Day 2 / Oudenaarde - Pottes / 26 km

After a good sleep I woke up around 8.00. Today I had intentionally planned a short run so plenty of time to have breakfast and do a little walk around Mullem city (as Mullem is not the biggest city it was a short but pleasant walk).

Before midday we said goodbye to Hilde and Tom who were so kind to ghost Jo, me and the kids during the night and organise a farewell diner with some friends. Thanks Tom for the taseful carbohydrates ! 

At midday Jo dropped me on the market of Oudenaarde (the place where we arrived on day 1) where Jo, Stella, Viktor and I said goodbye to each other. After a a lot of hugs we finally managed to say goodbye....

As I had planned only a limited distance to cover today I took the opportunity to visit Centrum Ronde Van Vlaanderen. A museum surprisingly dedicated to the cycling race “Ronde van Vlaanderen”. The museum kept me busy for 45 minutes but doubting if a cycle race warrants a museum. I had the impression that the only  other visitor I met at the museum tended to agree with my vision.

After the museum it was time to start running following 26 km along the Schelde. As we had already consumed the good weather voucher yesterday it was time for some rain. From km 8 it started increasingly raining....

The long -and not so-winding road


Happy runner in the rain 

End location nameplate in the rain

Lock nameplate in the rain

Bed nº2 :

My destination for today was Pottes where I’m staying with Carine and Luc who are hosting Pelgrims and cyclists. The welcome was great and friendly. After a shower and washing clothes in the shower washing machine (I will disclose my washing techniques in a layer blog)  a nice dinner was served.

Viktor and Stella : for your information daddy did not get the “witloof in de hesp” but French fries with vol au vent (which was Even better) Carine is a great cook !

Around 21.00 it was time to “work” and update the blog.

Song of the day : Purple Rain - Prince

What I learned today :

- To buy more  good weather vouchers in the next Bpost

- Bell pepper soup is not good running food

- That the highest climbing percentage on the Kwaremont is around 21% (I forgot already the exact number)

- That a “confituur careeke” still tastes good the 2nd day - but get’s more difficult to get out of the bag

- I love my wife and kids ( this not really something I learned today but a confirmation)

Tomorrow I plan to run 40 K to Montagne Du Nord and saying goodbye to Belgium for the next 3 Months. But that’s for tomorrow, know it’s sleeping time in my purple bed. 

T.

Ps : I probably will dream that I forgot to bring my ski’s to Montaigne du Nord. Or even worse forgot to book a skiing pass’

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