It was difficult to keep my motorcycle in the heated garage with the cold in the county but dry weather. It was hard to resist the want to ride. I kept thinking of the BMW Motorrad motto, “Make life a ride.”

One of my first adventure rides took me to the Netherlands. It was the countryside I had seen previously. The Dommel River would be my focal point. The river is flanked by a wonderful natural area rich in history.

Some images:

I passed the famed beer brewery Dommelsch beer on my way. Dommelsch was formed in 1744 in the Dutch hamlet of Dommelen. In 1968, it was acquired by Brouwerij Artois, which eventually became Interbrew, and in 2008, it became part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev group.

Apart from Dommelsch, the brewery also produces Hertog Jan, Jupiler, Leffe, and Brahma.

I found my way to The Dommel’s side stream, which is known as the Keersop. It begins as Elsenloop north of Lommel, goes southeast via Bergeijk and Westerhoven, west through Dommelen, and into the Dommel shortly before the hamlet of Keersop.

I go to an ancient chapel by the water. The St. Valentinus chapel is located on the banks of the Keersop, near the river bridge. A well is located near the church. Even in the driest summers, the well is never dry. The water level is always higher than the Keersop’s lengthy flow.

More details:

This chapel stands on the spot where the faithful of Westerhoven have long venerated Saint Valentine. The chapel is near a well in the hamlet of Loveren, east of Westerhoven. This well is said to date back to the 8th century, but there is no unambiguity about that. The well was only mentioned in writing for the first time in 1799. Pastor Hazewinkel calls it ‘holy well’ in his travel description through the Meierei.

The water from this well was said to have medicinal powers. Saint Valentinus was particularly invoked for epilepsy, fevers, warts, and rheumatism. There used to be a chapel nearby the well. This church, however, has fallen into ruin over the decades and is supposed to have been dismantled around 1825. In 1947, a new chapel was erected as a thank-you for Westerhoven’s miraculous survival of the Second World War. The stonework of the contemporary chapel incorporates remnants of the medieval chapel. Since 1957, a light parade has been arranged in which around 300 persons have consistently participated.

I visited the chapel last year, and the roof was destroyed. Some youngsters played with fire near the church, and the old structure caught fire. The main building, on the other hand, would retain its strength. It was heartbreaking to behold.

Today I witnessed a completely restored chapel. With open doors and candles, the frigid weather was transformed into warmth. Some individuals lit candles to pray for their loved ones.

A little church with many tales to tell. It has been there for centuries and has withstood several storms.

The photographs reveal that the well still has water, although it is not clear how this is possible. On the other side, we can appreciate Mother Earth’s gift and marvel at its beauty!

My bike ride did not take me far from home, but it did inspire me to light a candle for my loved ones and the entire planet.

I pray that every light continues to shine even when the storms are strong!

thank you