30 april — Uccle/ Linkebeek/ Uccle/ Overijse/ Jezus-Eik / Auderghem
Took the bus and tram to La Roseraie, arrived just before the kids flooded in for their holiday activities. Then I set off — no plan for where I’d stop, just the intention to stick closer to the edges this time. Last round I missed the extremities of Brussels. Not this time.
The chic streets of Uccle. Rue Picturesque, where gorgeous villas sit next to ugly houses in that very Belgian, very eclectic way. Beautiful weather. About 20 km on the map, 25 according to my body.
I sat down in the woods for a bit of crochet — bits of thread I collect along the way, slowly turning into something. Phoned my daughter. Phoned my son. Even phonesd iVincent whilst walking, like I used to on the long walk, very enjoyable
At Jezus-Eik the N411 is under construction — one narrow road, a bit hairy, but short. I found a little chapel to sit at and decided: Auderghem. Walked along the motorway on the bicycle path all the way there, parked Sybille l’atelier mobile, and went home. Too late, too many kilometres, too much.
And still: I found A tray. Dried mushrooms that work perfectly as ears. And this big pink fin from a surfboard lying along a road — how did it get there? Was it on top of a car and did it fall off? Maybe somebody was really sad? Did somebody’s father get very angry? I don’t know. I like not knowing. I like making up how it goes.
I’m trying to walk and make art and connect with people and collect things and stories — all at the same time. Too much, probably. But I’m letting it happen. Not judging. Not myself, not anyone.
I do love this job! I get to go out and smell the flowers, walk in the sun.
After 4pm I met a forest ranger and his wife. He saw Sybille l’atelier mobile and said: “Bravo, you’re picking up other people’s rubbish — that warms my heart.” Then he gave me a colleague’s number in case I needed somewhere to park for the night. Before I walked on I asked them my question: what do you need to feel at home? He said: no violence, less war — and more equality between men and women. “If women had more of a say, things would be so much better.” She said: “A healthy and equal world.” Later, at the street where I parked Sybille, I met Letizia and Jochen — from Italy and Germany. She said: “Theatre. Without theatre I don’t feel at home.” Straight out. He said: “Balance in myself.” More words for my collection.
I am a till looking for places to stop and meet people along the route. Know somewhere? Let me know. 🧵
