Day 5: 5th July 2025 -  Yvoir - Maastricht  60 miles

My campsite inland from Yvoir was fine, although being at the bottom of a valley it became a bit chilly overnight and in the morning there was a lot of dew about on the tent, which I had to fold away wet and find a bit of time later in the day to dry it out. Liege happened to be the place, alongside the river, while I had my lunch. I was awake at 6 am, and on the road by 7:30 am, first having to haul myself up the valley, then to do a quick downhill back to the Meuse, which seems to be cutting through limestone hills at this point.

Around Dinant and Namur, the Meuse valley is very nice, with some very exclusive bits with large mansions. I reckon it has over the years been a place for worthy Belgians to take their holidays. As it approaches Liege, and also beyond the city, it become grimier, more industrial. Liege has a lovely new railway station, but I can’t say the rest of it impressed me too much. There were lots of perfectly conical shaped hills along the river, and I guess those are mining spoil tips that have been greened over. I believe there was a lot of coal mining in these parts once.

I think Belgians are a glum people. At least they look so to me. As I said before, they definitely don’t have the French chic. Belgian cyclists aren’t a particularly friendly bunch. And, they don’t ring their bell before passing ! Little towns and villages along the way look a bit unkempt, certainly compared to Holland which I passed in to later in the day. The difference is very noticeable. Dutch villages and towns are picture perfect. No messy gardens. No weeds on the pavement. All the houses well cared for. It must be a cultural thing, a difference in priorities, a personal, community and national pride thing. I think we could learn a thing or two from them. I doubt if they would be putting up with a six month plus bin strike and all the accompanying mess, as we are having to do in Birmingham.

I’m on the edges of Maastricht tonight. I was going to go further to a camp ground some 20 miles or so further on, but saw this camp site as I was riding along, and thought I’ll be nice to myself and save myself all those extra miles. I did look at a hotel for tonight, because there is a chance of thunderstorms - it’s close and humid - but gave cup when I saw that the Ibis in Maastricht was doing one night for 250 euro. Apparently, there is some music concert on this weekend in town, and so they can charge what they want, I guess. The campsite will do fine, and if I get a bit wet, well, I can dry off along the way tomorrow