I got up and got myself ready for a none-cycling day (essentially anything but Lycra, mascara) and headed off across the river and into town. Its odd cycling a bike you are used to weighing a tonne. It feels all out of control. Weirdly I go at a similar pace.
Yesterday I took the JFK tunnel to get here although I knew there was a closer option somewhere. Last night I sat in a bar watching this building
A load of kids came out, so I thought maybe a school. Then some people with shopping bags. It was only when a load of cyclists came out that it clicked that it was a tunnel. I mean, how on earth are you meant to guess?
So I took myself and my bike in the lift (which counts down, metre by metre), cycled along the river bed and then, at the other side found the second lift out of order (there had been some signs and some sighing and I had wondered...then the first lift came so I thought it must be ok). I copied everyone else and took my bike on the old wooden escalators. That made me glad I'd missed this yesterday as there was no way I could have managed with a full load.
In the city centre I headed for the main square and breakfast. Not much choice: cheese and ham toastie or nothing. They kindly left out the ham.
After that I looked in the Cathedral and then towards the Fashion Quarter. I looked in windows at sales (probably a good thing it was a Sunday) and then went to the museum. The exhibition of Abraham Silk was interesting. My kind of thing. I love fabric. The student exhibition features 3D printed shoes.
Next I headed towards the M HKA (modern art gallery) to peruse their collection. On the way a kind soul paused to tell me that my bike was cool (in this land of butchers or racers, I think it might be). I spent a content hour looking around - saw intriguing stuff and some familiar names. They had a good cafe (by which I mean free wifi and power) in which I had a beer (never drink it at home, but, when in Antwerp...).
After that I sort of wandered. I took in the diamond quarter and the beautiful station as well as a park or two. Eventually I made my way back to the centre to a falafel cafe.
Now I am back on my side of the river, back at the bar (listening to that Eurovision song, again) and still contemplating that tunnel.
Gallery
Dries Van Noten flagship store - a throwback to my Harvey Nichols days.
Colourful silks
Man playing the piano in the street (he was very good).
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