside the road to enjoy the scenery or the camaraderie of fellow cyclists ...

If someone does not believe my experience with the 'taste' differences I suggest to use two different bottles on your next ride: one made of plastic and one made of stainless steel both filed with the same liquid at the same temperature. Leave in each bottle some rest while you ride and you will surely notice a taste difference after riding three hours in the sun.

A Word of Caution

   Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike not the other way around. It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks to recover in a hospital and/or at home! Ride responsible, defensively and safe! You, your body, your parents, your family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.

Take care, Gerhard

Disclaimer: I've owned and own these bottles; used them over a period of time. I've paid for them and I am n o t endorsed by anyone! I have a new homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling. Visitors, subscribers and/or followers are more than welcome...

Vittoria Zip Case - Review

Before purchasing a new favorite tire, the Vittoria Corsa Competition 700x25c foldable tire (https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling/post/vittoria-corsa-competition-700-x-25c-foldable-tire-unpacking-mounting-riding) I thought that I should also clean up my 'emergency kit'.

Vittoria Zip Case - closed

My Emergency Kit
When I had the cut through the tire and the inner tube I stopped beside the road. I have a rolled waterproof bag on my handlebar in which I throw everything in: my 'emergency kit' and all the other necessities like my key, phone, wallet etc. right before my eyes. Upon need, I have to unroll the opening and go through all the stuff and even have to take things out sometimes only to find what I need. Not very convenient.

This 'emergency kit' contains everything I need in case of a puncture: 3 inner tires, 2 tire levers, a glue patch kit with one rubber solution and my multi-tool. I don't like to be stranded somewhere besides the road and depend on the help of others so I take this kit with me wherever I ride.

Before I have seen cases shaped like water bottles and could be put in Bottle cages and even in the pockets of my bike shirt. Because of the compact size I can also store it in my other bags so I thought I could give these bags a try.

My Emergency Kit in the Vittoria Zip Bag-opened

Two large compartments

So I went into my favorite bike shop and bought the new tire with the Zip Case from the same manufacturer. The case was empty and enclosed by a zipper in the colors of the Italian flag - hence its name. Opening it the case opens in half and has two identical inner compartments with an elastic net half way to keep things tidy. Back home I packed my emergency kit as mentioned above in this case and it looked indeed very tidy.

Specifications:

- Size: 18 cm (height) x 8 cm (diameter)

- Material: Vittoria specifies 'long-lasting material', I suspect is it EVA or PE as the main

material

- Color: Outer black with nice white graphics, zipper in colors of the Italian flag

Conclusion:

I like this Vittoria Zip Case very much and should make my 'job' as a bike mechanic fixing a flat beside the road much more easier. I am good organized and prepared in case of an emergency. I doubt that this case is waterproofed, the water would penetrate through the zipper. But it looks nice on my bike and who would argue with beauty?

Vittoria Zip Case in the Bottle Cage of my Bike 

A Word of Caution

Always ride with a helmet and in a way that you are in control of the bike and not the other way around. It is senseless to gain some seconds but spend weeks to recover in a hospital and at home! Ride responsible, defensively and safe. I am sure you, your body, your parents, your family and friends will surely appreciate your precautions during a bike ride.

Take care, Gerhard

Disclaimer: all technical details are based on Vittoria's own homepage, otherwise specified! I  own the case and use it daily. I've paid for it and not endorsed by anyone. Subscribers or followers are more than welcome! I have a new homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/cycling.

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 37 from Gembloux to Namur

his blog continues the previous Part 36,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_22.html

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

Helen Keller, the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

   After crossing the rail road bridge I left the old part of Gembloux and came to a development area with big markets beside the main road and housing area with newer building behind. I went into a supermarket but it was a membership store only selling in big quantities - a wholesale club. I also checked out a Sports One store but as their bike department was very limited I did not stay for long.
   I followed the N29, or Chaussée de Tirlemont as it is called here, until I came to a roundabout. I turned left to the N4 or Chaussée de Namur which I walked further north this morning and yesterday. 
   Not far away I discovered an Aldi store. This cheap supermarket chain store is well established in Germany due to its low prices so I had to go in and store up my food and drink supplies. I was a nice experience and I planned to look for a suitable to place to have a nice lunch.
   After a Chinese Restaurant I discovered a shadowy place under some coniferous trees and had a feast. While I ate an elderly Chinese passed me, looking nervous and mumbled some unclear Chinese words. I don't know the meaning of moving abroad and stay there unhappily.

Eating my favorite smoked Ham Bread beside the Road

   I finished my meal, packed my garbage properly and wanted to dispose it at the next fitting possibility. While I walked the very flat road I've discovered an industrial building on the other side of the road with a large ING insurance commercial, Chaussée de Namur No. 87. There was a big black garbage box on rolls beside the road which I thought is a good solution to dispose my garbage. I opened the lid, threw the bag inside and closed it. As I wanted to leave suddenly a Mini stopped beside me with squeaky wheels and an over-sized blond lady insulted me with some French vocabulary through the open side window. As I don't understand French I approached the car and asked in a polite manner: "What's the problem?" The lady shouted to me very angrily, this time in English: "This is my garbage box!" So I turned to the box, took my garbage out and shouted "Are you happy now?" She did not answer, stepped on the gas and drove away!

