tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337389776468984552024-03-29T11:48:24.552+01:00Polyester PrincessPolyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.comBlogger657125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-17415171415167762902024-03-24T15:42:00.000+01:002024-03-24T15:42:59.758+01:00In a rut<p>What with the work, eat, sleep, repeat pattern of my office days, it feels like I've been stuck in a rut a bit lately.</p><p>The same goes for my Winter wardrobe which, as much as l love all my clothes, I'm starting to get thoroughly bored with. A change is on the horizon though, as yesterday I've worked my final Friday ever - we're having the day off on Good Friday - and on top of that, Spring has now officially sprung. Never mind that, apart from the odd deliciously warm and sunny day, the season is still dragging its heels, Mother Earth has definitely had her wake-up call, and surely it can't be all that long now until we can ditch the woollens and warm Winter frocks in favour of some lighter fabrics.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw6I54HJ7bfA0H0siM4uRaD1ciDIi4Ly7qWSVtmjakSgDGQJV26MbLDNTyb9_MJFIh9kUM-Htm86uqJLcpiTNixcL8ScgK7xWnYu0NYvcNNyAZQvcThCgUAFimAf-FD8rz7-xw1Tq3bplh8R6buB5Zgec7val_BAC-TfporG3dx3mcFfnh0zeuVlB/s4030/Mar5-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw6I54HJ7bfA0H0siM4uRaD1ciDIi4Ly7qWSVtmjakSgDGQJV26MbLDNTyb9_MJFIh9kUM-Htm86uqJLcpiTNixcL8ScgK7xWnYu0NYvcNNyAZQvcThCgUAFimAf-FD8rz7-xw1Tq3bplh8R6buB5Zgec7val_BAC-TfporG3dx3mcFfnh0zeuVlB/w428-h640/Mar5-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There might have already been some Spring vibes going on in this outfit, which I wore to the indoor flea market on Sunday the 10th of March. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Make no mistake, though, as I was wearing both a cardigan and a fur-collared jacket to combat the chill inside the flea market venue. I never even took off my scarf and beret either, as someone must have thought it wise to turn the heating down that day. Never mind us punters, who were constantly on the move between stalls, what about those poor stall-holders who were mostly glued to their pitches all day? At 12°C, it actually felt much warmer outside than it did inside that cavernous hall!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bQEsJn1jYpj2Bp_OceU1b8z5QxU_hI6VSz4MsYimHf0A2-y1deXaadv6A1dmwBgEZczKOcT1rYkkQiDp_XOQseIZ-YPV5EdIN1Htqhdtbcm4Dy5GAnbG94NWBAtdwqdizkTyf5JH-W01X83ENhzQ0ivUDASCXCTnw7goTaSuj2PolPjdvnIKhfEN/s3264/Mar5-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bQEsJn1jYpj2Bp_OceU1b8z5QxU_hI6VSz4MsYimHf0A2-y1deXaadv6A1dmwBgEZczKOcT1rYkkQiDp_XOQseIZ-YPV5EdIN1Htqhdtbcm4Dy5GAnbG94NWBAtdwqdizkTyf5JH-W01X83ENhzQ0ivUDASCXCTnw7goTaSuj2PolPjdvnIKhfEN/w400-h400/Mar5-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The teal blouse with its funky orange, yellow, turquoise and white pattern was found for the silly price of € 2 on this very flea market in October 2016, and has been a regular on the blog ever since.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My skirt is an old Think Twice find. It is vintage St. Michael, and is part of a suit - what would nowadays be called co-ords - with a short-sleeved belted jacket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked turquoise and aqua for my accessories, which consisted of a charity shopped belt and beaded necklace - the latter originally from H&M - a chunky ring from the high street and a cat brooch from the wonderful <a href="https://www.katsign.be/katshop/" target="_blank">Katshop</a> in Antwerp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To cope with the strain of walking the flea market's endless aisles, I was wearing my charity shopped No Stress lace-up boots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSriB69Z53s3_yw57_57qDtFLAu_tBKh8BxrglQklGQnH8hgFRn7BmHgOQVmnvBYTLqnETA1MHba2cF4Q5Oa9mARr-psqrV4jFhbtDRMXHFJc1A6Mlx3FGuPkiHlvkakw0TD0mxVGI-_Uif6EvO4utOgb9XXUcs_F791M6YS6dbwRxaw_aS9IVJ_MS/s4032/Mar5-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="4032" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSriB69Z53s3_yw57_57qDtFLAu_tBKh8BxrglQklGQnH8hgFRn7BmHgOQVmnvBYTLqnETA1MHba2cF4Q5Oa9mARr-psqrV4jFhbtDRMXHFJc1A6Mlx3FGuPkiHlvkakw0TD0mxVGI-_Uif6EvO4utOgb9XXUcs_F791M6YS6dbwRxaw_aS9IVJ_MS/w400-h301/Mar5-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure you won't be surprised that I picked up another batch of brooches! They are my main subject of interest on flea markets in general, although obviously I'm keeping an open mind for other treasures as well. And with Jos's friend's generous gesture of supplying me with yet more of these shallow dark wooden drawers - in addition to the two I got earlier this month I've now got six more! - there's no reason to curb my enthusiasm! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjHqb0JH9sGq8pHckFxh80M1lrNX4o3GsdzWSnFNeZQhyDX0YlYVAK5cL5IfMopb5Nop3Mpm_VLyWjru9USvpaqJGGbV-zbTmbG0eRaHgZnvPUGvILCiiHZb3hCf2trfXgrJBFUvt36C8_WzsUy8XDrd32IJWxjubUhLIUiIEVFHx-xKQheJaP3D1/s2000/Mar5-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjHqb0JH9sGq8pHckFxh80M1lrNX4o3GsdzWSnFNeZQhyDX0YlYVAK5cL5IfMopb5Nop3Mpm_VLyWjru9USvpaqJGGbV-zbTmbG0eRaHgZnvPUGvILCiiHZb3hCf2trfXgrJBFUvt36C8_WzsUy8XDrd32IJWxjubUhLIUiIEVFHx-xKQheJaP3D1/w400-h400/Mar5-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day's finds were picked up from a variety of stalls and came in all shapes and sizes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although the majority of my brooches are vintage, I'm not averse to modern ones and I don't mind cheap 'n cheerful either. I basically buy those that tickle my fancy - if the price is right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tend to spend a bit more on pristine Italian micromosaic brooches, so I was pleasantly surprised that the stunner on the bottom left only had a price tag of € 15. It was my most expensive buy of that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cameo brooch on the top right is actually an early plastic Paris souvenir brooch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqktaOXwcKzVFtUZ_NjDBlbkYxMK38IcwU7D0O4AXovb5CW3dIvvz6AJ-Ak-KBkIMgNieLCi2ISPhWqDXUpnIn8XIAZ-U_jVAq0ETj59_bsPc4YwLErdBGRqgZ7y13WMOz-S5XlQG7IoHQNePaAWKT6gAXeXbTDFu2f0TVk68ZbBiHtVz6bc-JprT/s2000/Mar5-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqktaOXwcKzVFtUZ_NjDBlbkYxMK38IcwU7D0O4AXovb5CW3dIvvz6AJ-Ak-KBkIMgNieLCi2ISPhWqDXUpnIn8XIAZ-U_jVAq0ETj59_bsPc4YwLErdBGRqgZ7y13WMOz-S5XlQG7IoHQNePaAWKT6gAXeXbTDFu2f0TVk68ZbBiHtVz6bc-JprT/w408-h640/Mar5-e.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've grouped the birds together here. I seem to have a bit of a penchant for them, as I've had to resort to a second drawer for my bird-themed brooches!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, I've already worn the - vintage - peacock brooch and the - modern - woodpecker one, which you'll get to see in my next post(s). The peacock turned out to be a real dazzler, particularly when sunlight is playing with the plethora of rhinestones in its plumage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSqtifnCunlOBgs5FeQb-XhOxrmFH7l-LXEnX5Ev7vwxC0M1a5dKB9V2402Sjvfrkd4NgDlLN05c07b46BbFL60FLJbHoHy90hXDcBMxzUeFZf6xvmVFosYc4kgJ37RvEfZjKfoD2CxTyk29yBOPuO4w3t7yYwbhXRmz4zBJ3YFWeDD4igxpVthMs/s4030/Mar5-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSqtifnCunlOBgs5FeQb-XhOxrmFH7l-LXEnX5Ev7vwxC0M1a5dKB9V2402Sjvfrkd4NgDlLN05c07b46BbFL60FLJbHoHy90hXDcBMxzUeFZf6xvmVFosYc4kgJ37RvEfZjKfoD2CxTyk29yBOPuO4w3t7yYwbhXRmz4zBJ3YFWeDD4igxpVthMs/w400-h301/Mar5-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing our rummage, I picked up this 1970s oilcloth tablecloth from our friend Tania's stall. It's by the French company Nydel who are still going strong to this day, and will soon be gracing our kitchen table. We just need some placemats in a matching colour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWo-ErLKnOwDeycdifbEvrNZLKJ9U0xmQQzJPFM-xez6xutZTgAUDs_u2jhMZCCX24_NxQsLedgNw8xsVloawN5FYyoUWzM15u4VsWNOXKJHAAk7RJYx3Ph8Aw1Jb8ZCgNOmd81Fq2ibmVP_JNQexEYMdzcI_pGYQFShhLYAMGVUu-nI9nvpLfDIq/s4030/Mar5-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWo-ErLKnOwDeycdifbEvrNZLKJ9U0xmQQzJPFM-xez6xutZTgAUDs_u2jhMZCCX24_NxQsLedgNw8xsVloawN5FYyoUWzM15u4VsWNOXKJHAAk7RJYx3Ph8Aw1Jb8ZCgNOmd81Fq2ibmVP_JNQexEYMdzcI_pGYQFShhLYAMGVUu-nI9nvpLfDIq/w429-h640/Mar5-h.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after we'd entered the venue, I pounced upon this revolving necklace display, for which I gladly paid the € 5 asking price. As it was a bit cumbersome to carry around, the sellers kept it behind for us until we were ready to go. It has already been put to work displaying my current most worn necklaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHwxAdTbXkajAiCGsQ9O8RbLnbLfJwdKfG5o8SL7Qs3gy6fN6aj4eNzhlxECJrg7lmpERqzMEV4BjuGIStzeWu9zZHgeWy1JlXtwguIyHeu1yKtyT3zwBFR4yzL6kqdCgcouNdtBiS1OWVkq-8NSa-MfaBcDr-PiiKPWdm0cmcD7WaeIN5J0pE3op/s4030/Mar5-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHwxAdTbXkajAiCGsQ9O8RbLnbLfJwdKfG5o8SL7Qs3gy6fN6aj4eNzhlxECJrg7lmpERqzMEV4BjuGIStzeWu9zZHgeWy1JlXtwguIyHeu1yKtyT3zwBFR4yzL6kqdCgcouNdtBiS1OWVkq-8NSa-MfaBcDr-PiiKPWdm0cmcD7WaeIN5J0pE3op/w482-h640/Mar5-f.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With only two more aisles to go, my friend Inez, who was with us, told me she was looking for a vintage powder box, preferably made of carton, for her vanity. What are the odds of coming across a huge box full of them only a couple of minutes after she'd uttered those words? While she was engaged in the difficult task of making a choice, I spotted two more, equally huge boxes around the corner of the stall. The owner told us that she'd found about 800 of them when on a house clearance job. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was nothing for it but to buy a couple of them myself, and these are the four which, after much deliberation, were eventually selected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksVC-i2s1vCiNb5GuyGd7WzzmJXYnMCCx9vGH5IadQbIxjvp0Lz0G7tjxwaxxDeWJ5AkXYnNoN6eNP3XI-73hYOPoW4Zn6pXKSf71nPGgL-NruZbCfMHwIQws6fnErZBF6Rl9_L93OJWSPNLZyS_cgESUkXN6C-nAnxqHKS15nVh40Q_x-uGAEFDf/s2000/Mar5-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksVC-i2s1vCiNb5GuyGd7WzzmJXYnMCCx9vGH5IadQbIxjvp0Lz0G7tjxwaxxDeWJ5AkXYnNoN6eNP3XI-73hYOPoW4Zn6pXKSf71nPGgL-NruZbCfMHwIQws6fnErZBF6Rl9_L93OJWSPNLZyS_cgESUkXN6C-nAnxqHKS15nVh40Q_x-uGAEFDf/w400-h400/Mar5-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, the weekend had come and gone, the week ahead another 5-day one, with the weather yet again a mixed bag of mostly grey and rainy days and temperatures barely into the double digits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The monotony of my office days was broken on Wednesday by a hairdresser's appointment for a colour and cut during an extended lunch break. On my way back from the salon, I nipped into the charity shop a couple of houses down the street. This was purely out of habit, as I've hardly found anything here over the years. This time, however, my effort was rewarded by two midi skirts, a blue and tan plaid wool-blend one and a red cotton dream of a skirt with a pattern of sky blue, white and tan flowers and the odd butterfly. Both will be making their debut on the blog soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK25BupXIYLNWYfW2jezJuipV06ZqWxOZju2EM9S_l1P-9tTch8Y5VLS4p8PFeDc_0LIDGA2gHf-OigMsULgFFSzluqZ9JJZDUuwuB0bRZUQE-vZrlbUrWJxLf8_nOltCant86lyKCNAyVGH65ip6w34k0OIFwHj2trgHUrMD_5vgYHMyuhyphenhyphen8s-8V1/s3816/Mar5-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3816" data-original-width="2573" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK25BupXIYLNWYfW2jezJuipV06ZqWxOZju2EM9S_l1P-9tTch8Y5VLS4p8PFeDc_0LIDGA2gHf-OigMsULgFFSzluqZ9JJZDUuwuB0bRZUQE-vZrlbUrWJxLf8_nOltCant86lyKCNAyVGH65ip6w34k0OIFwHj2trgHUrMD_5vgYHMyuhyphenhyphen8s-8V1/w432-h640/Mar5-j.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Italian-made vintage dress, probably dating from the 80s, also ended up in my basket. On top of its eye-searing neon colours, it's also got a bit of sparkle, which my camera wasn't able to catch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The odd one out that week was Thursday, with its gorgeous Springlike weather and highs of 18°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It goes without saying that I went for a walk during my lunch break, and I'm sure regular readers won't be surprised to read that this took me into the direction of the Botanic Garden.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy2JPuSOFV854tejTZJ43xGwEJ9AX6JpSJeJbTuEY-g7_q6JVWZMUsGmWSBKZZy8H0qmZtWF4fH28Zqf5J_rY_8idC5Zx2SR_sMKHZ2Wo1heEb4NRMFpBkn5os3-WuMJ22N2U-9jdHM_x-wE5q8QVlTkXRf7n8rXw1E7UbwamcDLFhnTeXrCbib6J/s2000/Mar5-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy2JPuSOFV854tejTZJ43xGwEJ9AX6JpSJeJbTuEY-g7_q6JVWZMUsGmWSBKZZy8H0qmZtWF4fH28Zqf5J_rY_8idC5Zx2SR_sMKHZ2Wo1heEb4NRMFpBkn5os3-WuMJ22N2U-9jdHM_x-wE5q8QVlTkXRf7n8rXw1E7UbwamcDLFhnTeXrCbib6J/w400-h400/Mar5-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time, I went around the back, so to speak, making my way to the garden through the entrance to the white building on the top left, which used to belong to the college I attended for two years in the early 80s. I believe it's currently some kind of co-working space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To the right, when entering the garden from this direction, is a 17th Century arcade. This was originally a baroque shooting range, which was taken from the grounds of former archery society "Cercle Willem Tell" located in the Arenbergstraat around the corner, and rebuilt here in 1911-1912. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSvDko_NFJPU25KVgg1OvZA2vs9fy9-lC7Qp2EBfDYPPmnryU3f3gVQiR_U7EyPP_RoSCNdRs2PMaT7oeK46KkwQAVpiYg4eezc-Y48JYn1Z21WAt8hSdmKICj-iA_MCufkgjPIEXdJZ75msxSWxR8BD_Q5hg-I8UroeYXJ1tPpHt6vAFFBVw0aax/s2000/Mar5-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSvDko_NFJPU25KVgg1OvZA2vs9fy9-lC7Qp2EBfDYPPmnryU3f3gVQiR_U7EyPP_RoSCNdRs2PMaT7oeK46KkwQAVpiYg4eezc-Y48JYn1Z21WAt8hSdmKICj-iA_MCufkgjPIEXdJZ75msxSWxR8BD_Q5hg-I8UroeYXJ1tPpHt6vAFFBVw0aax/w400-h400/Mar5-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The greenhouses, which contain cacti and other exotic plants, are on the left. They were built as recent as 1976, but retain the form of the old 1880s conservatory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPscWwr73rmRLVm-UGxpE03TcS_3pAuC8x1XA3lL7aJ270R87C0ESQdwwG0_iyho2Kr3xDbKYZGGLzwUj5T3iMGB5iGe45PCrkHw9_80jkBnTSGUCdIDPclLxOSFpDgml9ZjYxBsoYxC0HVnfCkHsaLhsHIMQQ9T2BBEGcY4JeG9UlbjR7RRK48yH/s2000/Mar5-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPscWwr73rmRLVm-UGxpE03TcS_3pAuC8x1XA3lL7aJ270R87C0ESQdwwG0_iyho2Kr3xDbKYZGGLzwUj5T3iMGB5iGe45PCrkHw9_80jkBnTSGUCdIDPclLxOSFpDgml9ZjYxBsoYxC0HVnfCkHsaLhsHIMQQ9T2BBEGcY4JeG9UlbjR7RRK48yH/w640-h640/Mar5-m.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this time of year, I'm sure it's possible to watch the garden grow while sitting on one of the garden's benches. Although I'd only been here a mere week ago, the changes were remarkable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shrubs were starting to blossom and there were fiery orange Pyracantha bushes and a yellow haze provided by Forsythia and a variety of daffodils.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8CoKOm48nD1vHa-Tk7qGAPAYe_c2dwHpGZZnJawfg-lIRt_uomHgUZl_5OGuMSlM8aWuHkBW8xsrxO0-w8OorjxOJvPTUfBgCY0LScHpmKhyphenhyphenIZQsFNagUPKs8kpQBYr1JeNCdopv4Cde8ozkzyn3QkmAIyjVLairJu-LlFU6kFunUFsR_4q670re/s2000/Mar5-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8CoKOm48nD1vHa-Tk7qGAPAYe_c2dwHpGZZnJawfg-lIRt_uomHgUZl_5OGuMSlM8aWuHkBW8xsrxO0-w8OorjxOJvPTUfBgCY0LScHpmKhyphenhyphenIZQsFNagUPKs8kpQBYr1JeNCdopv4Cde8ozkzyn3QkmAIyjVLairJu-LlFU6kFunUFsR_4q670re/w400-h400/Mar5-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two ducks seemed to have taken up residence in the tiny ornamental pond, while a firebug was visiting a patch of forget-me-nots. There were some showy pink Camellias and Peter van Coudenberghe, the garden's founder, was keeping watch over the magnificent Magnolia tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxp9yF6da7ShtIVO22Bl4MICbihKqJ19hBvuZZPjpAqEUd8KvrkUsDSNB1XaEol9xUiwdlPkM1EvR1oIZv5Hy8pYEzU2Ydzub4WeeAwsKzWPUbuMomyLpIJ2O9rmp_lrKIMRZnYFGDk-LSp7UuyGtrojKi4-HAx-mxVbULXhFMDXHaGGBup2P96kh/s4030/Mar5-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxp9yF6da7ShtIVO22Bl4MICbihKqJ19hBvuZZPjpAqEUd8KvrkUsDSNB1XaEol9xUiwdlPkM1EvR1oIZv5Hy8pYEzU2Ydzub4WeeAwsKzWPUbuMomyLpIJ2O9rmp_lrKIMRZnYFGDk-LSp7UuyGtrojKi4-HAx-mxVbULXhFMDXHaGGBup2P96kh/w482-h640/Mar5-o.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it's with a close-up of its lush goblet-shaped blooms that I'm bidding you goodbye for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See you next time, and let's hope that Spring has arrived in earnest by then!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-86209145087443217652024-03-18T19:53:00.000+01:002024-03-18T19:53:00.607+01:00A waterlogged walk<p style="text-align: left;">The weather, as well as my mood, had its ups and downs in the first week of March. Although the temperature was reasonably well-behaved and kept flitting around the double digits, the weather gods were in one of their moods again. They were sulking for no apparent reason and sending us sunshine one day and all-day rain the next.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The weather's continuing fickleness has been affecting my mood and both my mental wellbeing and my energy levels have been suffering as a result. Still, I've been trying to find a slice of happiness in the small things, which that week included the sight of some cheerful golden daffodils during Wednesday's lunchtime stroll to the Botanical Garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4jaccb-xVZdeJnPEHQHAMp8himdINUbAkFvN1486pqXxexRAhWqLW-UW7A0LELvgO_8GIog1Dkvaf396OULmFpJayqzRaHczdL9wNrMWMelcxeVBcEASACe8jW2oXumGfPTWmEqWdUvyi9uFXmCnMPe9Eqsv-q7ph4zylJEww-hX09Lt9HhpL-zu/s4028/Mar4-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4jaccb-xVZdeJnPEHQHAMp8himdINUbAkFvN1486pqXxexRAhWqLW-UW7A0LELvgO_8GIog1Dkvaf396OULmFpJayqzRaHczdL9wNrMWMelcxeVBcEASACe8jW2oXumGfPTWmEqWdUvyi9uFXmCnMPe9Eqsv-q7ph4zylJEww-hX09Lt9HhpL-zu/w301-h400/Mar4-c.