Exam season — so not much time to go far. We decided to walk under a different church tower for a change. A welcome variation from our usual loops in the backyard. This time we headed to Gestel, somewhere in the Kempen behind Lier. We were pleasantly surprised by the diversity of landscapes and paths: sometimes through open fields, then through forests, starting and ending along the meandering river, the Grote Nete. A nice touch was that the fields hadn’t been mowed yet — wonderful to wade through the tall grasses that sometimes reached up to your armpits. Less fun for those with pollen allergies (like me), but the sneezing fits afterward were worth it. In these summer months, it’s also wise to check for ticks afterward! You’ll also pass by Kruiskensberg, some kind of religious pilgrimage site. Luckily those days are behind us, but it’s still a quirky curiosity to see. The walk starts and ends in Gestel, a tiny sub-municipality of Berlaar. A charming, picturesque village with a few beautiful historic Kempen-style buildings and een authentiek maar modern gerestaureerd cafeetje where you can satisfy all your post-hike cravings for food and drink. And if you’ve had one glass too many afterward — or dropped litter during your walk — you can always stand by the pillory on the village square. They only throw rotten tomatoes on weekdays…