OSTEND HABOUR - BELGIUM

As we are still living in restricted movements and freedom, I have to dig in the past to find some pictures of a "normal" world. 

In summer we like to go to the sea and there is a direct train which takes you from Brussels to Ostend, a lovely town. But now with all these Coronavirus rules, it becomes complicated.

The trains only accept now 80 people per wagon, because last week they were overcrowded. To lay on the beach you have to book a space before ! The mask you have to wear when outside on the street or beach, but you are allowed to take it off when you sit on your beach towel in the sand ! Fortunately otherwise we would all have a brown forehead and a half brown nose, the rest of the face remains white ! New fashion ! 

Under these circumstances I prefer to stay home and wait until this crazy time is over. Now we even have to leave our name and address in the restaurants, but I am sure that the names and adresses are not always right. I have nothing to hide but too much is too much. We also are allowed to shop, but only one person at the time and for 30 minutes ! I wonder how you can choose furniture alone and not as a couple in half an hour ??? 

These are pictures from the Ostend Habour three years ago when, the world was still "normal" . Lots of events and festivities took place in Ostend. This year everything is cancelled.

There were exhibitions of replicas of  historical ships like the "Bounty" from the movie

all that is finished for I don't know how long, nobody knows how long the Corona Virus will honor us with its visit !

For many people it is very hard  ! Especially for the elderly people in retirement homes. They are all closed and no visit is allowed. Some of them just don't understand why the family doesn't visit them anymore. Probably amongst those who died, it was not the Virus but the loneliness although the personal tries to do their best to distract and help them.

Some wonder if ever one day we will have our "old" or rather former way of life back.

For the first time ever, the whole world is involved. That has never happened.

The boats are floating so cheerfully on the water

The sky is blue, people are walking around without mask and social distance and have a drink in a café, hopefully this will happen next year ! 

more participants here

MY WEEKEND OF MARCH 29

On Saturday morning we had wonderful sunshine and warm weather so Ilona and I decided to go to Ostend at the Belgian coast where Nicole stayed in her flat. Fortunately there was not the usual weekend traffic jam on the highway to the coast, and we were already there at 10.30 am.



Charlie greeted us with a waving tail and then probably thought we would stay there and sit and he could rest in peace. Unfortunately after an early lunch we decided to walk along the beachfront. He got up reluctantly and trotted to the lift. As soon as he was in the very small lift he laid down and we three vintage girls had to squeeze in a corner.Charlie is rather lazy when it comes to walking.

As soon as we got out of the building and he saw the kids with their skateboards, the bikes and other beach vehicles he growled at everybody moving and was in a bad mood. We had to pull him a bit, although we walked quite slowly.



After a little walk along the sea, where the little beach huts were starting to be built up, we sat down on the bench and enjoyed the sunshine. Charlie faked to be exhausted and sat down. No growling anymore. He was admired by everybody.



When Nicole bought him an ice cream he was in heaven.



After that we went to "his" café and we had a coffee and a Brussels' waffel with whipped cream. (of which he also got his share). Time flew by so quickly and it was time to return home. We had spent a lovely day.

On Sunday I did nothing special, I blogged and did the laundry.



Arthur did the survey of my work and observed our street like Google street view. This night we had changed to summer time but one hour doesn't bother me, and the cats neither.



Spring has moved in and there are the first signs in our garden.



and my son sent me a picture of Toby's first real bicycle !

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. I finally could reach the plumber who arrived at 5.30, although he had promised to be there at 3 pm. I don't know how your workers are but with ours here it's a lottery game, do they come or not ! He stated that the tube could not be repaired because it was welded to the faucet. Very clever of the manufacturer, because instead of replacing a tube you have to buy a new faucet ! Another day without water in the kitchen !

2.


Acqua gym was on Tuesday instead of Monday because of school holidays, I don't know why they change days, as we are mostly not working women and have nothing to do with children anymore. Dominique and I arrived a little too early and for the first time I was able to make a picture of the swimming pool without anybody in it !

3. My hair needs a cut each 6 weeks and it was more than urgent to go to the hairdresser, I looked like a Halloween witch. Now I look a little better.

4. Since we have had removed all bushes and plants at the side of our house, the window in our guest room needed curtains because it was too light especially when the sun was shining. I still had a piece of fabric and as I cannot sew, Dominique came over to take the measures, cut the fabric and took it with her to make the curtains. Very sweet of her. Then of course we had a cup of tea together.

5. My friend Nicole has a holiday flat in Ostend at the Belgian coast and as she had to look after it before the rental season, she invited me for the day. So I took the train to Ostend and had a very nice day.



The flat is absolutely gorgeous for max 4 people to rent with a nice view on the sea and even an open fireplace. Because it was quiet windy and cold, we just made a little tour and afterwards had lunch in her flat and looked at the sea from the warm room.

Unfortunately the lift was in reparation and out of work, and we had to climb up 7 floors ! Charly the dog went on strike after the 4th floor and it took some time to convince him that we had to go up another 3 floors. But we managed, although my legs hurt a little today ! Going down was much easier.

STOP

Jill Samter Photography what to do to protect you even without this feature.

MY WORLD - Ostend Visit

More participantshere

When I was at the Ostende Sailing Ships Festival I also did a stroll along the beach and through the city.









The railway station of Ostende from outside and inside



These 3 bronze sculptures are sitting just in front of the station and can be used as a seat



They look towards the habour



there are two others just besides, and the have all the same face



The habour



Along the beach it wasn't so nice because works are going on to be ready for the summer season.



but a little farer there were no works and school children enjoyed their holidays at the sea



The North sea on the Belgian coast looks always grey even when the sky is blue.



A street leading to the beach



Unfortunately in the 70th all beautiful old Victorian style houses were demolished to build new modern houses for the tourists. I discovered this beautiful "left over". Ostend had been such a beautful town, but now it became real ugly.







The church

more about Ostende is here on my Travel blog