Walking
On the Prussian front
Napoleon's return to prominence in 1815 was an ugly surprise to other Western European powers. The Battle of Waterloo decided the rest. …
- Originally published: 14 Mar 2010 in Walking
‘Twixt two regions
The Marcq-Mark river flows between Vlaanderen and Wallonie trying to decide which region it prefers. In this area the plains of Flanders and Hainaut are marked occasionally by small, sharp hills, many of …
- Originally published: 13 Dec 2009 in Walking
Pajottenland
Calling itself “the pearl of the Pajottenland”, the little town of Gooik sports a civic shield of three hammers. When we arrived for a walk in the area, those hammers could have …
- Originally published: 29 Nov 2009 in Walking
La Molignée
The village of Maredret rests in a shallow river valley, in the long shadows of two abbeys, the famous Maredsous and the smaller, newer Maredret. Preference for the monastic life appears to have …
- Originally published: 22 Nov 2009 in Walking
Mud in the Hageland
On the weekend after Armistice Day, I was reminded that the British have a difficult history with the Flanders mud. In the Hageland, it’s rusty, oozy, sticky stuff and it takes just …
- Originally published: 14 Nov 2009 in Walking
Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …
Ladybower and Castleton
Last week, J and I took a walk around the Northern section of Ladybower Reservoir and Castleton, both in Derbyshire. Regular readers will remember our visit to Longdendale in February 2007, so this …
- Originally published: 22 Apr 2007 in UK
Pergamonmuseum
You’re a world away from rote learning by candlelight, severe teachers, inky papers and dreary prose and yet here on some wild, herb-scented hill, everything you read comes to life before your …
- Originally published: 30 Mar 2009 in Museums & Galleries
A bit of Crupet
Watching the weather all week, we figured the conditions ought to be right for a longer walk. Thus we headed for Namur province and the kooky little village of Crupet, famous for its …
- Originally published: 17 Aug 2009 in Walking
Córdoba
Containing some 500,00 inhabitants, tenth century Córdoba was home to Europe’s largest urban population. The Caliphate, a dynasty of Ummayad rulers exiled from their Syrian homelands, held sway over rich hinterlands that supported …
- Originally published: 15 Apr 2008 in Europe
De Faluintjes
About twenty kilometres west of Brussels, the Faluintjes consist of woodland and wide meadows scored by languid streams. The district is home to the famous Abdij Affligem, whose often tumultuous history began …
- Originally published: 25 Oct 2009 in Walking
Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.