Canal Beverlo

We had a short trip today, just 15km from the Lommel Lock down the Beverlo Canal to Leopoldsburg, where it ends in a dead end.  It is a very narrow canal, reminding us of the narrowboat canals in England.  The first section, about 5km, has some industry on each side and as we approached a bend a huge barge came in the opposite direction.  We pulled right into the side with fenders down to let it pass before we got to the bend.  As it passed the suction of the water it drew grounded us to the bottom of the canal and we could only move forward after it had passed.  I was so engrossed in the operation I forgot to take photos.  Sorry!

Then we came to a small lift bridge, less than a metre above water level and barely 6m wide, and I had to phone the company alongside on the shore to ask them to open the bridge.  They were ever so friendly.  Here is Elle following behind us through the bridge.  Isn't it a cute bridge?

After the bridge there was no more industry and the canal just got prettier and prettier

with many houses stretching right down to the water's edge with a boat at the bottom of the garden - Ian's dream!

But this is more like any house we could own in this area!

As we got to the end of the canal we saw more and more boats, still mostly winterised, but lots of people working on their boats.

We are moored at the JKL Jachthaven in Leopoldsburg. 

It is a really nice marina, and even has an electric point for charging bicycles.

I had started soaking some laundry this morning , all smalls, and when we got here I realised I couldn't possibly hang my knickers and bras out on the rails to dry!  Ian came up with a plan (no surpriser there!) and cantilevered a pole through the arms of the driving chair with my laundry acting as the weight on the free end.

This area was involved in the beginning of Operation Market Garden in the Second World War.  There is a war museum here but unfortunately it only opens at 13.00 and we will be gone by then.  Pity, it looks very interesting, but it is a guided tour that lasts 4 hours which would mean we have to stay here another night - not in our budget. 

We went to the bar in the club for a drink.  Beers are not too expensive at €1.90 each but a glass of wine is €2.90 and a bottle of not really fizzy water was €1.90!

We have had another run in with the internet providers.  We are coming to the conclusion that Belgium doesn't have any intention of providing an internet service for tourists.  After already spending €25 for 450 Mb of data, which won't even last a week.  I got a leaflet with instructions when I bought the card but when I actually tried to follow the instructions the options did not exist on their website - and that chewed up a whole lot data as I surfed through their help(less) pages. 

Today I phoned the help line and was told I can only recharge the card at a Proximus (the service provider) store.

Where is the nearest? 

Go to Duty Free(!) 

Or , I  can do it for you now by telephone, would you like €2 per day or€5 per day? 

What does €2 get me. 

20 Mb!

 I can't even send emails for that!

Meanwhile Lynn and Shaun had taken out a contract with Mobistar on Saturday morning.  An expensive way to go but they thought it would be worth it but by Monday afternoon they still had no phone or data.  So Lynn phoned their help number to be told Phone back tomorrow morning after 10.00!

So they went to an Aldi supermarket here, that is also a server provider, to get a temporary card.  They asked what packages Aldi had to offer. The young nitwit behind the counter said only the Starter Package.  They asked what that included and she said  "I'm busy with other customers" and walked off, even though there was no one waiting to be served.  What is it about IT in Belgium?  Not one of the 3 service providers that we have dealt with is in the least bit interested in customer service!  I am rapidly running out of patience with Belgium.  France can't come soon enough.