Breedhout – Rixensart. Waterloo and all that.

It was Rene and Hilda Ann's 38th wedding anniversary and they kindly invited us to share their evening meal with them when we got back from Alt and the train station. It had been a remarkably easy trip and after a cold and hot shower and lots of ointments, rubs and patches, I was ready for a good meal.

It was a pleasant evening and a good meal with Belgium sausage and a wonderful local cake and after emails and diary, we were ready for bed.

We woke to hear the wind howling and the rain lashing down but an English breakfast prepared me for the day ahead – is this a walk or an ‘eat' to the World Cup? On cue, as I set off, the rain turned to a light drizzle and then stopped altogether. Today is the only day of the walk when Sandra and I are on our own and I walked all day by myself. I enjoyed it at first, making fair progress and with my thoughts to myself but was glad to see Sandra and the van after 8 miles and 2 hours and 10 minutes walking.

It was a tricky walk today, skirting the south of Brussels with a large forest, intersected by 1 motorway and a dual carriageway, to cross. During the second session, I was drenched by a thunderstorm and had to dodge the cars on the dual carriageway and then took a wrong turning and walked at least 1 mile off route. However, the sun came out and dried me and I was ready for a late lunch and a sit down at 2.30 p.m.

Having already covered 16.8 miles, the third walk of the day was a short one – only 4 miles – but I succeeded in getting lost again – shouldn't be allowed to walk by myself! I passed Rixensart castle and up the hill towards Wavre when I saw the van and gave a cheer to myself that another 20 miles was completed. It's not easy doing this with support, even harder on your own. But we have passed the halfway point since setting off from home and tomorrow will top 300 miles, so we are getting there.

We drove back to Waterloo and Dave Cobb texted to say that he and Ted had arrived at the Ibis hotel where we were booked in. They are joining us for the next 2 days, some more company to walk with and to take a share of the driving from Sandra – it's great to have so many family members and friends sharing the walk.

Yellow jersey award for walker of the day – John – WALKING STRONG

Distance covered – 20.8 miles Total covered – 289.2 miles