Back Home, looking back

Wednesday evening my Luxor arrived back in Rotterdam safe and sound. It is good to be back, at the same time enjoying the memories of a wonderful journey across an area in Belgium of which I had no real recollection, meaning my last visit there on my parents' barge was over fifty years ago! "Christ almighty, is it that long? I'm leaving!" (Quoting Keith Moon in the film The Kids are Alright.)

There is so much to tell, visually, I really need to show some mastery of self limitation.
Why not start with something incredibly traditionally Belgian, the mirrored fairground beer hall / restaurant.
I was sailing the canal from Turnhout to Antwerp peacefully, through the wonderful forested area, when at a widening of the canal I spotted a colourful place where refreshments were served, mostly for cyclists riding the towpath. The tourist season was not in full swing yet and it was a Monday anyway, so the place was really quiet.

Not knowing how much draft was available, I let Luxor float very gently to the canalside until she came to a stop.

This is what it looked like from Luxor's foredeck.

I ordered a nice cappuccino on the terrace and in the meantime took the place in.

The name makes me wonder if this is one of the very rare cases of Belgiun humour. Background on this remark: Belgian humour is very much like its German counterpart, however stripped of its wit - and lightheartedness.
Maybe San Severia is no saint's name at all but just alludes to the plant that adorns practically every Belgian window, the sansieveria.

The interior.


Around the corner from the terrace, this live-aboard Belgian barge has an enviable mooring...

Photos: Koos Fernhout

PS
I can never take pictures of my barge when on the move -which is a shame, but my neighbours can.
Here's a post by Carla of the barge Anthonetta, containing pictures of my leaving for Belgium, and here's another post from the same author, same subject.