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the Degree Confluence Project
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Belgium

1.2 km (0.7 miles) E of Wichelen, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Approx. altitude: 6 m (19 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 51°S 176°W

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the South #3: View to the West #4: View to the North #5: GPS #6: Close up of houses and the railway line to the North of the point #7: Wood store about 70 m from the point #8: Railway crossing at around 150 m from the point #9: Horse, at around 200 m from the point #10: The Confluence vehicle

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  51°N 4°E (visit #9)  

#1: View to the East

(visited by Phil Boyle)

31-Jan-2009 -- A cool winters day in Flanders. I set off from my pad in Lille (France) to try to get two Belgian points in an afternoon. This was the first.

Despite it being winter, it was a lovely clear day, with blue skies and even some warmth. Lille is only 20 km from the Belgian border, and after that it was a pleasant drive through the West Flanders countryside. This area is notable for its agriculture, its fine Belgian beers (including a number of the excellent 'Trappist' varieties), and the hundreds of cemeteries for the dead of the First World War, especially near Ypres.

Confluence hunting is much easier in Europe than Yemen - my former CP stomping ground - what with its road signs, asphalt roads, and lack of Kalashnikov-wielding locals. I soon arrived in Wichelin, and parked the Landy on the main road. The railway line separated me from the fields in which the point lies, and I took a ridiculous and probably dangerous route directly over the lines, scrambling down, then up, the railway embankments. I hadn't realised that a nice crossing was located a few hundred metres away. Doh!

The point itself lies about 150 m inside a network of fields, in which nothing was growing at this time of year (obviously). One passes a small store of cut wood. From the point, the views are of fields in all directions, with farm houses to the North. Walking back towards the houses, one will encounter the Confluence horse, who is more than happy to pose for pictures.

Next stop, 51N 5E.
 All pictures
#1: View to the East
#2: View to the South
#3: View to the West
#4: View to the North
#5: GPS
#6: Close up of houses and the railway line to the North of the point
#7: Wood store about 70 m from the point
#8: Railway crossing at around 150 m from the point
#9: Horse, at around 200 m from the point
#10: The Confluence vehicle
ALL: All pictures on one page