Friday 6 May 2016

These boots were made for walking

... and that's exactly what they did on Thursday!



Thursday was Ascension Day, which is a holiday here in Belgium. The forecast was for warm and sunny weather, so we decided to make the most of it and go for a nature walk. We are really out of practice, though.  We used to walk fairly regularly, but this year, a combination of wet weather and being otherwise engaged has prevented us from doing much walking. In six weeks’ time, however, we will be holidaying in Pembrokeshire, and as usual we have quite a few walks planned, so it is high time we step up and get into shape.

These boots are NOT made for walking!
How to dress for a nature walk is always a dilemma, as I want to avoid wearing jeans (or any other pair of trousers for that matter), as much as possible.  Wearing a dress or skirt is not a problem, but the combination with adequate footwear is.  I have a perfectly comfortable pair of hiking boots, and although they are not the most elegant of footwear, they are made for walking, aren't they?


It was warm enough to wear a lightweight, short-sleeved cardigan from Blender Vintage Shop (which was soon discarded) and my charity shopped denim jacket. The weatherproof bag, from Dutch brand Kitsch Kitchen, was found at a flea market last year.

My sunglasses are subscription ones, which I had fitted into charity shopped frames.
The frames cost me just € 0.50 (yes, really!) and are from a quality brand called Rodenstock.



For our walk, we chose “Het Broek” in Blaasveld, which is a nature reserve about 20 km from where we are. The word “Broek” means a marshy area, and indeed there’s lots of water in this attractive reserve comprising 675 hectares, which is rich in fauna and flora.


Before the Rupel, the local river, was dammed, the area was regularly flooded. The guide leaflet says the area was virtually inaccessible and it was supposedly where fairies and marsh spirits lived.


The landscape changed dramatically after the river was dammed between 1100 and 1300, giving way to hayfields and water meadows.



Centuries of peat deposition created dense layers of peat, the extraction of which is how the many ponds and lakes that characterize the area came into existence.


There are several paths which can be taken to explore "Het Broek", making it ideal for longer and shorter walks alike.


On the north side the reserve is bordered by a large body of water called the Hazewinkelvijver (“vijver” means “pond” in Dutch), which is used for watersports and is an Olympic rowing course.


There’s another nature reserve at the opposite side, which we are planning to visit for our next walk.

Near the end of the walk (or the beginning, if you do it the other way around) is a delightful little chapel, where candles are always burning.


The statue of Our Lady was found in the nearby pond in 1636. Legend has it that even in the harshest of winters, the pond in which she was found remains ice-free.


We really enjoyed the peace and quiet of this walk, the silence being pierced only by the calls of birds and the croaking of frogs.








This weekend, we are planning to go to our first outdoor flea market of the year ... I wonder if we will find any treasures?







21 comments:

  1. It looks like we're sharing weather again! Your hiking outfit is fabulous, no boring zip-off trousers or Goretex grey for you! xxx

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    1. Thanks Vix. I do have a Goretex jacket, though, which I only wear when it's really necessary, like when we're out walking in filthy weather in - you guessed right!- the UK ;-) No zip-off trousers, though ... xxx

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  2. beautiful nature pics! this looks like a very relaxed day out in the woods! totally my cup of tea!
    interesting how early the river got dammed in!
    i go hiking in skirts and dresses most of the time. just if there is a climbing part i wear corduroy knickerbockers. i dedicated a woolen brown/green tartan skirt with pleats - and pockets! - esp. for hiking :-) in summer i wear cotton dirndl skirts:
    http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.de/2016/02/business-look-20.html
    http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.de/2016/01/blogger-fur-ein-positiv-nachhaltiges.html
    http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.de/2014/07/na-tokani.html
    http://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.de/2013/07/gipfelsturm.html
    and yes - thats the area we live :-)
    hugs! xxxxxx

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    1. I love your hiking outfits, Beate, and the area you live in is truly breathtaking! There's no way our part of Belgium can compete with that scenery. xxx

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  3. Wauw Ann, weer een supermooie outfit en een goed geschreven post! Ik heb je blog even snel gedeeld op mijn Facebook pagina, ik dacht wel dat je dat leuk vinden :) xxx

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  4. Suitable long distance walking or light hiking footwear + sporting vintage garb is a definitely head scratcher at times for sure. Often I'll lean back on my trusty, reliable (virtually flat healed) brogue style shoes or my saddle shoes, both of which usually work well with most 40s and 50s causal skirt/dress ensembles.

    It's great that you guys were able to get out and enjoy the glorious springtime fresh air. Tony and I have been trying to make a point to do so as often as possible this season, too.

    Oodles of hugs & happy mid-May wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you, dear Jessica. We have been making the most of this weekend's spring weather to do some more walking. xxx

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  5. What a beautiful place that nature reserve is and the story of the statue is fascinating. I much prefer your nature walk outfit than the usual ones seen in such places. Happy hiking and treasure hunting! xx

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    1. I have a couple of dresses which are colourful but not too precious, so perfect for nature walks! We visit that reserve a few times a year, in all seasons. It's one of our favourites. xxx

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you, and I'm following your blog now. xxx

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  7. That looks like a lovely walk!

    I wear hiking boots with dresses. Side-effect of being in my 20s in the 1990s, I guess - I'm convinced clumpy boots will go with everything.

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  8. Thanks Mim. I'm getting more and more convinced that those hiking boots are OK with a dress. I've also got a pair of high leather boots I'm using when it's really muddy though. xxx

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  9. I am exhausted now after following your walk.
    I'm loving that dress and tights. We have a static caravan in the Lake District and what to wear is always a problem as I don't do the usual outdoor gear. Its something I am working on.
    Lynn xxx

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. It wasn't too exhausting a walk, though. We did it at a very leisurely pace. I know what you mean about the outdoor gear. I'm already stressing about what to wear in Wales. xxx

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  10. Thank you, Lynn. It wasn't too exhausting a walk, though. We did it at a very leisurely pace. I know what you mean about the outdoor gear. I'm already stressing about what to wear in Wales. xxx

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  11. Such amazing pictures!!! I love the flowers and the stretches of water! Loving the green combo!x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie. I love taking pictures when I'm out walking. In fact, any walk would not be complete without a camera for me. xxx

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  12. Oh what a lovely walk! You do seem to be having the same weather as us. Yes, this whole business of what to wear for a walk can be tricky. But I think you nailed it. It's not always necessary to wear the ubiquitous Walker's Uniform. Pembrokeshire, eh? How wonderful. Hope you get lovely weather for it. Have you been before? Xxx

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    1. I really enjoyed that walk, as well as the glorious weather. We holidayed in Pembrokeshire for the last couple of years, staying in a very sweet cottage for two. xxx

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