THE FIRST SNOW

I had made a whole program for what I would do today, but when I opened the shutters this morning my world was white ! So I thought to stay home this morning and maybe go out this afternoon when the snow is probably gone. It doesn't snow very often in Belgium and seldom a lot but even with a few snowflakes the whole traffic breaks down. 

The snow was still untouched, besides a few traces on the street. The truck with the salt hadn't come yet, for our little side street it was too early it was "only" 9.30 am.



The view out of my window while I answer emails



Mr. G.'s car has a white coat






and I can't see my beautiful fake flowers !



There hadn't been not a lot of cars in our street





The view to the left



Our garden, the snow can't be very high, because I can still see the grass a bit



Unfortunately it is very humid and misty





And my cat figurines have a white coat too !

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FIRST SNOW OF THE YEAR IN BELGIUM

For the first time since two years we had snow in Belgium and the sun was shining on the white landscape. I drove with my car to the bus station where I took the bus to Brussels.



Many people had the same idea, as the roads were not cleaned and therefore it was dangerous to drive.










The first part of my bus trip took me through the woods surrounding Brussels. From Waterloo, where I live it is only 15 km far.



In the city there was nearly no snow left at all

But on my way back home



I took some pictures through the windshield of my car from the surroundings where I live.



On the way to our street



arriving





and here is how our street looks like



In the afternoon I had this nice view sitting on my sofa and looking out of the window !

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A NATURE FULL OF SURPRISES

According to the statistics, we had the warmest October since 100 years ! On October 31, the weather station measured 20° (68 F) while the average temperature in Brussels is around 8°C (48F). I always remember a lot of rain grey skies and we even once had snow.

In order to remember this exceptional weather I took  pictures in a park ! The trees hadn't lost their leaves as they usually had at the end of October beginning November.











The trees have still a lot of leaves



















and the flowers are still blooming !

All these pictures have been taken on October 31, 2014. It certainly will enter in the history of an end of October beginning November !

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OUR WORLD - A PARK NEAR BRUSSELS

We are approaching the end of October and the temperatures are unusually high, even warmer than some summer days. We had over 25° C (77 F) and with my son and grandson we  took the opportunity to go to the Domain of Huizingen on the outskirts of Brussels.



The former castle contains now a restaurant and reception rooms for special events.








The Guard house



and the fountain in front of the castle



The trees are still green and only start slowly  to get dressed for autumn (or undress)



Still beautiful flowers



Strange roots coming out of the ground



Many people had the same idea as we had







and for the children there is a very nice playground !