Drats, why don't I read Flemish better?

I worked for 3 hours this a.m. with focus on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and made good progress.

I then made lunch and headed to B. area with a plan to go to see a cycle this afternoon, but with an error on train and error on phone number, I missed it and reset for Wednesday. On the train from the south into Br. there were hoard of teens with back packs, tents, tarps, coolers, and even one tiny hydrocarbon-powered electrical generator. They must be headed off to the Gent fest or some other good times tonight and tomorrow (Belgian national holiday.) Film of Prince/Princess and kids at the Zoo on TV last night.

I came back to Z and went out on the beast for 2+ hours 40 km, and nearly put together a string of green pearls. That means I picked out on the map a series of #'d cyclist corners - they are also signed on the roads and bikeways. In theory that should save having to bring a map while cycling. www.fietsnet.be/routeplanner/default.aspx But I prefer having a backup. The link shows an interactive net version of this system. If I buy a bike tomorrow, I will not be able to train back to B, so will ride to a city on the line that goes to Zottegem and get a lift there - if all goes well. I will be close to the Affligem brewery but will not stop.

It was another great afternoon for cycling through the back roads and lanes of Flemish Ardennes. Lots of St. this and St. that everywhere.

I am trying, with good success, to avoid eating away from home. Food is expensive but not like what K told me about in Ireland in June. The local supermarket (a small Carrefour version called a GP. Carrefour = Supertarget + the Carrefour GP is a small town IGA) is across the street, so very easy to access so long as I recall the hours.

At 10:10 pm it is now dusk. Biking without a light would be OK til 9:15 – we are advantaged by the northern latitude at this time of year.