Our destination for this Sunday road trip is Arendonk. Although I have hiked in this area before, I am curious to see how it looks in these wet weather conditions. Due to the recent heavy rainfall, some areas in Belgium have been evacuated. However, we will see what the trip brings.

High Ponds (Hoge Vijvers) is a 500-hectare nature reserve located north of the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal in the Antwerp municipality of Arendonk. The reserve is managed by the Nature and Forestry Agency and was formerly heathland until around 1850, when it was afforested.

Since 1979, the Agency has gradually acquired the area, which consists mainly of forest, as well as grasslands and fields. The area is home to several species of birds, including the nightjar and the yellowhammer, as well as the viviparous lizard and the moor frog. Various plant species, such as primrose, centaury, tooth grass, and male primrose, can also be found in the area.

History:

Until the mid-nineteenth century, there were no forests in or around the High Ponds. The area was managed as typical heathland and used for peat extraction, resulting in the creation of several ponds in the upland area. Around 1897, a private clearing company appeared to have afforested a large part of the area. The estate forest was mostly acquired in stages from private forest owners starting in 1979.

When wet is a statement.

From the outset of our entry into the forest, it was evident that the area was extremely damp. We had to navigate through the woodland as the regular hiking trails were submerged under water. The weather conditions were cold, so we wrapped ourselves in warm clothing. As we searched our way through the heather, snow began to fall from the sky. The initial images captured

The forest was eerily quiet, giving the impression of abandonment. I initially believed it had been abandoned, but it had not been silent for long. Birds began to sing around us. Although I was unable to capture any images of them, the sight of them made me happy. We entered a densely forested area. I mean that the bottom of Mother Earth is covered in grass and plants.

The trail we followed was not the usual one for this nature site. We had to navigate our way around as the normal path was too wet to hike. It made it very adventurous and enjoyable. Even our four-legged companion enjoyed the treats and was in heaven.

As we continued our stroll, we passed by a nature reserve adjacent to an old German army depot.

The Arendonk Ammunition Depot is a former German army ammunition depot located in the municipality of Arendonk, Belgium, approximately one kilometre northeast of the town of Voorheide and near the border with the Netherlands. The site, which consists of around 80 bunkers, was operational from 7 July 1960 until 1997. While there have been claims that the site stored nuclear weapons, this has not been confirmed.

History:

In 1960, the West German government proposed building an ammunition depot in Belgium. Following consultation with the Belgian government, the West Germans were permitted to construct bunkers on a site of just under 100 hectares for 190 million francs (approximately 5 million euros). Ultimately, around eighty bunkers, each measuring about 25×8 metres, were erected and handed over to the Bundeswehr on 7 July 1960. The maintenance of the bunkers employed 170 Belgian workers. After the end of the Cold War in 1997, the Germans left and the municipality of Arendonk sold the site to the Belgian Ministry of Defence for 50 million francs (€1.25 million). In 2017, an illegal techno party was held at the site.

The site is enclosed by a two-metre-high fence topped with barbed wire. However, there are several holes in the fence that allow access to the site. The bunkers are numbered, with some starting with the number 1 and others with the number 2. There are 32 bunkers with a starting number of 1 and at least 34 with a starting number of 2. The construction of the bunkers with starting numbers 1 and 2 is identical. Some bunkers are freestanding, while others are attached to each other. The bunkers are 25 metres long, 8 metres wide, and 4 metres high. The steel doors of the bunkers are 40 cm thick and can be opened and closed by pulling a chain located to the right of the door.

Today

The site currently functions as an asylum seekers’ centre with space for approximately 400 individuals. The Belgian army conducts occasional patrols in the area. The site is listed for sale due to its dilapidated condition, which makes it a target for vandals and copper thieves. Squatters also occasionally occupy the area.

Previous images were taken in October of the previous year. Today, the bunkers have become more covered by woodland and dirt. There is not much beauty to witness at this place. It is a completely deserted area and, as it appears, a shame for the environment. Hopefully, others will also take notice of this and not simply walk past it.

Despite the cold weather, we enjoyed being outside and appreciating nature, even with the snow and rain. Although there were few birds or wild animals to observe, this is typical for the winter season and no reason not to enjoy the forest’s beauty. I used my 500mm camera lens to capture some images of the scenery. Although the images may not have been perfect, the experience taught me valuable lessons.

It is important to strive for personal growth every day, as each day presents an opportunity for self-improvement.

I took the test today!

Thank you