Inspiration

How many times are we inspired by what we see, but feel an inability to capture it? This was the Impressionists' goal...to capture that fleeting moment that all too quickly escapes. 

Auvers sur Oise is the small village where Van Gogh spent his last two months, living on less than 4 francs a day, in a minute room over a restaurant that is still open along the main street. Eighty oils from that period capture his everyday moments. His experience can easily be imagined when wandering the small farms or visiting the still used village church. 

A short distance away is Monet's Giverny. 

His lovely home and gardens have been kept intact. His studio, stacked with oils, both his and those he admires. The garden's riot of color begins behind the house and continues to the lush lilly pond with its Japanese Bridge. Yes, the reality is the painting is the reality. Immerse yourself and enjoy. 

Barge, bike, break - repeat

Finding a rhythm that suits a family age to two to - well a LOT older - could be a challenge. Some need to burn off steam, others need to mitigate a huge increase in caloric intake - read the chef is REALLY good and we lack discipline. 

Thank goodness for biking! Nearly everyday, all six of us don helmets and make our way to one of the locks, where there is generally less than three minutes to get bikes and riders loaded off of, or onto, the barge before it either drops or the gate opens. 

As you might imagine, Mr. Steve has carefully measured barge to lock "cycle time". And, yes there have been a few mistimed entries. (Steve has some theories on how to improve the process.) But, in the end, no worries. We can generally paddle faster then the barge can move. 

Besides, who really cares when the scenery is so lovely?

From the dark into the light

Boating is something generally associate with open skies and seas. Boating on barges brings to mind lazy canals and rivers making their way through bucolic agricultural regions. 

Locks act as "elevators". Gates open, boats enter, gates close and water levels shift 15 - 20 feet, plus minus. Gates reopen and your boat is "magically" positioned at the correct level for the next bit of navigation. 

But does this mean avoiding higher elevations? Are tunnels an option? For a boat, you ask? 

For a higher elevation, that's exactly the solution. Two canals in two days of 3 and 2 miles each. 

Having spent so much time on boats, I'd have to admit, it's pretty unnerving. Like locks, these tunnels are spec built to accommodate the industrial barges which are primarily moving goods. The net of which is that your barge has about 18 inches clearance on top and 6-10 inches on each side. Clearly not meant for the inexperienced. 

We make our way through to open skies and look back to the small crescent from which we emerged. We won't share the details of mistimed hot-tubbing and dangling cobwebs as we entered the tunnel. An experience several nightmares and therapy sessions are sure to erase. 

All in, an intriguing and memorable experience - just don't ask Steve or I to drive the boat!

Belgium - not to be overlooked

 It's not that chocolate, waffles, beer and mussels should be overlooked, but its unfortunate that these things are what most if us know of Belgium. 

Lovely cobblestoned Bruge's winding streets meander  along  the îriver  to the main square's medieval guild buildings, cafes and horse drawn carriages.  A UNESCO Heritage site that earns its honors both historically and culturally. 

Ghent is slightly smaller and equally captivating. A medieval capital is at the town's center. A University town, it supports even more tea shops, bakeries and cafes. 

Further along the River Shelde, we stop at an Eco-park with paddle boats for Evie and zip-lines for Clara. The evening is spent at Tiurnai. 

This gem of a town boasts Belgium's oldest belfry, first rung in 1217, and a UNESCO Heritage Sight. The five towers that make up Notre Dame can be seen from nearly every venue. 

As we get closer to the French border, towns speak Flemish, Dutch or French - often one, but not all. The food, however, an amazing blending of all three. 

Tomorrow - France!