FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. Often my weeks are very boring, which hasn't been the case at all this week ! 



My friend Claudie came over from the South of France to spent a few days with me.

When I had picked her up at the station we had a Pizza at home and a lot to chat ! The next day, we visited three castles ! It was possible, because the first one was closed for renovation, the second one we only saw from outside



and finally the third one was closed on Mondays ! You can see all the castles and pictures in the post below.

2.



The exposition itself was quiet disappointing and the entrance fee very expensive for what we saw from
Kandinsky's paintings. But the inside of the Royal Art museum is very beautiful.

3.



After the exposition and the visit of the museum, we needed a rest and had a drink inside a part of the Royal Palace in a café with a little garden. It's beautiful to sit there with parts of the palace around and we almost felt like two princesses !

4.


Before we went went to my friend Nicole's birthday party in the afternoon, we had lunch (again) in the little Greek restaurant. This time it was so warm, that we could sit outside !



The party was great ! we had Champagne and little snacks and then the birthday cake with coffee. Ilona was there too sitting besides Claudie in the middle. The weather was wonderful and we could sit on Nicole's terrace. Even Mr. G. made an effort and joined in meeting with an old friend and colleague who was also there with his wife (the one who serves the dogs !) We really had a great time together !

5. My oldest friend, I know her since 1951 (!) wanted to come from Germany just after Claudie left to arrange for her 70th birthday celebration in Brussels. Hotel, restaurant etc. Fortunately for me they called me that they couldn't come ! So I had a relaxing day and only mowed the lawn (Oscar the Robot did) while I was watching TV !

A CHARMING VISIT

more participants at Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday

The dictionary explains that a visit is to go to and stay with (a person or family) or at (a place) for a short time for reasons of sociability, politeness, business, curiosity, or to stay with as a guest.


In my case the reason was just a visit of a good friend. I have met Claudie living in the South of France at the Côte d'Azur, through blogging in 2006. She came for the third time to the North, fortunately not into a too cold weather to  change a bit her daily routine, what I do too when I visit her.

Having such a nice visit are also holidays for me !



We started having a Doner in a little Greek restaurant in Waterloo, which was very good as you can see !

After a nice coffee with my friend Ilona, we started to visit the three castles not far from Ilona's home.



First we went to the Castle of Beersel an old medieval castle dated from 1300. Unfortunately we couldn't go inside because it was just being renovated.



A little farer was the castle "The Gravenhof" now a restaurant. We had a quick look inside and Claudie took some pictures. It's a very beautiful place and often used for wedding receptions.



The weather cleared up, sunshine came out and we could visit the the castle of Gaasbeek dating from 1240. Some historical explanations were written on this mirror horse and we had quiet some fun with taking pictures !



It is a very impressive building and has a huge beautiful park.



Here too we didn't have a chance to visit the castle from inside because it was Monday and closed !



After a long walk through the park, a little tired we had a drink in the restaurant just opposite the castle. It's wonderful sitting outside, there is a little zoo and Claudie petted the donkey which immediately arrived to say hello (probably expecting some food !)

The next day we visited my favorite shop, the Indian one where you just feel to be in an Indian home.



Claudie was delighted to see all these beautiful things and the ladies (all volunteers) offered her an Indian tea which she loved ! All things you buy here is for street children in India and for a village.

In the afternoon, we went to Brussels to see the exposition of the painterKandinsky.



We were quiet disappointed because there were lots of other Russian painters too and we had expected only to see Kandinsky's paintings. We felt a little cheated. After the exposition we had a drink inside a part of the royal Palace with a nice beautiful little square where we could sit and had a very much needed drink !

Quiet tired of all these visits we returned home !

Visits from friends are wonderful !

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

more participants here

OUR WORLD - La Hulpe park

For the first time this year we really had spring weather. My son and family had arrived from Amsterdam so we decided to make a nice walk through the park of the La Hulpe castle, near Waterloo.



We didn't go to the castle but rather behind where an old farm has been transformed into a restaurant.



First thing when grandson Toby saw this car selling icecream, he wanted one !



and leaked it off with gusto !



Little ducks were chasing each other



and still "armed" with his ice cream, he walked on mummy's hand towards the restaurant



The old farm house



A young couple had chosen this place for their wedding pictures



A view over the park



For the first time this year we could sit outside



watch Toby playing with other kids and a very friendly little dog



Hungry and thirsty he had a hot chocolate milk !

Then we slowly walked back to the car and returned home

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of April 13. If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This weekend was a very busy one ! We celebrated Mr. G's birthday and on his request only with the family.



At first he wasn't very delighted to see the indoor bike I had offered him to keep him a little in shape, but then when our son showed him how it works he was quiet happy ! Now I have to carry him and put him on the bike everyday (probably !)




When grandson Toby arrived with his parents, he  started to take out all his toys I keep here for him. Now he knows our house very well and immediately felt home.



The weather was good with us and spring has moved in, so he could play football (soccer) and our cat Arthur wasn't afraid at all and watched the game.



It's rather seldom that a cat likes so much a little boy of 2 1/2 years !



In the afternoon we went to a beautiful park near Waterloo and of course Toby asked for an ice cream, which he licked off with pleasure.



For the first time this year we could sit outside on the terrace of an old farm changed into a restaurant.
He ran around with other kids and a dog and had a lot of fun, which made him ask for a hot cocoa drink.
Usually on the fields are horses, because there is also a center for autistic children who do a hippotherapy, but they weren't out yet.

In the evening we had our birthday supper of which I forgot to take a picture ! We had fresh salmon presented like cupcakes as a starter and then pasta with different fish and seafood with lots of vegetables and as desert a Tiramisu. After this long day, Toby was very tired and went to bed early.

On Sunday morning it was rather grey but not cold and we made a walk through the Waterloo Flea market.



Toby was mostly interested in little cars and not at all in the little girl !



In the afternoon the sun was shining again and he played with Nonno (grandpa) on the grass !


They also played football together again and Toby laughed out loud when the ball fell on Nonno's head ! (see the arrow)



Arthur of course had to run with Toby and they looked at each other sitting in the grass. That was so cute to see !



Nonna (grandma) too had to play with the ball, but wasn't very good, so he preferred to pick up some daisies and offered them to me. After lunch they all left to return to Amsterdam and Toby was quiet tired.

When they were gone, I rested a bit and then went to Brussels to pick up Claudie which I knew through blogging who arrived from the South of France.

I turned around and around in the station to find her because her mobile didn't work in Belgium ! But finally we found each other and could drive home ! With all this entrances in this enormous station, I didn't know anymore where I came in so we were looking for my car for at least 20 min until I found the entrance which I had used when I arrived and my car just parked across the street !



Finally home, Mr. G. had prepared us a Pizza and took this picture ! After supper we chatted but then had to stop because we both were very tired !

Tomorrow our holidays together will start !