Safe Return Doubtful

A cold night. A new record for the van. The temperature didn’t get above zero all day, despite the effect of the sun in a clear sky.

I finished my book, a Simenon ‘Maigret’, by which time it was only minus 5, and Roja and I headed out for a circuit of Han, which is usually a really busy tourist town, based around its caves. There were very few people out this morning.

A difficulty in this freezing weather is that all the outdoor taps have been turned off, and any underwater springs have frozen up. I had to resort to buying water, something I am always reluctant to do, because of the plastic waste. I used to sports centre at Beauraing for a shower, as my own shower supply had frozen up. It was only 3 euros, but not very clean at all, makes me appreciate Scandinavia even more. I do miss being able to take a sauna also.

I spent the afternoon at Invictus Brewery, a few kilometres outside the village of Gedinne. It was a tremendous experience. This is a really small family brewery, built out of the back of a family house, surrounded by forest. With the snow, it means a two kilometre walk to get there, as the road is only passable by four wheel drive.

It’s a successful operation, but with very modest ambitions. They sell either direct from the brewery, which only opens at weekends for a few afternoon hours, or at the butchers in the village. There were a few other visitors around while I was there, including a group of six friends, late middle age, from Antwerp, staying at a local holiday accommodation. I got chatting to them, sat outside around the fire with a stout and a triple.

It’s cash only, which I didn’t know, so will need to return in the morning to collect my takeaway order.

This is a really pleasant area of the Ardennes, with great hiking and cycling opportunities, and I can highly recommend a visit to the brewery.

I’m stopped over in the village of Gedinne. The aire for campervans is deep in snow, so I’m nextdoor in the Sport Centre car park. It’s the last night of the cold spell, currently at 6 pm it’s minus 7 degrees, but we are very comfortable in the van watching the European rugby.