Tuesday 30 October 2018

Some kind of wild October gladness

While Autumn has by now well and truly crept up on us, with a viciously cold north-easterly wind plunging the temperature into the single figures, followed by a day of non-stop rain, it is hard to imagine that only a matter of weeks ago, we were blessed with sun drenched days on which we were able to go walking coat-less and bare-armed.

Too good to be wasted inside, the continuing Indian Summer days lured us outside two weekends ago, although any plans for longer walks were scuppered by the fact that my knee decided to play spoilsport.



I bought the skirt at Think Twice back in February, imagining it to be a high Summer piece, but now I think the colours are even better suited to a sunny Autumn day.  I combined it with a 1980s acrylic knit cap-sleeved jumper in hot pink, its triangularly patterned yoke and shoulders accented by tiny white squares.

It is by Quimo, a Danish women's knitwear brand founded in 1937, and I accessorized it with a plastic twin flower brooch and an olive beaded necklace. The ring was found at our favourite flea market a couple of weeks ago.



Casting around for somewhere new to walk, which wouldn't be too far and certainly not too strenuous, we decided to check out a park on the outskirts of the nearby town of Mechelen.

We have often passed Tivoli Park while on our way to the flea market venue, noticing its main entrance through an ornamental, stone pillared gate next to a gaily blue and white shuttered and gabled gatehouse.




It is a typical 19th Century domain surrounding a castle which looks out over a lake and an English style landscape garden.



There's a moat running around the domain, but the chronic lack of rain is apparent, notably where it is crossed by a quaint little bridge, where it was completely dry, leaving only a trickle of carelessly littered empty cans and wrappers.


The existence of a children's play area did put us off a bit, especially when on a day like this, parents and their boisterous children seemed to have flocked here, making the most of what could possibly be the last of the gorgeous late Summer days.


There's a folly in the shape of a little temple, which closer inspection reveals to be in an advanced state of disrepair, its fate undoubtedly sealed by its rotten timbers.


It's the castle itself which plays a starring role here, turned into a venue for business conferences, and with a restaurant in the orangery at the back.

With an orchard, picking garden, petting farm and nature trail mainly aimed at children, there is something for everybody, although we do like it a little bit quieter.

There's a small café next to the play area as well, but seeing how busy it was we gave it a wide birth and, with my knee hurting even when walking on level ground, we decided to call it a day.


By Sunday, my back had joined my knee in behaving badly, but I still refused to be defeated.

I dressed in a Summer frock that had escaped the changeover by hiding at the bottom of a pile, its white and navy vertical stripes joined by navy, pink, red and green flowers tumbling down towards the hem. A bright pink belt, green beaded necklace and red raffia envelope bag were my main accessories.


We drove down to one of Antwerp's loveliest parks, Den Brandt, where you've joined me quite a few times before (here and here, for instance), entering via the walled garden at the left of the park, which is guarded over by a little Buddha, a present from the Ambassador of Nepal in 2004


Leaving the walled garden via a set of steps and then proceeding slightly uphill through an avenue of majestic trees, I was glad I'd brought my walking stick for support. This usually stays at home for a simple walk in the park, only coming out when climbing or rough terrain is involved. Yes, I know you are laughing, Beate!



We foraged for sweet chestnuts and beech nuts, which were found in abundance among the thick carpet of leaves.


At the edge of the park is a series of bunkers, which were built by the Germans in 1943 as headquarters for the Atlantikwall in Belgium.

These, or rather the fascinating museum which is housed in the largest bunker, can be visited the first weekend of every month. 


Emerging from the path which runs next to the row of bunkers, the park's romantic castle, which was bathing in the hazy Autumn sunlight, could be glimpsed between the trees.


On the grassy field at the back of the castle, people sat and watched the world go by under a pale blue sky dotted with cotton wool clouds. 

We watched it all from a well placed bench, our hearts brimful of Sunday afternoon melancholy.


Linking my forgotten Summer frock to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!

32 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear you have been having some health issues. Puts a damper on things especially with your love for walking. Good for you getting out and enjoying the days anyhow. I know with a bad back that must have been a challenge. Hope you are feeling better now.

    The colours of the dress and your bright handbag are so cheery. That is one of the things I love about the 60s and 70s clothing, they were so full of hope.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Feeling much better, thank you, Suzanne! I'd never looked at it that way, but I guess you're right about clothes from the 1960s and 1970s being full of hope ... xxx

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  2. Sorry to hear about your knee and your back. Hope you return to normality soon...

    What gorgeous parks you have in Belgium.

    Loved your colourful outfits and your very pretty and beautifully co- ordinated walking stick!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica, all back to normal now. We are trying to find more places to walk, which aren't too far from home. xxx

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  3. I'm sorry to hear your knee and back are giving you trouble. Joints have a way of reminding us they're there at the worst possible times.

