Ieper BE 27 March - 1 April 2020 Howard and I are very pleased to be back on board Moondance. We have had a productive week doing varous jobs about the place, while waiting for a part for our steering to arrive. We are dry, warm and comfortable on board, which is great since the weather has turned and it has been snowing. But it looks like we will be delayed as it is forecast stong winds for the next week. On Sunday the 27th we went into the town square early to see the introduction to the teams competing in the Gent-Wevelgem - In Flanders Fields cycling race, one of the Flanders Classics. We were able to get quite close to the riders as the cycled into the town by teams. They then cycled onto the stage set up in the square where they were introduced and then a small interview in Flemish/Dutch or English was done with one or two riders of each team, before they cycled out again. There was quite a crowd there. There must have been more than 20 teams as it took ages and there was quite a crowd of cycling enthusiasts there to watch. The local hero was Wout van Aert the Belgium national champion. Later in the morning the race started at the Menen gate although the official flying start didn't occur until about 10 kms out of town. We were able to see the riders pass by the port at about 12:25, very convienient. There was a lead group of about 6 riders and then the peleton a few minutes later. There were more support vehicles than riders it seemed. We heard, after about 250km, a 21 year old Eritrean, Biniam Girmay, won the race - the first black african to win a cobbled classic. As far as we saw, he was the only black rider in the field. Congratulations. Hopefully a taste of things to come. Monday morning looked to be the last fine day we would have for a while so Howard spent the day working on the wheelhouse roof. He used his new Rolls-Royce overalls supplied by my brother Richard. That allowed us to take quite a bit of stuff out of the lounge to give us more room downstairs. The wind was a northerley and brought lots of muck up the river into the harbour. Including a dead fish which Howard assures me is a beam. Tuesday, as the weather was colder and a bit wet, we started doing inside jobs including organising and rearranging the cupboards in the lounge. On Wednesday we got up early to farewell the new owner of Maria of Zaandam who was making the long trek back to Nijmegin in the Netherlands. Maria will be her permanent home. It was fitting that I took photos of her as she left as it was by taking photos of her arrival in Namur 5 years ago that I met and became friends with her prevous owners Tim and Jo. On Thursday, we still didn't know about the part for our steering, so we decided to go into town to Ypes museum. We arranged for a wheelchair so that I didn't have to do much walking. It was a very interesting museum covering the full history of Ieper, from it's settlement in the 11th Century until the modern day. We hadn't realised that Ieper had been such an important town in the middle ages. These days it is famous for it's role in WWI but there is certainly a lot more to the history of this city. Afterwards we decided to have lunch in town and had the steak and frites special at one of the restaurants on the square (who had amazing fast internet). And then a ride along the old moat to buy a soda stream, and then a pleasant ride in the sun to complete the tour of the moat, getting home just 10 minutes before it started raining. We also heard that Davy had the spare part for our steering, so perhaps we would be able to start moving Friday or Saturday. On Friday, as forecast, it was snowing when we got up. And continued all morning. Unfortunately this was the morning I had my appointment at the hospital for my foot. So I wrapped up before heading out. On the way home I did a little detour through town. We have looked at the forecast and it is now looking to be very windy most of next week so it looks like we will stay here until the wind dies down a little, currently forecast for a week away. But perhaps it will improve before then, in the meantime we are both really enjoying being back onboard and its nice and warm and dry.
4 Comments
Pam Kershaw
1/4/2022 11:47:18 pm
Enjoying your stories so much! Almost like being there.
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Margaret Keir
2/4/2022 04:38:54 am
What an interesting history Leper has. Just love reading your story each week. Love Neil and Margaret
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Neil Blood
4/4/2022 07:16:56 am
Enjoyed your update together with your photography, (you haven't lost your touch during our lockdown).
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Johanna Hersey
4/4/2022 10:17:55 am
i hope your boat keeps you warm and cozy. Snowing in April... Yes, it happens in that part of Europe!
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