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That same day, on my way back to the office, I couldn't resist taking a photo of a shop selling <i>Antwerpse Handjes, </i>the famous hand-shaped biscuits referring to the legend of Brabo and Antigoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">According to said legend, Antigoon was an evil giant who demanded tolls from people wanting to cross the river and cut off the hands of those who refused to pay. After slaying the giant, Brabo - a brave Roman soldier - gave him a taste of his own medicine by cutting off his hand and throwing it into the river Scheldt. As per popular belief, the city's name - Antwerpen - is derived from the act of Brabo throwing the hand, which is 'handwerpen" in Flemish. Whether there is any truth in it or not, the hand became a symbol of Antwerp, appearing on the city seal as early as the thirteenth century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The little hand-shaped biscuits were developed in 1934, and are therefore celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. If you look closely you'll be able to see that the celebratory 90 is entirely made up of these iconic biscuits!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5qBPiYOzwskzufDrJ22xefNFPLLutoD37V5rC9hN0YMgaHFo6DOlX8LkqSLO7I6umStED7W_pXHCFQzmgG_Z6uzwW3Vl6ieBBfUtQP2_Fh8uA_ijCQkQXCNjTHrIaXx3DVdT9Efnd3RjBRtjIblg49-oT15ZhVDlxcuNX_YPhn78zsl0DxPB9O8/s4028/Mar4-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5qBPiYOzwskzufDrJ22xefNFPLLutoD37V5rC9hN0YMgaHFo6DOlX8LkqSLO7I6umStED7W_pXHCFQzmgG_Z6uzwW3Vl6ieBBfUtQP2_Fh8uA_ijCQkQXCNjTHrIaXx3DVdT9Efnd3RjBRtjIblg49-oT15ZhVDlxcuNX_YPhn78zsl0DxPB9O8/w301-h400/Mar4-d.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another source of happiness is of course our little monster, Bess, who was celebrating an anniversary of her own that week. The 4th of March marks the third anniversary of that fateful day that she came to live at Dove Cottage back in 2021. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's nothing short of heart-warming that she welcomes me home in the evening by jumping onto my lap the minute I sit down. She often cannot wait until I have taken off my coat and boots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQ_0Ku2xxFWRvEONeOR3VYGl-WqAywNgUMzpJdN49ysKVYrkESoWJ025nXLIk8GqNKRg9fsAx34bzvBCvCEqpFJyekUWvE3keb1yUJg0z8UYBNcpGXgsZsUj3ID0q4UjrNar0mWpgG_9RtL40yMkh9SA7qHmPSeF9L-fKyrBIcXq84ABgKusKsK7/s4028/Mar4-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQ_0Ku2xxFWRvEONeOR3VYGl-WqAywNgUMzpJdN49ysKVYrkESoWJ025nXLIk8GqNKRg9fsAx34bzvBCvCEqpFJyekUWvE3keb1yUJg0z8UYBNcpGXgsZsUj3ID0q4UjrNar0mWpgG_9RtL40yMkh9SA7qHmPSeF9L-fKyrBIcXq84ABgKusKsK7/w301-h400/Mar4-e.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, there's my current read, which has me entirely in its grip, although admittedly I'm often too tired after work to read more than just a couple of paragraphs. Looking on the bright side, however, my slower progress will allow me to savour it just that little bit longer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsONptGkal0DlgbasZqC64a7WuQjyoO-wXci7t8auk9vnZ_LJvtuxRWp_V6TtIcH1H0GE8QpBJix9_kJj6hEgZAYWWR-P9B-C0etd2ok8zqIna7yjhaBjedLdoAZcD7owRJN4tLE12g-IXq9c9_Ig3tkoGBkg02iYAYJLHaakLJ4R2RTCaaqaYEoD/s4030/Mar4-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsONptGkal0DlgbasZqC64a7WuQjyoO-wXci7t8auk9vnZ_LJvtuxRWp_V6TtIcH1H0GE8QpBJix9_kJj6hEgZAYWWR-P9B-C0etd2ok8zqIna7yjhaBjedLdoAZcD7owRJN4tLE12g-IXq9c9_Ig3tkoGBkg02iYAYJLHaakLJ4R2RTCaaqaYEoD/w301-h400/Mar4-f.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Work had been busy and stressful, so I was more than glad to be able close the office door behind me on Thursday afternoon, having opted to sacrifice another day of my holiday quota to take Friday off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We slept until about 7.30, when a crew of workmen arrived to repair the sinkhole in the gutter between our house and our neighbour's, caused by the digging up of our pavement to lay fast fibre back in September. The fibre crew's notorious inefficiency has been causing problems left, right and centre, in our case resulting in a burst sewer pipe. Discovered early November, it took a crazy amount of phonecalls from Jos to the local council - the last one containing a threat to involve the local TV news station - until finally something was done about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Lv9WWG39OJNWaguvw_qWciI8ORx0SWj-spxkyRn4mysvE5IfvNepl3EQG2lkpmJM5nFlqfla_yZchGcv62XSANA4JEb4xyZPjdvXac9gyX1ph54vpw2qwc0ORXUlVLBxDIRGBmOhQ6xJ0HimN8PVcA1p43_QQmRNERuK0wQxQZZIMKhm-L8i3rap/s4030/Mar4-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Lv9WWG39OJNWaguvw_qWciI8ORx0SWj-spxkyRn4mysvE5IfvNepl3EQG2lkpmJM5nFlqfla_yZchGcv62XSANA4JEb4xyZPjdvXac9gyX1ph54vpw2qwc0ORXUlVLBxDIRGBmOhQ6xJ0HimN8PVcA1p43_QQmRNERuK0wQxQZZIMKhm-L8i3rap/w428-h640/Mar4-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The black floral Mae Scott frock was part of a Think Twice birthday haul in September 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up the orange in its pattern using various shades of orange with my vinyl and elastic belt - an ancient retail buy - a charity shopped tiled necklace and an orange and green mottled brooch picked up from a flea market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of my heart-patterned King Louie cardigans - in teal this time - was layered on top, with a vintage orange flower brooch pinned to it. Emerald green opaques and a pair of charity shopped pine green ankle boots completed my outfit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kI4sg3c81luO1JiBb-Lb_eoWEFjv-6TyiXu24kH7-abv3VPnVtJmBXiUBJcyXETTITPQWA6Lj11m4nbrm0hITXhwDVF-BiAM1cyJ813QzGAZn0RSDtll8no8lUVAlwCaBq2MJhMBeApZVvPh8DeFb7ZpZ4sTy3hchGHbUgqaMPeRtPH_DbsT_SW1/s2000/Mar4-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kI4sg3c81luO1JiBb-Lb_eoWEFjv-6TyiXu24kH7-abv3VPnVtJmBXiUBJcyXETTITPQWA6Lj11m4nbrm0hITXhwDVF-BiAM1cyJ813QzGAZn0RSDtll8no8lUVAlwCaBq2MJhMBeApZVvPh8DeFb7ZpZ4sTy3hchGHbUgqaMPeRtPH_DbsT_SW1/w400-h400/Mar4-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although it was a sunny day, a nippy wind made it feel a lot colder than the alleged highs of 10°C, and didn't exactly put us in the mood for a walk. Neither did we care much for a rummage at the charity shops. What with Saturday's Retro Day event, it would have been nothing short of frustrating to see all the cordoned off overpriced vintage stuff which people would be gullible enough to buy the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead, Jos vacuumed and I pottered - I know, exciting! - in the end only leaving the house to run a couple of errands in the afternoon. These included picking up some felt sheets from a haberdashery shop which I needed to line yet more of those wooden brooch drawers gifted by Jos's friend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Saturday - we were the 9th of March by now - we'd been promised a springlike day with temperatures of up to 15°C, so I'm sure you can imagine our disappointment we were initially greeted by a solid grey sky.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLZ5CXSQ3d3tgDpLNnFVQlOEUujXcVdh6CjkxVOpnThmnSFWS7txAHZIsnoJ49Y0EW12CAWoZhnXwtqOmEPlTYNAY6KVRcX0hNtkiHg-txjBHhi7I2HKFD27Szr4QR6vpBcgQNTTcTa2uPuD6hRFGcWfOUm1z9SNpdK0Spe-uZfJ3Fh-X12Vv3Aro/s2000/Mar4-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLZ5CXSQ3d3tgDpLNnFVQlOEUujXcVdh6CjkxVOpnThmnSFWS7txAHZIsnoJ49Y0EW12CAWoZhnXwtqOmEPlTYNAY6KVRcX0hNtkiHg-txjBHhi7I2HKFD27Szr4QR6vpBcgQNTTcTa2uPuD6hRFGcWfOUm1z9SNpdK0Spe-uZfJ3Fh-X12Vv3Aro/w400-h400/Mar4-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Still, we were determined to make up for lost time and go for a walk a bit further afield. However, I was having an off-day, which was made worse by the lack of sunshine, so that I had to drag myself off the sofa and gear myself up into walking mode.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The further afield plans were ditched but, bored silly with our strolls in the local parks, we decided to drive down to Walenhoek, a nature reserve about 10 kilometers from Dove Cottage, in the village of Niel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But lo and behold: as I was putting on my coat, the sun had decided to make an appearance after all, which instantly boosted my mood!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By the time we'd parked our car, whole gaps had appeared in the blanket of grey which was soon replaced by a bright blue sky filled with wisps of white clouds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTWMB8Ag1WszVJQziBu6owYXvGBZ0eLaDThjQdW7ML2wbGn176PD91PAbw370Y19deQFCM_vYcXHdUoZ3zhr3xv1sw4kYDXJRutLw00WCDTA-QWnFoR5sv3moaOFo8RTj-BETdXl2zb9ExIDY_IxHJ-IoVfDEfIARiRT6Z8H13yxvO0j2Yn9cC62J/s2000/Mar4-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTWMB8Ag1WszVJQziBu6owYXvGBZ0eLaDThjQdW7ML2wbGn176PD91PAbw370Y19deQFCM_vYcXHdUoZ3zhr3xv1sw4kYDXJRutLw00WCDTA-QWnFoR5sv3moaOFo8RTj-BETdXl2zb9ExIDY_IxHJ-IoVfDEfIARiRT6Z8H13yxvO0j2Yn9cC62J/w400-h400/Mar4-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our previous visit here, which I was incredulous to note dated from April 2023, was marred by roadworks and the presence of a whole community of illegal fishermen who'd set up their tents at the edge of the reserve's plethora of ponds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But although there was no longer any sign of road diversions, it soon became apparent that those pesky<i> </i>fishermen hadn't upped and left during our absence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It also soon became clear that the incessant rains of the last six months or so had left the highest water levels we'd ever seen here, with quite a few flooded areas as a result.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tree on the top left, which now had its feet firmly planted into the pond, is the same one Jos is standing in front of on the top right (November 2020). On the bottom right, you can see it in its full Summer regalia (July 2020), while on the bottom left I am posing between its multiple trunks in January 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1N4Q2RF1gS6tpTdlSH7_FZ0J83aUGAdtQ13NAZ6xdualXVxOWFKd8HYgGYceNZUMb5DsFMgSg501MjZl1RZMncMZQWNuQqAo4rh3ypkVsY_4oRtb4rNtYsFrywXWCheaQhkfAw9yqXm5gglWokm1RzPSIsjvp8cWYxyKnMnszyA4MoW-qTlwpCw8/s2000/Mar4-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1N4Q2RF1gS6tpTdlSH7_FZ0J83aUGAdtQ13NAZ6xdualXVxOWFKd8HYgGYceNZUMb5DsFMgSg501MjZl1RZMncMZQWNuQqAo4rh3ypkVsY_4oRtb4rNtYsFrywXWCheaQhkfAw9yqXm5gglWokm1RzPSIsjvp8cWYxyKnMnszyA4MoW-qTlwpCw8/w400-h400/Mar4-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We should have known it would be tempting fate to take the narrow reed-lined path running between two ponds (below, top left), and indeed we were soon halted in our tracks at a spot where the two ponds had joined forces to seriously flood the path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was nothing for it but to turn left onto the semi-flooded and muddy path (below, top right) and end up again on the path we'd originally started from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEIgRZ_w6HHjAdB4bJymX9Ce5TS5M8Jy7tBR_JWPyxWxNfK4uzHw4Vesbxb4pY5Dx471lP61Wu6f-Y5OfdrRuk07Fg2qZRHJJHYp7_OAC7cDVVQtUlNmha45DTIR_LlSFE0DbKq8p7KVgRDbXOpIHh1AyQAHT0oWJhj7qO6rl7j6Q7USdQrQpGTIZ/s2000/Mar4-j2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEIgRZ_w6HHjAdB4bJymX9Ce5TS5M8Jy7tBR_JWPyxWxNfK4uzHw4Vesbxb4pY5Dx471lP61Wu6f-Y5OfdrRuk07Fg2qZRHJJHYp7_OAC7cDVVQtUlNmha45DTIR_LlSFE0DbKq8p7KVgRDbXOpIHh1AyQAHT0oWJhj7qO6rl7j6Q7USdQrQpGTIZ/w640-h640/Mar4-j2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This wasn't much of a hardship, though, particularly when we spotted the cormorant who, in spite of giving us the side-eye, willingly posed for me and another photographer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP_8AfI3mBiaHXX60Fkrgtjwjfrub33A3r94SEvOm3PeY60DpOFwu2rQgMWwkek7oxUd5b_CLqs11fumdBTlro9jK8sMflGBQEAmVvgpNuMER0J7fHff_22h9YFjf_u-EM7dyjVUuACc9_Da3b4V60390lwGw4o95KV-dmGFWCVNOxdln6c6Eo5Xp/s4030/Mar4-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP_8AfI3mBiaHXX60Fkrgtjwjfrub33A3r94SEvOm3PeY60DpOFwu2rQgMWwkek7oxUd5b_CLqs11fumdBTlro9jK8sMflGBQEAmVvgpNuMER0J7fHff_22h9YFjf_u-EM7dyjVUuACc9_Da3b4V60390lwGw4o95KV-dmGFWCVNOxdln6c6Eo5Xp/w428-h640/Mar4-k.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thinking on my feet, I announced to Jos that I was going to make our walk circular by taking a right turn and then a left. This would take us to a fishing club's pond and then away from the wetlands through a stretch of woodland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSoXLpSYHl4evPJFAc_aWDdDmylvkDiXa3-bK3a2DwPIGYNsDYWqJJPGXH1Lx4hKBrIVcGH0kk-5ZnLuJjy35xtTWVDd1p9khxEZ2KteLfFMUZqBwzvBEdBVfSNie9e843kWAb6rS7WsaRWwZgQaK3NntmMlC3ekneTKCEYZFie-sD4XvyNKA9z-I/s2000/Mar4-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSoXLpSYHl4evPJFAc_aWDdDmylvkDiXa3-bK3a2DwPIGYNsDYWqJJPGXH1Lx4hKBrIVcGH0kk-5ZnLuJjy35xtTWVDd1p9khxEZ2KteLfFMUZqBwzvBEdBVfSNie9e843kWAb6rS7WsaRWwZgQaK3NntmMlC3ekneTKCEYZFie-sD4XvyNKA9z-I/w400-h400/Mar4-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, my first attempt failed miserably as the right turn I'd confidently taken turned out to be the wrong one, dead-ending at the edge of another pond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With no fellow walkers to disturb us, we declared this the perfect spot for outfit photos. The weather was balmy enough to take off my coat and scarf and show you what I was wearing underneath. There was even a tree at hand which turned out to the perfect coat stand!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRXaKTGJHyuxrW8XIrP8MtDwWQX0KOol-EOF45FG0dDvm2gZJvMbWqf_poGw-nDpA5IraGi7IeGui8YGdAuUbRXlBWR8TDQOxFzmBDVoI5TWrzDU707AoJbnhhriZfTXsbQKUxDn59mi38aBIfZtAFANq3dHYebF2yw03_b4SFrnxVWVKYP2WrpK6/s4030/Mar4-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRXaKTGJHyuxrW8XIrP8MtDwWQX0KOol-EOF45FG0dDvm2gZJvMbWqf_poGw-nDpA5IraGi7IeGui8YGdAuUbRXlBWR8TDQOxFzmBDVoI5TWrzDU707AoJbnhhriZfTXsbQKUxDn59mi38aBIfZtAFANq3dHYebF2yw03_b4SFrnxVWVKYP2WrpK6/w428-h640/Mar4-m.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sky blue dress with its intriguing geometrical print was long overdue an outing. It was bought at Episode, part of a Dutch chain of vintage shops, in 2015.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For obvious reasons, I always seem to pair it with oodles of yellow, in this case in the form of my opaques, necklace and charity shopped Who's That Girl cardigan with its white and two-tone blue chevron pattern. To the latter, I pinned a blue flower corsage found on a flea market. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'd be forgiven for thinking that the blue fabric belt came with the dress, but it didn't. It used to belong to dress which is no longer in my wardrobe, but which I sold without the belt as I'd forgotten its existence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-bIYRg_DGVqiZ_R42DfVKQN3B8fsr9rW1CDR7SVvhgEY2yUxNhyphenhyphen7mbP1r3TtJqlcTv8Y6Y79EfDJuVN-09ujNHsSf3pUf9HNN9uWH6fmxql8GcXy0JP3Azz5N2bGrf_2g9bvHiHxGUPXZVbgnrlkm8qEPiMbNFoMWbcivO3MGqxUZH3IV7pZhv_g/s2000/Mar4-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-bIYRg_DGVqiZ_R42DfVKQN3B8fsr9rW1CDR7SVvhgEY2yUxNhyphenhyphen7mbP1r3TtJqlcTv8Y6Y79EfDJuVN-09ujNHsSf3pUf9HNN9uWH6fmxql8GcXy0JP3Azz5N2bGrf_2g9bvHiHxGUPXZVbgnrlkm8qEPiMbNFoMWbcivO3MGqxUZH3IV7pZhv_g/w400-h400/Mar4-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally on the right track by taking the correct right turning, we were faced with another hurdle when we tried to find the left turning we needed. As in normal circumstances this path narrowly bridges two ponds, it had almost disappeared. Spurred on by a young couple who were walking in front of us and who eventually gave us the all-clear, we decided to brave it. On the top left, you can see Jos negotiating the narrow stretch of mud between the trees, which was all that was left of the path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The views left and right to the ponds were nothing short of magical! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRI2YeIsmA7zP5_lwD-dIDKzgtSwSOaTfEWDJ5fJOfHcisLmmXnDz-J3_7jUZXruANY57tVJRTzwVN6wd6D82FGXjNZa8Zd_G8RzA4uEsFebq8b3O4YW3jmtNoDNv8_B0EIl4xK6MRvypJMn7u4zTfmbYsS1ipQkVf8oL_WmdkomxXYgtaMYXkcCT/s4030/Mar4-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRI2YeIsmA7zP5_lwD-dIDKzgtSwSOaTfEWDJ5fJOfHcisLmmXnDz-J3_7jUZXruANY57tVJRTzwVN6wd6D82FGXjNZa8Zd_G8RzA4uEsFebq8b3O4YW3jmtNoDNv8_B0EIl4xK6MRvypJMn7u4zTfmbYsS1ipQkVf8oL_WmdkomxXYgtaMYXkcCT/w301-h400/Mar4-o.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we made it past the fishing club's pond and into the woods, the sun was hiding behind a layer of grey again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, the inevitable rain had the decency to hold off until long after we got back home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido4y9MTc1OJJEJb0JLsRVABAjoOwtm2U6GNugSnQEis2ohTsDr20VqU1ztR1EJsfOLzgn6VEiTS-nfXqkFbltaTL0MNceZTQHaTHTc18PzDC-M-YzvBlwgZD-WEhYnu8h_RVF8f33KXOFd3DEr5nlxiittXDcLxEKiK_3iPuIyREWEV48Z_l5pw9P/s4030/Mar4-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEido4y9MTc1OJJEJb0JLsRVABAjoOwtm2U6GNugSnQEis2ohTsDr20VqU1ztR1EJsfOLzgn6VEiTS-nfXqkFbltaTL0MNceZTQHaTHTc18PzDC-M-YzvBlwgZD-WEhYnu8h_RVF8f33KXOFd3DEr5nlxiittXDcLxEKiK_3iPuIyREWEV48Z_l5pw9P/w400-h268/Mar4-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weekend still had one more trick up its sleeve, as we had the March edition of the indoor flea market to look forward to on Sunday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But that, my friends, will be for next time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-40637140272200269962024-03-13T19:14:00.001+01:002024-03-13T19:14:42.933+01:00Life in March<p>March at last, and soon we'll be bidding farewell to Winter and welcome Spring. </p><p>As if that isn't enough to put a spring in my step this will also be my last month of full-time employment, ever. The end of an era, so to speak, and about time too. No more squandering part of my holiday quota on those much needed Fridays off. No more measly two-day weekends in which there's never enough time to call my own. The First of April cannot come soon enough!