Day 3 Ghent

The campsite is on the edge of the village of Overmere. It does not have international renown. But it is noted for one thing and there is a statue to commemorate the fact outside the local church:

'Here began the Boer war 1798'

That’s not ‘our’ Boer war, it’s one they had here against the French – an uprising of the Overmere farmers against the French occupants. After the riot here things went from bad to worse and grew into the Boerkrijg – The Boer War or war of the Farmers. Perhaps there were Boer Wars all over the place.

Day 3 was fine. Drove to the Park and Ride and then the whole day in Ghent. The old part of the city is very proper, orderly and colourful. I saw all the main features. The Belfry has a great view of the city. It is attached to the Cloth Hall which is a lovely building but not used any more. It is where over hundreds of years commerce in the textiles industry was conducted in Ghent. It cannot be used any more ‘which is a real shame’, to quote the young lady selling tickets at the entrance. ‘It only has one exit and can’t be used on the grounds of safety in an emergency.’ ‘How many emergencies have there been in the last 600 years,’ I asked her. She didn’t know. ‘Thank you, Brussels,’ I said. ‘Ah yes.’ She said wistfully, ‘Such a shame for such a lovely room.’ She was right.

Rain predicted so I have done the major tasks in preparation for leaving for the Bonn area tomorrow.

Thought for the day: The Ghent Theatre is beginning a new season. Its slogan is ‘Optimism is a moral duty.’ I’ll go along with that.

Statistics:

Miles driven today – very few. Total now 353. On the subject of driving I suggest that someone proposes to the Pope when he arrives that he create a new saint – twice: St. Tom: St TomTom for services to the geographically challenged.

Weather mild to warm in the afternoon. Possible storm on the way.

Incidentally the big bottles of Leffe were €1.50 in the SPARsupermarket. Now that’s not to be sniffed at.