    At least the children were out playing. In the US the playgrounds are empty as they can't drag the kids away from their screens ;)

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    1. You're so right about joints, mine have certainly been misbehaving lately. We still have some well visited playgrounds here, although I'm not sure how long they'll be able to compete with the screens ... xxx

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  4. This post is pure poetry. You always delight and inspire. The beautiful skirt would add vibrance to any season. I love the pictures of the park, the museum and even the nut brown chestnuts in your palm .
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, Elle. I'm pleased to have inspired you! xxx

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  5. Btw, I am having some good results with a CBD oil. I wonder if that is available in your country. It is purely natural and non-intoxicating and it’s very good for joint pain.
    Passing that along my friend.
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. It'll be the first thing I'll look out for next week when we're in Holland! Thank you so much for the tip! xxx

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  6. Oh, what lovely pictures - Ann, you really have an artist's eye, both for your surroundings and your outfits (which, you know I love all the attention to detail). I hear you - I will turn around and leave a place with hordes of children. I'm not against kids - I used to be one! - but I prefer quieter environs.

    I need to make a visit to my local Castle to stave off some of my own Sunday melancholy.

    Have a lovely week! Oh, and Vizzini pictures today for you. :)

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    1. Aw, thank you Sheila! I used to be a kid too, but I've always been a bit of a loner, and hordes of children would have put me off even then ... Sunday melancholy is universal! xxx

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  7. no - my poor friend - i do not laugh! because i feel with you - i know how it is when the knees are only painful and the rest of the bod is pure cramp.....you should see me, on 2! trekking sticks, crawling down that mountain i lighthearted climbed upon like a happy mountain goat.......
    again we have similar clothes - mine is the handmade-behind-the-iron-curtain-version: https://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/2018/05/blumengarteninspiration.html
    :-D
    tons of hugs!! xxxxxxx

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    1. I thought you would laugh at the mention of "rough terrain", not at my painful knee and stiff back ;-) Of course you wouldn't! It's not much fun, is it, one minute a climbing goat and the next one a cripple! Indeed, we are having similar tops! xxx

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  8. Goodness me with your knee, Lynn's back, Jon's knee and my hip we're a right bunch, aren't we?
    I'm sorry you're struggling. I've got that walking stick in purple - at least we make for stylish cripples!
    The surroundings are perfect and your almost forgotten dress a real treasure. Lovely to see blue skies, too - it's all looking a bit grey here. xxx

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    1. ... and poor Philip as well! In fact, Jos is the only one without complaints. I guess they don't make them like that anymore! But, as you say, at least we're stylish cripples! xxx

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  9. Your poor back and knee! You did well to persevere with your trip. I get a really cranky lower back and the best thing for it is usually to 'walk it out', even if it's uncomfortable to start with, but I'm guessing a poorly knee makes that tactic less workable.

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    1. Much better now, Mim! Indeed, the best thing is to "walk it out". The problem is that I got the lower back pain due to the fact that I was trying to avoid my painful knee ... xxx

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  10. Your posts truly are a feast for the eyes and soul, Ann! Such beautiful writing and scenery and my favourite: your colourful outfits! I especially love that first outfit. That pink top is so pretty and I love how you accessorised it with the twin flower brooches. I hope your knee and back pain have eased and that you are feeling better. XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha, and I'm feeling much better now! xxx

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  11. I hope your back and knee are soon better. Apart from the pain and discomfort, it's a real shame when you love walking.
    You still managed some fab photography though, stunning.
    Have you changed your hairstyle, it looks great. xxx

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    1. It's got to be really bad for me not to go out walking! Both my back and knee are reasonably back to normal now. I did not change my hairstyle, in fact, I was due a haircut and I thought it was quite unmanageable. I'm pleased to hear you think it looks great! Phew! xxx

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  12. Oh Ann, this post is so beautiful, soaked with the last Summer warmth, sun rays, gorgeous flowers of the gardens and on your outfits! It is true poetry, in every picture and word... You look stunning! I admire your ability to overcome the pain and uncomfortableness and still go out and enjoy life. It's a strong spirit.

    I really enjoyed looking at both of your outfits, and pink was just right for both of them! Very pretty cane too!

    Lots of love, my dear. I hope you are feeling better!

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    1. Thank you so much, Natalia! Feeling much better now. I've had that cane for years. I just had to have one with flowers on it, didn't I? xxx

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  13. Knee and back! Pfff that is exhausting. But I do love the scenery. You know, we both love everything British right. Your skirt is wonderful. I hope your back and knee will hurt a lot less soon!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! It was quite exhausting, but I only have to think of you and wonder what I'm complaining about, really. All better now, by the way. xxx

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  14. Oh Ann so sorry about your pain. Get well soon ❤️
    Your post is wonderful with these pictures of parcs and castles. And you look amazing colourful in it.
    A very huge hug, Tina

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    1. Thank you for your well wishes Tina. It's a lot better now, but I'm being careful, as we're off to Zeeland in a week's time ... xxx

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  15. Hope your knee and back are feeling better now Anne. Glad you were able to get out and about to show us your lovely parks and castles. Love both outfits, so colourful!

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    1. Thank you so much, Linda, all back to normal now! xxx

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  16. hurrah for your forgotten summer frock!, it's a wonderful piece and I love the striped And floral motives! And you look fabulous wearing it!. Sorry that your knee and back were aching, it looked like a perfect autumn day, sunny and warm in a fabulous landscape!
    Also lovely pink top and floral skirt, and so cute bag!
    You rock your accessorizing, even when you have to wear a walking stick, it's a pretty one!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! No boring walking stick for me ;-) Oh, and my knee and back are much better, thank you! xxx

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