Schoorbakkerbrug, Ijzer River

Yesterday we spent the day with Michel, just chatting and catching up, and watching the dinghies and wind surfers having fun.

He took us out to dinner last night, marvellous man.  We went to the restaurant at the marina called De Ark and had a really good meal.  Michel and Ian both had steak and I had pork cheeks.  So succulent, and delicious.  I wanted to have mussels but they are not in season.

Today it was pouring with rain when we woke up.  Not a good day for a bike ride and Michel had a long day ahead of him, to Calais to catch the ferry to Dover then all the way across the south of England to the far western tip of Cornwall.  Hopefully it was only raining this side of the Channel and he found some sunshine in the England.

Mid-morning, even though it was still raining, we untied our lines and headed up the Ijzer River.  We have stopped at a free mooring near the Schoorbakker Bridge.  

We suspect it is a private dock belonging to a house next to the canal that is for sale.  

There is no one living in the house, and no one has come to tell us to move on, so we will stay here tonight.

This was yet another scene of total devastation in the First World War.  A huge battle raged here between 14th and 30th October 1914 as the Germans tried to cross the river in pursuit of the Belgian army.

We found this information on a board alongside the canal with a picnic bench.  We have seen these picnic spots throughout Belgium on the towpaths of the canals.  They are primarily for cyclists and hikers.

Rather cold all day today, but we see that next Saturday it is forecast to be 27 degrees; our last day on the boat when we will spend the whole day cleaning and packing up prior to our departure early on Sunday!