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXawZN8S8m1dbJIiNkYj2WlHGvOpQ2uBMhRrPNUTctRJz2-c-jTLi8fP8bt81UH7d2jKRhbqjj4dSFxQvAf4aJB5bZmlCzGqYLFwSy2gH3pYxRUOcuj-ozSYfrHV1nYV3JNaawtOnOAvdVkP_TB2UR7ETditED6uGnM_D3DhuWQsy5SyRFGdge9ha/s4030/Mar3-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXawZN8S8m1dbJIiNkYj2WlHGvOpQ2uBMhRrPNUTctRJz2-c-jTLi8fP8bt81UH7d2jKRhbqjj4dSFxQvAf4aJB5bZmlCzGqYLFwSy2gH3pYxRUOcuj-ozSYfrHV1nYV3JNaawtOnOAvdVkP_TB2UR7ETditED6uGnM_D3DhuWQsy5SyRFGdge9ha/w428-h640/Mar3-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we're not there just yet, and as the thought of another month of five-day working weeks made me break on in a sweat, I decided to take Friday the First of March off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It had been a grey and rainy week, so the sunshine which greeted us that morning was welcomed with open arms. Sadly, however, it didn’t last: by the time we'd finished breakfast it had turned into another miserable and windblown day. One of those washed-out days which needed a hefty dose of colour!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The temperature might have reached double digits - if only just - a nasty wind made it feel quite a bit chillier, so that I needed some warmth as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDJIhep3FTSwoSvD9pIexFH-68BKiBkAfYD9-5ARDXjiezil5J7JOolEGeJiJ2twe1iPPNMJbT49LZ9VO03F9MB-nhjyS2IFM2tbSdrCN5wiHkN4fp980PoaA2LROxWey7jJiL4TTlyAYgWLUdU4lzUd8NIVx3PAaDw-NLG9nbcM1B7gnTRBrQ4nb/s2000/Mar3-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDJIhep3FTSwoSvD9pIexFH-68BKiBkAfYD9-5ARDXjiezil5J7JOolEGeJiJ2twe1iPPNMJbT49LZ9VO03F9MB-nhjyS2IFM2tbSdrCN5wiHkN4fp980PoaA2LROxWey7jJiL4TTlyAYgWLUdU4lzUd8NIVx3PAaDw-NLG9nbcM1B7gnTRBrQ4nb/w400-h400/Mar3-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My bottle green faux-suede skirt was a pre-Covid retail buy from Mango and has proved to be worth its weight in gold. I couldn't imagine my Winter wardrobe without it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time around I paired it with a red patterned Diolen blouse - one of that week's Think Twice sales bargains - which I topped with a charity shopped shaggy yellow cardigan. The multi-coloured wooden beads and the pale green suede belt with its groovy beaded buckle were charity shop finds as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In honour of St. David's Day, I pinned a felted daffodil brooch to my blouse. It came all the way from Wales, purchased at the end of a most wonderful day spent at the National Trust owned Chirk Castle last June.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxrjOUykB2PCUOxsm5-ngs1l8ZLC1GbUi_7DBOEKnfLqMW_FZ7SgECGG1CCtxzDnrGVj9fQWpnLzZaKLGcQjnZKgvzKdpjtzG4JQ4kIRyUX1lW1MY83qeUSB5HpLUiroWFcU6r5EPMQUK9Ja9emPNMWaVK13GX6Xqw5C6iXCps2_WnLmQSYlaprpK/s2000/Mar3-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxrjOUykB2PCUOxsm5-ngs1l8ZLC1GbUi_7DBOEKnfLqMW_FZ7SgECGG1CCtxzDnrGVj9fQWpnLzZaKLGcQjnZKgvzKdpjtzG4JQ4kIRyUX1lW1MY83qeUSB5HpLUiroWFcU6r5EPMQUK9Ja9emPNMWaVK13GX6Xqw5C6iXCps2_WnLmQSYlaprpK/w400-h200/Mar3-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Obviously, the Diolen blouse wasn't the only thing that followed me home from the Think Twice sales that week. Over several lunch breaks, I found a round blue crochet bag (€ 4), a pair of wooden clog sandals from the Swedish Moheda brand (€ 2) and a floral button-through cotton skirt (€ 4, below bottom left and right).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOrQwQ9eION525t8m42hkkDvAxqtKklQqRLVhibYrbjsKWwBrGNE8_Jg8xiKQ5LsqKt4g_m8kEPFtkMNeHoepcqGNZSgo8jhQvSeFIOTXQWnGLbpkEji7zjQh-lCYHgtDDvY2WaqQMpQ9-4XFHuNkYJKUF9Nf0U2QPjqLdXAwClgDM-4CMekWQjHp/s2000/Mar3-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOrQwQ9eION525t8m42hkkDvAxqtKklQqRLVhibYrbjsKWwBrGNE8_Jg8xiKQ5LsqKt4g_m8kEPFtkMNeHoepcqGNZSgo8jhQvSeFIOTXQWnGLbpkEji7zjQh-lCYHgtDDvY2WaqQMpQ9-4XFHuNkYJKUF9Nf0U2QPjqLdXAwClgDM-4CMekWQjHp/w400-h400/Mar3-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The skirt on the top left and right is by Esprit and was my one and only charity shop find on Friday. I guess that in the run-up to the much maligned Retro Day - which would be on the 9th of March this year - there was little chance of any exciting finds ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rest of the day was spent doing some gentle pottering, which included rearranging my brooches and filling those additional wooden drawers Jos's friend was kind enough to supply me with. My attempts to count the number of brooches in my collection failed miserably, but at a rough guess I'd say there might be between 700 and 750 of them ... Oops!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC8HZ1zVOucYK8176g5rXkTsTaXHi_L-fKnZJEhPu31cj-lJboeg8lxS0hVS4Z_MaSKZ8qOpQwV8GCgCSvIq8MTbZCtFDlGbOSMzuMqk-C6GZ1A1NkrW4bW-73TftmS7X8fmJ7LsS2lfZFDUWJkah3M9Uur8yatS81yrFlajMXz1OoSBdgUsblqKN/s2892/Mar3-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2892" data-original-width="2892" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC8HZ1zVOucYK8176g5rXkTsTaXHi_L-fKnZJEhPu31cj-lJboeg8lxS0hVS4Z_MaSKZ8qOpQwV8GCgCSvIq8MTbZCtFDlGbOSMzuMqk-C6GZ1A1NkrW4bW-73TftmS7X8fmJ7LsS2lfZFDUWJkah3M9Uur8yatS81yrFlajMXz1OoSBdgUsblqKN/w400-h400/Mar3-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was reclining on the sofa with my current read that evening, Bess jumped onto its back and actually allowed me to grab my phone and take several photos of her. Aren't our striped sitting room curtains an amazing backdrop for madam's state portraits? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY_uGdSXaQov7FFZPrr97J7gMMRknawkgJL-0N2k0ALC8IW8VZ37ZD-vK-Au4igS5NEyNYLQoHWBhughmzf82oEswIRfWY_46h16w1VL1cFnyUfk72e8SVkCqx4stD8rauj2x9c7N4l9c8XoMVCl85pSix2fjMssNQ0pQUXSi4XXarKUxFDnEAWXH/s4030/Mar3-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY_uGdSXaQov7FFZPrr97J7gMMRknawkgJL-0N2k0ALC8IW8VZ37ZD-vK-Au4igS5NEyNYLQoHWBhughmzf82oEswIRfWY_46h16w1VL1cFnyUfk72e8SVkCqx4stD8rauj2x9c7N4l9c8XoMVCl85pSix2fjMssNQ0pQUXSi4XXarKUxFDnEAWXH/w428-h640/Mar3-e.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We woke up to the sun streaming through our windows again on Saturday morning, and this time she was here to stay until late afternoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While enjoying our fruit & yoghurt that morning, we noticed that we weren't the only ones having breakfast. There's a family of mice living in our shed at the back of the garden and we loved watching the acrobatics of the most forward of the bunch who was climbing up and down the bird feeder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv_oOUQDKI6OLhghj7bG47lrzUeQvLLQhytK0Sb0dVhmpNcswXVBTprluHJUoytVO10NIm0h8ejih9SUgYIbsRbiMgtF2WssEQHxqoN-SYNAOVqshdBbLvF3QL7cpFzx2que508-AJESrcW3Qr3mpkKpv6abOksbKJ96JkAV9n2ItiY4-BMRwApFy/s4030/Mar3-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimv_oOUQDKI6OLhghj7bG47lrzUeQvLLQhytK0Sb0dVhmpNcswXVBTprluHJUoytVO10NIm0h8ejih9SUgYIbsRbiMgtF2WssEQHxqoN-SYNAOVqshdBbLvF3QL7cpFzx2que508-AJESrcW3Qr3mpkKpv6abOksbKJ96JkAV9n2ItiY4-BMRwApFy/w428-h640/Mar3-g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hadn't worn this wool-blend dress with its vibrant watercolour print for far too long, and with my Winter wardrobe soon to be on its way out, it was a question of now or never.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Charity shopped many years ago, it came with a self-fabric belt with a pink plastic buckle. However, I replaced the latter with a wide, bright pink suede belt picked up in last Summer's sales, as I wanted it to be in keeping with my necklace and my famous (or should that be infamous) pink suede boots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXpeIHWm3haJ0NuMsryCIxMwivjTxEr1wiegp-87A0CCLlm1JRa9ZvMOMRpsMt4KDZS4Om62RikWbbBDIdGB8__TcLswisQM0P5jpW6EOZFowH7q7TN-iZvbbAnigcgZ8a3YJqOxeDGIixmgDbDWtvLZvyOfJ8Nw_KZY8fkow6soQIWT3nLR_qAS4/s2000/Mar3-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXpeIHWm3haJ0NuMsryCIxMwivjTxEr1wiegp-87A0CCLlm1JRa9ZvMOMRpsMt4KDZS4Om62RikWbbBDIdGB8__TcLswisQM0P5jpW6EOZFowH7q7TN-iZvbbAnigcgZ8a3YJqOxeDGIixmgDbDWtvLZvyOfJ8Nw_KZY8fkow6soQIWT3nLR_qAS4/w400-h400/Mar3-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although they're both doing their best to hide from view, I was wearing a ring with a sage green stone and a pair of opaques in the same colour, matching the Miracle brooch I pinned to my dress's bodice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Determined to make the most of the dry and relatively sunny weather, we opted for a visit to Middelheim Sculpture Park. It goes without saying that the pink boots didn't come along, but were replaced by the scruffy old pair I usually wear for our Winter walks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aadCFR67hXxv5BuMEO0o_OztKfOKO5hVIAQyBurIYVWjG9rB6JN44vLANsv8HVnzzLNKqWUTPqzF6DJD5HBpspxi5fyl0GhecILwBLX_KzswcoNlsJ0qjpXnxq6HKqsPdH3cW6ErxGtIm1M-fTlDAOhulmPHb8BV9FAFtKEcGFuAVT524XElyh6S/s2000/Mar3-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aadCFR67hXxv5BuMEO0o_OztKfOKO5hVIAQyBurIYVWjG9rB6JN44vLANsv8HVnzzLNKqWUTPqzF6DJD5HBpspxi5fyl0GhecILwBLX_KzswcoNlsJ0qjpXnxq6HKqsPdH3cW6ErxGtIm1M-fTlDAOhulmPHb8BV9FAFtKEcGFuAVT524XElyh6S/w400-h400/Mar3-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having found a convenient parking space which allowed us to get out of the car without stepping straight into a giant puddle, we entered through the so-called Artist's Entrance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nothing is what it seems here, so I'm sure you won't be surprised that this is yet another work of art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mushroom shaped canopy on its three slender pillars, which seems to be inspired by those iconic 1950s petrol stations, was created by Dutch artist John Körmeling (° 1951) in 2012. On top of the canopy the names of some of the resident artists are twinkling in lights, which looks particularly effective against a dark sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERby3d5Hsk6fIPZapLqdvt19eKJ4ZxMUh4xGgJH1roOw-Voh32A-CqsdvkfKNaRckAeJNqi_vyKYJbeLnNHHMKvGnmtlc1_STGwdhPmW5GyTtjSUTcl28WumYhqo_iMQTIFpfaRIsW4aRy8yWsAOIlSVFomHWi5_1hURp3ta5jkRSGsDhLKDYajR7/s2000/Mar3-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERby3d5Hsk6fIPZapLqdvt19eKJ4ZxMUh4xGgJH1roOw-Voh32A-CqsdvkfKNaRckAeJNqi_vyKYJbeLnNHHMKvGnmtlc1_STGwdhPmW5GyTtjSUTcl28WumYhqo_iMQTIFpfaRIsW4aRy8yWsAOIlSVFomHWi5_1hURp3ta5jkRSGsDhLKDYajR7/w400-h400/Mar3-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the first sights that greet you after the entrance itself is what looks like a building under construction, but is of course a work of art, called The Passage of the Hours, by Portuguese artist Pedro Cabrita Reis (°1956). Measuring 8 x 8 x 24 metres, it is constructed of steel, brick, glass and fluorescent lamps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The work refers simultaneously to a historic ruin and a recent remnant of a conflict. The artist himself is calling it a ‘serene disturbance’ and a "church without religion", the walls resembling the buttresses of a medieval cathedral. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXlyvlZpIYjfu550HkW05tYaOlh0e8NSF9-TshRDnW_L1zn_b8JoGFByzc91bqFVsD_4JgRszDYBKz8ZzGDkxDFL9oY-993yrU1R6ITptHkm49nm5ZonFsl28Sy4xEfNJsS9TezhupK4r-yxkikQ0g4XuwxGuw-JvCv1E49u1wgP06U0HVX8Sm80h/s2000/Mar3-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXlyvlZpIYjfu550HkW05tYaOlh0e8NSF9-TshRDnW_L1zn_b8JoGFByzc91bqFVsD_4JgRszDYBKz8ZzGDkxDFL9oY-993yrU1R6ITptHkm49nm5ZonFsl28Sy4xEfNJsS9TezhupK4r-yxkikQ0g4XuwxGuw-JvCv1E49u1wgP06U0HVX8Sm80h/w400-h400/Mar3-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before proceeding into the park proper, we passed the container installation on the top right which - you've guessed it - is a work of art as well. Created by the Belgian architect, urbanist and artist Luc Deleu (°1944), it dates from 2004 and is called Orbino.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The outlandish structure on the bottom left is called Sunwagon (1974) and is by another Belgian artist, Camiel van Breedam (°1936). Apparently, it is meant to be - again in the words of the artist - a chariot made to transport the sun to an ideal place. It doesn't seem to be working though!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEwK7eSTZlYUpKV1UOu4g71akTcXoQKl7yJReqM6FntJMtcHJcIqhz_76LS6qc3f8z02p9NW56ypQ92nEf7_zV7mp1oVhj-2J0OAN0pAZMg2OdB1vGj-hBco06SEc6DtkvS1sphFFFmpXmQ2O0NoeQLtcJR7t-hptltF0NRk2I4BgjmEvmatpphCI/s2000/Mar3-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEwK7eSTZlYUpKV1UOu4g71akTcXoQKl7yJReqM6FntJMtcHJcIqhz_76LS6qc3f8z02p9NW56ypQ92nEf7_zV7mp1oVhj-2J0OAN0pAZMg2OdB1vGj-hBco06SEc6DtkvS1sphFFFmpXmQ2O0NoeQLtcJR7t-hptltF0NRk2I4BgjmEvmatpphCI/w400-h400/Mar3-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the art in the park is still on the move, things tend to be a bit chaotic, with lots of empty plinths awaiting their new inhabitants. Some of the sculptures which have already been moved to their new spots are still looking a bit out of context but I'm sure it will all work out when this gargantuan task has finally been completed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead of doing our usual tour of the park, keeping mainly to the part called Middelheim Hoog (High), we decided to cross the street and explore Middelheim Laag (Low).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we were waiting at the zebra crossing, I took the opportunity to photograph the mural at the back of the castle. The mural is a work by the American artist Lawrence Weiner (°1940) and is called Wind and the Willows. The mural reads "Iron and gold in the air, pollen and smoke on the ground”, with the Dutch translation on top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfb3jH-35fhaYbn6vPfuL6sYVnWjIVvTF4ewt3UB4XEhIo-CLekxvlrAj0cJOTPbbEgHFG1X2pe6g48DUYc6ByAzjXEhaONSAAsPbhsprFGD_CRfCoFYThpJ3dW3YjrTfup8V4deN8NSggSlf1-Li2-7TFfFs40cd-N25KFdvPoh_IIlzctIAHedU/s2000/Mar3-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfb3jH-35fhaYbn6vPfuL6sYVnWjIVvTF4ewt3UB4XEhIo-CLekxvlrAj0cJOTPbbEgHFG1X2pe6g48DUYc6ByAzjXEhaONSAAsPbhsprFGD_CRfCoFYThpJ3dW3YjrTfup8V4deN8NSggSlf1-Li2-7TFfFs40cd-N25KFdvPoh_IIlzctIAHedU/w400-h400/Mar3-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having safely made it across the road, we walked on one of the main paths in Middelheim Laag, soon coming across the Column Pavilion (above, top left). Created by Belgian architect Charles Vandenhove (1927-2019) between 1984 and 1992, it is both a work of art and a pavillion for exhibiting smaller open-air art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure some of the sculptures must be quite envious of Sphairos (1998) by the Austrian artist Franz West (1947- 2012), having a little shelter from the rain all of its own!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, I neglected to investigate who the menacing creatures on opposite side of the pond are, but the four marble stones which are bathing in the water are aptly called The Bathers (1994). Their Italian creator, Luciano Fabro (1937-2007), drew on a long tradition of portraying bathers, but preferred to render his in non-figurative stone. The cold marble takes on an almost human quality as the sunlight reflects in the rippling water and onto the marble’s gleaming veins. The marble, at times, seems to move, particularly when a breeze makes the reflected leaves flutter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6rukyJgpPvkjRI11rAbqfuUv_lRzKoPJmpNopciZ9thA0z7wDh4CtwG-53SUr_OHl-9ygWheB3jALoItV1Yy3x7apRgh05HxFk2rylwA6PGSHQFLdK-eTxzO7lvrwu4ZV65j30eoPdQZEBslp-iCVvdlpwh6uIv5WJIDjtBlQ7I9NgQc6-6mDNuB/s2000/Mar3-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6rukyJgpPvkjRI11rAbqfuUv_lRzKoPJmpNopciZ9thA0z7wDh4CtwG-53SUr_OHl-9ygWheB3jALoItV1Yy3x7apRgh05HxFk2rylwA6PGSHQFLdK-eTxzO7lvrwu4ZV65j30eoPdQZEBslp-iCVvdlpwh6uIv5WJIDjtBlQ7I9NgQc6-6mDNuB/w400-h400/Mar3-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On our way back we came across this creepy sculpture high up in a tree. A plaque identified it as one of Two figures for Middelheim (1993) by the Spanish sculptor Juan Muñoz (1953-2001).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was no sign of the second one, though ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Muñoz robs his bronze figures of any illusion of movement, sight and speech. While sculptors like Rodin endeavoured to make their figures as animated as possible, Muñoz drew attention to the immobility of a bronze sculpture. His figures have no legs and are imprisoned in a straitjacket that resembles a sack, while their arms hang down lifeless like the limbs of a ragdoll. And if this were not tragic enough, he installs them at unreachable height in a tree, separating them from one another with a pathway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> It's clear we'll have to go back when the second one has been installed as well.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUGa8OQc8mumLzJWzrrisDIxMq1AnaHZS0TH7ZZf8M23qKcYSTkPOjwdFFLEzkZyFjBjzimos7ijYSoA-QaA4UOz8e5C63SlFPrAG-GcHtYX_-OhCl9o3fhSu3YIxKKRmgRr9Hrjjwlv6OkTTu8arOMBcSjlL6F__dJED5reubcF7DTpEZQMMUxte/s4030/Mar3-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUGa8OQc8mumLzJWzrrisDIxMq1AnaHZS0TH7ZZf8M23qKcYSTkPOjwdFFLEzkZyFjBjzimos7ijYSoA-QaA4UOz8e5C63SlFPrAG-GcHtYX_-OhCl9o3fhSu3YIxKKRmgRr9Hrjjwlv6OkTTu8arOMBcSjlL6F__dJED5reubcF7DTpEZQMMUxte/w428-h640/Mar3-o.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm leaving you now with a quick look at Sunday's outfit. Both the grey wool skirt criss-crossed with yellow, red, green, black and white diagonals, and the green short-sleeved Dralon cardigan were vintage finds from Think Twice, my yellow flower patterned jumper came from Oxfam and both the red necklace and my green ankle boots were charity shopped. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpfjzOh5A88EZFPVOaGJrK_q5G0Yxy6J5qBx4VneVTasvouPulJg4RACP0zvep6dyejUFvd3eg5nE2gd_7DHTjWWwS-VFPrxa35lmMxDmsA7RkXqxcOrhvBk0TPmu4G_6IAD6RUgozfDyujYitWI7K1q74h_Hkq3jznRiQxR2hY35D3vw8PhT6Tox/s2000/Mar3-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpfjzOh5A88EZFPVOaGJrK_q5G0Yxy6J5qBx4VneVTasvouPulJg4RACP0zvep6dyejUFvd3eg5nE2gd_7DHTjWWwS-VFPrxa35lmMxDmsA7RkXqxcOrhvBk0TPmu4G_6IAD6RUgozfDyujYitWI7K1q74h_Hkq3jznRiQxR2hY35D3vw8PhT6Tox/w400-h400/Mar3-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My green beaded brooch was a flea market find and, finally, my half-elasticated belt with its massive square buckle was a sales bargain from a high street shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's all for now, I hope to see you again soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-29760165511833558712024-03-08T19:17:00.000+01:002024-03-08T19:17:18.293+01:00Ballad of the sad castle<p>It was Saturday the 24th of February, and we woke up with the rain pitter-pattering against our bedroom window. In spite of having had the luxury to sleep in, we still had a hard time dragging ourselves out of bed, and it was due to Bess's persistence that we finally made it downstairs. Contrary as cats are, she then promptly made herself comfortable in my recently vacated spot for one of her beauty sleeps.