June 16: Antwerp to Waterland-Oudeman (Sint-Laureins)

 After staying up past midnight, we left Antwerp after 10 AM, for our longest cycling day, 48 miles. 

Fiets Tunnel. Google maps directed us to the tunnel entrance, but it was not that obvious. Designed and built for cyclists and pedestrians. it has a double series of escalators on each end connecting a long tunnel under the Scheldt River. 

The Sint Annatunnel in Antwerp (Belgium) is an 86 year-old pedestrian and cycling tunnel under the Scheldt river, connecting the city centre to the west-bank, called left bank in Antwerp. The tunnel is simply referred to as the Voetgangerstunnel, (the Pedestrian Tunnel). 

The Sint Annatunnel has one shared tube for walking and cycling. From the modernist tunnel building on ground level there are two wooden escalators and a huge lift to go down to the tunnel entrance. The Antwerp tunnel was dug at a depth of 31 metres below the water level in the clay of the river bed. The city of Antwerp decided to separate the tunnels for motorised traffic and the one for walking and cycling because people would have had to make a long detour had the tunnel for motorised traffic been combined with the one for walking and cycling. The pedestrian tunnel under the river is 572 metres long between the escalators.




We happened upon the 2023 Baloise Belgium Tour takings place from Wednesday 14 June 2023 till Sunday 18 June 2023. We happened upon the set-up for the Friday Team Time Trial Stage, scheduled to start at 2 PM. We arrived about 11AM, so most of the riders were previewing the course while mechanics were setting up. Judging by the team vehicles, it was a mix of Pro Tour Teams and 2nd level teams.






Goose Whisperer?

Green Beer. Acres of barley in The Netherlands and Belgium. In the green stage pre harvest, sprouting, roasting, and brewing.


We were stopped at a large drawbridge to let a string of barges pass. They had two bridges, so one remains open while the barges queue and then pass under the other drawbridge.


Dog of the Day

Tommy's Holiday Camp? Who fans might identify with this camp comprising hundreds of identical holiday cabins in the woods along the water.


Borders were signed occasionally on major roads. We crossed The Netherlands/Belgium border many times where there were no signs.



Our overnight town, hosted by Crista, Walter, and their grandson Richard.

Walter, a retired project manager for a large construction firm, now cares for his animals, family, and acreage.

HORSE PUPPIES. Nods to Beverly and Tim, Walter's horses are well cared for and not ridden. They reside with 3 hens, 1 rooster, 1 outdoor cat, 2 goats, and a neighbor' donkey.


Hot air balloons over their home on a quiet evening.



Horse eye egg (Belgium term) from their hens.


Crista, Richard, and Walter

Cycling miles: 48 today; 318 total. 

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