Progress

Day 4

We were well and trully into Belgium now.




Weipon to Profondeville



Weipon to Profondeville



Township of Huy



The focused skipper

We headed for Namur. Here was a magnificent backdrop to a stunning citadel clutching the edges of the cliff and overlooking the town. This picturesque place situated halfway down Belgium, marked the end of the ugly industrial backdrop with it's heavy barge traffic. The company we would be keeping now would be pleasure craft.



Namur



Namur

 

 

 

 

 

Namur

Namur, the capital of Wallonia, with a snail as it’s emblem, keeps its heart for pedestrians. Characterized by interlacing laneways, it is dominated by its emblematic Citadel.

Its picturesque scenery can best be appreciated by a river cruise. What good fortune for us!!

Citadel

The history of the city is closely linked with that of its main monument the 'Citadel' (stronghold, fortification).

In the 3rd and 4th centuries the Romans built a fortified outlook post on top of the rock to defend the Meuse valley against invasions of Germanic tribes.

Since then, much has been added on, demolished and rebuilt. Various parts and towers of the 13th and 14^th century fortress still exist. Middle 1500’s saw it transformed into a real city only to have large parts of it destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte in the 19^th century since it was no longer required.

It became a Military barracks for the Belgium army and a stronghold in 1939-1940 when the underground parts of the citadel were equipped with air-conditioning systems, anti-gas systems and armored doors.

 



Namur

 


Namur

The scenery just kept on improving all day. By 3:40, in Rivière , we were absorbing breath taking views of green wooded slopes with picture perfect houses nestled amongst the foliage.



Riviere

  

Riviere

 
At 4:50, in Rouillon, the ducks were scurrying along the riverside footpath in a long row, running to keep up. They looked hilarious !

 

 We passed a riverside wedding in Yvoir and enjoyed jaw dropping rugged scenery after Dinant.

 



Yvoir





Dinant



Dinant



Dinat to Waulsort



Dinant to Waulsort



Dinant to Waulsort

 

We were still trying to master our lock procedures, tackling the ropes and the order differently. By the last lock of the day, we were copying better examples and using our poles to hook the lock bollards.

 It was an incident free and refreshingly picturesque day...a few close calls mind you, but no collateral damage!



Totals:

Locks: 9

Distance: 64 km





Overall: 335 out of 956... We had made up our initial lost time!