WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of September 28 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

Dominique wants to add a conservatory to her living room, which she wants to use as painting atelier. She had seen the one from Ilona and wanted to have something similar. As we had our pergola built by the same company, I suggested to go there and look what they had to offer. Off we went to Gibloux a little town 40 km far from Waterloo. I had looked on their website for the openenig hours but couldn't find anything, but we thought on a Saturday it must be open. When we arrived we found the shop and showroom closed and not even a ghost around. The Peugeot dealer just besides had left all doors open, we could have easily served ourselves with office materials, paper and computers. Not very commercial after all he wants to sell cars ! I shouted several times "hello" and after a while a man showed up with his mobile glued to his ears. We could have been potential customers, but apparently due to the crises they are not keen to sell or work but rather talk to their girlfriends or wives. I finally had enough and asked him "sorry, can you interrupt your conversation for a minute" which he did, giving me an angry look and when I asked why the conservatory shop was closed, I got the answer that it is ALWAYS closed on Saturdays/Sundays as if this was normal before he continued to blabla in his mobile.

We came to the conclusion that in the Wallon part people don't need to work, apparently they are rich enough. I am sure that would have never happened in the Flemish part of the country. Disappointed we returned, but decided to stop at Ilona's to see her conservatory. She had baked a delicious cake and we had tea together, so the afternoon wasn't lost completely.

Sunday was like a Friday 13 (if you are pessimist). Mr. G. went into the kitchen and found himself standing in water ! It was like his Garda Lake ! The kitchen flooded, the washing machine leaked !



I spent the next hour on 4 paws to absorb all this water. The filter was clean,  the door properly closed so I really don't know what happened ! At least I found the litte tube and could use a bassin. When I finally collapsed into my chair and wanted to continue this post, suddenly the electricity went off in the whole house. Fortunately it was daylight. We thought it was in the whole area but no, it was only the main fuse. Mr. G. put it back into the right position, and  light reappeared. But not on my freezer ! Catastrophe ! Finally he found out that the dehumidifier in the basement was the culprit and sizzled when he put the plug in. We left it out and the freezer worked again. was I relieved, I just had filled it up !

The cats were a little surprised that the TV went on and off, and that they needed boots for the kitchen.

But the worst was I couldn't get Internet ! It took me nearly an hour to get it connected again. What an exhausting Sunday morning !

It was also the Sunday where no cars are allowed to drive in Brussels. Usually it's always very funny, there are coaches with horses, or only riders, but this time I only saw bicycles ! What made me so angry was that they drove in the middle of the street, not even respecting the traffic lights with the result that they bumped into each other. Little kids who couldn't even bike were alone zig zaging around without any parents in view.  The poor bus driver had really a hard job.



The streets were empty besides parked cars, lots of bikers and people walking around paying attention not to be run over !



It's nice to take pictures when there are no cars disturbing !



On the Grand'Place a folklore festival took place and gallons and gallons of beer disappeared in dry throats !

After all this walking I had enough and took my bus back to Waterloo which was so packed that I thought to travel in a sardine tin !

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of August 17 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

The highlight of the weekend was our son's wedding in Amsterdam !



I had used all my imagination to make a nice envelope for the wedding gift basket.

The trip to Amsterdam went smooth and we were already there around 11 am. We first stopped at my son's for a coffee, took his friend from Switzerland along and went to the Bed and Breakfast where they had booked in all friends with kids coming from abroad.



We had a beautiful huge room all in wood !

As the parking fees in Amsterdam are so expensive we all decided to take a taxi. The owner called for 3, no van was available. And then the nightmare began. All streets to Amsterdam center were blocked by a huge traffic jam because two bridges were closed for work. We all thought we would never make it, but we arrived finally with only 5 min late for the ceremony which should have begun at 3 pm. As the others had the same problem, even the groom and the bride, we recovered from being nervous wrecks !



And then began a big surprise for all of us. Nobody had ever attended to such a funny, cool wedding ceremony. The female marriage registrar greeted us on the street and comforted us that it didn't matter at all that we were a little late. Groom and bride made their entrance and we were sitting all around, the kids waving with balloons and the adults joking ! Toby their son had decided to sit besides his parents, but then preferred to sit on grandma's lap.



Then the wedding registrar started her official speech and took one little girl on her lap, because the little one had decided so ! Of course that made us all laugh again. Toby handed the wedding bands over to his parents and did a real good job.



