The final stretch

Almost summer. After a winter filled with dreams about sun drenched kayak sessions, the time to enjoy those is almost upon us. To celebrate this and because we really need the practice, we embarked @ the KNRS club Niel. Of course we timed it right and zipped down the current of the swift flowing Rupel.

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In no time we were at the old lock of Wintam. This used to connect the Rupel to the Seachannel Brussels. Only at higher water levels is it still possible to loiter about directly next to the old lock. Only on the side of the Rupel, the other side has been filled up. A funny fact is that the lock still exists on google maps but when you select satellite view, half of the lock and its access channel disappears. The only use this old lock still has now is purely of sentimental nature for us 'old' folks.

But enough about the old, in with the new.  Making a direct connection with the Schelde, the new lock a bit further downstream is an impressive piece of work. Of course we wanted to take a closer look at this imposing structure

When you're getting closer, these walls seem to be looming over your boat, a bit intimidating sometimes, but as we are fearless explorers, we aren't so easily thwarted. Apparently it is frowned upon to kayak right up to the lock doors and demand passage. So we turned our bow towards the great city of Antwerp and started paddling, The swift flowing water wasn't flowing all that swift anymore, but it's still easy paddling, so easy that we made a little stop across from the old powerplant which in the day was powered by the black gold, coal. Next to the old and rather beautiful building are a lot of windmills, Across from the Interescaut we found a mysterious little building, maybe some of you know some of its history?

We went ashore for a bit of exploration, after ten minutes, looking for the stairs, which I couldn't find, I glanced in the direction of the river. The little beach where we landed was fully flooded and our boats were allready floating.

The wind blew our kayaks to the shore but they were already drifting towards the next bend in the river. Luckily the Gods were with us that day and our little mistake, born out of inexperience with the tides, only bought us a short rush down the riverbank over some boulders before we had the boats again in our care. So we discovered that it's a good hard paddle against the tide for the last few kilometers. After our adrenaline shot it would be a walk in the park? Think again, we had to cross the riverlane and when the tide is coming in, it flows with a steady pace. But in the end we reached our destination for today, the Hobokense Polder. A small peace of green pasture between all the ugly industry. A job well done and another part of the great escape checked and approved. Until next time!