Habay Roman Villa to Tournai

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Habay Roman Villa to Tournai

Motorhome Journey Habay Roman Villa to Tournai, Belgium

Today is 80th anniversary since VE day (Victory in Europe) and the end of WWII. The day Gill’s parents met and always a significant part of their lives as they had survived the war: for my mother the bombing of central London when nursing and for my father the bombing and attacks on Portsmouth and Gosport harbours. They always said it was a miracle that they met that day in London, in crowds of thousands, a miracle or God’s work.

Breakfast and on the road by 10.00 am we make our way along the farm track to Mageroy and to E45 then N40 with G. driving the first half via Libramont Chevigny. Onto E411 to Namur and E42 where we change drivers past Charleroi, Mons to Tournai in Belgium. It is just after 2.00 pm and the city is busy. Following the main road to the Sports Centre we find the Aire tucked just behind it. 

It is our third visit here (in July 2022 and May 2023) and it is just the same, water/emptying outside the barrier, clean and well maintained, central, 12 places each with electric included and all for €8/night. It is easy (although a little faffy) to get in, first login on a Smart phone, choose a vacant pitch and book it, pay online and get sent a QR code to your phone. Swipe the QR in front of the reader and this raises the barrier, gives you access to water and emptying (electric hookup is on a pillar next to each place). We book space 7, previous visits were on 1 and 2 by the barrier (last time when there was a lock-in and the council had to call out the software company to fix the electronics!).

We park up on space 7 and have our lunch, rest and catch up with journals and writing. Later we open red Bourgogne wine and have thinly sliced baguette and hummus. It is a warm sunny evening and the church bells are peeling. We put on our shoes and walk down to the Market Square, the peels of bells are ringing out, many people sat out under parasols drinking wine and beer and eating. It is very convivial. The market square is magnificent with its two churches and the tall grey stone Belfry and old 16th century style Belgian buildings with the sun reflect off their stone edged gold leaf. A good time to wander round and take in the European atmosphere, so missing in the UK.

We walk down the River Scheldt and the quays, and walk along the walkway to the Pont des Trous, the original 13th century bridge long gone. A replica was last replaced and rebuilt in 2022 (when we were here), this bridge is pedestrian only and closed after 6.00pm, so we had to cross by the road bridge but it does give an excellent vantage point for photographs. It is 8.30pm back at Hymer, a pot of tea and a snack and then bedtime and sleep!

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