Gent and clear sky with pleasant 18 C without wind? Sounds almost unbelievable since each time we made it out to Belgium really cold and windy weather awaited.
Nevertheless, such a promising day must certainly be used to its fullest. For usual jog & train routine I set off south facing Gent centre, leaving behind ship pier at the southernmost point of Handelshaaven. After a while a parallel canal for low tonnage boat (yachts& smaller cargo ships) connecting city own canal network with 80km long canal ending in open sea - comes into sight.
There are sufficient benches & pavement curbs and not to forget - bicycle holders to workout on. Many concrete fences of industrial sites turned out to display artistic works - "chapeau" guys!
At Dampoort train station i take the street on the other side of canal back, cos I can hardly finish my routine training set.
Even though belgian people are not that often seen on bikes - compared to the folks in Amsterdam ;) - still one is amazed af the vast array of bicycles stationed at P&R / commuters knots.
After short sleeping break and lunch on board, tourist visit to Gent is on programm. This time I move further westward along train track which after kilometer or so run over a turning bridge crossing a canal with huisebooten. Along the Sleepstraat one reaches the historic downtown: Paterhol and silent narrow streets, then Gravensteen - well preserved fortress inside a town - to name only few.
Groetenmarkt - with "the best in Gent" Escargot and Frietje with curry-like pickles. That s true - I did eat them - just for sake of tasting well, as prevailingly vegetarian I found them as a exotic extension of my diet ....
Naturally the most crowded was the canal bank: Grasslei & Korenlei connected through Hoolaard bridge.
Here is the starting point of boat excursions. Some tours are innovative: on a small table in the middle wine & some pastry is offered for selfservice while the boat driver - one hand on steereing wheel navigates among other vessels and with another they broadcast their knowledge (opinion) on picturesque architecture; bizarre fasades; mysterious stories...
Not an easy task to find a free table at this place. Constantly the tables closest to waterfront are fully occupied. Secret tip: there are few small cafe with balcony or couple of chairs over the water - i.e. a proper pub - dirty but with fine beer (kiregat - between cafe at the corner and Chocolaterie De Graslei
Then a couple of canoes caught my eye - bouncing against the pier, I knew immediately: just cannot resist.
These 3 seat canoe are rented for at least 2 people at a time; no basic instruction provided - for many it could enhance the paddling experience... So 10Eur an hour/ person is the price to enjoy tranquille scenery at your own pace to all corners of Y shaped canals - either deadend or lock make you do the u-turn.
Visiting alone or let down by your better half, there is chance to meet fellow buddy to share the boat.
PS worth to check out Wassersportbaan center just few minutes away - should provide wider variety of vessels even for lower fare...
have fun in Gent, Belgium
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