My time in Belgium was just wonderful, and during the week when Karel was at work, Irma and self took busses and trains all over, and we did a fair amount of walking. But I was now quite fit, and with the tablets that slowed down my heartrate, I didn't get so tired anymore! What a blessing!
Then it was decided of course that we would go berry picking along the riverbanks, but as it is quite far, we had to use the bicycles. Kiana left hers for me, and as I was last on a bicycle a bout fifteen years ago when I worked in Holland, I was a bit of a scared cat, and eyed this two wheeled monster with apprehension!
The morning arrived for our first excursion, and I was maar a bitty shaking when I took the handles to push this scary thing from the garage, and almost fainted when I saw the amount of older men already seated in the sun in front of Rico's pub, just across the road from where we were to take off!
I hyperventilated! Badly! The reason for half of my fear was the cobbled road that I had to cross, right in front of this audience, and this audience were watching us with interest while sipping their early morning coffee. Well, I hope it was coffee! I could see in my mind's eye how I would give a few pedals, and then my wheels will be caught between the cobbles, and having done no peddling on cobbles before, I would bite the dust, or is it cobbles, and seeing the smiles already on the audience's faces, I just knew that that would be of big enjoyment to them.
Irma cycled across the road, and stood at the corner in front of the bakery, trying to cajole me take the plunge. I was sweating and shaking, but now the old men had joined Irma in her quest to get me across the road, and they were shouting all kinds of helpful hints at me, so, after shivering once more, I took a very deep breath, and set of! By the grace of all the gods I stayed upright, and with the sound of loud clapping and shouting, I rounded the corner, and out of their sight!
All went well for the first few minutes, until a car came from the front, and I had nowhere to go, as there were cars parked along the very narrow road. Irma was some way ahead of me, and although both she and Karel had tried to imprint it in my brain that cyclists always have right of way in Belgium, I panicked, and jumped off the bicycle. The car stood facing me, and the driver and his passenger was giving me some strange finger signs, but I thought to myself, oh, bugger off, and just go! They didn't go, and iRma, who had by this time looked back and saw my dilemma, had come back, and told me that the car was waiting for me to go! So I pushed the bike passed them, and I could see their incredulous faces staring at me, but at least I was rid of them!