</p><p>The rain petered out while we were having breakfast, leaving a dry day with the odd sunny spot in its wake. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjp5dXuTPiPKRobfsWwlTqONEb2ARutlyLS_Yd5yKytswGEggwx3xq-49S3q-jU-6Y7fldHdqITSep4HF6AZbA_E5nludT0KTxcmsXaYN8g3WxP8ka8WUEfejlB4vQgbqBmNm2MU59Z0w0V8xLxTF1jKoJk1aXSIGEEDQ4ck0zAFZpnn5Q_ZVTqQn/s4030/Mar2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjp5dXuTPiPKRobfsWwlTqONEb2ARutlyLS_Yd5yKytswGEggwx3xq-49S3q-jU-6Y7fldHdqITSep4HF6AZbA_E5nludT0KTxcmsXaYN8g3WxP8ka8WUEfejlB4vQgbqBmNm2MU59Z0w0V8xLxTF1jKoJk1aXSIGEEDQ4ck0zAFZpnn5Q_ZVTqQn/w428-h640/Mar2-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At a miserly 6°C accompanied by a chilly wind, I knew I needed to dress warmly, which made me base my outfit around the recently charity shopped & Other Stories blanket skirt. Scanning my shelves of tops, my eyes settled on the blue, purple-patterned Wow To Go blouse I picked up from an outlet shop in November 2022. Aren't they a match made in heaven? When I repeated the outfit later that week, my friend Inez initially thought I was wearing a dress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5J-3qERCCsr9gDd3-mtyJKQI41FNWsV-jq2dhbIqWSSkORW4ksXiP61NxgieAbkNjxGhxulT9LyHE7yNGNxSMFMt2gzbcLhLgc4-udRolpgIKIr483dXMV2Mddrqwd_Pq-xrKdkgCWy88sQ5m27YAEMWnJk8HCgFUgpfK2l-AxO4y8IYFG10mf4G/s2000/Mar2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1883" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5J-3qERCCsr9gDd3-mtyJKQI41FNWsV-jq2dhbIqWSSkORW4ksXiP61NxgieAbkNjxGhxulT9LyHE7yNGNxSMFMt2gzbcLhLgc4-udRolpgIKIr483dXMV2Mddrqwd_Pq-xrKdkgCWy88sQ5m27YAEMWnJk8HCgFUgpfK2l-AxO4y8IYFG10mf4G/w376-h400/Mar2-b.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I echoed my tan pleated belt, which is Massimo Dutti by way of a charity shop, with my faithful tan mock croc boots and the funky mushroom brooch I found at the flea market the other week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although not actually matching any of my outfit's colours, I added a necklace of multi-coloured beads, matching my chunky plastic ring to the turquoise ones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxcW6mMa-9JFuomFBDClY8y4Hi2hVy4GcAYRrXVqPh9AITpqfO0i5oeaMQFcEoPy3ZOno2j7Vkdg1Ph7yy8Ur7jiGuVAJHVesWBMtB-Hbr4PbhLgG7z4aMjos-MpXwZ_67_A6VL6FVGweqLTrRYDgw04_66ckkTZ1B4106EqZhYYc71b4AxzXWKVw/s3272/Mar2-b2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2694" data-original-width="3272" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxcW6mMa-9JFuomFBDClY8y4Hi2hVy4GcAYRrXVqPh9AITpqfO0i5oeaMQFcEoPy3ZOno2j7Vkdg1Ph7yy8Ur7jiGuVAJHVesWBMtB-Hbr4PbhLgG7z4aMjos-MpXwZ_67_A6VL6FVGweqLTrRYDgw04_66ckkTZ1B4106EqZhYYc71b4AxzXWKVw/w400-h329/Mar2-b2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A morning of productive pottering was followed by our usual weekend lunch of homemade soup, after which we weighed up the pros and cons of going for a walk. However, it was really rather grim out there even in our sheltered passageway so, after making outfit photos we soon scuttled back inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bess had been watching us from the kitchen table and Jos managed to catch her mid-yawn. Or perhaps she was just expressing her sentiment about the weather ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDj8vaoFF0GFkbHoJ55RdloxGVgqqMZXwDnm_Tc0SBDqTt5M6vagq85QcNbx_XWDX921zLrNNTTDJ-6NUxH6wVcPYg8MXSglGi26wqZVQLZViyWzMhPkWwyk7CuH6fR6RcZh1qGIk-pkBCbbhqbswAKInkA4iHlPeXIVlws9TfSov_wI0idNxwSXH/s2000/Mar2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDj8vaoFF0GFkbHoJ55RdloxGVgqqMZXwDnm_Tc0SBDqTt5M6vagq85QcNbx_XWDX921zLrNNTTDJ-6NUxH6wVcPYg8MXSglGi26wqZVQLZViyWzMhPkWwyk7CuH6fR6RcZh1qGIk-pkBCbbhqbswAKInkA4iHlPeXIVlws9TfSov_wI0idNxwSXH/w400-h400/Mar2-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were still dithering about whether or not to go for a wee walk, and I'd actually already chucked my walking boots into the boot of the car, when the eye-stinging wind made us reconsider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was nothing for it but to go on a wee charity shopping trip instead, our first port of call being the Oxfam shop in Wilrijk. Pickings weren't plentiful as, apart from the books you'll get to see in a moment, I only found a green embroidered short-sleeved jumper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blue ribbed waterfall cardigan by Esprit and the denim blue skirt by the Belgian designer Nathalie Vleeschouwer were picked up from our local charity shop where we stopped off on our way home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_I-WEs-DwAXoVgEuR8EXtE-5-T887aVe8PS0KgIGzwST2XWl2oEB9hTbu4pwVKv7WhC8DcsyIuamSnAQ4sXPK7JfgFGzmdM25OpC-hyPrOcI7O_fo-g49Hi6IBJz5kwgcGePq5Eh7bnVz4-FEGneKs0q-OPj136z81o09qVmWnYjOlezf6yw0AR_/s3264/Mar2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="3264" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_I-WEs-DwAXoVgEuR8EXtE-5-T887aVe8PS0KgIGzwST2XWl2oEB9hTbu4pwVKv7WhC8DcsyIuamSnAQ4sXPK7JfgFGzmdM25OpC-hyPrOcI7O_fo-g49Hi6IBJz5kwgcGePq5Eh7bnVz4-FEGneKs0q-OPj136z81o09qVmWnYjOlezf6yw0AR_/w400-h350/Mar2-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was riffling through a rail of jumpers when my fingers met the sensory delight of the softest of knits which, on closer inspection, turned out to belong a cobalt blue jumper with a ruffled collar. I gasped when I saw the Sonia Rykiel label, shaking my head in disbelief at the fact that its price tag was a mere € 5,90. Sonia Rykiel (1930-2016) was a French fashion designer whose knitwear designs led her to be dubbed the "Queen of Knits".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL5KBCH3epWpa1OvmZYjaLGaNkF2K_PPB8JrCwnT-qvHa49KItwKBdOaaGxNhIY6IjkLz84g6NR2BvKAeTN32yZ1HJlKSpPl60f0O8y17wScU-rKeycMCk_Ws_Z-QmCynaO3aiuNnEDbStsFaUT2iVmkyjJJzyNSRyxBOIQ3lF9dBOxaIskR2I3_l/s4032/Mar2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="4032" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL5KBCH3epWpa1OvmZYjaLGaNkF2K_PPB8JrCwnT-qvHa49KItwKBdOaaGxNhIY6IjkLz84g6NR2BvKAeTN32yZ1HJlKSpPl60f0O8y17wScU-rKeycMCk_Ws_Z-QmCynaO3aiuNnEDbStsFaUT2iVmkyjJJzyNSRyxBOIQ3lF9dBOxaIskR2I3_l/w400-h301/Mar2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at Oxfam, I was thrilled to stumble across Affinity by Sarah Waters. I became hooked after finding The Night Watch last year - in the same shop, if I remember correctly - and this will be my fourth novel by her. It is waiting in the wings for when I've finished my current read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The De Westhoek book dates from 1979 and tells a pictorial story, with atmospheric black and white photos, about Belgium's west country and the area where we've been spending our September holidays for many years in particular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZbRVYfjHliD93Zir-Gfmy6y7ZwZANNRhIU3kL2JUUS3OMbUMPyH8_bt74RUzVhMaUUez45FaA1kQdOGyPsVpwYi71q1_IxFvr2yIglGZhcBvnDX7xnZUcVgDWikIkN_kGd8fX-MpGHJuSvhATtLXYSNyvvhztF5PhR2WmMcSqq4DUp3l9rX8hHVq/s2000/Mar2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZbRVYfjHliD93Zir-Gfmy6y7ZwZANNRhIU3kL2JUUS3OMbUMPyH8_bt74RUzVhMaUUez45FaA1kQdOGyPsVpwYi71q1_IxFvr2yIglGZhcBvnDX7xnZUcVgDWikIkN_kGd8fX-MpGHJuSvhATtLXYSNyvvhztF5PhR2WmMcSqq4DUp3l9rX8hHVq/w400-h371/Mar2-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Poor lighting courtesy of the dismal weather we'd been having of late had prevented me from photographing the rest of the previous weekend's charity shop finds. So here they are. Both the dress and the blouse are by the defunct Belgian Who's That Girl label. For the record: they were picked up in the charity shop in Mechelen on Saturday the 17th. Knowing the label - and its sister Wow To Go - quite well I instantly spotted the blouse although it was hiding on the nightwear rail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuySwxF87-EVyBmJGq1cSXsvoVLD9LkRxyWsPRNhPltTKuqbhGL-GQXB5Dl3Twv9DDY2_JCOfniEwTNS7RVycBKllMI3JjqWP_4BApu6nkZ2Sn1el8BfcJ0LpjKGyt5P58U8Z71zC9O3jYhPGrGJT10jnMN5rXzmSW77B4-oRwwMqFJmf9PZsLpBD/s4030/Mar2-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuySwxF87-EVyBmJGq1cSXsvoVLD9LkRxyWsPRNhPltTKuqbhGL-GQXB5Dl3Twv9DDY2_JCOfniEwTNS7RVycBKllMI3JjqWP_4BApu6nkZ2Sn1el8BfcJ0LpjKGyt5P58U8Z71zC9O3jYhPGrGJT10jnMN5rXzmSW77B4-oRwwMqFJmf9PZsLpBD/w428-h640/Mar2-g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forwarding again to Sunday the 25th. Slightly warmer and with less wind to throw a spanner in the works, it nevertheless was one of those days on which the weather gods seemed to be in disagreement. Angry black rainclouds alternated with patches of blue and sudden and often short-lived sunny spells.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another Winter favourite - a textured polyester dress with a kind of Moroccan tile print - came out to play. It was joined by a chunky knit orange long-line cardigan, rust-coloured opaques and blue Western style mid-calf boots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiachputycORN5XUtqeVqNDx9rMeuqQqaAc-WK2C8m5nxrBGzxOr1_qfKMaNfrBLmb3LkNbg0BtDSaEIjTOjebwEPpKdXkzEzUSDsMGdEBPSDzDTE8JRfsAflKJLApt_xdvekBWEtafgx01CbV40R7Chagteb9ZAQT4h7TTHtwIH-H5GXYfyXw__hn-/s2000/Mar2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1349" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiachputycORN5XUtqeVqNDx9rMeuqQqaAc-WK2C8m5nxrBGzxOr1_qfKMaNfrBLmb3LkNbg0BtDSaEIjTOjebwEPpKdXkzEzUSDsMGdEBPSDzDTE8JRfsAflKJLApt_xdvekBWEtafgx01CbV40R7Chagteb9ZAQT4h7TTHtwIH-H5GXYfyXw__hn-/w270-h400/Mar2-h.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My accessories were a mix of vintage (carved floral brooch), charity shopped (beaded necklace and orange perspex ring) and retail (tan mock croc belt).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather forecast insisted it would rain in the afternoon, so we decided upon a quick head-clearing walk in the morning, for which we drove to our neighbouring village, Edegem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd40USLv6NzgH9yuwDLQ6qkBNu5jsuvK0Js0LJW4mFElGI56-Q5oiy_2gCVxSzGHHJcPSS36DNoi9luUqhiQfNRT2h6xNr4w-niuViVvoBkmJVt0I4s0DIXbZS5CpGSKLSpx144Es0ZHD1Pye_cpt54ol8BhMcT8SK6iPdl7fPDgM9mQnRQ56y2tU/s2000/Mar2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd40USLv6NzgH9yuwDLQ6qkBNu5jsuvK0Js0LJW4mFElGI56-Q5oiy_2gCVxSzGHHJcPSS36DNoi9luUqhiQfNRT2h6xNr4w-niuViVvoBkmJVt0I4s0DIXbZS5CpGSKLSpx144Es0ZHD1Pye_cpt54ol8BhMcT8SK6iPdl7fPDgM9mQnRQ56y2tU/w400-h400/Mar2-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Surprisingly, we hadn't visited Hof ter Linden and its crumbling castle since June, at which time we'd just skirted the domain and walked along the reed-edged moat. In fact, our penultimate close encounter with the poor castle had been well over a year ago!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we were walking up the the cobbled avenue lined with a double row of age-old lime trees, the sun decided to do one of her disappearing acts, leaving an almost black and white landscape. The only pops of colour were provided by the mosses and a pair of green parakeets cavorting among the tangle of branches (above, bottom left).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSG1tU07MDHywlEWop9MjdJmISvwWJD7uEPQeGEhH_mlaFdx6tBDFZ_WSH42_zp7JxPVxw2lrLN0oj6J4jeTiKedz8E5ryYUEzqfkQnhwKDAhk0yuZqi5npjhuiEpmO4cK0eA6IZtlByn8vLoan7BzQCoSnkY1ROjHXCx9R-7UYwrksGUnR1Gc_hP/s2000/Mar2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSG1tU07MDHywlEWop9MjdJmISvwWJD7uEPQeGEhH_mlaFdx6tBDFZ_WSH42_zp7JxPVxw2lrLN0oj6J4jeTiKedz8E5ryYUEzqfkQnhwKDAhk0yuZqi5npjhuiEpmO4cK0eA6IZtlByn8vLoan7BzQCoSnkY1ROjHXCx9R-7UYwrksGUnR1Gc_hP/w400-h400/Mar2-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before crossing the moat and entering the courtyard through the ornate wrought iron gates, we were halted in our tracks by the sight of what we supposed was some kind of orangery - well, there <i>was</i> a potted orange tree in there - which we couldn't remember having seen before. So, either our memories failed us completely, or the thing had been half-hidden by exuberant shrubbery before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq5QzFQXs2tETrQjNCi1T0Pw09GPlT_bh3ZsBJokw0-Sv1cmcqnmXQRpAEwra2muM_8zzBRh8CguhAlQIr9BYTaCRVq1qBAyqApvZ4aDh3hxW5U5LKXE9Mdl7eXFwRPn7xVb1BIX-0sYyX9qmh0j-KBM-X15r33mJ8RSzlYEWzi5Dz1CqET5kwV9i/s2000/Mar2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsq5QzFQXs2tETrQjNCi1T0Pw09GPlT_bh3ZsBJokw0-Sv1cmcqnmXQRpAEwra2muM_8zzBRh8CguhAlQIr9BYTaCRVq1qBAyqApvZ4aDh3hxW5U5LKXE9Mdl7eXFwRPn7xVb1BIX-0sYyX9qmh0j-KBM-X15r33mJ8RSzlYEWzi5Dz1CqET5kwV9i/w400-h400/Mar2-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After admiring and investigating it from all angles, we stepped through the gates and into the courtyard, which is flanked by beautifully restored coach houses and stables. I guess the one on the east side must have been the stables judging from the name of the fancy restaurant located here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Contrary to its opposite neighbour, Brasserie Hof ter Linden, it didn't seem to be open on a Sunday, which was confirmed by a quick look at their website. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgfpDbF7b1S_-InyFAMuFShAqRk4t0lCkYZA4JwD1XVxM1SuMJn5ObGDJYxCftZsq47vtZCKEqwJ6LcaFYMwul-MAlFItkdIFDlMgE9kwuFm2sprDodWq-A3gZ0BZSqLkQsTKJeGDboXxG9lNU5vYtAxggfZVKMNLJQ6ebiatBrtaVcll1wFb1xID/s4028/Mar2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4028" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgfpDbF7b1S_-InyFAMuFShAqRk4t0lCkYZA4JwD1XVxM1SuMJn5ObGDJYxCftZsq47vtZCKEqwJ6LcaFYMwul-MAlFItkdIFDlMgE9kwuFm2sprDodWq-A3gZ0BZSqLkQsTKJeGDboXxG9lNU5vYtAxggfZVKMNLJQ6ebiatBrtaVcll1wFb1xID/w400-h301/Mar2-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The castle itself was beckoning us as usual, but it was with more than just a little trepidation that we walked into its direction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we could advance any closer, however, a group of scouts cubs arrived and installed themselves into the four columned portico to eat their packed lunches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HZy2DblX26EnMR3xgo1Sc-FuZLz0KaQnGhxlOlGxZEF_zi3eyZydosUmpyJ2YWi0dccoUmz4WWMv5PkWed9PP7-q6-rfTMR-2NEW_8S4CwloLQzKY9qWuPwOKo3AkE0aDmoVGzG7avYqV27CUmNs4Hzo5YRQKTwH4SaONKr2JOm8wNqboVa1Ubmv/s2000/Mar2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HZy2DblX26EnMR3xgo1Sc-FuZLz0KaQnGhxlOlGxZEF_zi3eyZydosUmpyJ2YWi0dccoUmz4WWMv5PkWed9PP7-q6-rfTMR-2NEW_8S4CwloLQzKY9qWuPwOKo3AkE0aDmoVGzG7avYqV27CUmNs4Hzo5YRQKTwH4SaONKr2JOm8wNqboVa1Ubmv/w640-h640/Mar2-n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hastily retreated around the back, where we were sad to see that the castle's increasing state of deterioration is still ongoing, and quite heart-breakingly so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There has been talk of restoring the castle for many years, but so far it hasn't happened. Now it seems that plans are getting concrete and that the much awaited restoration works, which are estimated to cost around five million euros, are expected to start this spring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They say hope springs eternal, but I'd have to actually see it to believe it. They'll certainly have their work cut out to restore what I can't help keep thinking of as the Iced Castle to its former glory.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTREc0zGcjYzsJJ8ZOPlpql2pU8VuvH7-XhojiV2QXUM16s7BPaSyv6ykR40azxqeoQIDzWwHJY3K77JqjNjgoWMTPvnZ6ZE-3JCMsbv9kcvm9zbNshlP7ZXuT-g8R1gwHTQfNsSponet7YWJPPEgmzARN8vEvIFJAv0EFGjb6A8QkqRW1kZXKd1-2/s2000/Mar2-p3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTREc0zGcjYzsJJ8ZOPlpql2pU8VuvH7-XhojiV2QXUM16s7BPaSyv6ykR40azxqeoQIDzWwHJY3K77JqjNjgoWMTPvnZ6ZE-3JCMsbv9kcvm9zbNshlP7ZXuT-g8R1gwHTQfNsSponet7YWJPPEgmzARN8vEvIFJAv0EFGjb6A8QkqRW1kZXKd1-2/w400-h400/Mar2-p3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing that's been happening is that earlier this year a start has been made with clearing the sludge from the clogged-up castle pond and moat. This did somewhat limit our options, as it ruled out taking the path around the pond as we often do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGl1LP5J6axhn2EC_8FWZTJOJ8qRIZiqfhhuI5Jkt3QIhA0Y1V-8aatXrnmGkZNjkWct1KARNuYN1Wde9G0EAKw10kWXKWDI7dN7bcHqvNLi57qE92KeO9WX4PC4C3Ks2u3GNdX3KuSxlnKommFskPi03WQvVpD0Z42YgrUzWwEg3e1eesqWdkhbA/s2000/Mar2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGl1LP5J6axhn2EC_8FWZTJOJ8qRIZiqfhhuI5Jkt3QIhA0Y1V-8aatXrnmGkZNjkWct1KARNuYN1Wde9G0EAKw10kWXKWDI7dN7bcHqvNLi57qE92KeO9WX4PC4C3Ks2u3GNdX3KuSxlnKommFskPi03WQvVpD0Z42YgrUzWwEg3e1eesqWdkhbA/w400-h400/Mar2-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead we walked back the way we'd come, giving the scout cubs who were still enjoying their lunch a wide birth, and having a good old gossip with the resident lions, sphinxes and cherubs instead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoB2auIGjXXebftam5tD1sp_t-vy3Ufopme5Yf9g1atpINslkPy1VUdnBuZsGgWX1XMRBlpnpq7XSQOq2hOlyQi8TEOk-gEWl5vMlNiWRwZUrRPcxP73EjhQRHFD0jPfiQUW7gYFf0fhhgz3Wd87I-vL6Pyclmp7J6xzwYOhW0WRVMQMa5TTf19Dk/s3699/Mar2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3699" data-original-width="2782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoB2auIGjXXebftam5tD1sp_t-vy3Ufopme5Yf9g1atpINslkPy1VUdnBuZsGgWX1XMRBlpnpq7XSQOq2hOlyQi8TEOk-gEWl5vMlNiWRwZUrRPcxP73EjhQRHFD0jPfiQUW7gYFf0fhhgz3Wd87I-vL6Pyclmp7J6xzwYOhW0WRVMQMa5TTf19Dk/w482-h640/Mar2-o.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-39432506487555697332024-03-03T19:29:00.000+01:002024-03-03T19:29:36.629+01:00Confessions of a Broochaholic<p>Can you believe it's March already? Never mind that January and February felt neverending at times, in hindsight they seem to have passed in the blink of an eye. It's all a bit of a blur though, so I'm glad of my blog keeping track of time, enabling me to look back and see how I spent my days.