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.🐌

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Nature's hide-and-seek ❄️🦆☃️

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

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.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

The St. Christopher's Cathedral in Roermond, Netherlands. It was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The main church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Roermond has already been through a lot:

1554: City fire
1556: Iconoclasm
1572: Looted by the troops of William the Silent
1591: Collapse of the vault
1614: Storm damage
1892: Tower burns down
1921: Spire collapses during a storm
1945: Germans blow up the tower
1992: Earthquake

The tower has been restored to its old form after the war.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

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.🏞️

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Still my favorite train station ⭐😍

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

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.🔥

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

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

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Last Wednesday I had the fun to spend the whole night in Antwerp. A privilege as the curfew is from midnight to 5 am. But I had an urgent reason, so it was ok. Only a few homeless people were still on the road. Homeless... That's what I became on that Wednesday. My supposed home in Berlaar suddenly became a guesthouse. And I became a guest who didn't feel welcome anymore. So I left the place that I helped build. 💔

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Merry Christmas!

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.