Charleroi Airport to Binche – 27km
25C (in the shade)
Terrain: hilly country roads and busy roads
What an amazingly varied day. From feeling pretty rough to being serenaded in a town square. Life is beautiful.
Woke up not feeling fantastic but thought once the blood got flowing all would be ok. This did happen, to a point but I was definitely grateful for the slightly shorter distance, that’s for sure. Plus, there were lots of hills and it’s boiling out there!
At times, very beautiful too though. Love nature.
More busy roads today but with decent cycle paths so all good. It was fun to run down the hills with Bob but then not so fun painstakingly pushing him up the next one. Up and down, up and down…
…until reaching Binche.
A hot Viv.
Binche itself is lovely, a small town dating back to the 12th Century. I’ve learnt that it has a carnival every year between January and March with masked parades and everything, a pretty impressive and fun event. There’s even a cool museum about masks dedicated to the cause which I visited this afternoon.
Anyway, after freshening up when I got here, I walked into the centre for a bite to eat and sat myself down at an Italian restaurant.
A little embarrassingly, the owner (who I later discovered was called Michel and actually Italian) was publicly and genuinely shocked at what I had managed to put away (oops). Clearly, this required an explanation at which point we got chatting and he insisted on ‘sponsoring’ my meal, no charge.
The next thing I know, I’m sitting with him and his policemen mates (really nice guys), being introduced to local beer and they’re getting the guitar out and singing (all on the terrace of a restaurant). Definitely a first for me and awesome!
Michel (middle), Christophe (right) and Guy (left)
More local delicacies 😉
Yet more wonderful generosity of the traditional kind but also of spirit. Michel et Binche, merci pour cet après-midi merveilleux!
A few more pics from today:
Beautiful Binche
Carnival, love these old posters.
Masks…
If you’re reading Shireen, these made me think of you – click to enlarge (apparently, they’re from Austria)
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