</p><p>It's almost beyond belief that I've been regularly churning out blog posts for 8 years now. When <a href="https://bahnwaerterhaeuschen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beate</a> recently went on a trip down memory lane to October 2015, she was surprised when I commented that I wasn't a citizen of blogland yet at the time. But yes, it's definitely true that I <i>only </i>published my <a href="https://polyester-princess.blogspot.com/2016/03/to-begin-at-beginning.html" target="_blank">first post</a> on the 5th of March 2016!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJ4vDk158XjeKQ0Gh5MyjVEj2Et4mmUbi9armIBfgpGPnmrG9ivMU5b0H_GDOC9cEXlhurN69p2ZrmNdi6XvzgC975yFM0wCRFBW61Hp49MZeSh5vCOr9J1Mk54qzH6PpXE4ggzYLXFd7d7AlZo-4IuuNmiQZpaGd397Ad1jcWvyFwyaP0QXv5v6A/s4030/Mar1-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJ4vDk158XjeKQ0Gh5MyjVEj2Et4mmUbi9armIBfgpGPnmrG9ivMU5b0H_GDOC9cEXlhurN69p2ZrmNdi6XvzgC975yFM0wCRFBW61Hp49MZeSh5vCOr9J1Mk54qzH6PpXE4ggzYLXFd7d7AlZo-4IuuNmiQZpaGd397Ad1jcWvyFwyaP0QXv5v6A/w428-h640/Mar1-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I'm running ahead of myself again, as here I am, ready for February's edition of our favourite indoor flea market on Sunday the 18th. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was the perfect day for it, as it was wet and very windy, which made the alleged highs of 9°C feel quite a bit chillier. It might, in fact, have been a tad too chilly for this purple and white diamond patterned vintage dress I insisted on giving its first outing and therefore required a couple of layers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm rather partial to a purple paired with chartreuse, so I opted for a pair of opaques, a purple-edged cardigan and a triple strand necklace in the latter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB2PSiAujdmRgHR5RPOC5xVZTD4Hab_k2cdaUPwrA1cSZXvkkWEkQLkmi_ZWWDrJy_K1u5ZRB2GgtXarSB4-x4D-nO3um5AUXl1U8GPf-B_6bkkZPHRZfam6chSxKBZMpY1an9R1LyAjiO7cTzqry0tuh7XBy2EofjEz0fi9_ohpMIdFJq-R-5qBe/s3264/Mar1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB2PSiAujdmRgHR5RPOC5xVZTD4Hab_k2cdaUPwrA1cSZXvkkWEkQLkmi_ZWWDrJy_K1u5ZRB2GgtXarSB4-x4D-nO3um5AUXl1U8GPf-B_6bkkZPHRZfam6chSxKBZMpY1an9R1LyAjiO7cTzqry0tuh7XBy2EofjEz0fi9_ohpMIdFJq-R-5qBe/w400-h400/Mar1-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my feet, my super comfy caramel suede lace-up ankle boots. They're from a label called No Stress and were a charity shop find in December 2022. They really do live up to their name: even lacing them up is stressless as they've got handy side zippers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vintage dress from Think Twice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soaked in Luxury cardigan: charity shopped</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Necklace: flea market find</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peacock feather brooch: charity shopped in Llangollen in June 2019</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Opaques: high street sales bargain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DEQos2YPwsOmdOdI8smXOsUEbJna4s8dbCorCPK6YQ9kBQqigwk7O2bydj2cb9L9B2Q35ytx6OLZl0IRTtYFg2V86YCuGR06NF1V6Jys7i44By5gwrkEPEAAAV3LLNbNb0z8f0hdIq7ZMHtfU_X9wamVRsrdJW9RtSZO0u3POS2uyKVldjwFEB7g/s3264/Mar1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DEQos2YPwsOmdOdI8smXOsUEbJna4s8dbCorCPK6YQ9kBQqigwk7O2bydj2cb9L9B2Q35ytx6OLZl0IRTtYFg2V86YCuGR06NF1V6Jys7i44By5gwrkEPEAAAV3LLNbNb0z8f0hdIq7ZMHtfU_X9wamVRsrdJW9RtSZO0u3POS2uyKVldjwFEB7g/w400-h400/Mar1-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now on to the flea market!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd hardly walked in when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this rather spectacular wicker tote bag. As I made a beeline for it, I realized I recognized the stall, which turned out to belong to Wannes and Ilona. We first met this lovely couple on a flea market in Antwerp in the early days of my blog, and their well curated stall always draws us like a magnet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tote bag is lined in a fabulous floral fabric and came with a surprise wash bag which was hiding at the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpMTUN721SBTc3pn-OS4Dg8DOdRr-1dFOnn3ffV9MOp1-sDwd8Hp99Ee3a1suvlq9b66ksRoyzezpX_kmmkCl-p4LyR6SJY5RcbYcOIm0V-IEaD9Uu04okRTeL8fKe29-UjXZGJ_Z27H-DyNn5oEHR-wSYXZtHRryNuZ6cNIDqV0CZCcdmcM1JWLH/s4028/Mar1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpMTUN721SBTc3pn-OS4Dg8DOdRr-1dFOnn3ffV9MOp1-sDwd8Hp99Ee3a1suvlq9b66ksRoyzezpX_kmmkCl-p4LyR6SJY5RcbYcOIm0V-IEaD9Uu04okRTeL8fKe29-UjXZGJ_Z27H-DyNn5oEHR-wSYXZtHRryNuZ6cNIDqV0CZCcdmcM1JWLH/w301-h400/Mar1-d.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Wannes was kindly putting it aside for us to pick up later, I scanned the rest of the stall and was captivated by this cute little lidded wicker bag, which obviously had to come home with me as well. In my mind's eye - or should that be ear - I could hear the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xmdsh_IF2__a9uBiv8ngJwVXIgBvGznnqphsR8z61LU2KIQVza7gXull3hfIiWOebqfUNoKZbcXG1yxSG02MJIIYc1OJvlSRr960dZyjvrINvcit8QVm9n7_rRaRW9gBEoWfphP0yXGD63MatyWqNZ71UkI8clV9ZC54kkrbkiIpGS1hQCH9uQ/s4030/Mar3-a.jpg" target="_blank">IKEA coat stand</a> in our bedroom heaving a big sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also found the first of the day's brooches here, which you'll get to see later on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUTuB_1pevvhg_cKfIsSVzj5Fr-WISg6gF8_1gj4Rob1sWNM4HYuidR3rEao9teWSbmZAc1l23BxHYvVSf7r4DhbwY8RtzvV0W-fiKzdo6BMWTlOOW4943JYJK2vLEh3eQl9tn_DfvxoAzkxhLqGUIUFX__6tBaVof3Cf_7BeFrP5GUQIxb6ZUz2I/s3960/Mar1-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="3960" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUTuB_1pevvhg_cKfIsSVzj5Fr-WISg6gF8_1gj4Rob1sWNM4HYuidR3rEao9teWSbmZAc1l23BxHYvVSf7r4DhbwY8RtzvV0W-fiKzdo6BMWTlOOW4943JYJK2vLEh3eQl9tn_DfvxoAzkxhLqGUIUFX__6tBaVof3Cf_7BeFrP5GUQIxb6ZUz2I/w400-h215/Mar1-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shilly-shallied over the T.G. Green Cornishware Raisins canister. Although its asking price was a mere € 5, I walked away because it was missing its lid. We'd hardly gone a couple of meters when the seller came running after us bearing the canister and declaring we could have it for € 3. Well, who were we to say no? When I posted it on Instagram later that day, someone in the know told me it was an absolute bargain!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0S40I6SqdrAzkDSea7Zw4K5w_-Nc1R4CM-UAUanH-NazE6TZuv0YfmanewITnj1_uRl7mp-VDBYc1oLkFxkH816spktrYYtb-sCnWrF5nLNfxiLcAPxjbz1djNfk9N49U5qE2Kb91nf3egop5mvTM3p8XYJ4Tji1xRfbxEpuP-bKrdrA_k26PpU6/s4028/Mar1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4028" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0S40I6SqdrAzkDSea7Zw4K5w_-Nc1R4CM-UAUanH-NazE6TZuv0YfmanewITnj1_uRl7mp-VDBYc1oLkFxkH816spktrYYtb-sCnWrF5nLNfxiLcAPxjbz1djNfk9N49U5qE2Kb91nf3egop5mvTM3p8XYJ4Tji1xRfbxEpuP-bKrdrA_k26PpU6/w400-h301/Mar1-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was an excellent market for brooches, as I added no less than 10 of them to my collection. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below, clockwise from top left: enamelled mushroom brooch, wooden deer brooch (from Wannes and Ilona), wood look flower brooch and Edelweiss hiking souvenir brooch, both made from some kind of early plastic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9nTT8PQfmNiEL9Up_R7a2K6DbyuyrHbgZCjXkgGJ0U5szKsta85jp92-N6TTXVz-ezpw85Tltf5QBUI9dM-d7RR2Je4yobSHnXZvY8uscrFjYeOH-fjlE0KzQjy6sayDBi4akjdi-VKeSx0N2E4YuXjPXECE0VyGR7gv0OX4e5tFKOMMpmmC9kQV/s2000/Mar1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9nTT8PQfmNiEL9Up_R7a2K6DbyuyrHbgZCjXkgGJ0U5szKsta85jp92-N6TTXVz-ezpw85Tltf5QBUI9dM-d7RR2Je4yobSHnXZvY8uscrFjYeOH-fjlE0KzQjy6sayDBi4akjdi-VKeSx0N2E4YuXjPXECE0VyGR7gv0OX4e5tFKOMMpmmC9kQV/w400-h400/Mar1-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below, from left: glass beaded brooch, diamanté and gold-tone lobster brooch and green and translucent paste brooch. They were all picked up from the heaped costume jewellery stall of another flea market habitué: a very chatty older lady who lives in the next village to ours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGd7Oee7IypPkDaEe3WvFFh9krWBC4ZZcSW3m82BEWrjz6IeWcybGrP3kli7YuoyHApNjGXL_1mdZNRqhyaSA-pBNFNuubIvy7lz3wuH8bPeXiE8PSEwOGoH4GkQe610oFmJS60scmlLv-ewYvOgaFSx2TBuS3W_McjuHm-2NpOddbFVvWfbDTT0/s2000/Mar1-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGd7Oee7IypPkDaEe3WvFFh9krWBC4ZZcSW3m82BEWrjz6IeWcybGrP3kli7YuoyHApNjGXL_1mdZNRqhyaSA-pBNFNuubIvy7lz3wuH8bPeXiE8PSEwOGoH4GkQe610oFmJS60scmlLv-ewYvOgaFSx2TBuS3W_McjuHm-2NpOddbFVvWfbDTT0/w640-h213/Mar1-h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The middle of the next row of brooches also came from her, while the other two, which are among my favourites, are from separate random stalls. The funky enamelled one on the left was the most expensive at € 12, while the souvenir brooch from the tiny but picturesque city of Dinant in Wallonia - the French speaking part of Belgium - surprisingly was only € 6.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgHu7_L4TrMj6tXUOiF4gYDui2CegU-Mnun9bFvOi8ZWuY3yUfPsZLY9pzcobTvSdHFYIEJUciSgRhn1oL3fh4l1D0EXvsWU1ZJeyKq499sPhMobycTA0D__sclwhuqUmAjN7qNz7oIjgt_zrPg1PnKGOlajCH5bmxipEoNkzifCuRL_gzGf7dixA/s2000/Mar1-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="2000" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgHu7_L4TrMj6tXUOiF4gYDui2CegU-Mnun9bFvOi8ZWuY3yUfPsZLY9pzcobTvSdHFYIEJUciSgRhn1oL3fh4l1D0EXvsWU1ZJeyKq499sPhMobycTA0D__sclwhuqUmAjN7qNz7oIjgt_zrPg1PnKGOlajCH5bmxipEoNkzifCuRL_gzGf7dixA/w640-h212/Mar1-i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After I've been asked more than once if I've still got space for all the brooches I keep finding and how exactly I'm storing them, I thought it was time I enlightened those readers who aren't already in the know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It all started innocently enough when the handful of modern brooches I already owned were joined by the first of the vintage ones I found on flea markets and in charity shops. Slowly but surely my collection was growing until the boxes I was keeping them in were starting to overflow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_ukLmlnA3df2v_c0IoQbOwMllRD_SBsCz1PnqyzsimIfsbBVdFLTTU9VypGhTqhlKflTivNzmvHtvT5dvNj77XWZubDS-0zqNQqu2gkXXFjELTPemxQFkhnAHATFM0o7xfmGXpcYJrTEfy5PXvD1SiAOw-YugQTX3rY6lh0vKjVclewp7lOFBPFr/s4000/Mar1-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_ukLmlnA3df2v_c0IoQbOwMllRD_SBsCz1PnqyzsimIfsbBVdFLTTU9VypGhTqhlKflTivNzmvHtvT5dvNj77XWZubDS-0zqNQqu2gkXXFjELTPemxQFkhnAHATFM0o7xfmGXpcYJrTEfy5PXvD1SiAOw-YugQTX3rY6lh0vKjVclewp7lOFBPFr/w266-h400/Mar1-j.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Jos mentioned my predicament to a friend, he came up with a fantastic solution in the form of several dark wooden drawers which were originally used to store his collection of coins. Soon, the original three were no longer adequate, at which point I was given another three, as well as the big black hinged box (below) in which I'm keeping my most fragile and precious ones. Contrary to the others in my collection, these are rarely worn for fear of damaging them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOysgPxhylOv6cSwiPcA4JHmbbS2wo-JvbaKgADQPZo4vlaBUO1lbzy3EJGFg-3Xc6HPPOenO2tUYPtFZ3LA1EsGU9RjIl3Les2eW_LYcAPA22vafCNdavePvgBeYrV1pTULI_e-92Rz6-QkTIOr5f-k0g-41twiYf7oMQdgiFRcVlobu4nrcrhBxy/s3238/Mar1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="3238" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOysgPxhylOv6cSwiPcA4JHmbbS2wo-JvbaKgADQPZo4vlaBUO1lbzy3EJGFg-3Xc6HPPOenO2tUYPtFZ3LA1EsGU9RjIl3Les2eW_LYcAPA22vafCNdavePvgBeYrV1pTULI_e-92Rz6-QkTIOr5f-k0g-41twiYf7oMQdgiFRcVlobu4nrcrhBxy/w400-h326/Mar1-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still my collection kept growing until it got rather cramped inside those lovely wooden drawers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In December 2018 my dream of finding one of those antique wooden chests with glass-fronted drawers, formerly used to display sewing threads in haberdashery shops, finally came true. Until then, the ones we had come across had been eye-wateringly expensive, so we were overjoyed to find this one for an affordable price as its top was slightly cracked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg3l27KGG8cxXD2rWXexM1l-H68WrRXOGttWWAA8FifhJ-pSYbsGtz920l0RLrn6gmraoAw7xJoTuRO0N5fupdeSqBiOr0eiSE4iI5OmcP992Sd2J7E-43Bqi0XgdK4HcGBEteOV2EaMJmp7lwWr7AOtXBnfK8lwx1S7oWvcgQrsiPEGCdlK-3ZA1/s2000/Mar1-l%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg3l27KGG8cxXD2rWXexM1l-H68WrRXOGttWWAA8FifhJ-pSYbsGtz920l0RLrn6gmraoAw7xJoTuRO0N5fupdeSqBiOr0eiSE4iI5OmcP992Sd2J7E-43Bqi0XgdK4HcGBEteOV2EaMJmp7lwWr7AOtXBnfK8lwx1S7oWvcgQrsiPEGCdlK-3ZA1/w400-h400/Mar1-l%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was five years ago, but apart from a brief lull courtesy of Covid-19, I obviously didn't stop collecting as, let's face it, they're rather addictive. They're such a fun thing to collect and generally quite affordable too. I rarely spend more than € 15 on a brooch and the vast majority of my finds were less than € 10.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To cut a long story short: I am yet again at risk of running out of space. But fear not: help has already arrived, as I've recently acquired another two of those wooden drawers and an additional hinged box ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ-J0FeXg-AqbpUqpuMrhCmyuqN4WldQIYXacNgYiP_Tj9NgYGBoXwG9p8ZR2Yp3VPVW5CSa00h1kB5bASNa7LaKzGxbiTTZo2DHGyO2racHdC3zstvQH0kg1iS9ZR3svmxLERNkpn8lIFUdzt17RACSWm1FTRdJLRVYZMKTEtE4D0e1Td6W1-Dhc/s4032/Mar1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ-J0FeXg-AqbpUqpuMrhCmyuqN4WldQIYXacNgYiP_Tj9NgYGBoXwG9p8ZR2Yp3VPVW5CSa00h1kB5bASNa7LaKzGxbiTTZo2DHGyO2racHdC3zstvQH0kg1iS9ZR3svmxLERNkpn8lIFUdzt17RACSWm1FTRdJLRVYZMKTEtE4D0e1Td6W1-Dhc/w301-h400/Mar1-m.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was back to the office on Monday, and with the grey and rainy week that followed, it was at times hard to stay positive, particularly since work was relentless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, I was determined to find some things to smile about each day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was running an errand at Hema - a well-known Dutch chain of department stores - the sight of the row of Miffy cushions lining the escalators to the second floor made me whip out my phone. At the same time, they're emphasizing the demise of the restaurant which used to be up there, and which was inexplicably closed at the end of last year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlD-7Y5aA0JFW6BPtR8v0j3b1YRLMNuIRqI8ny6D77XEJSxrZkuOxeITBT2FWcTl_HQY0ytd0zMm6gqFo1UnGG_Lt5I0utLRS7Z5cNDX6kfT-ngbUk7hTOttIMDCYFbvM6hqZHNlCYGWwLjd-jix0NV5HVUplnxjOGknh2XBulvnmkn8N5wjzicMS/s4030/Mar1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlD-7Y5aA0JFW6BPtR8v0j3b1YRLMNuIRqI8ny6D77XEJSxrZkuOxeITBT2FWcTl_HQY0ytd0zMm6gqFo1UnGG_Lt5I0utLRS7Z5cNDX6kfT-ngbUk7hTOttIMDCYFbvM6hqZHNlCYGWwLjd-jix0NV5HVUplnxjOGknh2XBulvnmkn8N5wjzicMS/w301-h400/Mar1-n.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another smile came in the form of this Tiffany-style owl lamp which came to live at Dove Cottage on Wednesday, a gift from Jos's youngest daughter An. Isn't he fabulous?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSd4zdUeivhAQYU2UzEDIqVT0NplkKRShTgltb3_LJmXLESLWpKuo9k5ns2eYSJ3c2c9eoMMOaeDBT3hIsJVNiak5YRzvtfFgJXm69CMq1Bvt7LR8eoR48NInXNizgr_wn9yMt9W7cBimf0MdnEVxhXiFyvHht7ZVzmADtovVZ_wMD-bCeS23Z5c7/s4030/Mar1-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSd4zdUeivhAQYU2UzEDIqVT0NplkKRShTgltb3_LJmXLESLWpKuo9k5ns2eYSJ3c2c9eoMMOaeDBT3hIsJVNiak5YRzvtfFgJXm69CMq1Bvt7LR8eoR48NInXNizgr_wn9yMt9W7cBimf0MdnEVxhXiFyvHht7ZVzmADtovVZ_wMD-bCeS23Z5c7/w301-h400/Mar1-o.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I only worked half a day on Friday - we were the 23rd by now - which was nothing short of a blessing for more than one reason. Regular as clockwork, a neverending succession of concrete mixers are turning up at the Art Deco tower building each Friday, making one hell of a headache inducing racket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I've got to admit that those candy-striped mixers do look quite the part from our 5th floor perch ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhWcXmtzVZGLR5Lz84Q-2DR-hOQeIl9UY80CGx9HR_RWSnPlU6JleakAJRT3zaCr8KUEFiDODaSKErdvzmyCT903sGI_VCX-RWMoiwY73khkCJZ9tJE91qTdhvc8mnJBp1ZE2q8jgf4ybo294wN1g3_3NXAMlIeZfjgJlMvdIz1zf-3BnqwRf4EM8/s4030/Mar1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhWcXmtzVZGLR5Lz84Q-2DR-hOQeIl9UY80CGx9HR_RWSnPlU6JleakAJRT3zaCr8KUEFiDODaSKErdvzmyCT903sGI_VCX-RWMoiwY73khkCJZ9tJE91qTdhvc8mnJBp1ZE2q8jgf4ybo294wN1g3_3NXAMlIeZfjgJlMvdIz1zf-3BnqwRf4EM8/w428-h640/Mar1-p.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The overnight storm called Louis, with lots of rain, had brought the temperature down to 8°C by Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was still drizzly and miserable, so I didn't wear my pink suede boots out. However, as they turned out to be a perfect match with my outfit, I insisted on wearing them for that day's outfit photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And no, my dress isn't grey but the kind of green my camera refuses to register. Its fabric is sprinkled with multicoloured hundreds and thousands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlKbUOKfzVtnbIhgmcMWs0N2-IM46bLiHU7aJo5wNXk6SqWBR6qcnQi1QN9McCRm4sBKdY_JteHeX2rCrAxATvVgGcs8TjGRbUBKPbxwZHsOsVDkssLcKmCrz8gnIFdhccrOF_LgetsjfxJy0FVJVs_XNoBjliOr8zFsiW4AXRjXffs8mMx8vRJsl/s2000/Mar1-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlKbUOKfzVtnbIhgmcMWs0N2-IM46bLiHU7aJo5wNXk6SqWBR6qcnQi1QN9McCRm4sBKdY_JteHeX2rCrAxATvVgGcs8TjGRbUBKPbxwZHsOsVDkssLcKmCrz8gnIFdhccrOF_LgetsjfxJy0FVJVs_XNoBjliOr8zFsiW4AXRjXffs8mMx8vRJsl/w400-h400/Mar1-q.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I guess it won't be a surprise when I tell you the dress came from Think Twice? However, I did replace its rather nondescript buttons with vintage green ones with a bit of pink in it from my stash. