I woke early after staying up late reading, bugger, and it was raining outside. I rolled over and dozed for a couple more hours. Finally we forced our lazy butts out of bed, and got everything together. All we had to choose from, to eat, was the four rolls from yesterday, and two tins of sardines. Guess what we had for brekkie? Yep, we did!
The Sardine Chef at work. I'm just glad I don't have to carry them anymore.
Drying our stuff is difficult in Belgium.
We were out on the bikes by 10am, and it was windy. Davo GPS was set for a hotel we'd booked last night in Mons, and we'd checked to make sure his route went along the canals we wanted. Off we go! Little bit of a push uphill, then a nice run down a straight road into the wind. From here, Davo thought a nice little warm up through the forest on an advanced mountain bike track was in order! Bloody hell, some of the dips and peaks would have been tough on an unloaded bike.
Making sure I am warm enough, well layered up.
On a good day we could have had fun down that. Bloody wind!
I was sure he'd stack it here, but nope, he made it in one go. I walked it!
Will found us a track out of there, and onto a road. Not for long, as we were directed on to the RAVel 1, which was fantastic. Winding through the bush, behind some villages, and -Bang! Straight to a Carrefour supermarket. Oh, but it's closed! Poop! Carrying on the bike path, winding around and weaving through communities and bush. Most of it was very pretty, and wind free, but it also showed a poorer side of the country. Lots of housing developments, and rubbish, and it just goes to show hardship is everywhere.
The wind is blowing hard down the canal.
After about 15kms, we got onto the Canal Charleroi-Bruxelles, and the rain started. Light at first, and the wind was gusting from the north west at about 30km/hr plus. It was supposed to be an easy ride, flat and cruisie, but it was tough. We looked forward to getting to the bends in the canal that would turn is with the wind or at least side on.
First bridge stop to cover up properly. The rain has started early.
There were many bridges, and we took a couple of small breaks under them, and enjoyed the last two pieces of the Belgium chocolate Klaus and the boys had given us. It was a life saver. Being on the canal, we saw no shops (not that they would have been open), or other shelter, so we just rode on in the rain.
It is slowly getting worse, we can't see out of our glasses anymore.
Chocolate stop!
Rickety old concrete path, plus wind, plus rain, equals hills!
The Canal Charleroi-Bruxelles joined up to the Canal Du Centre and we reached there after about 35kms. It is big, and very industrial. Not the prettiest views, but some amazing feats of engineering. A further 10kms along, the rain was fairly coming down, and the wind was really strong. The canal and path became a massive bridge, over the major highway. The wind was so strong over this, we were in 3rd gear going 5kms/hr into it. We didn't even realise it was an amazing water bridge until we'd safely reached the other side, and looked back to watch a couple of cyclists on the other side, flogging along with the wind behind them. Wow!
Amazing bridge taking the canal across the roads.
Just a little further on, there was a strange structure. Huge big thing, that we could not think what it was. As our path detoured around and down, we realised it was an Elevator for vessels, taking them from the canal above, to the canal below. A total of just over 73mtrs. It is 150 meters high. It is called the Ascenseur à Bateaux de Strepy-Thieu. Worth a Google. Awesome, even in the rain.
Ok, this is not a good look, I hope they let me in the hotel.
The amazing Elevator for boats.
Wet and industrial. Glad we are almost there!
As we got closer to Mons, the rain began to ease off, and so did the wind. Thank god, cause then we had to contend with some pretty big geese who thought we were after their cute little babies. After Klaus had told us one flew at him and bit him on the side the other day, we were very cautious.
Will is yelling at me to get closer to them for his photo! I told him to piss off!
Zoom in, he is really hissing at us with his tongue out...ha ha ha.
After surviving all that, we wound our way uphill to find our Hotel Utopia (I know, it is so appropriate for us today). It is really nice, but their restaurant is closed on Sunday's, and it is a five kilometre round trip in the rain to the next one. Not gonna happen! We may just have to suck it up until breakfast. They do, however, have coffee making facilities and supplies, in the room. Woo hoo!
Once we had changed and warmed up, and discovered there was nothing close by for food, we thought we would see if they had vending machines, like lots of other places, and just get something, anything! Off I go downstairs, and nothing! I spoke to the young lady on reception, who thankfully spoke English well, and asked about some drinks or snacks. She told me she could get us drinks from the bar, oh my god yes, and she could order us a pizza if we wanted. Hell yes we did, those sardines lasted well, but they're only small.
I raced up and told Will the good news, and we went down and enjoyed a couple of drinks and the worlds biggest pizza. We at least have lunch for tomorrow. At least if I can figure out how to carry it!
They don't cut the pizza! Surely they can get a pizza cutter from IKEA?
We ate three quarters of it! Oh my god, it was as big as a bike wheel! But good!
I Googled Ascenseur à Bateaux de Strepy-Thieu....amazeballs!!!
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