GR12. 2nd lap from the BD border

18^th July 2007.

From Rivierenhof restaurant to Lier railway station. The weatherman’s forecast became true. Warm and dry. At 10.00 exactly I parked the car at the Sterckshof museum. We (the dog and I) walked up to the Rivierenhof restaurant. Here the GR5a and GR12 cross. The park is quiet but stopping meant being a target for the hungry mosquitos. The noise of the E313 left up gradually and the green surroundings of Fort 2 was obviously a good place for people making the paths a means to do some sporting activity. In Wommelgem I almost lost track at the roundabout south of the church. The red-blue marking was hidden in a little alley. The town itself I found not very attractive but the surroundings were nice with many pathways between the houses.

After 8,5 km. we took a rest because it was getting quit warm nearing midday. We entered fields and passed a some woods before entering Ranst. In Broechem the dog looked desperately for shade and we took another rest and some food at km 17 at the corner of a street . Passers by looked amused when the saw the old man and his dog. At least that is what I interpreted from their facial expression. Just byond Emblem I hit the Nete canal and Kleine Nete river and went in, to my surprise, northerly direction. The sun was not in for a compromise when walking the
banks of the river but lots of shade was waiting in the wetlands and the Kessels heath where I
lost the signs again and had to follow the highway in NE direction to get onto the right track again. The fort of Kessel and the Lier fishing clubs “battlefield” were the last spots of interest before I reached the bus stop at the Lisper Steenweg. Bus 423 did not arrive and I took one of the frequent trains back to Antwerp. Bus 21 brought me near the Sterckshof. It started raining.

Distance covered: 32 km. Length of GR: 29,3 km. Flat. Ratio crow’s flight/distance path: 2,5!!

Personal rating:***