Ghent to Ghent

The red flag is our starting point and the green flag is our destination - just about 1 km apart - but because the canal was closed we had to go the long way round the Ringvaart (the ring "road") to get there, about 17 km.  We went back down the Bovenshelde, where we saw the same little boat from yesterday but underway this time.

Then we turned onto the wide Ringvaart with big highways on each side.

Close to the crossing between the Ringvaart and the Leie River there is a signpost - see, just like a road

As we turned onto the Leie River, we went through a lock, almost permanently open it is only used to control flood water on the river.  And right after the lock are two marinas.

We carried on past along the lovely river.

There are some really nice homes

As we got closer to the centre we began to see some older buildings right on the canal with small private docks.

 We tied up in the Gent Passantenhaven which cost us €9 for the night, showers are free, we didn't take electricity so I don't know how much that is.  The shower is in the old bridge keeper's building, feels a bit like a public convenience but is perfectly clean.

 A family of red-billed coots right in the passantenhaven.

 I'm afraid I can't say that about Ghent in general.  Mostly it smells of drains, and there is a lot of litter, dog shit (which I trod in) and tourists. 

But the old buildings are just wonderful.  We walked for a couple of hours, taking in the sites, and dodging other tourists.

We went to the castle but didn't go in because the entry fee was €10 each.

We did 2 trips to a supermarket; it's May Day tomorrow so everything will be closed, and we want to leave here tomorrow to find a less public mooring.  We are not keen on cities and their marinas which are overlooked by blocks of apartments, too much like being a monkey in a zoo!

Delicious fresh asparagus on Elle this evening.  We have missed  our own asparagus in our garden at home!