LA HULPE PARK

The first time we really had a spring weather day, Bunny and I made a walk through this beautiful La Hulpe park (also called Solvay park)



From far we could see the castle but we went to the other end of the park



This part of an old farm had been transformed into a restaurant. Lots of people come here to have a drink outside with a beautiful view on the park



and the other part of the farm is now a museum where lots of exhibitions take place



The first spring signs








The lake with happy ducks






The view from the restaurant




On our way back we saw the blooming Japanese cherry trees

More about the history of this park you find here La Hulpe park

more participants here

A WALK THROUGH THE LA HULPE PARK

After this long winter I enjoy walking in a park around my city. Not far is the Solvay/La Hulpe park which surrounds the castle built in 1840 and was bought in the late 19th century by Ernest Solvay who was a Belgian chemist, industrialist and philanthropist. Ever since the park is  known as the Domaine Solvay. Today the property is owned by the regional government of Wallonia, and is classified as an "Exceptional Heritage Site in Wallonia." The grounds are open to the public.





The first spring signs






We walked the long way through woods, meadows and orchards 



along a quite big pond



until we arrived at the Brasserie.







This building was once the farm which belonged to the castle. Today it contains a restaurant and an exhibition hall for artists.



from far away you can see the castle.



steps besides the farm leading to the castle



And then we had to walk this long, long way back !



The park also contains a riding school for hippotherapy for autistic, physically and mentally handicapped children

Just before we arrived at my car, we saw a group of riders with their horses, ready for a walk


I wrote about the castle here

more participants here

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

1. Besides doing some housework, I recovered from my weekend and kept quiet, I had caught a little cold and the medication I took made me tired. From a movie I watched on TV I saw the beginning and suddenly the end, I had fallen asleep !

2. We had wonderful weather up to 25° (77 F) ! Dominique my neighbor came for a visit and brought her birthday gift for Mr. G, a beautiful Ferrari key holder, he was very happy as he collects everything he can get from Ferrari ! I have my cat collection he has his Ferrari collection but there is still space in the house.

3.


My friend Nicole's dog Charlie had surgery, a claw was taken out, which was crooked and on the other paw he had a nail infection. He looked so cute in his booties but wasn't happy at all to wear them !

4.


As he couldn't walk so much we went to the La Hulpe castle walked a little around and then enjoyed the sunshine on the terrace of the restaurant. Despite the fact that it was in the middle of the week there were many people there are also spring holidays in Belgium.

5. When we returned to my car, I noticed that I had lost my car keys ! I emptied my purse, looked in all pockets, nothing. Fortunately I always have my spare keys with me just in case ! So at least we could return home.



As soon as I was home I called the restaurant and half an hour later they called me back, somebody had found them and given to the barman.

The next day at 10.30 am I walked the long way to the restaurant which seemed to me longer than the day before, as cars are not allowed inside the park and picked up my keys. There was already a school class sitting in the grass and quite a lot of joggers.

It wasn't exactly my time for walking so when I arrived at my car I was tired for the whole day !!

But  I was happy to have my keys back !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

MY WEEKEND OF MARCH 1

After some blogging in the morning, I went with Ilona to her son's new scooter shop. The old one had become to small and the new one was nice and big. I bought a little Vespa from 1953 for Mr. G. as he is a little nostalgic, he had a Vespa as a young man and went on female tourist hunting with it. The Garda Lake in Italy was ideal for that.



I am not a motorbike fan at all in fact I don't like them, but these Vespas looked so comfy, that I thought it would be ideal to ride one in the city. Ilona said that the picture below in the middle looked like Mr. G. and I on a Vespa ! We made a little tour, and looked at the other things on display, like shoes, clothes and helmets, said hello to her son and left. It was very cold and humid and we were glad to return to her home and had tea together with the fire burning in the stove.

On Sunday morning the sun was shining and for the first time the temperature was just around 0°C (32 F). I had heard in the News that we had the warmest winter ever since weather was recorded, the average temperature during whole winter was just - 0,5°, and instead of snow we had a lot of rain.

I took the bus to the Brussels Midi market, which was packed because of the sunny weather. I bought grapes for less then half price, and a pajama, sat on the terrace of my usual café and chatted this time with a Greek lady. She spends winter in Greece and summer in Belgium. 

After lunch Nicole and I decided to walk Charlie in the nearby La Hulpe park. It was rather the other way around, because he walked us.



He was sitting already in front of the house door and waiting and then was happy to ride in my car, as Nicole's had a flat tire. I was not used to have a big dog head laying on my shoulder while I was driving. That was really fun ! I am not sure if he didn't tell me the direction instead of Mrs. GPS.



After a not so long walk, Charlie is a rather lazy walker, we wanted to have a coffee on the terrace of the restaurant, as usual. It was full, and after having waited 45 min for our coffee which still didn't arrive, we left, because we started freezing. The waiter was not in sight.

We returned home to Nicole's and had our coffee there in her warm living room. I certainly had enough sunshine and fresh air this day !

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