Belgium’s nature reserves — access not allowed — but can be viewed by looking over the fence

October 20, 2006

Dear DMC,

Further dull jottings from Belgium . . . .


Belgium is very keen on conservation, and large areas are fenced off as nature reserves. These are so reserved that nobody can go into them, but you are allowed to look at them over the fence. On special days, you can join large groups who all look over the fence at the conservation area.

If this isn't dull enough, there are organised trips where you can walk from Belgium into France, then back into Belgium again.



Edwin Lutyens










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Dear Edwin,

It’s safer for you to watch from over the fence. If you were inside a nature reserve, one of the old tress could fall on you.

Just thinking of it — crossing from one country to another country and then back again. Two countries in the same day — and all done on foot. It is almost too much to contemplate.

Grover