FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE - FIVE ON FRIDAY

1. My friend Claudie arrived from the French Riviera where she was melting in 40°C (104 F), in Belgium, where it was the last warmest day of the week which means 25° (77 F). She was happy to be able to cool down, because there is no or very poor air condition in Southern France too. Of course we had a lot to chat !

2. Unfortunately she had no luck, because it started to rain, but not a friendly rain,  it rained cats and dogs ! We finally went out for lunch and had mussels with chips, the traditional Belgian plate. It was very good. Apparently the mussels from the North Sea taste different than the once from the Mediterranian Sea.



Then we went to Nivelles the next town to the big shopping mall. There it was dry lots of people who had the same idea and we could window shop without becoming wet. The shops are exactly the same we have here in Waterloo on the main street. We are both not "boutique" girls but it was interesting for her to compare the prices and what is on the market here.

We then had a coffee with little Italian cakes and we admired the wooden saucer, we had never seen such. It looked really very special



4. Claudie although she had been quite often in Brussels had never seen the Royal Palace inside and we were lucky it was just open for the public and for free ! It had been ages that I had seen the palace from inside and didn't remember very much.



I hadn't realized how beautiful it was ! There were so many very special things that I will write an extra post about this palace. Claudie was startled. So much gold and crystal lustres !



After the palace visit we badly needed a drink and we went to the Grand'Place. To my surprise there was the Meiboom celebration going on ! Every August 9th,  a young beech tree is planted near the Grand'Place. Unfortunately we just saw the end of the procession but it was a very cheerful atmosphere.

5.  I had my Scrabble afternoon and of course Claudie came with me. As me she likes not to be a tourist in another country but take part of the daily life of her host. Her only fear was that she hadn't played scrabble for over 20 years.



Apparently she had no problems at all because she finished second ! After our game we had coffee and cookies and a lot to talk about the different lifestyle of north and south. And while Claudie's husband at home complained about the heat, we were happily sitting with cardigans and complained about the rain and cold weather. But we had fun and that was the most important thing.

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Fast Blog

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

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HODEPODGE

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.
 
Rules never because then I would do exactly the opposite, but I make a plan of what I should do during the day, if I keep the plan or not is another story.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

I love lighthouses and I have seen many in different countries, but I have been only in one long time ago, the only thing I remember was the narrow staircase !  I don't even remember where it was, could be the Belgian or the French coast.

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

Of course I don't know any of the listed lighthouses, the only one which I know is
 


The Belle Tout lighthouse west from Beachy Head near Eastbourne at the South East coast of England. The headland was a danger to shipping. In 1831, construction began on the Belle Tout lighthouse on the next headland. Because mist and low clouds could hide the light of Belle Tout, Beachy Head Lighthouse was built in the sea below Beachy Head.

When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?

Usually my GPS but even far I know that I am on the right way because the street which leads to our house is called Chaussee de Waterloo and is very long. Often a white cat sits in front of a house which is my cat and my house ! 




3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

Unintentionally stopping something ? I can't remember, if I stop something I do it on purpose like garden work, I  let it go because it becomes too difficult to do, therefore it will be permanently. 

4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.



So far the week was boring the only "grand" moment was the arrival of my friend Claudie from the French Riviera who was coming from temperatures of around 40°C (104 F)and was happy to cool down here !  We don't even have half of the temperature here, but when she arrived it was the only warm day and we could eat outside ! 


5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.

None comes into my mind ! My favorite singers are Elton John and Freddy Mercury and I couldn't find a title with "Baby" in it.  Maybe Elvis has one ? I love his songs too at least some of them but there is no baby either !

6. Insert your own random thought here.

What should we do today Claudie and I ? It rains and it is cold. therefore we can't visit any things outside with an umbrella it's no fun. So I think we will go for Mussels and chips, which is one of the typical Belgian plates and then maybe in a shopping center ?  

From this side of the pond

CARRICK-A-REDE IRELAND

Carrick-A-Rede is famous for its rope bridge, (unique in Ireland) – which connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island.

The island until recently was an active salmon fishery, with an old fisherman’s bothy, old ropes, and nets still visible.

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WEEKEND NEWS AND MACRO MONDAY

The weekend was quiet, nothing special happened. Each day I have to vacuum (but with a little hand cleaner) cat Kim's hairs ! I think if she continues like that she will be bald in a near future, but it doesn't look like because her hairs are still growing ! She would be a very lucrative sheep ! And she is the only one who makes me work.

I did some window shopping too, because I got bored at home and it was too cold to sit outside. I went to my favorite boutique "Celebrity" and they still had things on sale. I bought a beautiful blouse, just to comfort myself because of this lousy "summer" weather.  When I came out of the boutique, I saw two young girls walking by and first didn't pay very much attention.



But then a tall policeman appeared in full motorbike outfit and closed helmet. He looked a bit unreal. Of course I stopped and wanted to know what he wanted from these girls, but he waved me away as if I was an annoying insect, this gesture made me stand still on purpose, so he said a bit more friendly, that I could continue. I went further and watched them. The girls talked and opened their purses, he looked inside and suddenly a policecar came with 2 other policemen. I thought if they need already 3 policemen for 2 young girls, how many do they need for a real criminal, no wonder that the city taxes are so high ! Finally they all disappeared, the 2 policemen in their car, the motor guy on his cycle and the girls continued their way. Apparently no terrorists ! But at least the police has fulfilled their duties to protect us. (?!)

Sunday it was a little warmer and I could sit outside. I had prepared and bought everything I needed for Claudie's visit, she will arrive Monday late afternoon. Claudie I have known through blogging in 2007, she lives in the South of France and ever since we visit each other for a week or more. This time it will be quite a shock for her because it is unusually hot where she lives they had temperatures to nearly 40°C while I am happy if we have 20° and I need a carigan. Fortunately there is quite a lot going on in Brussels this week, so we will be very busy.

I am trying to put old pictures on the computer in folders. The first Album fell in my hands was one from 1978



This has been our garden 39 years ago, a paradise for children. A field behind to play. Here is our son a little younger than his son today.



The same garden looks like this today ! Houses have been built, hedges and shrubs separate the properties, the field doesn't exist anymore there are houses now ! The swing was there were today the garden shed stands. But at least during more than 40 years we lived on the country side, I even had once a cow looking in our living room. 

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