Ooidonk Castle

Day 5 – Wednesday - Bachte-Maria-Leerne

The weather is still cold and windy, the sky dull gray. Far away, thin wisps of clouds scratched into the sky. Autumn is just around the corner. Enroute to Ghent, we take the scenic way through little brick towns with narrow brick sidewalks, surrounded by little farms with fat cows, fat horses, and wavy fields of well-ripened corn awaiting harvest. It's for the cows, I’m told.

Further along through winding neighborhoods of large brick houses all painted white, sweeping American-style front lawns, set well back from the narrow roads behind clipped hedges.



Unbeknown to me a forehand, we suddenly turn down a side road and shortly arrive at Ooidonk Castle. With my left peripherals, I see an asphalt parking lot and a few tour buses maneuvering around in front of the gift shop. My right peripherals pick up a lush sweeping lawn leading up to a good-sized red brick castle with turrets and whatnot like what you would expect to see on a Flemish castle. Between the tour buses and the castle, and not slowing down a bit, we zip forward, past a ‘keep out’ sign, and dip down onto a small gravel driveway. Just ahead is a little brick-lined tunnel leads through a dike. Beyond the dyke, reflected in the lily pond, is this romantic view of the castle.

This is the third Ooidonk castle, built on the site of a 14th century fortress and open to the public. You can rent some of the rooms, like the ‘stylish dining with adjacent round drawing room and the tapestry gallery’ for workshops and such, or have an outdoor party with tents and walking dinners. There’s parking for 150 cars and several coaches.

I think it would be okay with the family if I mention that back in the 70s my companion’s aunt used to date the count of Ooidonk Castle ... but that’s another story.