Schoonaarde-Wetteren (23km)

Since Karin is not available on Sunday, I am organizing another hike. We will walk towards the "Kalkense meersen" reserve, where breeding storks were seen the past few days. So don't forget to bring binoculars! Halfway we pass the Donkmeer, which is a perfect spot for a picnic. At the end of the walk we drink a beer in a local pub as usual. There should be several open in Wetteren.

As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 4.5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads (60%). In winter the trails in the reserve are usually quite muddy, but they should be dry this time of the year. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-).

●●You can find the gpx track here:
https://www.nodemapp.com/hike/route/955k2a
●●Information about the nature reserve:
https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/kalkense-meersen
For the moment smoking is not allowed in the reserve, due to danger for wildfires.
●●Meeting point:
We meet at the railway station of Schoonaarde at 9h50. If you start in Brussels-Central, you should take train IC 3631 direction De Panne at 8h45. In Schellebelle, you have to change to train L 558 direction Mechelen at 9h43. I am starting in Ghent, so you will probably see me in this second train, or at the railway station in Schoonaarde in the other case.
●● Train tickets:
Schoonaarde and Wetteren are not on the same line, so you will need two tickets.
●● Back to Brussels:
From Wetteren you have at least one direct train to Brussels every hour. It takes 50 minutes.
●● Specifics:
Distance: ca 23 km
Elevation gain: less than 100m
Net walking time: 5.5 h
Weather forecast: some chance of light rain for the moment, but the forecast might change in the positive or negative direction. In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) website and/or your emails.
●● What to bring:

• Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes
• rain gear (just in case)
• water + food for the breaks
• sun cream
• Compeed for blisters
• some small money for drinks

●● Basic rules:
Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse.
Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list.
●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability:
You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.