5/16 The first day of walking

As the title said! We woke up to blustery cold rain squalls. Packs loaded we packed our stomachs with a hearty wholesome breakfast and headed out. We navigated through Bergen op Zoom easily following the red/white route markers till we entered the forest at towns edge. There we saw a classic sign pointing the way south to Nice. The was also a hostel - Stayok - where we stopped for a warm drink and logged onto free WeeFee as they pronounce it here. The sun emerged gradually with broken cumulus and we walked on until the suddenly the signs of the route vanished. We spent a good hour and a half back and forth ( absurd)  until finally - using a google earth route guide I'd saved pre trip - sorted out the situation and we proceeded onwards. We felt starved and when we reach Wouse Plantation stopped for a sandwich and fluids. The route wound through low pine forests on sandy soil alternating with paved bike paths. At a couple places we saw VAST fields of rhubarb! Approaching Essen at the Belgian border - our destination for the day - there was a new sign directing us away from town. We followed it -sigh-for a ways before heading back to the town a short day made long by navigation challenges. We arrived at our B&B de Kerselaer where we we greeted by our hostess Claudia. Apparently this is a popular stop for walkers and rightfully so - very comfortable with a small bar and wood stove in the lounge. We were directed to an Italian restaurant Sole Mio which was completely booked but they sold us a takeout. We purchased spaghetti Bolognese and a spinach/ricotta calzone completed by a caprese salad. They sold us a bottle of Chianti to go with it. We hurried back to the hotel where our hostess set us up with plates and glasses. Simply put it was fabulous!
After dinner we chatted with our hosts - Peter and Claudia about Essen and the surroundings. We were in bed by 9.