   I am not clear what's a big deal with garbage in Belgium but fighting over garbage should be quite embarrassing for this lady, not for me! By the way, on the next possibility, I threw the same garbage in a container with four wheels and a lady was smiling at me...

   The road continued to be flat and I made good progress. Occasionally I passed some houses with beautiful ladies sitting in the windows waiting for customers; one was clearly waving at me. This road might be famous for this kind for services but there were not many customers in sight, meaning the road was empty.

   After some time passing fields beside the road I came unto a road sign saying 'Namur', showing a photo with a rock and a river, the final destination of my walking part of the trip. I was excited that I found the way without GPS or map but at the same time, I was a little sad because this section of my trip was soon over.

   I came to a roundabout, one road was turning right to an industrial area but I chose to continue straight on the Chaussée de Bruxelles, an older road. which later became the Route Nationale. The field was not more open but lined with trees beside the road. The road went downhill and was over-passed by a highway, the A15.

   I still continued straight and stumbled upon a road sign saying Namur 8km. The road became very busy and, after looking at my watch, I realized it was already time for the evening rush hour. Only later it occurred me that it was Saturday but the traffic still became very busy.

   Finally, I came to the first houses in the district of Namur and the road lead me downhill. The traffic became so busy that the cars came often to a standstill. In a Quick restaurant, I called my wife and informed her that I am o.k.

   I came to closely built houses older houses marking Belgrade, not in East Europe but in the suburbs of Namur. This part was indeed named after the same-named city in Serbia to commemorate the Austrian empire's conquest of the city from the Ottoman Turks. The duchy of Namur was at that time a dependency of the Austria-ruling royal house of Habsburg (wikipedia).

   The road, still part of the N4, seemed to be endless but finally I reached the city of Namur, my final destination...

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/03/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html)

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! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 36 in Gembloux

this blog continues the previous Part 35,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times”

Anonymos

   After the picture from the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech University I turned around and continued on the Grand'Rue. The road continued downhill and I passed a part of an old wall, possible the remains of the old abbey. 

    Right after it I came onto an open place which was 'decorated' with a War Memorial reminding the citizens and visitors of the fallen heroes. I stopped for a moment to take a picture...

Gembloux War Memorial

   After this memorial the road became narrow, reminding me of many European cities of the Middle Ages. The houses were built very close to each others, a dangerous environment for fires destroying many inner cities. 

   It would be so comfortable to walk through the downhill road in the shadows of the buildings - except for the cobbles. I passed some shop windows and thought for a Saturday morning the streets were very empty...Until I reached the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall Square) which hosted the Weekend or Farmer's market. Local and traveling traders offer their goods ranging from free range poultry to local hand made delicacies, from shoes to clothing and everything in between.

   As the name of the place suggest there is the town hall nearby. I took a picture of the old House of the Bailli (originated in the 12th century) which is the current town hall. This building made of sandstone and limestone rubble was rebuilt in the late sixteenth century. partly on two cellars dating from the twelfth and thirteenth century. It belongs to the town of Gembloux since 1951.

House of the Bailli

   Turning back to the Grand'Rue I just followed the narrow streets. A blessing for pedestrians the Grand'Rue naturally forces the drivers not to explore the town by car. And if they do so they have to slow down significantly. At one point I left right into the flat Rue Léopold which lead me to the Place de l'Orneau, another open space but its main purpose was to create parking.

   At the Rue Moulin I stumbled upon a reminder of ramparts as a part of the defensive city wall. In the Middle Ages Gembloux was on the border of two rival territories, the Duchy of Brabant, to which the town belonged, and the County of Namur. In 1152, Frederick of Hohenstaufen, who would become the Germanic Emperor Barberousse, authorized the small city to be surrounded by ramparts. These ramparts had a length of approximately 1 km and included an area of ​​about 7 ha, three of which devolved to the former Benedictine abbey. From these ramparts nowadays remain two towers and a section of wall that flanked the door from above.

One of the remaining two Rampart of Gembloux

   At the Rue Moulin I stumbled upon a reminder of ramparts as a part of the defensive city wall. In the Middle Ages Gembloux was on the border of two rival territories, the Duchy of Brabant, to which the town belonged, and the County of Namur. In 1152, Frederick of Hohenstaufen, who would become the Germanic Emperor Barberousse (1122-1190), authorized the small city to be surrounded by ramparts. These ramparts had a length of approximately 1 km and included an area of ​​about 7 ha, three of which devolved to the former Benedictine abbey. From these ramparts nowadays remain two towers and a section of wall that flanked the door from above.

