I went to visit my friend Marc in Mechelen because we wanted to eat at Het Anker where they serve the fantastic carolus beer. I went to his house and we tasted his latest own beer, which were a very good trippel. Marc had started his own beer production up 4 month ago and his was now on his third batch, but this was his second beer. Brewing beer is not that easy and there is a lot of planning to do.

We went for Het Anker but when we arrived everything was full, even the waiter said it was too much. Marc told me the reason being the yearly music festival of Mechelen. Almost every city with respect for itself in Belgium has its own festival. Most of the time the concerts are for free, that is apparently the fact for Mechelen.

We decided to walk through the city and walked along the quiet canal with all its houseboats. Having a house bout is getting more and more popular since you don’t have to pay land tax. Many of the old canal transporters are rebuilt as house boats and they are really huge inside.

Near the old fish marked we ran into the first stage, and walking towards the main square we passed the second stage before we saw the main stage at Grote Markt. We went for a good Greek restaurant Marc knows but they were full as well, so we ended up at one of the old hotels next to it where we had a great diner.  

In Mechelen I have had the fortune to visit a very nice brewery called Het Anker. In the brewery you have a very good restaurant and there is also a very nice and cheap hotel. In the brewery they make some really tastful beers; Gouden Carolus Classic - a very nice golden dark beer 8,5%, Gouden Carolus Triple - a fantastic golden beer that kicks 9%, Gouden Carolus Ambrio - a great brown beer 8%, Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer - a fantastic brown beer that really moves 11%. The food is very good and it is the typical and traditional belgian kitchen. Many of the dishes have beer as one of the ingredients:-) This is a great place - and the service is fantastic

Mechelen is a Dutch-speaking city and municipality in the province of Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Mechelen proper, some quarters at its outskirts, the hamlets of Nekkerspoel (adjacent) and Battel (a few kilometers away), as well as the villages of Walem, Heffen, Leest, Hombeek, and Muizen. The Dijle flows through the city, hence the term 'Dijlestad' (Dijle City).

Mechelen lies on the major urban & industrial axis Brussels-Antwerp, about 25 km from each city. Besides at Mechelen's southern industrial and northern office estates, many inhabitants find employment at offices in or industry near the capital, or at industrial plants near Antwerp's seaport.

Mechelen is compact city spun in a medieval web around the gigantic Cathedral tower, the city centre offers an inviting range of squares, terraces and shops, all within walking distance of each other.

The St. Rumbold’s Tower – the symbol of Mechelen par excellence – welcomes visitors to the city from afar. It towers over more 300 listed monuments in the city centre, including 8 historic churches. The belfries of the City Hall and St. Rumbold’s Cathedral and the city’s Large Beguinage have all been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

One of the best places to visit is the Het Anker. This small private brewery has built a global reputation for its local beers such as Gouden Carolus and Cuvée van de Keizer. Its Mechelschen Bruynen, a brown ale, was the favourite beer of the Renaissance Emperor Charles V, who grew up in Mechelen. He even shipped casks to Spain when he became Charles I of Spain.

Well the day had to come when I had to visit yet another football stadium in Belgium. I had the fortune to be invited to watch a game with KV Mechelen against KVC Westerlo. I had no knowledge of Mechelen as a football club but I was educated a lot during this match, apparently had Mechelen won one of the European tournaments back in 1987 against the mighty Ajax Amsterdam in Strasbourg. My friend and his wife were a regular encyclopaedia regarding this team which they both had followed for years; it was great fun to get all this knowledge enjoy a match together. The stadium was not that large but it was very cosy stadium with an enormous atmosphere from an inspiring spectator crowd. They were singing during almost all the match and they had very good song – which also were publish on the fan group home site. The stadium could host around 15.000 spectators and they had almost sold out to every match. To this match between the current number 7 and 11 (Mechelen) was almost sold out. We were given outstanding conditions by having the first summer evening this year with a temperature of +20 degrees Celsius even though the match started at 8 pm. When I arrived I was amazed by the grass on the field – it was the most wonderful lawn I had seen for years, apparently the care taking was done by a school – a green keeper school! We were at the stadium almost an hour before kickoff and there were to youth teams playing against each other on the field in from of at least 5000 spectators. What fun it must have been for the kids – when I played football in that age I would have been happy if my parents had watched. We watch the match a bit but decided to get a beer before the game. The game was intense but also a bit nervous because the teams were standing almost too good towards each others. The spectators were making it very fun to be there with all their songs. I second half Mechelen put some pressure on Westerlo and had a nice goal. After this both the atmosphere and the tension grew to another level – also on the field. The referee handed out 10 yellow card and one red (to the home team) before the match was terminated. It had been great fun. If you have possibility to watch Mechelen on own grass don’t hesitate – the atmosphere is great and the songs and general liveliness is fantastic. Good fun!

October 22

We woke and took it easy its only by the afternoon that Frank brought us downtown in Brussels more specifically at Ingrid in Schaarbeek, where we had the chance to get the book that Mieke forgot in her car the previous night and to bring it to her.

Finally we either didnt have to hitch-hike to Mechelen as Ingrid drove us there and we met with Mieke there taking it relax on the computer before heading in town for what was still a clear and warm evening. Pretty surprising for such a late time in the year.

We went to walk in town and finally chose a pizza for food that we ate on a little square near the Brusselsstr. We had nice time and nice conversation all three together and it was great. Of course I was starting to wonder what were going to be the plans for the coming days and weeks, I had none and neither Dylan had any. Personnally I wasnt at ease with staying long without plans or ideas at friends in Belgium and having them getting irritated by our (my) presence. This was going to affect my mood pretty much on the coming days because I didnt like to not be able to answer the people the question: where are you going and what are you doing? On the other hand Dylan was all fine with the awaiting and last minutes decision and planning... even if I'm having the good flexibility I don't want to get people bored... but well Dylan is pretty much more charismatic than I can be myself ;P

So I guess this was reflecting on our mood. Anyhow we chose to go to stay in Tienen for the coming days and first eating at Mieke's parents the next day. Then we could stay at the neighbours that Dylan knew pretty well.
We went back to Mieke and talked late before going to sleep.

The runing group I am a part of, although we do more drinking than running, has an annual event called Nash Hash. this year it was in the town of Mechelen. It is a weekend away with running, drinking and partying. Over hundred peopl attended from all coners of the globe though mostly European. I didnt take many photos as it is hard to run with a camera but a good time was hsa by all!