Route: Antwerp, Belgium to Roosendaal, NL
Distance: 55 km
Ride Quality: Variable
Accommodation: Hotel Central
We woke up early this morning to escape from the sketchy campsite as soon as we could, although there was a delay while we washed all the bird poop off the fly. There were a lot of noisy birds overnight, and apparently they were loud because they were literally right on top of us. Heading back through the tunnel and out of Antwerp we kept an eye out for a breakfast place but the city was very quiet for a Saturday morning. Our last resort was a gas station at the edge of downtown, where we bought some food and ate it on the side of the street like the dirty hobos we were starting to feel like. Although to be fair, the gas station had good pickings. Croissants and other pastries, yogourt, juice, and even pre-made Starbucks drinks. It was almost on par with some of the other breakfasts we've had along the way, really.
The ride out was fairly slow since we were both still hurting from the extra mileage the day before. The LF route was again very well signed but often meandered off onto dirt or rocky trails. At times it was nice going through the scenic forest paths, and at other times it was just annoying. Saroja also managed to get yet another flat tire which brings her total to three - two on the ground and one (somehow) on the plane. Fingers crossed that's the end of it!
Still, the weather was warm and sunny and we were feeling good. Lunch was a stop on a town called Kalmthout, where we ate milkshakes and sandwiches at a restaurant next to a small train station (Heide Station). Not a particularly European meal but it hit the spot and it was great to take a nice lunch break. We crossed into the Netherlands officially after that although since we were just on small paths there was no official welcome sign. The bike paths did improve after that though, inasmuch as there were no more dirt roads. In some of the towns there were even divided lanes for the bike paths with their own sidewalks for pedestrians - but no cars allowed anywhere!
The hotel we booked tonight is actually very nice. It wasn't done on purpose; there just aren't a lot of hotels and B&Bs around here to choose from. But we couldn't have picked a better place. Even though it's a bit expensive, the showers are great and the beds comfy. The restaurant attached to the hotel - Sistermans - was fabulous. We just had what was probably our best dinner of the trip. Bedtime is fast approaching since we're both still pretty beat, but it was a good day.
-Penguin
P.S. Sorry for the lack of pictures, it was a slow picture day.
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