There is no physical barrier to tell us where the Netherlands ends and Belgium begins, but we suddenly become aware of differences in both pedestrians and drivers. Pedestrians have a tendency to step off the pavement without worrying about the traffic, while motorists all seem to be in a hurry. Even at zebra crossings it is not clear who has priority.
Towns, too, are different. They seem to go on and on, with very little open country in between. In fact they have expanded along roadsides and the open country is often just behind the row of buildings. Cobbled roads, where they occur, are real boneshakers, the builders must have used the largest stones they could find ‑ the Flemish name for them translates as 'children's heads'.
Another hazard is the tramlines. We haven't actually came face to face with a tram, but every major town has them. Often the tracks run down the middle of the road, effectively making a dual carriageway, but then they shoot off in other directions without warning - or perhaps we just don't recognise the signs. Their overhead cables interfere with radio reception and the crackling, in turn, interferes with our concentration.
We need some cash. It is lunchtime so we head for the town of Kalmthout and wait until two o'clock for the banks to open. At five past two the banks, and most shops, are still closed so I made enquiries as to what is going on. It is, I am told, a National Day (bank holiday) and the banks will be open again tomorrow. So, we go back to the Netherlands for cash, groceries and petrol.
Although our books suggest that most of Belgium is more interesting in the summer as far as natural history is concerned, we have to pass through the country and so decide we will visit a few sites anyway.
Armistace Day is marked on the Sunday closest to 11th November back in Britain, so we hadn't thought of it is being any different in the rest of Europe. Here in Belgium, it is given more prominence.
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