Smile for the camera

I always find the weeks before going on vacation a little nerve-wracking, with so many things still to be arranged, both at work and at home. Cat-sitters need to be briefed as to how her majesty likes to be treated, paperwork needs to be sorted and lists to be ticked off.

This is not in any way helped by the fact that I hate packing, especially clothes packing. We are going to Wales, after all, so we have to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Our holiday will also involve a lot of walking and the Pembrokeshire coast path certainly cannot be tackled in frivolous summer dresses and sandals.

So, it is the time of year when my jeans (which I do not wear throughout the year) have to be dug out of the suitcase on top of the wardrobe. This is followed by a trying-on session, when anything too tight is discarded. Believe me, that suitcase must have magic powers, as some years it has clearly shrunk all the trousers and I have to go last-minute shopping. This year, I'm happy to say, the suitcase was on good behaviour!

Last weekend, I have been choosing vintage tops to combine with the dreaded jeans, and of course I am taking some dresses too. With my clothing case packed and zipped up, I was glad to have this out of the way, although there is no guarantee I will take things out and add others until the very last moment.

What else did we do last weekend? Some time ago, we were asked by my friend's daughter if we wanted to do a surprise family photo session for my friend's birthday. It was on Saturday and it was good fun! Jos was the main photographer, having past experience with this kind of photography, but I tagged along and took my camera as well.

We went to the Middelheim park in Antwerp, which is an open air museum of sculpture and visual arts and a great setting for a photo session.

Ingrid, my friend, was at secondary school with me for four years, after which we lost touch.

















We met again via Facebook after 30 years in 2009 and she turned out to be living in the next village.

We now see each other regularly and our husbands, both being retired, even more so, as they meet every week for a drink.

The weather was great, the atmosphere was relaxed and a great afternoon was enjoyed by both the models and the photographers.

Of course, I took the opportunity to make some blog photos as well.

I love this fun photograph taken of Jos and me by Ingrid's daughter Cynthia.

I still have to finish the last of the packing, as we are leaving very early on Saturday, but I don't want to leave without showing you my finds of last week.

I bought these two dresses at Vintage Styling, which sadly will no longer be there by the time I get back ...

And finally, while waiting for the bank to open, I found this amazing book in a bargain book shop. I'm sure it will keep me occupied for a while ...

Pembrokeshire, here we come!

I won't have Internet access for two weeks, but then again I'll have a catch-up with you all to be looking forward to when I get back.

See you!