The Krommeleie

Well, words fail me (almost) so here is the story of our cruise from Ghent to Deinze along the Krommeleie in pictures. It is all about houses (mansions), gardens (park-like), statues and a couple of other incidentals.

“Eurocanals” describes it thus: The Leie is very much like the Vecht River in Holland, just narrower and curvier and the houses are even more spectacular.

Be prepared – there are 39 pics (I took 128!)  Remember, click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Oh, it is 28 km from Ghent to Deinze and the weather was very cloudy, cool andcalm.

Note the dark, gloomy conditions

This one is definitely not a mansion, probably only 12 feet wide and the whole waterfront is a dock.

One of our favourite statues - it's just so cheeky!

A hippo!

This house was for sale last summer - I guess it got bought.

Ooph, that is a lot of leaves to clear up!

We can but dream

A huge bank of pretty flowers dividing the park-like grounds from the river

More African animals

It's for sale

Belgian Blue cattle - or "fat bottom cows" as I call them - how much meat is there in that rump.

Now, if we had a few million, this would suit us just fine

A very big house with reclining buttocks in the garden

Isn't he fun!

No comment

A life-size green cow

An exceptionally ugly boat...

...and the house isn't much better

The marquee which we saw under construction 2 days ago - and it still looks as if it is under construction.  It is massive.

Topiary, topiary and more topiary

Just a few of an enormous group of school kids canoeists, most of whom had no clue. We had to go into reverse at one stage to avoid a collision and then the poor kids got so panicked they nose-dived into the bank.

Definitely not a mansion -probably still worth a couple of million.

Astene Bridge

A day in Ghent

There was a change in the weather today: heavily overcast, windy, much cooler and some rain in the evening.  All in all, a good day to stay in port.

Actually, the region could have done with a lot more rain; we have noticed that the water level is lower than usual and the harbourmaster confirmed that it has been a very dry hot summer.

Anyway, it was a day to crack on with the chores that always accumulate on a boat.  First off was the double glazing

Then Ian replaced the mosquito gauze in the companion way doors and added the new wood trim which he had made back home, and I cleaned the barbecue.

And we went for a walk.  I must admit that Ghent is not our favourite city, not nearly as charming as Bruges, and really very dirty.  There is rubbish lying around everywhere – predominantly takeaway food and drink containers.  Well, it is a university city so we’ll blame it on the students!

The Ketelvest

How appropriate for a balcony alongside canal

Back home to make curry for dinner - Pork Vindaloo!

Deinze toGhent

Quite unexpectedly, after planning to continue up the Leie River to Kortrijk, we decide to do a detour into Ghent.  As members of the VPF (Vlaamse Pleziervaart Federatie) we get a discount of 2 days for the price of 1, at the Linderleie Yacht Club in Ghent.  We love the route on the “Krommeleie”, the old Leie River.

But, before we set off, we went in search of a crafts shop where we bought a roll of transparent plastic film and double sided tape to “double glaze” our windows.  This is not to stop heat loss in the winter but primarily to stop condensation forming on the window panes.  If you want to know how it’s done follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IYuEI6mLRw

We did this many years ago when we lived on a baot on the canals in England and it really does work.

It was heavily overcast in the morning but cleared into yet another lovely warm day.  The trip down the Krommeleie was a delight as always.

As we approached the low bridge at Astene, the bridge keeper appeared in the middle of the bridge and asked if we wanted to go through.  Now that's good service.

The bridge is hand operated

Magnificent waterside properties. 

Many of them have robot lawnmowers

We were just saying what a great setting for a party with a marquee then round the next corner we found this huge marquee under construction.

And their boats aren't too small either

Just another mansion.  I have heard that this stretch of water has the most valuable real estate in all Belgium.

So pretty

They do like their statues:  a herd of sheep, lifesize

Red dog - more than lifesize, about 2.5m high

Ian appreciating the artwork

Approaching the centre of Ghent

I particularly like this one

The Linderlei Yacht Club right in the middle of Ghent

And here we are