Touring a bit of Belgium

Wednesday May 23, 2018

Today was the first day the kids went to their preschool English Childcare Maastricht. I was happy we rented the car when we drove over in the pouring rain. I'd like to pretend to be Dutch for a bit, but cargo biking in the rain might be one step too far for me. The kids were a bit nervous, but the teachers and principal were just as warm and welcoming as last year, so I am sure the nerves will abate quickly.

Listening to a live cello player

Our dirty girl

arts and crafts

Through the international school network I learned there was a town just south of here that held a Wednesday market so I headed down after drop-off to check it out. I didn't realize until I heard people speaking French in the market that Vise is in Belgium. On my trip over (about 20 minutes) I had crossed over into Belgium, but because they are both EU countries there was no border control and so I didn't notice.

Vise is known for its ducks

The town was charming, anchored by a big Cathedral right on the river. I popped into see the inside of the church. I learned most of it had been destroyed by the Germans in WWI, but the choir and stain glass windows date to 1524. After lighting a candle, I headed to the market.

Sanctuary

Impressive Organ

It was a quaint market providing the necessities for the local with lots of fresh produce and meat. It must be planting season here too, because there was a variety of plants and herbs to buy as well. I scored some white asparagus which is a regional specialty and some fresh strawberries.

The produce was so fresh

Flowers anyone?

Fish even

Before driving out of town I studied my "Maps.me" map. Its a great travel App because it shows you where you are on a map real time without wifi. (You do need to download the maps ahead of time. ) I saw that not too far ahead in the small town of Berneau that had a WWII museum and so I decided to go. When arrived it appeared to be closed despite the sign saying it should be open. After trying the door, I turned to walk away when the door slid open and I got a friend "hallo". The museum curator invited me in for a private tour.

Various uniforms including snow camo

Personally I like the GI's expression

That's a lot of medical scissors

This is one of the original crosses he owns from a German Burial (that was moved)

It was an impressive collection, especially because he accrued all of it on his own. He had case after case of war paraphernalia- uniforms, guns, medical supplies - and spoke in great detail about all of it. Some interesting things I learned on the tour: Bayer (Asprin) designed the gas used in gas chambers, Hugo Boss designed all the Nazi uniforms, and German youth were divided into Cub Scout levels starting at the age of 7 until 19 when they joined the military.

You can tell that kid is a little shit

We also discussed how difficult it was for him to keep all of the weapons as Belgium is staunchly anti-gun. The Belgian government made him lock every weapon to the wall and the assault weapons had to be locked in shatter proof safes.

Safe 

After saying au revior I took another peek at Maps.me and saw that I could take a slower, more scenic way back to the house. (Can I tell you how much I love this car!!) I drove through some beautiful countryside and idyllic villages, in one of which I saw a sign for the Fort Eben -Emael. I took a detour to check it out.

It is still a Belgian Military fort

It was built into the hill

The fort was built by the Belgians in 1931 to defend themselves against the Germans and was the largest of its kind at that time. In 1940 it took only 85 German paragliders to take it over, so not so impregnable?! I read more history about it online- its got a really interesting story. Check it out here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Eben-Emael 

I grabbed a quick lunch across the creek at an old grain mill turned restaurant called Moulin Loverix. I selected a traditional mushroom dish made with the mushrooms that are so famous in the region because they are grown in the old cave systems found throughout St. Pieter area. They were outstanding! I also ordered a meat and cheese dish to take home for a picnic dinner.

old mill stones

To die for

I met Pearce after my late lunch and we took a short run through the city before I went and picked up the kids at school. They had a great day and Lucille informed me she already had made a few friends. After the kids went exhausted to bed I took advantage of the rain free evening and walked up the "mountain" behind our house. It's so beautiful and peaceful up there and I love listening to the birds singing. I can't wait to explore it more!