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Both my pink plastic ring and the pink belt edged in green plastic stitching were found on the high street, the latter a sales bargain from Mango in the Summer of 2022. The pale pink beads are from a long-gone vintage shop, and the pink and white metal peacock brooch was a charity shop find in May 2016. Without the aid of my blog, it would have been impossible to keep track of those things! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-67570609413259278252024-02-27T19:33:00.000+01:002024-02-27T19:33:24.800+01:00A miscellany of February days<p>Never mind it being the shortest month, February seems to be dragging on and on as usual, and this year being a leap year makes it seem even longer!</p><p>Spring might seem to be around the corner with the above average temperatures luring nature out of hibernation, there has been a distinct lack of sunshine and an overdose of rain. Nevertheless, there's no mistaking that the days are getting longer, and for the last week or two daylight has been accompanying me on my commute, both in the mornings and the evenings.</p><p>With the overall gloominess of the weather, one should grab the opportunities to catch those rare rays of sunshine whenever they occur. Which, of course, is easier said that done when one is cooped up in an office all day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxcvMq2ySMTKDV1jX8I7wu9qefrt-knw923hd0uEtq5QO10ts5UjvL0Ti7biCcf88Gn6brltptAggBuS1sAHLmtER7eSBkR1D6ThyW4gSGMIb_RN8pJ3XZEk2uqRbDgZjR9XJmNRWilHJEKDOLg_WmrXJMumBwhncWDKKcMzB-X9SXqQRVqI_fH14/s2000/Feb5-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxcvMq2ySMTKDV1jX8I7wu9qefrt-knw923hd0uEtq5QO10ts5UjvL0Ti7biCcf88Gn6brltptAggBuS1sAHLmtER7eSBkR1D6ThyW4gSGMIb_RN8pJ3XZEk2uqRbDgZjR9XJmNRWilHJEKDOLg_WmrXJMumBwhncWDKKcMzB-X9SXqQRVqI_fH14/w400-h400/Feb5-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so it was that on Monday the 12th of February the weather gods sent us oodles of sunny spells, as if to make up for the abysmal weather of the weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a lunchbreak errand was taking me into its direction, I decided to walk to the Botanic Garden afterwards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the sake of variety, I opted for a different route this time, passing the neoclassical Bourla Theatre. Designed in 1827 by architect Pierre Bourla, construction started in 1829 but was delayed due to the Belgian Revolution. Eventually, the theatre was completed in 1834, and currently houses a theatre company called Toneelhuis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was taking its photo from under what must be Antwerp's most attractive bus shelter, I watched a would-be juggler rather unsuccessfully rehearsing his routine (above, top left). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the roof of the modern apartment building opposite the theatre is another pair of Albert Szukalski's ghostly figures. Apparently, these ones are called The Cripple and The Blind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgcyjXEZTwnwAvQSXmJRQNXQy8ZNsC9FcNoFqDZW8v_ooKznWIMTNMp8Hd2DrQjl9V6bnhUppDnlNKJZLLcB91OztC9Sp2pNCnjMFP7vFBEgLvDBW921Q8OiBHHrSfTy1qzfsOBNfajbxYzS8Fz7-thO7Pnm0SWX_Zj6yQmiES2lU1DLdb-L2bBJk/s2000/Feb5-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgcyjXEZTwnwAvQSXmJRQNXQy8ZNsC9FcNoFqDZW8v_ooKznWIMTNMp8Hd2DrQjl9V6bnhUppDnlNKJZLLcB91OztC9Sp2pNCnjMFP7vFBEgLvDBW921Q8OiBHHrSfTy1qzfsOBNfajbxYzS8Fz7-thO7Pnm0SWX_Zj6yQmiES2lU1DLdb-L2bBJk/w400-h400/Feb5-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon after passing the theatre, I reached the garden's nearest entrance (below, top left), which for some reason is currently closed off. There was nothing for it but to continue past the garden's ornate stone balustrade which is topped with equally ornate late 19th Century cast iron lamp posts until the main entrance was reached.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The garden lies well below street level, which makes it feel very sheltered. Dominating it is the statue of its founder, Peter van Coudenberghe, a pharmacist and botanist who lived during the 16th century (above, bottom right).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from the ubiquitous clumps of snowdrops, there were several Spring snowflakes (Leucojum vernum, above, bottom left) already in bloom. This is a much taller growing bulb which usually has more than one flower per stem. Isn't it gorgeous?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry3mBY7EBJqnDl1DpBm6-LK3BRgTernjC_Vq_ovCfqXMe8Tw78hBfUkpooLOCsTlLIP35OnlPH2pr9GgxLhgqhAkm5_OGYct5iTL2BFmvA4J3iRRl-lDySbERv-3cXJHksxf1Li-zsML5pEINLSKBsqEMstwvUWTJlC7D6roE0b07z1baBBqHLsAN/s2000/Feb5-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry3mBY7EBJqnDl1DpBm6-LK3BRgTernjC_Vq_ovCfqXMe8Tw78hBfUkpooLOCsTlLIP35OnlPH2pr9GgxLhgqhAkm5_OGYct5iTL2BFmvA4J3iRRl-lDySbERv-3cXJHksxf1Li-zsML5pEINLSKBsqEMstwvUWTJlC7D6roE0b07z1baBBqHLsAN/w400-h400/Feb5-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And speaking of gorgeous: I absolutely loved this pale pink liver-spotted Hellebore, which initially resisted having its photo taken. I was suffering from a - thankfully minor and short-lived - backache that day, but still crouched down to have a better look and almost had to ask a passer-by to help me up again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather gods' good mood continued into Tuesday and remained until mid-afternoon, with the temperature still a moderate 10°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMqxJC5eM8q_lPdBebjtuAp0_86gK4ip33upwv7eg-ukZ_RI-7NAKcartOOeids5TnJbZvlOPWmGghs33lelhT1IOHFrn-gFSD2oapesqLbbm73g0e9iVAI5qH6LysBNgV2Xlwhh59urA4S17ivtxFBq8w2Qt4g_dIx2e77YnLnpVfXItEDnf_KWW/s3717/Feb5-a2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="3717" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMqxJC5eM8q_lPdBebjtuAp0_86gK4ip33upwv7eg-ukZ_RI-7NAKcartOOeids5TnJbZvlOPWmGghs33lelhT1IOHFrn-gFSD2oapesqLbbm73g0e9iVAI5qH6LysBNgV2Xlwhh59urA4S17ivtxFBq8w2Qt4g_dIx2e77YnLnpVfXItEDnf_KWW/w640-h422/Feb5-a2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again for the sake of variety, I took a slightly different route to the office after Jos had dropped me off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ended up right in front of the main entrance of the so-called <i>Boerentoren, </i>the Art Deco skyscraper which has now been under renovation for two and a half years. As part of these, the glass awning in front of the entrance had recently been removed, allowing an uninterrupted view of the eight bronze caryatids by sculptor Arthur Pierre (1866-1938) which are taking pride of place above the entrance doors. The caryatids depict the classical themes of Commerce, Art, Science, Agriculture, Prosperity, Technology, Architecture and Shipping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_xVToeQ9UY1X5kFWeCB0Yu0-AGnzQgWltQjo5VmXICPRAkflifP82reabFgPu09Vao3VxQnOJwTvoIgxl0EW_z5fPfOkfL8G_NGwTYum343fRGruTk1fhaqF_5ea3r7LNAgUUTVSNpKCE0aAv3bL9WSXjneRXFmpsAKNNAbi56tGVQGzH1Z_aTo6/s4030/Feb5-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_xVToeQ9UY1X5kFWeCB0Yu0-AGnzQgWltQjo5VmXICPRAkflifP82reabFgPu09Vao3VxQnOJwTvoIgxl0EW_z5fPfOkfL8G_NGwTYum343fRGruTk1fhaqF_5ea3r7LNAgUUTVSNpKCE0aAv3bL9WSXjneRXFmpsAKNNAbi56tGVQGzH1Z_aTo6/w301-h400/Feb5-e.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was the half-term break in Flanders - the one we call the Crocus holidays - and Antwerp's main shopping street was inundated with people. Still, for the sake of another errand I braved the crowds, for which I was rewarded with a pair of Miz Mooz shoes at half-price.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubDoYZpQObu3AKX7_TbTKr1zwcALduV3QpYbvpBJpyBxtC7kpFb9gj5Dp7E9JK0I-SMewJqqYg4ciLKKxfD38Xysi2y4L9tgRth3YcsoRXQYVpx5mv-vEYetpqGc4G5F1TKDABw0LJ3v8XasYuiVJJoVqHt03hfBNpC5uVBD2zoRvuhVKUm5LBdz4/s3839/Feb5-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3839" data-original-width="3005" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubDoYZpQObu3AKX7_TbTKr1zwcALduV3QpYbvpBJpyBxtC7kpFb9gj5Dp7E9JK0I-SMewJqqYg4ciLKKxfD38Xysi2y4L9tgRth3YcsoRXQYVpx5mv-vEYetpqGc4G5F1TKDABw0LJ3v8XasYuiVJJoVqHt03hfBNpC5uVBD2zoRvuhVKUm5LBdz4/w313-h400/Feb5-f.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rather than being enamoured by their box, Bess was intrigued by the paper bag they came in ... Weirdly enough, she doesn't seem to grasp the concept of cats and boxes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rest of the working week was a grey affair, the temperature eventually climbing to a very unseasonable 17°C on Thursday. But at least it stayed dry for long enough to make it back from my hairdresser's appointment without the rain ruining my coiffure! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWiAzIinKnbFNs7aGrN3banZvkj3vckM4BTVTMhkpu18Ead_-gO3MJDuhRT7jzPLi1yH8oKJvC1v5FbEIrFQ3_z_DgzYU7IfXN9O582O3lYyN2AxrBqoJkFiSylibazNlHPCEoxHq4tyVqbl3CzpfSWn7VFKUgsa_1eTDpqzX3y6Ac8E0Km1gLy6k/s4030/Feb5-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWiAzIinKnbFNs7aGrN3banZvkj3vckM4BTVTMhkpu18Ead_-gO3MJDuhRT7jzPLi1yH8oKJvC1v5FbEIrFQ3_z_DgzYU7IfXN9O582O3lYyN2AxrBqoJkFiSylibazNlHPCEoxHq4tyVqbl3CzpfSWn7VFKUgsa_1eTDpqzX3y6Ac8E0Km1gLy6k/w428-h640/Feb5-g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd taken Friday off, hoping against hope for the weather to change for the better. Alas, it was another grey and rainy day, even though the mercury managed to climb to a mild 14°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wore this chiffony olive green vintage dress, whose colour the camera insisted on picking up as a grey rather than a green. My blog tells me it was a charity shop find back in April 2022, when I fell for its funky pattern, pussy bow and pleated skirt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhfLzmZ6n9-Hgq3NrFES-XgriuzRFTlo6teqWsRkm7mrjUFbnrr-sh1K7s40fzBKXfQ68e2qf4ePhwO_ZTXU82kkc06j2SHKYrUHr3SIT0aCbjxj7ZCA5M5T64xb_3X1G9UP-06TbyQa6B0fdddvSORdS_yo25B76GofksmMXbP_3vmrzLAaxHNLk/s2000/Feb5-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhfLzmZ6n9-Hgq3NrFES-XgriuzRFTlo6teqWsRkm7mrjUFbnrr-sh1K7s40fzBKXfQ68e2qf4ePhwO_ZTXU82kkc06j2SHKYrUHr3SIT0aCbjxj7ZCA5M5T64xb_3X1G9UP-06TbyQa6B0fdddvSORdS_yo25B76GofksmMXbP_3vmrzLAaxHNLk/w400-h400/Feb5-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added one of my cameo brooches to tame the bow, pinned a crochet and pearl flower corsage to the dress's bodice and accented my waist with one of my stretchy belts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An orange perspex ring from flea market friend Rita and a coral charity shopped King Louie cardigan completed my outfit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Mc9fgla_MojqRNLKlschc8NFglmzWaSgIEBAxoADu5Cc-boSx9qu5Ggdsn1Xw9wXPqlo5WSf7DZ1iL4frF-sf0RDJjJ9XBvB3xeb_r_qcZcHoI_v2iqWkACvQwpFb6VnpB4ucMtpAus2bB8xIBwF3vfFi10i-QoNOch5evEUlgpu3crmVs75I0m/s3264/Feb5-i2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Mc9fgla_MojqRNLKlschc8NFglmzWaSgIEBAxoADu5Cc-boSx9qu5Ggdsn1Xw9wXPqlo5WSf7DZ1iL4frF-sf0RDJjJ9XBvB3xeb_r_qcZcHoI_v2iqWkACvQwpFb6VnpB4ucMtpAus2bB8xIBwF3vfFi10i-QoNOch5evEUlgpu3crmVs75I0m/w400-h400/Feb5-i2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the weather kept refusing to play nicely we went for another rummage, visiting the charity shop we'd been obliged to give a miss the week before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finds were plentiful again that day, starting with a yellow printed Wow To Go blouse and a fabulous blue, black and burgundy patterned skirt by & Other Stories in a thick blanket-like fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In spite of my self-imposed coat and jacket ban, this plaid swing jacket came home with me as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both the skirt and the jacket have already been worn in the meantime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WWE3JzoRg9Ys38rkXCdAEjfbuYLXn7LG5k9RrPN1xLw10v9TSKqE_NBQAHUzKx_dNyJoPnGdz3-oiXSQjufNDQZfaCZ7rHcdgAZScDthzrjJkj7H3LvckH0HAJ8l7mMzU3zfZCKnYuxY_IPyckPPxQtA0gQ0xpg54sffPtZ8imqJXKG62XOCKQQ9/s4030/Feb5-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WWE3JzoRg9Ys38rkXCdAEjfbuYLXn7LG5k9RrPN1xLw10v9TSKqE_NBQAHUzKx_dNyJoPnGdz3-oiXSQjufNDQZfaCZ7rHcdgAZScDthzrjJkj7H3LvckH0HAJ8l7mMzU3zfZCKnYuxY_IPyckPPxQtA0gQ0xpg54sffPtZ8imqJXKG62XOCKQQ9/w268-h400/Feb5-j.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My final find was one with a bit of a hiccup. When I spotted these raspberry pink suede Tamaris boots which to my delight turned out to be a size 37 (UK size 4), they were instantly added to my cart and taken to the fitting rooms. After trying on the blouse, skirt and jacket, I quickly tried on the left boot only, as this is my so-called difficult foot. All seemed to be okay so I was happy to hand over the princely sum of € 5,90 for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw5moD1pjPp87W51atZJHk7XVY1-ZXHa2Jx2cxor7VQ2FDUwpkjk_9x2ODUhUQY52a9kbcFktXVuSH6LF0YuDsBJxO6hzOKCeUrVfVbJx_xPUaD9nSweQIeJnyyznefnt0B5ZgVUJa_aQbD5Aw2kYLJo4qktNEimfqXfp3srPvRfMCMPmDBdMeMHo/s3498/Feb5-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3498" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw5moD1pjPp87W51atZJHk7XVY1-ZXHa2Jx2cxor7VQ2FDUwpkjk_9x2ODUhUQY52a9kbcFktXVuSH6LF0YuDsBJxO6hzOKCeUrVfVbJx_xPUaD9nSweQIeJnyyznefnt0B5ZgVUJa_aQbD5Aw2kYLJo4qktNEimfqXfp3srPvRfMCMPmDBdMeMHo/w400-h258/Feb5-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at home, I was about to show them off to Jos, when I found myself hobbling around. Turned out that both the sole and heel of the left boot were considerably higher than those of the right one. Their original owner must have had one leg shorter than the other ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could have hit myself for not having noticed this in the shop, and was about to add them to the donations bag, when Jos suggested taking them to the cobbler. The guy didn't bat an eyelid when Jos told him the story and did a fantastic job. At a multiple of the price I paid for the boots, obviously. But never mind that: they are totally worth it! Now all I need is some dry weather so that I can actually wear them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkDKRQVl8YhGj3aFwQgDAbJqhjYs3nfWcHdLyaBJWPIhFnn_zKVcdoFFxycVPHp2mXFMHVrfFpBZJRC3EgkkzS9d6H7xXHJgBc-9kzLUlMTTD-Vy8vUYqlSD1OcIlHnCdjiVz4MsgJ3AD-0k1wGDPIccbof9_hWRkHPtmaA2M31W3BHlqbT7EPQir/s4030/Feb5-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkDKRQVl8YhGj3aFwQgDAbJqhjYs3nfWcHdLyaBJWPIhFnn_zKVcdoFFxycVPHp2mXFMHVrfFpBZJRC3EgkkzS9d6H7xXHJgBc-9kzLUlMTTD-Vy8vUYqlSD1OcIlHnCdjiVz4MsgJ3AD-0k1wGDPIccbof9_hWRkHPtmaA2M31W3BHlqbT7EPQir/w428-h640/Feb5-n.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday was grey, but mainly dry, for once and at 13°C again quite mild for the time of year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My tweedy turquoise skirt - an old Think Twice find - came out to play that day, its companion a recently charity black blouse with a groovilicious blue, yellow, tan and white pattern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgm-sssiYCOSfg5FW-atCgZShyFMnkqlvB30yYePD4e5ReRpgERk_2XOmpFrEeTVF3dTYz9SnjJ72FsvBAzzaR1rZETJTb4dHmToe1stOh7IY2-eEHpI46STRl8lBYazjT92K-9dGDvOuleGT19AeDm7OshhenHSsB7_MUFD6boIl7iyHwNrrWrvf/s2000/Feb5-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgm-sssiYCOSfg5FW-atCgZShyFMnkqlvB30yYePD4e5ReRpgERk_2XOmpFrEeTVF3dTYz9SnjJ72FsvBAzzaR1rZETJTb4dHmToe1stOh7IY2-eEHpI46STRl8lBYazjT92K-9dGDvOuleGT19AeDm7OshhenHSsB7_MUFD6boIl7iyHwNrrWrvf/w400-h400/Feb5-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the brooch, which was made from a shard of old pottery, at an antiques and collectors fair taking place on Ludlow's Castle Square last June.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My burnt orange tiled necklace, a regular of the blog, was a charity shop find, as was the tan belt which picked up the tan from the blouse's pattern. The perspex ring - in yellow this time - is another one from Rita's flea market stall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFZcNaOjsoyhFuQmtGUG2rTgSFSzwItfHdpKqQ_mpzk03Bk-QnQ1AVdkIMKUJ7fDhA_oVlCZr48onbk0maBdtOZtkiqPjuqgcPnsD_PfhC5CFfCpMrxpwTjWyvdAEmlWyKgrYbAdac-1RXqK9X86R24suQ89Ce-qY-zZmHZaMcKD6rP3rYhkadZTz/s2000/Feb5-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFZcNaOjsoyhFuQmtGUG2rTgSFSzwItfHdpKqQ_mpzk03Bk-QnQ1AVdkIMKUJ7fDhA_oVlCZr48onbk0maBdtOZtkiqPjuqgcPnsD_PfhC5CFfCpMrxpwTjWyvdAEmlWyKgrYbAdac-1RXqK9X86R24suQ89Ce-qY-zZmHZaMcKD6rP3rYhkadZTz/w400-h400/Feb5-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent the morning doing some long overdue kitchen cleaning. Although Jos diligently cleans floors and surfaces on a weekly basis, deep-cleaning our burgeoning collection of kitchenalia often falls by the wayside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I finally get around to this, it offers the perfect opportunity to look at it all with fresh eyes, marvelling at the wonderful stuff we've managed to collect over the years. So, why don't you join me and feast your eyes?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo7JnwypZUKI7KhWIJ9PFzQBJMgv3VLhMoNtulRxZa_DnFzvX2pjxu7m_tHSktS_XjPh6w13GbADN3JUTFurSyDUCSrfSqX8wn5KkWZh73fWFvWyLyeBgUYA0Q9FC3DpxFWZd5nbi_nBTnBxaCb8hWEGA1Ff90Rahtb3lfHvNL3rERSW1mM7WDr1R/s2000/Feb5-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo7JnwypZUKI7KhWIJ9PFzQBJMgv3VLhMoNtulRxZa_DnFzvX2pjxu7m_tHSktS_XjPh6w13GbADN3JUTFurSyDUCSrfSqX8wn5KkWZh73fWFvWyLyeBgUYA0Q9FC3DpxFWZd5nbi_nBTnBxaCb8hWEGA1Ff90Rahtb3lfHvNL3rERSW1mM7WDr1R/w400-h400/Feb5-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As a reward for all that cleanliness, we did go for a wee rummage later that day. Plus, we had February's addition of the indoor flea market to go to. But that, I'm afraid, will be for next time!<div><br /></div><div>See you soon!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-19347512209080770032024-02-22T18:57:00.000+01:002024-02-22T18:57:25.972+01:00Dreary February<p>In spite of its above average highs in the low double digits, the grey, rainy and often windy weather in the first week of February was nothing short of dreary. </p><p>In the wake of our whirlwind Sunday afternoon abroad, I'd had the foresight of taking Monday off. However, I was instantly punished for my sins when I returned to the office on Tuesday. It took me the better part of the morning just to go through my emails, and that's before I could make a start with all the issues which had popped up during my absence, so that my extra day off was soon forgotten. </p><p>The only rays of - virtual - sunshine were a quick cappuccino-fuelled catch-up with Inez on Wednesday and some bargainous retail therapy on Thursday, the results of which you'll get to see later in this post.