Lummen

16 May 2015:  Planning accommodations along the GR5 is a big challenge in certain areas and at certain times.  For example, we hiked during our first week through Holland through a period of national holidays, plus school vacations.  It was sometimes difficult to find hotels or B&Bs along our route with available rooms.  This week, in Belgium, we have hiked during the Ascension Day holiday (14 May).  All of these factors influence the availability of hotel and B&B rooms.

After Diest, we had reserved a room at a hotel in Lummen.  However, as we were hiking yesterday, I received a phone call from the hotel manager in Lummen, who informed me that his hotel was overbooked today.  However, he had made a reservation for us in another hotel, the Interhotel (several kilometers farther east in Lummen).  That was farther then we wanted to hike today (our hike from Diest to Lummen amounted to about 16 km – in light rain during much of today), but he was willing to drive us from his hotel to the Interhotel.  That worked out fine for us.  

The Interhotel is located next to a major autoroute interchange, a place without charm.  It caters mainly to business travelers.  However, it is comfortable.  Best of all, the owner, Leo, is a friendly man who enjoys chatting about life, business and golf.  He recommended and served me a couple of local beers that were delicious.  Mary and I then enjoyed a Flemish dinner of asparagus, ham and egg, cooked by Leo's wife.

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We encountered a hill on the trail!

This tree is a survivor!

Forest trail:

We were astonished by the beauty of a veritable rhododendron forest along our trail, near Lummen.  This is just a small sample:

Tonight's hotel:

Our friendly host, Leo, with Carroll:

Mary enjoyed tonight's asparagus dinner: