Wednesday 26 October 2016

All tomorrow's parties

Sunday before last we were quite spoiled for choice, with both an indoor and an outdoor flea market virtually on our doorstep.





As the weather forecast was right for a change, and we woke up to a sunny, almost summery day, it was obvious that the indoor market did not stand a chance.


The outdoor market was advertised as having 750 stalls and, on top of that, the location was just perfect, as it was at De Schorre in Boom, a recreational domain and nature reserve at the site of a former clay pit.










In fact, the domain is world renowned as the location of a huge EDM festival called Tomorrowland, which is being held yearly in July. Much to the chagrin of the inhabitants of the surrounding streets, I must say. The heavy basses can actually be heard and felt at our village, 8 kilometers away. It also poses a risk to the local wildlife as every year after the event walkers come across the bodies of small animals who have dropped dead out of sheer terror.

After we parked our car at a quiet back street instead of at the main and usually busy parking area, we had to walk all through the domain to reach the flea market itself.


As the weather was so glorious, we made the most of our walk down, which you can take quite literally as we had to descend into the main part of the domain by way of a set of wooden stairs.

We soon came across elements of a red metal art installation, which originally stood at the site of another former clay pit near Jos's childhood home, and which I blogged about here.

One day, the artwork had disappeared without a trace, until we found out it was moved to De Schorre. Here, the artwork has been split up and has somehow lost its meaning, especially as some of the elements are not relevant to their new location.


After descending the wooden stairs, which in places are badly in need of repairs, we strolled along the boardwalk meandering further into the domain.


Eventually, the boardwalk became a path, tempting us into a wooded area. Soon, we crossed the first of a series of bridges, crossing a secluded pond mirroring a guard of honour of crooked trees.


After this, a clearing was reached where we could see the flea market in the distance.


About the market itself, I can be very brief, as it was a disappointment. Stall after stall selling children's outgrown clothes and discarded toys, heaps of cheap high street clothing, bargain DVDs and dodgy gadgets. Only a stall selling boxes of gourds and the odd one with a selection of Lourdes memorabilia prompted me to take out my camera.


In the end, I only bought a brooch (as seen above pinned to my jacket) and two necklaces. Oh, and there was an inside part to the market as well, where I stumbled upon this game, which I remember playing with in infant school. Look, I've already made myself a bracelet!

In search of a perfect place for our picnic, we walked towards the bridge, on which the strange fixture you can see in the distance can be found.



The bridge, which is 537 meters long, is an art installation called "One World, by the People of Tomorrow". It was created especially for the Tomorrowland festival by Flemish visual artist Arne Quinze and was unveiled in 2014. Its centerpiece is inspired by the Nike of Samothrace sculpture, which represents victory and freedom.



On the bridge's wooden slats are 210.000 drawings and messages from people from all over the world. Spelling mistakes and all ...


The bridge is a permanent fixture, and as well as an art installation, it is part of a walk and cycle path along the ponds and through the domain. There are also conveniently placed benches in case you want to have a picnic with a view!


Walking back to our car, we passed some lonely remains of the former brickworks which used to be established here.


Here, one of the elements of the red metal artwork couldn't have been placed better.
It reads "Als een landschap kon spreken" (transl.: if a landscape could speak), framing the evocative ruin claimed by time and nature, almost but not quite drowning out the echoes of its industrial past.



20 comments:

  1. Sorry the the merchandise was disappointing, but as always I enjoyed the guided tour.

    The plastic links are interesting-they have much larger versions of them for children today, but the tiny ones would be considered a choking hazard. I don't know how our generation survived with all the dangerous toys and lead paint.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the tour Goody. I agree that it's a miracle we survived. Once in infant school, I put a bead in my ear, as I wanted to copy one of our neighbours, who was wearing pearl earrings. The school nurse was involved in trying to get it out ... xxx

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  2. exactly this marked was held last sunday in the village weinböhla! we drove down for almost an hour - to find just crap!
    but the weather went to the better this day and we went further down the river and visited meissen for a stroll and cake&coffee.
    the chain toy is gorgeous - perfect for making fun summer jewelry!!
    supercute matrioshka brooch!!!
    xxxxxx

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    1. As it was such a gorgeous day and so were the surroundings, it didn't matter in the least that the flea market was disappointing. We enjoyed our walk very much. Oh, and you're right about that toy: next summer I will be wearing a necklace made from it! xxx

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  3. I was excited by the sound of the festival until you mentioned poor animals dropping down dead in shock. Eeek!
    What a picturesque setting for a guided tour, I love the cool recycled art (reminiscent of Glastonbury's Arcadia) and coming from an industrial town I have a fondness for old factories, they feel like home.
    The market sounds just like our car boot sales, all nasty high street cast offs and kids' leftovers. I love the toy you bought, I'd have bought that, too! xxx

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    1. The philosophy and setting of the festival is quite alright, but I'm not fond of loud bassy music. It must be terrifying for those poor rabbits ... I'm quite fond of industrial heritage and I love that bridge and artwork, which really compliment the whole setting. There'll be other and better flea markets, so never mind. xxx

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  4. WOW what a cool place for an outdoor market, and plenty of stalls to tempt you to part with some cash. I rather fancy Russian dolls so I so would have got that brooch.

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    1. Even if there wasn't much to tempt me, I'm still happy with what I found, and I pinned on the Russian dolls brooch right away ... xxx

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  5. Love your beautiful outfit, the colours are my favourites! Oooh I wish our green spaces here had lovely walkways like yours. Love the broach and necklaces - I remember seeing necklaces like that in the 80's.

    Gosh! Too bad about those little critters! That music must have been fierce indeed!

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thanks! I'm having a fondness for greens! I love green spaces too, especially when they have some added surprises, like this one! Wishing you happy thrifting too! xxx

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  6. The disappointment of the market must have been overshadowed by the fabulous venue it was in.
    You really do have the loveliest of places to escape to.
    I like the brooch, great little find and the toy
    Lynn xxx

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    1. As you will agree, one can never have enough brooches! Didn't really mind about the flea market. The indoor one would have been better, but now we had a wonderful walk. xxx

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  7. What a shame the market was a disappointment! I do like the backdrop to it, the natural setting was lovely! Your green coat is rather lovely!!x

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    1. Thanks Kezzie. I didn't really matter about the flea market, though. That green jacket is one of my favourites, and just right for a day like this. xxx

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  8. Oh that's a shame that the market wasn't that great in itself. What a lovely location though!

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    1. The last flea market on that location was fabulous, so we were a little mislead. Anyway, it's so lovely there, we didn't actually mind very much. xxx

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  9. I think we should ignore the market and just enjoy the walk because it truly is a beautiful setting. I don't like anything about that festival. I hate loud bassy music and the thought of animals dying for humans' fleeting pleasure always appalls me :( Why do we think it's ok? xxx

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    1. That's exactly what we did Tania. We often walk there, and it's also very beautiful on a cold winter's day. I hate loud bassy music too. We know people who live in the area, who book a weekend away during the festival ... xxx

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  10. Those poor animals, it makes me so sad xxx

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    1. It makes me sad too, Melanie, and quite angry as well. xxx

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