The book was signed and the joyful ceremony was over and the new weds drove away to a restaurant at a habour where the wedding reception took place. Toby waved to the crowd. We drove together with Marieken's mother and her partner to the reception, the others followed by taxi.



The place was beautiful and called "The lighthouse" very close to the sea. After drinks and snacks we had a wonderful barbecue. Toby had taken his shoes off so I had given him mine, but he only did a few steps before he stepped out !

Then started the speeches ! Marieken's mother had prepared a nice long speech, but unfortunately there was no microphone so we could hardly hear her and she held it in Dutch because she said her English wasn't good enough, and the majority didn't understand a word. They started to whisper and talk to each other which was understandable but it was rather sad  because she certainly had put a lot of effort to make this speech.

I hadn't prepared any speech, I also had no intention  to make one, but then suddenly I thought why not, after all he is only marrying once, so I also made a short speech, with my loudest voice, which worked rather well, as I am used to speak loud, being married to an Italian with an Opera voice.  Then the Marieken's wedding witnesses made a speech too this time in English, but also hardly understandable for the once staying behind. After that Dario's best friend talked and then Dario himself.

Then everybody was hungry and "attacked" the buffet !



They had hired a girl who entertained the children, there were certainly about 15 or more from 2 years to 12 ! All speaking different languages, French, Dutch, and English, but no problem with communication !



and here we are the proud parents with the freshly married couple !



My son's godmother had come with us and above you see the gift box. The Swiss friend had brought an enormous bottle of sparkling wine, with a label with their names ! Very special !



The evening began



and the couple opened the dancing part of the wedding. Even Mr. G. gathered his old bones and we danced too ! But only once with me. After that I continued to dance, with the result that my legs still hurt a little today ! His friend from preschool (they were both 3) mixed the music and did the disc jokey. Little Ollie, who had sat on the registrar's lap slept peacefully besides him despite the loud music, she probably was tired having married a young couple !

We left around 11 pm quiet tired and returned to our Bed and Breakfast, while the young people celebrated until 1 am and some of them even in another place until 3 am ! I know that because at that time somebody had sneaked into our room, looking for his wife ! Of  course they looked a little withered when they showed up for the brunch the next morning !



When I got up I was already expected by Dookie the dog who wanted to play. It was a wonderful sunny morning and we had the whole Bed & Breakfast for us.



The kids were playing and jumping around and at 11 am the young couple arrived for the brunch. Toby wanted to share his croissant with the dog, but Dookie misunderstood and ate it all !



Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture when we were all around the table. It was such a huge room and there was also a big kitchen. We had such a lot of fun and childhood memories were shared.

I can only say it was the perfect marriage !

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of July 14 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

On Saturday morning I woke up with my trachea aching when I breathed. I thought that isn't true, I won't start again with these bronchitis ! My mood sank  I ! There is nothing to do I have to go to see the Doctor again. Nevertheless I didn't feel sick so I went to Ilona's who wasn't in her best shape neither.



Together it's easier to carry our miseries, which we did while sitting in her garden and having tea. We chatted a lot, after all we had nothing at our tongues. As you can see Ilona loves cats too !

The evening I spent fumbling around with my Kindle tablet, each day I learn a little more by pushing on all available links and buttons, and then I find what I wanted, but don't ask me how. I was able to change my Kindle name and even set the clock which still had NY time, managed to open one of my downloaded books, and downloaded some photo albums too. So now I am  quiet happy, although I still have to get used to handle it properly.

On Sunday morning I took the bus to the midi station. Since July 1, there are new travel cards for seniors, not free travel anymore but you have to pay 30 € per year for that. The State needs money  ! And instead of increasing the taxes for four wheel drive cars and Jeeps, blocking the narrow streets in Brussels, and ask  a tax to use it for driving in the city center, no, they prefer to take the money from those who already don't have enough.

The weather was beautiful and I walked around found a nice turquoise cardigan, and cheap fruits, and then had a cool beer on the terrace.



The man who sat in front of me had this awful tattoo in fact he was full of tattoos and his wife too. They should see themselves when they are 70 or more !

We have lots of Moroccans  in Belgium, living around the South station, coming over from France as it had been a French colony before. Since the religious troubles started with 9/11, more and more women are wearing scarfs. Even more then I saw in Morocco. It seems to become an identity sign, because you see young girls in mini skirts and scarf (certainly not approved by Mohamed) or other very sexy clothes. I think I will wear a scarf, because it protects well from wind and sunshine !



