Expecting the Belgian Inquisition.

BERLARE, DONKLAAN.

Disturbed a few times in the night. First, a tractor took a trailer away, then the guests left around midnight and finally at 4am a car arrived with the radio blarting to drop off a couple of passengers who sped off.

Still, up in time for mass which starts at 9:30. The toilets are remarkably clean considering the number of wedding guests using it last night. Someone has a left a cupcake on the basin. Rosie decides that we can't have it for breakfast.

The Canadians arrive just after us. The priest decides we need a lot of help so gives us a 20 minute sermon. Chat to a guy in wheelchair after mass, he tells us that St Boniface landed here in 741 to start his European teaching.

After breakfast, our first stop is in half a mile. We have to board a ferry for a distance of 200 metres which costs us 3.50 euro for the privilege. The first big town we hit is Tiel. A Lidl opens at midday so Rosie joins the queue to wait for the doors to open whilst I find free parking.

On to our final destination, Berlare on Donkmeer, another little gem. We can walk around the Meer, it takes an hour in total. There is a playground half way round which includes three peacocks.

One problem appears as we return to the van. Parking restrictions apply between midnight and 7am meaning we shouldn't stay the night. We visit a cafe to have a beer whilst we decide whether to risk it.

The beer helps us choose to stay. Go for a walk after dinner and hear a strange drumming sound. It turns out to be the throaty call of an Ostrich.