Where oh where Wednesday - Francorchamps

This Sunday the roar of Formula 1 cars will pierce the air around where our Bible camp is located. Spa-Francorchamps, where the Belgian Grand Prix is held, is about 30 minutes away from camp in Solwaster. So this weekend the Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, as well as all the rest of the F1 coterie will be present to chase their cars around this winding track in the “mountains” of Belgium. 

The first time went down to camp, back in the 80’s when I was first in the country as a trainee, one could actually drive on a part of the race track. I can even remember driving the track myself shortly after we first arrived as a couple in 1991. But it wasn’t long after that the track was closed to public driving and a route was made going around the track. 

Back at our camp we not only hear the roar of the F1 race in August, but at other times we can watch all sorts of oldtimers race right along the road which passes our camp. There is an oldtimers race every year passing through the small village of Solwaster. Any other time, we simply hear the roar of motorcycles who like to hit the hill near our camp. Or we hear the tractor of the local dairy farm pulling the feed wagon up to the lowing cows in the fields. Any other time, we simply enjoy the peace of the countryside.

Whodunit Wednesday - Race Car drivers

A need for speed - that’s what race car drivers have. I remember growing up hearing the names of Indy-car racers, hearing the title of a movie about the 24 hours of Le Mans and playing a simple game on a sheet of paper with pencils where we virtually raced “cars around the track we made. Racing was exciting. 

I remember names like Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fitipaldi, A.J. Foyt and the Unser brothers. 

Arie Luyendyk came along in the 90’s as a well-known Indy 500 racer. He was known as “the Flying Dutchman”. These days the names have all changed. In Formula 1, one of the names on everyone’s lips is “Max”. Max Verstappen is the son of former Formula 1 racer, Jos Verstappen. His father was known, but never did as well as Max. 

Since Max Verstappen is Dutch, much of the country has become followers of the sport. Groups of orange-clad fans show up at every race. And Max has done well. His racing style is explosive, challenging, aggressive. At the end of August he will be racing - along with all the others - at the Belgian Grand Prix which is held at Francorchamps, just miles away from where we hold our summer Bible camp weeks. 

Whatsit Wednesday - Fietsen

Most people are aware that people in Belgium and the Netherlands ride bicycles. Most recently the Dutchwoman Marianne Vos won the world championship cyclocross which was held in Fayetteville, Arkansas (NOT North Carolina - I knew that!). You will often hear either a Belgian or Dutch name when it comes to competitive cycling. 

You only have to walk the dog along our canal every morning and evening to see how many people bike. But also to see the difference between the Dutch and the Belgians. Every weekend, especially if the weather is nicer, Chester and Scott have to make sure to keep their ears peeled. Regularly a large group of men (and women) dressed in the same outfits and bunched together will come flying by on their bicycles. Thankfully, you can hear them coming from far off, gabbing with one another as they ride along. 

Although this will also be the case in some areas of the Netherlands, the bikes there are much more practical. It is in the Netherlands that you will see mothers or fathers biking with two children in a box connected to the front forks, with a third child in a seat behind her and groceries in bags straddling the rear wheel. Bankers, mechanics, students, professors - anybody can be found riding a bike to work or the store or the cafe. 

Whether it is for sport or daily use, the “fiets” (bicycle) is clearly a part of life in both the Netherlands and Belgium.