Not being assed in Asse.

Not having ordered breakie meant an early start was within my grasp. Forecast not too promising though better than it had been. Better look out the waterproof - strange - couldn't think where it was. And it dawned - it was still hanging up in Antwerp. So we have a bodged pump that probably could do with replacing & a forgotten waterproof that probably will be needed - if only in London. Better find a bike shop - there'll be tonnes on the way. The route out of Brussels was marred with road works and detours - ideally avoided. Took a short cut to avoid one & ended up in a very narrow alley on rubbish day. Bike & I had to get through piles of bin sacks - nice. Bizarrely for a Monday things seemed pretty quiet though far more hairy than Saturday or Sunday. Proceeded along what felt like the East Lancs Road - going from the most important city to an inland provincial industrial back water - figure out which is which? Some of the stuff along these arteries is bizarre - noted my first out of town Thai restaurant that actually looked like one. Going through Boom saw a big Buddha, Thai decor etc. A huge sign proclaimed it to be a dodgy nightclub. Further on what looked like a dodgy nightclub turned out to be a Thai restaurant. V strange. First big place out of Brussels - the wonderfully named Asse - did my head in. Constantly being shuffled to the other side of the road because of bad parking - a first, more roadworks and a couple of bike shops - both closed. Good progress though - looking like Gent for lunch was doable so there must be something there. Saw my first brewery - they make a beer called delirium. Final real stop was with 8 miles to go. Decent sized supermarket - closed - opens at 12.30 - clearly Monday is a half day - except for the neighbouring petrol station. Requisite drinks purchased. Way too early to check in so dumped stuff & dashed across town to the Decathlon. Got waterproof so no rain was now a certainty. Back to the hostel and a mooch around Gent. Outskirts & harbour maybe mundane but the old town is stunning. Canalside walks, a castle and a high street with numerous cathedrals / churches. Scouted out possible sports bars & took in Graffiti St which pretty much is what it says. Went for a takeaway Hawaiian meal tonight and sat by the canal watching the boat rides, kayakers and stand up boarders having fun on the water. The less said about the footie the better - thankfully for me the stream gave up at half time. Packed instead.Read more