The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Handelsdok

The Liedermeerspark, which became an officially recognized park in 1982, covers 25 hectares and includes, among other things, a fishing pond; originally an old arm of the Scheldt. In the municipal council meeting of 22 September 1983, it was decided that the green zone in BPA no. 12 would henceforth be officially called "Liedermeerspark" and the water "Verlorenbroodvijver". In this recreational zone, no fewer than 3000 native deciduous trees were planted in 1988, followed by about 1000 oaks planted by schoolchildren. (Information board on site)

a very centrally located station to visit the Ghent region, even though it is a regional station (small) many trains stop here on the main connecting axes of Belgium. it is much less busy there than Gent St Pieters and therefore sometimes more convenient to take a bike on the train

Nice toys

Tradition in Oostakker with the East procession

At Hemelsoet bakery, they still bake their pies according to the old family recipe. Peter has been a recognized pie producer for many years: “We have been baking pies since 1928. My grandparents started it and my uncle, who worked in the business with my father at the time, taught me the art of baking pies. In the past, pies were always baked in a stone ‘test’, an earthenware bowl typical for pie. At home, we still like to put our pie on the table like that.” Pie Tuesday In Oostakker, the tradition of Bruegel pies is still very much alive. Every Tuesday after the last Sunday in August is Pie Tuesday. “We also call it the Ghent Festivities of Oostakker,” laughs Peter. “This special day to keep the tradition of pie alive was created about 40 years ago and now attracts thousands of people every year.” “First there is a large flea market, followed by the Harvest Procession. This is a farmer's procession with 40 floats decorated with old materials and flowers. The people in the procession wear old clothes and bring the folklore back to life. Afterwards, everyone can enjoy a delicious piece of Bruegel pie with a good glass of Rodenbach on the church square," says Peter enthusiastically. "Especially for Vlaaiendinsdag we bake two giant pies of two meters by one and a half meters, each good for about 450 portions," says Peter. "They just fit in our oven. We even had special bowls made for this. These giant pies also go on a cart in the procession and afterwards everyone can enjoy them together."

Twenty years ago, the statue of Mieke Vlaai was inaugurated about 200 meters from the bakery. The statue symbolizes the pie tradition and the Harvest Procession. In the past, housewives prepared their pies at home and then brought them to the baker to have them baked there. The work of art is by Johan Knockaert

good route without busy points

The Church of Our Lady of the Snow in the East Flemish municipality of Destelbergen is dedicated to Mary. The title ter Sneeuw refers to a Marian apparition that is said to have occurred in the fourth century, during the pontificate of Pope Liberius, which is said to have caused snow to fall in August. In the 10th century, there is already a mention of a church building in Destelbergen. The current church from 1784 is the work of pastor Servranckx (1702-1792), religious of the Saint Peter's Abbey in Ghent. The church was consecrated in 1792 and has since been restored and adapted many times. It was last restored between 1993 and 1996.