   The Rue du Coquelet led me away from so much history through very narrow streets. It led me e to a roundabout right in from of the Gembloux train station. For convenience I went into the modern building, went upstairs and used the overpass leading me over the tracks. From there I had a nice view of the town. With this last sight and I left the old part of Gembloux.

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_25.html

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! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 35 from Perbais to Gembloux

this blog continues the previous Part 34,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.”

Alan Alda (Jan. 28, 1936) American actor, director, screenwriter, comedian and author

   Walking through the fields between Perbais and Ernage somehow the time blurred away until I finally discovered first roofs on the road far a head. After a slight left turn I faced the first buildings after a very quiet time passing the fields. 

Take me Home, Country Roads...

   From the right side of the road a car drove out from the pathway, the first reminder that I've returned to civilization. Sill walking I discovered some red dots on and beside the road with cherry stones squashed by some vehicles. Looking up a tree I've discovered indeed dark cherries grown on a wild tree which no one seemed to care about...I picked up a view from a lower branch and enjoyed the gift of a sweet morning snack.
  Before a document from 1293 mentions today's name 'Ernage' former Latin texts provided names Asnatgia or Asntatagia (946), Asnatica (around 1040 and in 1136) Esnagia or Estnagia (1213). The Romanesque form Esnage appeared between 1194 and 1229. In its historical topography of Walloon Brabant published in Amsterdam in 1692, Antwerp Jacques le Roy spells this area Ernaige and Erfnage. 

   As I walked parallel to the main road it was not difficult to return through the houses and found the way back to the Chaussée de Wavre, as this part of the A4 is named in this area. Coming to the intersection there were some cows just opposite of the road, an opportunity for taking photos which I would not like to miss. 

Young Cows grazing beside the Road

   I turned right and followed the main road and enjoyed and easy flat walk until I passed the Snack Factory (www.snack-factory.be), an American Style grill and diner directly beside the road. The sun was still on the rise and the restaurant closed. But the interesting light let me take a photo of the American styled neon sign behind a swinging Elvis.

   Still walking through the countryside I've notice a big truck standing at the right sight of the road loading potatoes. A conveyor system forwarded the potatoes on the truck with the earth falling off into containers or on the floor. Knowing that French Fries or 'frites', as they are called in Belgium, are a basic food staple in this country, seeing this had no small meaning. As there is a steady demand for potatoes this loading is a significant sight for tourist like me. While I stopped to watch the procedure and to take a picture the truck driver and the worker waved to a me as a friendly gesture to the interested tourist hauling his sports bag along...

Loading Potatoes in Belgium

   The next larger city, Gembloux. was not far away and a relative leisurely walk. The city has only around 22.000 inhabitants but is very well known for its Agricultural University, the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech.
   As I walked along the main road I've noticed a lot of police motorcycles and cars with policeman securing the road. I suppose some important person/s wanted to visit the town or the university but I a not much sure about that. 

   I passed some older and newer buildings and followed the Rue Sigebert into the city center. As along the whole way there were many road signs and as the Belgians are good educated people the only problems were the cobbles which were not only on the roads but also on the sidewalks. 
   The road name changed into the Grand'Rue and I passed a Tourist Office but did not pay much attention to it. As the road went a little downhill I've discovered the main entrance of the before mentioned Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech University on the right side. There is a gate and through this gate I took the picture below. The University is housed in the historic Abbey of Gembloux which was founded about 945 by Saint Guibert of Wibert and dedicated to Saint Peter and the martyr Saint Exuperius (died around 410).

   After the French Revolution (1789-1799) the monks were expelled and the abbey sold. In July 1860, the Agronomic School of Thourout was transferred to Gembloux; in 2009 it was merged with the University of Liege and renamed into Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (wikipedia).

Main Building of the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech housed in the former Abbey of Gembloux

   As a son of uneducated parents, a violent alcoholic father and an even more violent Nazi mother, I longed my whole life for knowledge and still admire every person who could and can have a university education which was never possible for myself. 
   My tyrannical mother thought of herself to be a big planner. As in Germany the education is decided after the fourth grade her plan stood in my to open the path to a higher education. She wanted to leave the family as soon as possible after the children became independent and have their own income. Learning at the secondary school (German: Gymnasium) is a requirement to study at a university in Germany would take too many 'additional years' she had to spend with this family. So she decided against her children to pursue a higher education for the sake of a fast income.
   After my school graduation, I got an apprenticeship as a "Wholesale Businessman" at a local Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche Dealer. This education included one part vocational school and one part working to gain experiences and a small salary. My mother was, of course, very happy because I was able to pay 1/3rd of salary as 'living expenses' directly to her.
   I remember the first day at the vocational school when we had to write a report to introduce ourselves and why we've decided to pursue this career as homework. I've written my assignment and gave it to the teacher. One week later he returned my homework and told me "I've read your paper and wonder what are you doing here? You should study at a university, not learn here at the vocational school!" "My mother wanted me to come here and earn some money!" was my sad reply. She shook his head and left...

   This is one of the many reasons why I like to spend some time to catch the atmosphere and make photos from universities whenever I pass them...

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_22.html

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