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DIiT9r1nAcH71OsDoFHLDuRg8dsnWZN6jHFOdVYzSXpORTP94xFPgXJZw20T4r2lAgC-bIXUiyBrlL9e5TdWfSG8RfV1ql_ol5YCuYof0lxn9bNCjA1ASSYQDeW8FQHxAD3qVS34vTzbZ6jkA6PEnIxL7XTTzYzlBrrukCy1ddr9EWAd6IJpSU0A/s4030/Feb4-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DIiT9r1nAcH71OsDoFHLDuRg8dsnWZN6jHFOdVYzSXpORTP94xFPgXJZw20T4r2lAgC-bIXUiyBrlL9e5TdWfSG8RfV1ql_ol5YCuYof0lxn9bNCjA1ASSYQDeW8FQHxAD3qVS34vTzbZ6jkA6PEnIxL7XTTzYzlBrrukCy1ddr9EWAd6IJpSU0A/w428-h640/Feb4-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After such a hectic week, you won't be surprised to read I breathed a huge sigh of relief when the weekend finally rolled along. What's more, Saturday the 10th of February was mainly dry for once, with the odd sunny spell and springlike temperatures of up to 15°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I hadn't slept well, I felt better and more energized after breakfast. Striking the iron while it was hot, I ticked a couple of long-overdue chores off my list until it was time for our lunch of homemade tomato and paprika soup and crusty baguettes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdZnD8dXF5ODmsDf1rBobUyzslhR-KlwW0Aa4yGNZ1s4AXFrfo_JZwwRI12yJdws5rB8n0lDRJpFsBayjKVVpPKcBrlvSSgcbJAN4FhXNy5tyIzzIRzGTGfLU2FpPgcTg4SY3PAPhxHstjo_VZXhZ8hjIOHzPUdgd5r3fVAaIbkAI37xxQjempMOb/s2000/Feb4-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdZnD8dXF5ODmsDf1rBobUyzslhR-KlwW0Aa4yGNZ1s4AXFrfo_JZwwRI12yJdws5rB8n0lDRJpFsBayjKVVpPKcBrlvSSgcbJAN4FhXNy5tyIzzIRzGTGfLU2FpPgcTg4SY3PAPhxHstjo_VZXhZ8hjIOHzPUdgd5r3fVAaIbkAI37xxQjempMOb/w400-h400/Feb4-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The burgundy button-through dress with its sprinkling of tiny teal and white flowers is one of my charity shopped King Louie's. Instead of the matching tie-belt it came with, I opted for the minty-green unstructured leather belt I found at the end of January. This, in its turn, inspired my choice of necklace, which alternates pale grey and minty-green beads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My brooch matches the teal bits in the dress's pattern almost exactly, as do the boots, which were a holy grail charity shop find in December 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtoWjLhpHg4TqDsjiu-KtQv_uH91D22ALy1uDN3Bf6JDmMxbHBwbvLZ34Ds9w6uP8Biwk2UtehVodd8sKbtx_nCGSjPcsZk2jK_fqwj1PCj9Ldo_LaDaT8n3v_A8_QQoRsxRdgkb3IDjE4JLXfInuclArG9WlDDQQbxWo89kdmjdUHIFD5yt3wnih/s2000/Feb4-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtoWjLhpHg4TqDsjiu-KtQv_uH91D22ALy1uDN3Bf6JDmMxbHBwbvLZ34Ds9w6uP8Biwk2UtehVodd8sKbtx_nCGSjPcsZk2jK_fqwj1PCj9Ldo_LaDaT8n3v_A8_QQoRsxRdgkb3IDjE4JLXfInuclArG9WlDDQQbxWo89kdmjdUHIFD5yt3wnih/w400-h400/Feb4-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A delicious aroma was wafting towards us as we opened the back door. Indeed, it was that time of year again when the tiny flowers of our Sarcococca (a.k.a. winter box, above, top left) were wooing us with their heavenly scent. Although the shrub isn't much to look at, for a handful of weeks in late January or early February its perfume, which gets trapped under the glass awning outside our back door, is taking centre stage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is another one of our garden stalwarts, producing its twinkling yellow stars between November and March.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Euphorbia I planted in the passageway last year is coming along nicely, and lo and behold, we even spied a handful of Snowdrops brave enough to show their pretty little faces at the back of the junkyard jungle!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj393vxoMCJ7BjB8ut_lfyHbz-OGqsuDDRpJ_xD_fb9Yjgr9Yfu_iL7HAIPpVibz0SdrvPZeh-qwDNPF2SM95pAEAwfUdISs76_r0Wz7uWL57e18X42m_gjq6h8oKQdqikVVdsb_xo4bwZ8gJNDSgfMJP9GvXaj0fnF74WlACz94NgUq2C6suaTGv3t/s4030/Feb4-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj393vxoMCJ7BjB8ut_lfyHbz-OGqsuDDRpJ_xD_fb9Yjgr9Yfu_iL7HAIPpVibz0SdrvPZeh-qwDNPF2SM95pAEAwfUdISs76_r0Wz7uWL57e18X42m_gjq6h8oKQdqikVVdsb_xo4bwZ8gJNDSgfMJP9GvXaj0fnF74WlACz94NgUq2C6suaTGv3t/w253-h400/Feb4-c.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were all set to go on a wee charity shopping trip but were initially defeated by the fact that we couldn't find a single parking spot at either of our chosen shops. As a last-ditch attempt to satisfy our rummaging urges, we decided to stop at our most local shop on the way home, where it turned out to be a lot less busy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finds were plentiful here, but I'll start by showing you the results of Thursday's retail therapy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked up the green floral maxi dress (above) as well as the groovilicious green and blue maxi skirt (below, top and bottom left) at an outlet shop for the Belgian Green Ice label in the small shopping centre near my place of work. Already selling their stock at 50 to 70% off, prices had been reduced even further, so that it would have been downright silly not to make use of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyTJC-dxqKhZu9viVtQYbfFeCE2z5cMYx4RzHNAJHYEGTf4YZUToG9zLI6GhzXeBEjYSNBEzYdrRbCwkV9JGnYsHWs89czVMr_2airoe0t86foTbgERBj1ZhWzTozXh3BPQWetcDR1QnGHvjGvPwRLGfiXQxcA_QFeQvrt7qdZKlPhXbgDtgUk7rf/s2000/Feb4-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyTJC-dxqKhZu9viVtQYbfFeCE2z5cMYx4RzHNAJHYEGTf4YZUToG9zLI6GhzXeBEjYSNBEzYdrRbCwkV9JGnYsHWs89czVMr_2airoe0t86foTbgERBj1ZhWzTozXh3BPQWetcDR1QnGHvjGvPwRLGfiXQxcA_QFeQvrt7qdZKlPhXbgDtgUk7rf/w400-h400/Feb4-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pale green diamond patterned swing cardigan - the first of my charity shop finds - makes a wonderful companion for the skirt. It's another one by retro label Zoë Loveborn to join my collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I swear, hand on heart, that I didn't set out to colour coordinate my finds, but surely there was no way I could have left these bottle green ankle boots behind? Made in Italy for a Belgian label called Ciao Ragazzi, they were a no-brainer at just € 5,90.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9dcfibC4mhYUAIRzpzoLVP_5q3Tebwgixgt0coKiFNUy3ZqTeqzOlMwYti2cvtRnrxFmw7TJLQs03VyrwS8y3JvEgrpcsfHfobp9kCMlttW5simfqyoWNvR_yOt00N3sk-hrYBFQMT6IMt4Yr0zXQY6bFXsDkqyNGhFyl69IllrGVVgbYCz5kza0/s4032/Feb4-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="4032" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9dcfibC4mhYUAIRzpzoLVP_5q3Tebwgixgt0coKiFNUy3ZqTeqzOlMwYti2cvtRnrxFmw7TJLQs03VyrwS8y3JvEgrpcsfHfobp9kCMlttW5simfqyoWNvR_yOt00N3sk-hrYBFQMT6IMt4Yr0zXQY6bFXsDkqyNGhFyl69IllrGVVgbYCz5kza0/w400-h301/Feb4-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I've got more than plenty straw an wicker bags and the IKEA coat stand we bought last Spring is already groaning under their weight, I didn't think twice to make this one mine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCmhWlZQq1PFPiADWUy5WHW0QsHNPJm1RyGgt6ss1_VPBV0o_4scZ5AL3_RIvadRN-OCTzDlFOlpM87mjdUmxgVupdqXazPRBjo7-S6odRdv6lajvVDuYLxI2_FaCYr92RHqq0QL8PukpVmWhoRfwo_Q5jsCE3uAc7jOryl7oiXA3-l4nCjeM6OLA/s4030/Feb4-f2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCmhWlZQq1PFPiADWUy5WHW0QsHNPJm1RyGgt6ss1_VPBV0o_4scZ5AL3_RIvadRN-OCTzDlFOlpM87mjdUmxgVupdqXazPRBjo7-S6odRdv6lajvVDuYLxI2_FaCYr92RHqq0QL8PukpVmWhoRfwo_Q5jsCE3uAc7jOryl7oiXA3-l4nCjeM6OLA/w400-h301/Feb4-f2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It wasn't my intention to buy colour-coordinated books either, but there you have it. I'm reading the Maeve Binchy at the moment. She's one of my guilty pleasures when in need of a comfort read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEBcSTS-HCW-mHsmlxnu4DZwo3fYUsq9WTMNKlZBk77at3IhzJKRiwNLjROogw9C9GHpzmyohyzn5PRzdxKN_zp2t1_UvBm5O7syGLpoX97y_FaNejhyl_lz2gGcz57nfOypC68M9Wj3OanH1oexfF8piw8nltQ-MhfeNZIr-_cEa91qxanEDS95Y/s4028/Feb4-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4028" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEBcSTS-HCW-mHsmlxnu4DZwo3fYUsq9WTMNKlZBk77at3IhzJKRiwNLjROogw9C9GHpzmyohyzn5PRzdxKN_zp2t1_UvBm5O7syGLpoX97y_FaNejhyl_lz2gGcz57nfOypC68M9Wj3OanH1oexfF8piw8nltQ-MhfeNZIr-_cEa91qxanEDS95Y/w400-h301/Feb4-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I dithered over my final find, particularly since we've only visited two of the castles pictured on this tray. At € 0,10 it simply begged to be taken home though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2T9pngiEjk-x4t8zUdTZ6ZK10l0He8Kc3N5tA9zhYyyFnKdeEQB77EM7npBskkMd_JWAhREcyWZyveAWazXNm-0bofwx5PivPeODOvY-z0fQJZE4fFQ-66n9qhIjaFZv0ktN-WtMK3rqbuObGsPj-st12Sh6HfsYIt7KD-Ym8GF8IWV782dOh5fu/s4028/Feb4-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4028" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2T9pngiEjk-x4t8zUdTZ6ZK10l0He8Kc3N5tA9zhYyyFnKdeEQB77EM7npBskkMd_JWAhREcyWZyveAWazXNm-0bofwx5PivPeODOvY-z0fQJZE4fFQ-66n9qhIjaFZv0ktN-WtMK3rqbuObGsPj-st12Sh6HfsYIt7KD-Ym8GF8IWV782dOh5fu/w400-h301/Feb4-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We woke up to a grey and mizzly day on Sunday which, in spite of the moderate 10°C claimed by the thermometer, initially made us ditch any plans of going for a walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Instead, I spent a lazy morning washing my hair and photographing my latest finds, as well as making a half-hearted attempt at writing a new blog post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UP7nfIjoPNu-O7w1gK-N5vBLQHhCA0MhYoljqp-xs5YMoiSjqhgXS_QyDuq8vrXyMhRT5CTowXqa6-dgU_zJi606jnMergs0U3zgrfT_p-71KY3H-vnZvGbEqC-m4NU6eZAwvZDlaWz_66Lbkrkf9Yq2HYyR_FISgt40Qd_3YYUvCKbTXfkDvW4l/s4030/Feb4-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UP7nfIjoPNu-O7w1gK-N5vBLQHhCA0MhYoljqp-xs5YMoiSjqhgXS_QyDuq8vrXyMhRT5CTowXqa6-dgU_zJi606jnMergs0U3zgrfT_p-71KY3H-vnZvGbEqC-m4NU6eZAwvZDlaWz_66Lbkrkf9Yq2HYyR_FISgt40Qd_3YYUvCKbTXfkDvW4l/w428-h640/Feb4-j.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My outfit that day was a mix of vintage, new-to-me and the odd item bought on the high street. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pinkish-red skirt, a blend of polyester and mohair, is vintage and an old Think Twice find, while the floral blouse from the defunct Belgian Wow To Go label was picked up at Oxfam in December 2021.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for my accessories, the pink beaded necklace was charity shopped and the enamelled brooch displaying a posy of white Daffs was a flea market find. The belt with its Celtic knot buckle is the odd one out, being a retail buy from the aforementioned Green Ice outlet shop. Having joined my wardrobe in the Autumn, it has already more than proved its worth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dPHpR2fPKRO8ou_sMmKbtkDi9LDFEnbxF2uyWr2IPrYPxgDeMhokSHd9jczCvGTq3YM7VNPmLSaZa-ljfjBeiva81r-yoksKi7A_ppVo3bGb-OCSj60wiXeSTZzfoCwRXuPBw8Gph1jKA9zHXg8T0P48LhiJh03LOYdEWU-AtAEG7dghvWGSqPD-/s2000/Feb4-k%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dPHpR2fPKRO8ou_sMmKbtkDi9LDFEnbxF2uyWr2IPrYPxgDeMhokSHd9jczCvGTq3YM7VNPmLSaZa-ljfjBeiva81r-yoksKi7A_ppVo3bGb-OCSj60wiXeSTZzfoCwRXuPBw8Gph1jKA9zHXg8T0P48LhiJh03LOYdEWU-AtAEG7dghvWGSqPD-/w400-h400/Feb4-k%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our weather app insisted it would stay dry for a couple of hours in the afternoon, so we decided to risk it and go for a much-needed walk to clear away the cobwebs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A 10-minute drive is all it takes to the nearest entrance of Fort 5 - which I most recently blogged about <a href="https://polyester-princess.blogspot.com/2024/01/twixmas-tales-part-3.html" target="_blank">here</a> - and after having parked our car and taken our walking poles from the boot, we proceeded along the main tarmacked path which skirts the domain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeMDx8EvkO5Z-WeHjjIW25w8P4LfvU2y5ZSAliCenN0Tt_QeEkcsFp-XuxCWqYKIJ0fw8j6Iz1MwsKon7PhNt1ZWmmJzOL1oHt3v0_gHrL2-5fjzavQFfrqXfNXoFV-tOJMYE3X0TfiQbaDES0UB-Nis9TKEEabdS5-ZAUm34-dTrK-9ddHm82x9n/s2000/Feb4-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeMDx8EvkO5Z-WeHjjIW25w8P4LfvU2y5ZSAliCenN0Tt_QeEkcsFp-XuxCWqYKIJ0fw8j6Iz1MwsKon7PhNt1ZWmmJzOL1oHt3v0_gHrL2-5fjzavQFfrqXfNXoFV-tOJMYE3X0TfiQbaDES0UB-Nis9TKEEabdS5-ZAUm34-dTrK-9ddHm82x9n/w400-h400/Feb4-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The offerings of the book sharing box (above, top left) were decidedly meagre, but we have made a mental note to bring our bag of non-keepers next time instead of taking them to the charity shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing on the tarmacked path would have taken us on quite a detour around the moat, so we veered off onto a muddy path which would take us into known territory. We were wondering about the length of red and white plastic tape tangled up in the undergrowth near the path's entrance, until we came across a fallen tree blocking the path and halting us in our tracks. Some nitwit must have found it necessary to fool people by removing it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aAOgPKjc-yZUljoN5xhGLdl_GyZcHr36aTt2x9XBkbA35JUba9-W_i71WYZ2iFD9eug5zFi8S-gDkGd71gifnkRbt6u4DquMipNZVGas81Pb9h81T632KCbqDSZu5IRvV_01EayQ273iAstJ4KLO3-6WV0fXaKEJVPKpdJZ7o7jko7a_o7t5QFtK/s2000/Feb4-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aAOgPKjc-yZUljoN5xhGLdl_GyZcHr36aTt2x9XBkbA35JUba9-W_i71WYZ2iFD9eug5zFi8S-gDkGd71gifnkRbt6u4DquMipNZVGas81Pb9h81T632KCbqDSZu5IRvV_01EayQ273iAstJ4KLO3-6WV0fXaKEJVPKpdJZ7o7jko7a_o7t5QFtK/w400-h400/Feb4-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was nothing for it but to retrace our steps and make our way towards the eerie passage (below, bottom left) which takes you into the fort's heavily graffitied inner sanctum. This would eventually bring us back to the narrow winding path along the moat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">En route, we once again passed the long row of low brick and sandstone buildings of which make up the old fort. Almost swallowed up by the undergrowth, with its peeling woodwork and chained and padlocked doors and gates, this would undoubtedly be an urbex explorer's dream location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MMnzRIsGqqI9YbOTu7R6QsrXhqMOBbdsbS7CEl2pMpT5h-CWvcHB9bzwU0HeOS3TGlO-zPBxYRPgCbUtBdvJBB4-tDUUzkkmqLq7BUwCjrfDduoiEVuLE88n_u9LhIjX_JUINir9CX1VaPo6SUNM9ltfzEO_Qd4B7XUzEf8V3kjtsXNDYwb8GgCl/s2000/Feb4-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MMnzRIsGqqI9YbOTu7R6QsrXhqMOBbdsbS7CEl2pMpT5h-CWvcHB9bzwU0HeOS3TGlO-zPBxYRPgCbUtBdvJBB4-tDUUzkkmqLq7BUwCjrfDduoiEVuLE88n_u9LhIjX_JUINir9CX1VaPo6SUNM9ltfzEO_Qd4B7XUzEf8V3kjtsXNDYwb8GgCl/w400-h400/Feb4-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the next batch of rain announced its imminent arrival with a darkening of the sky and the first and the lightest of drizzles, we hurried back to our car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ7Zpem06U_jwIogGasaJjBV-gjPTGbEWEYmsDiZ56UN3qctrSJKOUEhyphenhyphenvZEGYZhGR4-kHTWihOU1TUz7FZe17De-Ch9c-xLIyyba7PTVAqvhd-chG5k94ZnHTXmAdoMkXcwcjA2XXw3q8P2fcBU2sbx-IHFYw96Jw10zhNPa2AM7TmSkNkCDDZBc/s2000/Feb4-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ7Zpem06U_jwIogGasaJjBV-gjPTGbEWEYmsDiZ56UN3qctrSJKOUEhyphenhyphenvZEGYZhGR4-kHTWihOU1TUz7FZe17De-Ch9c-xLIyyba7PTVAqvhd-chG5k94ZnHTXmAdoMkXcwcjA2XXw3q8P2fcBU2sbx-IHFYw96Jw10zhNPa2AM7TmSkNkCDDZBc/w400-h400/Feb4-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cobwebs were suitably cleared, so mission accomplished!</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-30521018664273700742024-02-16T19:03:00.000+01:002024-02-16T19:03:17.125+01:00Made of clay - Part 2<p style="text-align: left;">Thursday the 1st of February presented us with what felt like the first stirrings of impending Spring. At 8°C we might not have made it into double digits that day, but just look at that bright blue sky! So far, the week had been grey and mizzly, so when the sun bathed Antwerp in a golden glow that morning, I was champing at the bit to go outside and bask in her soothing presence during my lunch break. So, as soon as the clock struck 12.45, I made my escape and strolled to Antwerp's Botanical Garden.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Z4O6krU2zpTvW8oVxt_byZJKEV1phm_oP8O7RfUXKq_msop-kYBJHsnStx2a0z974gKbnSUJguM80WFMuURc8fLd3I3vfsEjOq0k7JZmOJBFDWr-vEa89uh5FvK9U1y3OEOpnzNUSeCvhJ-hDUfAryIVnZrpb_nYk5kH-2Gq80FQHVOZHRr4nT7/s3936/Feb3-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3936" data-original-width="2960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Z4O6krU2zpTvW8oVxt_byZJKEV1phm_oP8O7RfUXKq_msop-kYBJHsnStx2a0z974gKbnSUJguM80WFMuURc8fLd3I3vfsEjOq0k7JZmOJBFDWr-vEa89uh5FvK9U1y3OEOpnzNUSeCvhJ-hDUfAryIVnZrpb_nYk5kH-2Gq80FQHVOZHRr4nT7/w301-h400/Feb3-a.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a leisurely 10-minute walk from my office, and a mere stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the city's main shopping thoroughfare, Den Botaniek as it is locally known, is an oasis of peace and quiet. It's the perfect place to unwind after a busy morning, and indeed lots of people flock here on their lunch breaks, eating their sandwiches or reading a book on one of the garden's benches. Or perhaps just sit and stare, contemplating life as I am wont to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LR-JSTqieUY-suBRktT5zdN4jxDSY1ueJDjGh6B-VdsS3oCFzcuzKsMx5FNx-ES-TbUwmBsVypCEcSbD8gCjVlKvjJRf98GomuI8aOb-Ipf8l_opqQieDfA5nmFbM2TwPVoBWatKj0g6_H3Knxh_ttPfiYOo9WXcUncwX1poYWZQCJyYccuJMR2G/s2000/Feb3-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LR-JSTqieUY-suBRktT5zdN4jxDSY1ueJDjGh6B-VdsS3oCFzcuzKsMx5FNx-ES-TbUwmBsVypCEcSbD8gCjVlKvjJRf98GomuI8aOb-Ipf8l_opqQieDfA5nmFbM2TwPVoBWatKj0g6_H3Knxh_ttPfiYOo9WXcUncwX1poYWZQCJyYccuJMR2G/w400-h400/Feb3-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tiny it may be, it is a whole world in one garden, with a collection of exceptional trees and shrubs, an incredible 2000 plants and a conservatory housing a number of cacti and other exotics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Started almost 200 years ago, it initially only grew medicinal plants to supply St. Elisabeth’s hospital next door. The city has managed the garden since 1926 and in 1950 the garden was listed as a valuable landscape for the city of Antwerp and its inhabitants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ah, the first stirrings of Spring! My heart always makes a little leap when I spy a carpet of cheerful yellow hula-skirted winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwTx64_ubv-34EhKNrnYEUJHg6DfbAsHrF-mAoOP6PqGtuQHj7998vyUhn5o9mfknFr8g4iljEMxK3lNNQ1Yrfbu8WPsmQhbHNZKwTiDu51XJwhoyPNn1NP0uMoelh5DX2S0sUS_u8Mo0DV0V1DqpIzDx7uxlhpEEt_UKTLer4chBhk9-IppQYi5a/s2000/Feb3-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1870" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwTx64_ubv-34EhKNrnYEUJHg6DfbAsHrF-mAoOP6PqGtuQHj7998vyUhn5o9mfknFr8g4iljEMxK3lNNQ1Yrfbu8WPsmQhbHNZKwTiDu51XJwhoyPNn1NP0uMoelh5DX2S0sUS_u8Mo0DV0V1DqpIzDx7uxlhpEEt_UKTLer4chBhk9-IppQYi5a/w374-h400/Feb3-c.