The afternoon I spent in our garden at my favorite working place when the weather is warm and already the weekend was over. Especially Sundays are quiet boring as all shops and stores are closed and the streets empty.

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of July 8 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This was quiet a special weekend ! Today is my 70th birthday, I leave the 60th to join the 70th ! And to celebrate with the family we went to Amsterdam !



Our little 2 1/2 year old grandson Toby, recognized us immediately and greeted us cheerfully. He then unwrapped the little gifts we had brought and while we were having a drink on the patio, he was playing in his private "swimming pool".



After his afternoon nap, we went by tram to Amsterdam, because it's quiet impossible to go there by car especially now where it is packed with tourists. We took a sightseeing boat, which was a birthday gift for me and had a lot of fun. Toby sat in the tram and then Nonno (Grandpa) walked him to the boat where we took a seat. The weather was wonderful, sunny and warm. Perfect for such a tour.



I was especially amused by the houseboats, where people live, some of them looked so funny. Lots of young people were in their boats and the tables were full with beer cans ! They sang and played music and had a lot of fun and waved towards the sightseeing boats. Mr. G. was delighted, there was a couple of Italians sitting with us ! So he translated for them into Italian.



When we came back my birthday party started ! I had no time to take a picture of the gifts because Toby started to help me to unwrap the packages ! Therefore I only have a picure aferwards ! I was really very spoilt, I got a selfmade drawing from Toby, a framed picture of the both of us, and a very sophisticated Kindle "ebook reader". It's much more than only to read books because it also has Internet, I can watch movies etc. I haven't read yet all the possibilities. Mr. G. offered me a lapis lazuli necklace with the appropriate earrings.


While Toby's Daddy did the barbecue, mummy dressed the table and Toby hungry waited for the first sausage. The meal was delicious and we could sit outside the whole time.



On Sunday morning we went to a little beach near their house and I had the first sunbath this year !  Toby tried out my seat, Nonno prepared a sand castle and Daddy pulled Toby in his little boat. It was like a real holiday.



After lunch Toby showed me how he put the rails of his train together and played with the little wagons, then we loaded the car and returned home.

And tomorrow I will celebrate again this time with my friends.

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of June 15 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.



On Sunday morning I was in London attending the Trooping the Color, as you can see above, while I was laying on the sofa and had a cup of coffee !

I finally had sorted out my holiday pictures and had invited my friends to see them on TV all together.
Mr. G. installed his multimedia device (thing), which allows to see your photos on TV. Of course it didn't work, but after some Italian not repeatable words, the thing finally worked.



The first one who arrived was Chantal, but she was more interested in seeing Oscar the lawn mower robot working then in our holidays so we went outside and I put it in the middle of the grass and switched it on. Meanwhile the others had arrived too, and finally, as the weather was warm enough to sit outside, we had our coffee, tea, and cookies sitting there and chatted while Oscar mowed the lawn. The result was, that we stayed there and Mr. G. complained that he had worked for nothing ! And while we had our fun he filled in the tax declarations on computer for Dominique and an other neighbor.That's why we are not all on the picture.

Charlie, Nicole's dog watched Oscar too and sniffed at it, found that it didn't smell at all and returned under the table warming up our feet in the hope some crumbs would drop off the table. The cats didn't mind, Charlie just ignores them, so they stayed where they were and looked at him in disgust.

We spent a very nice afternoon, and everybody said that it was the first time in their lives, they were watching a lawn mower for so long just as a kind of funny movie. Now Chantal and Dominique want to buy one too.

On Sunday I thought we had the yearly parade of the  Waterloo Battle soldiers, which is a very colorful event, but I had mixed up the dates, found Waterloo center empty and saw that it is planned for next Sunday ! Instead I went for a little walk on the market in the next town, but there was nothing special I found besides a turquoise scarf, similar to the one I had lost in Edinburgh.

In the afternoon we had the visit of Mr. G's young friend, and they discussed together about politics and business, so I escaped and returned to my computer.

Once again it started to rain and we still have cool temperatures around 15°C.

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of June 1st . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

When I compare this weekend to the one of last week, I wonder how many things you can do in one day !
Last weekend I walked around Edinburgh, saw the Braveheart monument, the Scottish highlands, Loch Ness and a Whisky distillery !!

