You can say exactly which day that was 🤓🕰

The Zimmer Tower, originally the Cornelius Tower, was once part of the city's fortifications in the 14th century. In 1928, the astronomer and clockmaker Louis Zimmer gave the city of Lier his clock mechanism "de Jubelklok", which shows various times and astronomical events, to mark the upcoming 100-year anniversary of Belgium's independence.

1. Phases of the Moon:
Displays the current phase of the moon, such as new moon, first quarter, full moon, or last quarter.

2. Metonic Cycle and Epact:
The Metonic Cycle is a 19-year period after which the phases of the moon repeat on the same days of the year. The Epact is the number of days by which the lunar year differs from the solar year.

3. Equation of Time:
Shows the difference between solar time (as shown by a sundial) and clock time, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt.

4. Zodiac:
Indicates the current zodiac sign, which is determined by the position of the sun relative to the twelve constellations of the zodiac throughout the year.

5. Solar Cycle and Dominical Letter:
The Solar Cycle is a 28-year cycle used in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The Dominical Letter is a system for determining the day of the week for any given date in a year.

6. Week:
Displays the current day of the week.

7. Globe:
Shows a representation of the Earth, indicating the current position of the sun relative to the Earth.

8. Months:
Indicates the current month of the year.

9. Calendar Days:
Displays the current day of the month.

10. Seasons:
Shows the current season (spring, summer, autumn, winter).

11. Tides:
Indicates the state of the tides, which are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

12. Age of the Moon:
Shows the number of days since the last new moon, indicating the moon's age in its current lunar cycle.

Another astronomical clock, "de Wonderklok", has been located in an annex to the Tower. The clock mechanism contains, among many other displays, the slowest rotating hand in the world.🐌

The heath in Kessel, Belgium is characterized by heather, swamps, drifting sand and ponds. Heath landscapes are a beautiful example of the interplay of culture and biodiversity. 6000 years ago 80 percent of Europe was still covered by forests. Heath areas naturally occurred only in very rare cases on coasts, in moorland areas and in the mountains. Then people started to use the forests for themselves. They required grazing land and thus not only changed the landscape, but also created new habitats for many different species. The extensive use of deforested and cleared areas resulted in increasingly nutrient-poor soils and grazing animals were bred that are particularly suitable for these areas. The upper layer of soil was regularly removed, mixed with animal manure and burned or applied to fields as fertilizer. The rain washed out the last nutrients and specially adapted plant species settled there, followed by rare animals.

These unique ecosystems survive only through active human intervention, which has been achieved through centuries of heath farming. However, this type of farming has become uneconomical, and a large part of the land has been converted into arable land by applying fertiliser. Other areas became forest again because keeping animals on nutrient-poor areas is associated with lower yields. With the loss of the heathland, numerous animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. And all the beauty that has always inspired painters and poets could simply disappear. It could hardly have been the biodiversity alone that led to active conservation efforts, but rather the cultural connection to this romanticized landscape form. We keep what we find beautiful and we can only find beautiful what we can see.

The abbot's house and the church of Averbode Abbey.

The Abbey of Averbode in Flemish-Brabant, Belgium, was founded in 1134 on initiative of Arnold II, Count of Loon. The church was built between 1664 and 1672 and is a synthesis of Baroque and Gothic, with Renaissance ornament details.

It's a nice place to visit, especially in combination with the nearby nature reserve. The abbey also runs a cafe and shop where they sell their own gingerbread, cheese, bread and beer.

Turnhouts Vennengebied is an important heathland in Flanders with moors, heaths and meadows. The nature reserve covers an area of more than 500 ha. Many animals can be seen, including magical moments with grazing sheep in the woods.✨

🌲🌾🐑🌲

It is important that some areas are kept free through grazing so that the unique habitats are not lost due to bush and forest cover. In 1999 a nature development project started to restore the landscape. Land was exchanged in consultation with farmers. Particularly sensitive areas were renovated in this way.

Huge and colorful Manneken Pis sculpture in Maasmechelen Village in July 2020.

The Manneken Pis is a landmark of Belgium. Its original is a 61 cm bronze sculpture, close to Brussels Grand Place. It was designed by Jerôme Duquesnoy in 1619 and depicts a naked boy peeing into a fountain.

The outlet center Maasmechelen Village is located about 20 km north of Maastricht. It's nice to walk through, but of course I wasn't there for shopping. Nearby you have interesting destinations like the National Park Hoge Kempen.🏞️

Two hours and nineteen minutes from Liège-Guillemins to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.🛤️

I had to change trains here and was impressed by the architecture of the station.

The first feeling after getting off the train was a breath of freedom.✨

You look out over a large open area and can go straight down the stairs into town.😊

Liège is also called "la cité ardente" (the fervent city). This term originally referred to the city's history of rebellions against Burgundian rules, but was appropriated to refer to its economic dynamism during the Industrial Revolution.🔥

Kleine Klotteraard and Grote Klotteraard seen from the Bels Lijntje observation tower.

The Campine is a natural region in north-eastern Belgium and parts of the south-eastern Netherlands. It mainly consists of extensive moors, wetlands and tracts of sandy heath.

Common darter (male),
Sympetrum striolatum
(09/2020 in Turnhout, Belgium)

Sculpture by Josue Dupon above the entrance to the Antwerp Zoo.🐫