Walking into town...three kilometres vertical...I first pass the neighbour's pasture with its steep drop to the river...so far a fairly flat road...
Then cross the river by a bridge whose supports have been made precarious by last winter's torrential rains...you can see two streams converging here...one, brown in colour, on the right; which comes from springs on the other side of town,picking up silt as it goes and the other, bright and sparkling, coming straight from the source on the mountain above.
After the bridge it's a steep climb on the slippery gravel and it's good to be able to catch my breath at Martha's house where you can chat over a home made iced drink, order milk from her cow or be captivated by the little dogs she breeds.
Up to the main road, puffing well.....I've climbed from eight hundred metres above sea level to one thousand one hundred.... and past the furniture factory where these traditional style chairs and benches are made...more comfortable than they look! I've flopped down on them more than once!
Finally in the home straight....where the toucan wishes you welcome to town!
I owe these photographs to our Belgian friend Anne-Mie Swinnen....who has kindly sent us some of the best she took while on her visit here.
Anne-Mie Swinnen
