Picnic No10. On the GR561 Kempen-Maaspad

 06/08/26 I'm still in Belgium. Location 'The Arcade' Balen. The long summer heatwave of  '26 continues with temperatures reaching 35deg. Work continues too under a protective parasol to ready the 1928 Chenard-Walcker for it's first drive under power. After several days of massaging 1920's brake linings into some sort of working friction material attention then turned to the engine...the wiring consisted of basic 12v power to points, starter and fuel pump. Once electrical connection was made the 6 cylinder 2.5ltr engine fired...fuel being supplied from the original cylindrical tank that sits above the engine. All gears appeared to be present too!!! Pheweee! Having awoken from a very very deep sleep surely a celebration was in order!

Let's celebrate with a drive and a picnic...

A stones throw from 'The Arcade' runs the 'Grande Route' A network of trails crossing Europe.. Let's drop onto section GR561 Kempen-Maaspad and drive a short part of the track between the corn and potato fields.

The sun blazing down as we raised a glass of one of Belgiums finest beers. Westmalle (in the proper goblet of course) Accompanied with an open sandwich to share...Meergranen zomer brood stacked with spicy chicken, peppers, tomato, avacodo and leaves topped with Devos & Lemmens Curry sauce.

Mission accomplished!! Happy days!!!

Additional Crackle info-

Brood -  https://bakkerij-marien.be/en/balen/shop/

Picnic No9 L.B.P. & L.B.P. (Little Belgium Pem & Little Belgium Picnic)

 It's been over 2 years since I've seen Koen and Nans and their Little Belgium Pem. I'm in Belgium, catching up on progress in the 'Oilyracer Arcade'. 

- 04/08/2026. A picnic was planned. Local produce was sourced. A historic location was chosen. The summer of '26 was forever giving sunny days. This is what happened on one of them.

Collected 4 x really really fresh eggs from the chicken run, next picked a variety of tomatoes and chilli's from Naans greenhouse to put with slices of bacon from the Slagerij at Molenstraat 40, 2490 Balen. A few slices of soda & red onion brood from the Het Broodvaal (2490 Balen-Hulsen). You've guessed it...a bacon omelette with a kick. Ingredients, cooking utensils, and plates where placed in a proper wicker picnic basket with a gingham cloth lining, and a single burner gas stove accompanied.

Location-destination would be the WW2 Bailey bridge over the Kanall Bocholt Herentals (Postel 2400 Mol). Down at the canal side within view of the bridge is a landing platform. A most grand picnic spot.

Stove on...fry the bacon, chop the tommies and chilli and add to the pan, whisk the eggs and add to the pan with salt and pepper. Now let the Belgium and UKs legendary chefs team up to create a picnic breakfast most extraordinary.  Proper lovely!!!!

So, that's what happened as L.B.P. waited patiently under the trees on the waterstraat. 

Check out the piccies...Yep! Can't buy that at a posh eatery.....Can't AI it either......Created with soul and a passion for enjoying life!

Additional Crackle info-

Bread - https://www.hetbroodverhaal.be/

Local - Unbeknown to us at one end of the bridge more WW2 history...A monument to a victim of WW2.  Lancaster ND715 PH-R and all its crew, shot down April 23 1944.