Parike – Breedhout. Along the quiet roads towards Brussels

Another good meal in the Hotel Molenwiek last night. I tried the local speciality trout, taken from the fish tank in the restaurant. The others stuck to steak – Sandra's was a proper ‘English well done'. Our hostess asked if we had had any publicity in Belgium for our walk and then kindly rang a journalist for one of the Flemish regional newspapers. He spoke to me for a few minutes and we set up a photograph session at 9.00 a.m. before we set off for the day.

We had finished just ½ mile short of the hotel the evening before, so Sandra drove me down before breakfast and I walked back up the hill. I was just starting to loosen up, so decided to carry on for a while and knocked off 2 miles before going back to the hotel for breakfast and photos. After goodbyes to another generous host, we climbed back in the van and the boys were glad to have 2 miles less to cover.

The walk this morning took us through a lovely Belgium country town, Gerardsbergen, with market in full swing and we walked through the square, past the impressive church and up the steep hill on our way out of town. For the rest of the day, we were on minor roads with a blustery wind but long spells of sunshine and no rain, again.

Through Moerbeke with an increasing number of short, sharp hills we headed for Galmaarden and stopped for a bacon buttie around 11.30 and after 9.5 miles. My left shin was sore and looking very red and inflamed but after a 30 minute break, it was looking and feeling better and we set off again.

We were giving marks out of 10 for the immaculate Belgium lawns and gardens so neat and tidy, not a piece of litter in sight. There were plenty of animals and Dan and Jonno talked to the horses and cows and sheep and goats and pigs and chickens and geese. If the fields didn't have animals grazing, there was wheat and barley or a wide range of different vegetables growing.

Galmaarden was a nice small town and we turned left in the centre and saw the first sign for Petingen 15 kilometres away, the scheduled stopping point for the day. Our second stop for lunch was near Herfelingen and we had 45 minutes before starting again. This was the last session for Dan and his mates until we see him again in Frankfurt . He has walked over 160 miles with me and helped me to keep going – I'll miss him over the next few days but I know he'll be with me just like his brother is. Jonno and Jay have been great company.

Reaching Petingen, we decided to carry on to our B&B for the night in Breedhout and put another 3 miles on the clock. Sandra had parked up in the drive and there was a cheer when we saw the van in the distance. Rene and his English wife, Hilda Ann run ‘Rosebank' and gave us a friendly welcome. The lads had a quick shower and change and then we drove them to Alt to pick up a train connection for Lille and the Eurostar for Waterloo .

Yellow jersey award for walker of the day – Jonno – always in good humour

Distance covered – 22.0 miles Total covered – 268.4 miles