October 1914. Belgian troops flee or retreat – depending if you want a euphemism or not – for the advancing German troops by crossing the Scheldt river in Antwerp using a pontoon bridge. Fast forward to 2014. Some 100,000 Antwerpians cross a memorial pontoon bridge, taking selfies.
So, Antwerp is to get a permanent pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Scheldt. Perhaps by 2024. 110 years after World War I.
In 2014, Frank and I walked across this temporary pontoon bridge. We did it on the first night, a Friday. A smart move, because lines would become chaos the days after.
It was a special feeling to wak on water as we did. It gave us a idea how wide the river really is.
That is pretty cool.
It was pretty special. It felt like walking on water.