This weekend I tried to put all my pictures into the corresponding files with dates and names, and was looking for a whole day which I couldn't find and finally found it misfiled ! Of course. This kept me quiet busy on Saturday. But I also did some little shopping, we ran out of bread and cheese,



Then I mowed the lawn, in fact cat Arthur supervised while I was watching TV and washed the dishes, no, that's a lie, the dishwasher did it ! How nice to live in modern times !



Mr. G. suddenly got an energy attack, and moved the TV in his room to our guest room, and then he screwed and put in the board of the shelf again. While a few years ago he would have done this kneeling, now he sits on a chair ! He got a little rusty !

On Sunday morning the sun was shining but still unusually cold for the season. People are still wearing winter clothes ! I went to the market to meet my cigarette supplier, for mostly Mr. G's consumption (yes he knows that it is bad) and then I saw apricots and peaches for such a cheap price that I bought



this shopping carrier ! At least it looks fancy and not like the old women thing in black or Scottish pattern which they carry around. So it was easy for me to pull the thing til the bus station. I got some compliments from other ladies who found my shopping bag so nice and cheerful.



I also bought some plants for our garden, which is rather late in blooming, it still looks as if spring had just begun ! I wonder if we will ever have one or directly switch into summer or maybe into winter right away.

Then I continued with my photos and now I have almost finished.

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of April 28. If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

I was still in France half of the weekend. Early morning we got a phone call from the restaurant Mafana neay Hyeres, that the cow had fallen down from the exposition wall ! Claudie and I quickly drove over there to repair the damage. Claudie was better then I in hammering stronger nails so I was just the supervisor.



We noticed that more people had left little messages in the "Golden book" and checked the other paintings before driving home again.

The so beautiful weather had turned into rain and it was rather cool ! But nevertheless Claudie wanted to show me the Salins-d'Hyères an area of ​​salt marshes along the coast. They are one of the most remarkable natural areas of the Mediterranean shore.

These saline were operated from 963 AD to 1995 for the production of salt.

That's how they should have looked ! It's also a paradise for birds, but I didn't see any !



There was a kite competition going on despite the rain ! We looked a bit, and I took this picture of Claudie, her daughters and the boyfriend who hid behind the car.



Claudie's daughter Mélissa took these pictures of me, while I was walking back from my photo shooting ! It was so awful, that we decided to drive back and rather have a drink at the Sanary beach.



There the rain had stopped and the sun came out !

Her husband had prepared delicious Doner Kebabs which we ate with big appetite !




and the boyfriend who is a baker had brought these very yummy little cakes he had brought for me so that I could taste his work ! They didn't last long in the box !

Then came the moment to say good bye, and Claudie drove me to the airport in Marseille. It was still raining and cold ! My flight was smooth and I could work on my photos.

Mr. G. was waiting for me in SUNSHINE ! It should have been the other way around, as the French Riviera is rather famous for its good weather !




From my four cats only Rosie showed that she was happy and took a nap, while I rested for a while and watched TV while Oscar the Robot mowed the lawn !  Nature  had changed, the grass had grown and flowers were blooming ! It seems that spring has finally arrived !

I unpacked my suitcase and went early to bed ! What a wonderful break I had in my routine life ! Tomorrow I will certainly be full of energy !!

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of April 6. If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

Saturday it was again grey, windy and very cold so I decided to just do nothing, or almost ! Just a lazy day. After some household scores not worthwhile to be mentioned, and a little TV watching with and after my lunch, I just felt creative and wanted to play a little with my photos on the computer.



The result was this. I think I will use them for a new header ! What do you think of me being a cat ??

On Sunday morning a miracle happened ! The sun was shining and the sky ink blue !



I took the bus to the Brussels' midi market and bought fresh strawberries just arriving from Morocco. 2 Euros (2.6 $)  for 1 kg (2.2 lbs) ! Unbelievable. The market was packed with people from all corners of the world, and we could even sit outside in the sunshine.



In the afternoon I took the opportunity to salt our gravel ! I used 18 kgs of salt ! Now no weed can grow there. When I was finished it looked as if it had snowed. I also took a picture as "souvenir" of the first blue sky since a very long time !

And while I was busy in front of the house, Oscar the lawn mower robot worked behind the house. One of my neighbors came over to admire it working and was so enthusiastic that now he wants to buy one too. Soon the whole street will have it because my friend Dominique will also buy one  ! I should ask for some commission from the supplier !