WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of July 20 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This weekend was very special, because Belgium celebrated its National Day as usual on July 21, but this time there was also the abdication of King Albert II and the enthrownement of his son Philip. All on the same day.

We had over 30° (86 F) and it was quiet hot.



So Ilona  and I decided to go into a park near Brussels which has also a huge swimming pool and is surrounded by trees, so we could lay in the shade. Ilona tried to get some colors while drying her bathsuit. I prefereed not go into the water, because I am still under antibiotics. We had a real nice afternoon !

On Sunday morning I watched the Royal celebrations.



It started at 9 am with a "Te Deum" (mass) in the St. Gudule church, where royal weddings and funerals are always celebrated. This time it was the enthrownement of the new King. The whole royal family was present (except the little children, the new King has 4) Above you see the "old" King and Queen and the once to be, Philip and Mathilde. The church was packed with government members and no one else ! No royal guests at all, which was rather disappointing.  I saw the old King laughing in the church I thought he is certainly happy to retire and enjoy his hobbies.

After the church they were driven to the parliament where the abdication and enthrownment took place.



For the first time since I "know" Philip, he wasn't shy, not a sleeping pill, but a completely other man, very cool and he swore on the constitution without any hesitation in his voice as if he would do that every day.




After the ceremony they were driving in an open car to the Royal Palace and waved from the balcony to the crowd.

Of course my friends and I hadn't the courage to go to Brussels in this heat and preferred to celebrate in
Waterloo.



In the Waterloo park everything was ready for the National Day and to celebrate the royal events. We went there for a drink and listened to the different bands which were performing. There was also a tea dance.. From Rock to Pop over Glen Miller we heard everything.

Of course we discussed the dresses of the two Queens, and had all the same opinion. Green didn't suit Queen Paola, it gave her a green face, and the white winter dress of Mathilde looked a little old fashioned.  We sat there in the shade under a tree and discussed and laughed and had a very nice afternoon. If you live so long in a little town as I do here in Waterloo since 38 years, you know a lot of people too, so finally we were a whole group sitting at a table. The mayor and some other members of the municipalty greeted us and we joked together.

Tonight there will be a big firework in Brussels, but also here in Waterloo, maybe I can see a little bit from our house because I am too lazy to go out at 11 pm, although I could go to my friend who has a balcony just there were the firework will take place. I pity the poor dogs who live there !

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.


1. It was again time to drive my neighbor to the hospital in Brussels for her monthly shot in the eye. There was quiet a lot of traffic, because they repair streets everywhere at the same time !

2. Our Acqua gym teacher had hurt her back and has to stay at home. To my surprise when I arrived, there was a young man, who replaced her. As I didn't expect a man amongst all us women I expressed my surprise with a loud "Awww a male !" which made laugh the whole group, the young man included. He actually was very good and I had some muscles which hurt the next day ! Good sign.

3. After grey days we had one wonderful day with sunshine.



My friend Ilona and I took the opportunity to visit the Huizing Park very close to Brussels. It's a beautiful park and very big. The flowers had started to bloom and it was so colorful everywhere. Lots of people from the city were there with their children, there is also a  zoo with chicken, goats, rapids and other little animals and a very exceptional playground, made out of tree trunks. I had never seen such and apparently it also was quiet new. There were also families with blankets sitting on the grass and having a picnic. Of course I did some photo shootings, and was happy about the result.

4. We hadn't put up our garden furniture yet because the weather was too cold.



When it was warmer we decided to clean the terrace with the Karcher, the tiles were unusually green this year. We couldn't finish, because suddenly we had very heavy rain, impossible to stay outside. I hoped the rain would stop, but it didn't so we have to do the rest maybe tomorrow.

5. In or painting group for once we discussed politics because of the French president elections on Sunday with the candidates Sarkozy and Hollande. They made the same circus show like in the States, two candidates insulting each other politely on TV, one promising the heaven on earth (Hollande) the other still President more realistic, because he had realized that without money in the governmental piggy bank, you can't keep your promises. Finally everybody was for Sarkozy the actual president, although he is not ideal either, but still better than the big mouth Hollande. And while we discussed their personalities I started a new cat painting.



This one I had painted for my little grandson Toby for his room, for Easter