The Swallow and the Titmouse (L'Hirondelle et la Mésange)

The Swallow and the Titmouse

The master boatman Pierre Van Groot...

... had two barges, the "Swallow" and the "Titmouse"

...freight transport, especially construction materials...

...for the regions devastated by war.

He spent his life on the canals of the Campine, Flanders and Brabant,

with his wife Griet...

...and little Marthe, Griet's sister.

The other inhabitants of the barges.

Their lives were quiet and tranquil.

...like the clear water surrounding the barges.

Van Groot was known along the banks to be a good man, devoted and courageous.

Antwerp.

Like any good barge man,

Van Groot also dealt in a little contraband and mysterious commissions.

And Griet is not averse to a few small profits.

On the stopover in Antwerp, Van Groot sought to replace his pilot who had quit.

That day, while dining on the deck, Van Groot saw the new pilot arrive.

Michel, you're a real sailor of the seas.

Among us, you'll become a freshwater fish.

Since we leave tomorrow for the East,

we'll take this Sunday o visit the sights of Antwerp.

The Museum Plantin

The famous medieval Ommeganck festival

that takes place in Antwerp every 25 years.

The Ommeganck procession.

The Ommeganck mistress.

The Ommeganck.

Ruben's chariot.

The next day, at the opening of the great lock...

...leaving via the inland canals.

The Scheldt River in Antwerp.

The two men quickly get along, pleased with each other.

Griet finds Michel a good sailor, but remains cool.

Marthe, though, is friendly from the start.

The Bornheim bridge.

At the bridge, the head boatman sometimes

monitors the maneuver using the double hook.