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's also a plethora of hellebores which, apart from several clumps of Helleborus foetidus </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(two collages up, top right) includes lots of different Helleborus orientalis varieties, like the dusky purple bloomed one (above, top left), which was more than willing to have its portrait taken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was charmed by these tiny delicate-looking flowers (above, bottoms left), which belong to Chimomanthus praecox, a deciduous shrub commonly known as wintersweet due to its highly fragrant flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HO9eMHjqn-NN5KuCYK0w_GOt7gL_btCCwAgnpOLgdFsb1aXBKgF8hWhof_DQJJ_I1sNxTP5zaXTBkDz-YPN5fMiZEWHh-i5wtMyVAPslgoWoou1AIBqzcLJQsZY0s7MVXqSF579mB7Fb8HWa2lZZuMCgu8ZVfj1_GDJoEW9TLk1ZJ946HjrqGYby/s2000/Feb3-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HO9eMHjqn-NN5KuCYK0w_GOt7gL_btCCwAgnpOLgdFsb1aXBKgF8hWhof_DQJJ_I1sNxTP5zaXTBkDz-YPN5fMiZEWHh-i5wtMyVAPslgoWoou1AIBqzcLJQsZY0s7MVXqSF579mB7Fb8HWa2lZZuMCgu8ZVfj1_GDJoEW9TLk1ZJ946HjrqGYby/w400-h400/Feb3-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a bid to make my walk at least semi-circular, I exited the garden by way of the premises belonging to the luxury Botanic Sanctuary hotel. Opened in 2022, it is housed in a former convent and hospital complex called Elzenveld, whose history goes back to the 12th century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two ghostly figures have taken up residence in the garden next to the restored 15th century chapel. By Antwerp-based, German-born sculptor Albert Szukalski (1945-2000), they are relatives of those which have been having a conversation in the sculpture park (<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9SfPMPq4HvlTKlRkxO5l5ISgHaTm-aoyYtHpuDA4xjHeMS11gUUFQoLYnKBmJJMNQ9rubWLRYoSXtLIMj8T3aaEeA2h58sggod0pWF7cv9xbof4D4AMedROgBembnwXUR2eO9llE/s1200/Jan6a-h.jpg" target="_blank">Dialogue</a>, 1974).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UgMOKoAmbf8rFPY89w2F97tOEaFFXQKehnpA1wYKmv_77SwV0bSeY7RMJ6BFMzUaoVqmNjLaoepsiRGRvtl-ZHp94KESW501MA9-NZvA0JnYWMgdtE-K35yedNlIDQlRqHqYW5gZkUxdPnffmU9JuVU7qdX4P3oeO9uBIW_9ReRbNhqluOLdTJVk/s2000/Feb3-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UgMOKoAmbf8rFPY89w2F97tOEaFFXQKehnpA1wYKmv_77SwV0bSeY7RMJ6BFMzUaoVqmNjLaoepsiRGRvtl-ZHp94KESW501MA9-NZvA0JnYWMgdtE-K35yedNlIDQlRqHqYW5gZkUxdPnffmU9JuVU7qdX4P3oeO9uBIW_9ReRbNhqluOLdTJVk/w400-h371/Feb3-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday clearly had been a one-off, as we were back to the customary grey skies on Friday. The dismal soul-sapping weather wasn't conducive to a lunch break walk. In fact, I wouldn't even have ventured outside at all if I hadn't had an errand to run.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was when I was taking a shortcut through the shopping centre near my office that I happened to pass a pop-up clothing shop which was having a closing-down sale. With items going for € 10, I decided to have a look, not really expecting to find anything to my liking. How wrong I was, as I walked away with a bottle green long-sleeved maxi dress and a blue bishop-sleeved blouse with a flower meadow print, both by the London based Louche label</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUWbffZwFbn7pMYu9zRpAViZbED356Mx1UCopsG_AeV1kYuMH3gDlQM_8FAXdZSi1dK468T59EoL-S7B6cyxnKN7wo9iepZ3xzWFrFqb8AR-Z6s3RU33U0x4Kefy6azTeLr1YrShlj30TEimWv-9IIr9l3SIgX-UbAq1tdg30WcXUA0MyjCDuwNb7/s3935/Feb3-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3935" data-original-width="2632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUWbffZwFbn7pMYu9zRpAViZbED356Mx1UCopsG_AeV1kYuMH3gDlQM_8FAXdZSi1dK468T59EoL-S7B6cyxnKN7wo9iepZ3xzWFrFqb8AR-Z6s3RU33U0x4Kefy6azTeLr1YrShlj30TEimWv-9IIr9l3SIgX-UbAq1tdg30WcXUA0MyjCDuwNb7/w268-h400/Feb3-f.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was quite exhausted by Saturday, my hectic 5-day working week clearly taking its toll. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yet another grey and mizzly day, its highs of 10°C were neither here nor there. Without any sunshine to boost my energy levels, and feeling a bit off with a stomach upset, a day of rest was just what the doctor ordered.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cz98CTUuVEzlDyY0AfeYqXfA6v-PA4ItJHZYlfwOjqhZtzAVcBZADdPwDY8gKLZhjuvgm3QT4Bm-BA0oSChhP8dXTHkgJTB7Md91ujeHf-o9DfEXRyTV9i92DZMZU57qmNovvmhpES_N_WWmPTTGTTtxiTME64i45xPUUwNeDtCzejXRuukU3Aoo/s4030/Feb3-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cz98CTUuVEzlDyY0AfeYqXfA6v-PA4ItJHZYlfwOjqhZtzAVcBZADdPwDY8gKLZhjuvgm3QT4Bm-BA0oSChhP8dXTHkgJTB7Md91ujeHf-o9DfEXRyTV9i92DZMZU57qmNovvmhpES_N_WWmPTTGTTtxiTME64i45xPUUwNeDtCzejXRuukU3Aoo/w428-h640/Feb3-g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both the plaid skirt and the thin knit jumper got their very first outing that day, even if it was only for posing for outfit photos in the passageway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked up the skirt in an outlet shop for the Belgian Green Ice label back in September, while the Missoni-inspired faux-wrap jumper, by C&A's Clockhouse label, was charity shopped last month.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcV49EntBlieGiyun-YHBRtQQrGvWUZ5D7LFfvoPh5SnhgHkn896_K13eqt3EAYD0JFCWie-PcKupT5a3BXuctHBHjvMp4NXODWVpN00a3-pD84Z4LMvuJC-zPFOPlJ6GqdlAtzmYMpRQifSQdr8zlf3aQL2dcgIaIfsMRlGLRHDvb28UJwrhUj5u/s3264/Feb3-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcV49EntBlieGiyun-YHBRtQQrGvWUZ5D7LFfvoPh5SnhgHkn896_K13eqt3EAYD0JFCWie-PcKupT5a3BXuctHBHjvMp4NXODWVpN00a3-pD84Z4LMvuJC-zPFOPlJ6GqdlAtzmYMpRQifSQdr8zlf3aQL2dcgIaIfsMRlGLRHDvb28UJwrhUj5u/w400-h400/Feb3-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I layered a green long-sleeved t-shirt underneath, pinned a brooch embroidered with a posy of Gentians to the jumper and added a navy beaded necklace to tie in with the background colour of the skirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having finished my Anne Tyler novel, I picked one of the previous week's finds as my next read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbE6P8vnpKI2xvXDF77n6bsUg5FNJhfBrG5puu6LwXyd_Vy7Y03wKFliudhxQxyQzb80n5EZxq9LUt_f8T14KWmyJ4yl6vuuAky1lh8_X6Qlo1uuN6WCtBC09Oi_NXGfWDLIArKGDUlxyU4GWueeOvjkdcHK9JNGR6xLJIanQbWRZerVhyphenhyphenInvsBpE/s4032/Feb3-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbE6P8vnpKI2xvXDF77n6bsUg5FNJhfBrG5puu6LwXyd_Vy7Y03wKFliudhxQxyQzb80n5EZxq9LUt_f8T14KWmyJ4yl6vuuAky1lh8_X6Qlo1uuN6WCtBC09Oi_NXGfWDLIArKGDUlxyU4GWueeOvjkdcHK9JNGR6xLJIanQbWRZerVhyphenhyphenInvsBpE/w301-h400/Feb3-i.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three Houses is a nostalgic childhood memoir by Angela Thirkell (1890-1961), based on the three houses in which she grew up. Apart from her parents' home in Kensington Square, these are her maternal grandparents' London home, as well as their seaside retreat in Rottingdean, East Sussex. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A not unimportant detail is that her grandfather was the Pre-Raphaelite painter and designer Edward Burne-Jones! Although Angela clearly admired her grandfather's work, as well as that of his friend William Morris, she wasn't impressed with Pre-Raphaelite furniture, which she describes as utterly uncomfortable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEol6hGkGGCqslPMOdNPrhEMoYKcsyUb8okjj76_Kk3RLvA7CVI2GRdgomu-m81HpgmsDtF4HWcdNtHF5xfmem02DAtCpTH-7w_lXQQdra7vUrGng4bBXStyEW7URc7tV-hVj1dUhmbCQWjfKReJFq7xctR_XIiZIZKKWYw0yYsEB5rrOX4htU6KAd/s4030/Feb3-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEol6hGkGGCqslPMOdNPrhEMoYKcsyUb8okjj76_Kk3RLvA7CVI2GRdgomu-m81HpgmsDtF4HWcdNtHF5xfmem02DAtCpTH-7w_lXQQdra7vUrGng4bBXStyEW7URc7tV-hVj1dUhmbCQWjfKReJFq7xctR_XIiZIZKKWYw0yYsEB5rrOX4htU6KAd/w428-h640/Feb3-j.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, the stomach bug thing, whatever it was, had upped and left by Saturday evening and, after a good night's sleep, I was feeling right as rain again on Sunday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strangely enough it had quite a while since this 1970s does 1940s dress made it out of my wardrobe. Green being my favourite colour, I fell in love with it and its blowsy flower pattern when I found it on the Think Twice rails many years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hhMlYL4GIcD6XFqk_DWshMCkC-TGlsHutrm8IGJ7qDEUeBHzrFWDoE9lkMC6uKigH3D-H3MHNO9LoCVrjAVgr8yc275SpMHFcR9huuKQ7Cv7XP2jSqEccnZRaZw5Y6rpUbcW9NP_YEGxvfc5G5Zmdb64hEvSJUPyWp5USfxdFJhWQ5aYCJ8AdS6J/s2000/Feb3-k%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hhMlYL4GIcD6XFqk_DWshMCkC-TGlsHutrm8IGJ7qDEUeBHzrFWDoE9lkMC6uKigH3D-H3MHNO9LoCVrjAVgr8yc275SpMHFcR9huuKQ7Cv7XP2jSqEccnZRaZw5Y6rpUbcW9NP_YEGxvfc5G5Zmdb64hEvSJUPyWp5USfxdFJhWQ5aYCJ8AdS6J/w400-h400/Feb3-k%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A trip down bloggy memory lane revealed that I usually wear it with aqua opaques and a ditto cardigan, so I decided to shake things up a bit, opting for burnt orange and tan this time around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The belt - by the Belgian CKS label - was a fairly recent charity shop find while, if my memory serves me right, I found the brooch on a flea market. My necklace with its colourful wooden discs, which pick up all of the pattern's colours, was bought brand new from Accessorize back in the mists of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNNqSkCMQ1vh45Hf9yNqqIagE9XHrNoh2_tRl0gvRZVRsEyzGaiNQnQOTt5zB2A43g2pESuYGEI22NK3FYO-6dlnsNSGY44pI2x8PEZ3w-mf26RqfCzQR8fdOgPrcMxulM3dKS6RmTfUZTjZGvsbsTciC4FrBKCXiqLnfoQGX_Lffjb2MrnpJ74A3/s2000/Feb3-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNNqSkCMQ1vh45Hf9yNqqIagE9XHrNoh2_tRl0gvRZVRsEyzGaiNQnQOTt5zB2A43g2pESuYGEI22NK3FYO-6dlnsNSGY44pI2x8PEZ3w-mf26RqfCzQR8fdOgPrcMxulM3dKS6RmTfUZTjZGvsbsTciC4FrBKCXiqLnfoQGX_Lffjb2MrnpJ74A3/w640-h640/Feb3-l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our plan for the day was to spend the afternoon abroad! Mind-boggling as this might sound to some of you, it only involves a drive of just under an hour, which is considerably less than it takes to drive to Belgium's west country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were off to visit our friends Kris and Marnix, who live about 15 kilometers from the Belgian border in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, which is part of the Dutch province of Zeeland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kris, who used to be my colleague for many years, moved here to run an arable farm with his husband Marnix, growing potatoes, onions, wheat, brown beans, sugar beet and carrots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBA1_tFR1iII3E9wTXXjR0630exoRrV2QxdPWhXUxOrWbRPxm-dnpHg5gpRHcyM9CSoldDMF830xCuCg-evYV6Yw6eguqG93o5PqJGKJ7ERgDeH4vxrgKSOkF8_ChRx_wr5d0p5lUGmWB35vlcG9CSLfRWfIDU1gcZHrsH7Bluq3zeYiekbHTOVBu/s2000/Feb3-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBA1_tFR1iII3E9wTXXjR0630exoRrV2QxdPWhXUxOrWbRPxm-dnpHg5gpRHcyM9CSoldDMF830xCuCg-evYV6Yw6eguqG93o5PqJGKJ7ERgDeH4vxrgKSOkF8_ChRx_wr5d0p5lUGmWB35vlcG9CSLfRWfIDU1gcZHrsH7Bluq3zeYiekbHTOVBu/w400-h400/Feb3-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What with life - not to mention that pesky thing called Covid - getting in the way we hadn't seen each other since December 2019. As if that wasn't bad enough, our plans for a get-together at the end of 2022 had to be cancelled at the last moment as I got the flu, so it was obvious that we had quite a bit of catching up to do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In true Dutch style, we were welcomed with typical Dutch pastries called tompouce, after which it was time for Kris to show us around his pride and joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh175YUVvAqMy_E2PYUaoY5PWX_vxiVcwms4vKQfxJHjhyphenhypheng_UjmUVqadINtjHe-USWzuGfAc2xQuswUXBqCP1JaEKUejKpVm8qRlBE3bzgXfOkK0Cnyd4CJtqyrqa9zg_ezLCJPXgrivYC6eJLDJBSLZnXGKojy1iK3beRpvbSXfhHeti3eQEhhzHQT/s2000/Feb3-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh175YUVvAqMy_E2PYUaoY5PWX_vxiVcwms4vKQfxJHjhyphenhypheng_UjmUVqadINtjHe-USWzuGfAc2xQuswUXBqCP1JaEKUejKpVm8qRlBE3bzgXfOkK0Cnyd4CJtqyrqa9zg_ezLCJPXgrivYC6eJLDJBSLZnXGKojy1iK3beRpvbSXfhHeti3eQEhhzHQT/w400-h400/Feb3-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About six years ago, a friend took Kris along to a ceramics workshop, and the rest, as they say, is history! Kris was instantly captivated by the creative possibilities of working with clay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon, his new-found hobby had taken over his life and <a href="https://kbkeramiek.nl/" target="_blank">KB Keramiek</a> was born. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Kris wanted to share his knowledge and passion, Kris and Marnix converted part of their barn into a studio, where Kris is now giving his own workshops and courses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcSdsH1BBJdJtD_vqFmNrK0CxcLhwUt0qjYT_rJKUVGCFilNv7pG5nbaGEJ9g5orNBSB1vXs9sGO1WPs-q8O_iyCqVJR1zh6y3k7mY_xpmqxXPUUG-4EtIeihnrmT7hiZar6OUCyScVZft_aQXp-wlZYIzV875LH52ouZLAH3M5y8OJI1TLa0h-1v/s2000/Feb3-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcSdsH1BBJdJtD_vqFmNrK0CxcLhwUt0qjYT_rJKUVGCFilNv7pG5nbaGEJ9g5orNBSB1vXs9sGO1WPs-q8O_iyCqVJR1zh6y3k7mY_xpmqxXPUUG-4EtIeihnrmT7hiZar6OUCyScVZft_aQXp-wlZYIzV875LH52ouZLAH3M5y8OJI1TLa0h-1v/w400-h400/Feb3-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next to the ceramics studio is a multi-purpose room which can be rented for courses, meetings or gatherings. This used to be the old cowshed, and I love how Kris and Marnix have integrated some of the authentic elements like the old ceiling beams, the drinking troughs and the feeding troughs which have been converted into benches (above, top and bottom right, and below, top right).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's also a small shop where Kris sells his own unique creations. I was quite impressed by those gorgeous leaf dishes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhBf1AYBKFyB0syWi0nhdraKEXIZSOfEfEdK-8ZMxOh8yR-ZsOac0BQGtNZxOn6mwRQUTX24zkHm4qYenAJ97Kb50oB1i6SNd9x_9aijoUJ9EvhvyKs2mr7tj3wmurzti1W_JQ9nByDMqvE21Li0bq6b8dIejq24GAeMPgr2aGiAzsas7SB4iy9fh/s2000/Feb3-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhBf1AYBKFyB0syWi0nhdraKEXIZSOfEfEdK-8ZMxOh8yR-ZsOac0BQGtNZxOn6mwRQUTX24zkHm4qYenAJ97Kb50oB1i6SNd9x_9aijoUJ9EvhvyKs2mr7tj3wmurzti1W_JQ9nByDMqvE21Li0bq6b8dIejq24GAeMPgr2aGiAzsas7SB4iy9fh/w640-h640/Feb3-p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our catch-up continued with drinks and nibbles, during which we were introduced to alcohol-free gin, which was absolutely delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stayed for dinner, and then sadly it was time to say goodbye and make our way back home. Promises have been made not to leave it too long until we next meet. And who knows, one day we might very well book one of those workshops ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you for the lovely afternoon, guys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-51911605272546383282024-02-11T19:08:00.000+01:002024-02-11T19:08:13.160+01:00Made of clay<p> While time is slowly but surely making its way towards mid-February, my blog, as usual, is still struggling to catch up with the past. January's final weekend might only be a matter of two weeks ago, it somehow seems a lot longer to me. </p><p>Meanwhile, I'm feeling as if life keeps dealing me the wrong cards. There's nothing I can put my finger on exactly, but work-related stress keeps on poisoning my days (thank you <a href="https://jabblog-jabblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Janice</a> for this very apt description in my comments) and I'm sure the ongoing grey and rainy weather hasn't been any help either.</p><p>Here's to hoping Spring will bring solace!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtselTmbhXeqU6u_s0cyywY8lakHaFG7Vz5R-oUiWEtQ7JFjHHEUfYvnqvGy_sEZtHvunK70kSD71t2bBBjQweVykpx2eH7dXrfFbKz_IgVh6FGyQ7Ngb1YC0M9dcsiR36wJ0bZ6_DJq-oBFtp1nTSWV6rPrZ2VKvI2WfibleD8pFLav8tBbnJwMp4/s4030/Feb2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtselTmbhXeqU6u_s0cyywY8lakHaFG7Vz5R-oUiWEtQ7JFjHHEUfYvnqvGy_sEZtHvunK70kSD71t2bBBjQweVykpx2eH7dXrfFbKz_IgVh6FGyQ7Ngb1YC0M9dcsiR36wJ0bZ6_DJq-oBFtp1nTSWV6rPrZ2VKvI2WfibleD8pFLav8tBbnJwMp4/w428-h640/Feb2-b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, the weekend which is this post's subject was a good one. Although I was still suffering from the odd coughing fit, they had definitely subsided, which in its turn had brought back some of my joie de vivre and revived my energy levels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We'd slept late on Saturday the 28th of January, waking up to a layer of frost and lots of sunshine, with highs of about 8°C. In short: the perfect weather for my beloved flower basket frock!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The frock in question is vintage, and if you've guessed it was a Think Twice find you are spot on! I fell hard for its pattern, its midi length and dropped waist, which, together with its wool content, makes it the ideal jammy dress, as <a href="https://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sheila</a> would say. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKYhTnvGMInHA16tueWmbui58unXwqQdddDUBuFCpgQexa5Nz_q6lQQjVI4gBcEBF8H-Xb4KZvnPjDXTmbi9tIgWXmO2UIgl1Fm1stj-nNF5IaB1q9_oKFH6Mtv0SN12bB8JvJoA76KR9EhLUdJOSLd3NriNf8DbM3yB3vZhyphenhyphenL5FrPc08dyOXmhN4/s3264/Feb2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKYhTnvGMInHA16tueWmbui58unXwqQdddDUBuFCpgQexa5Nz_q6lQQjVI4gBcEBF8H-Xb4KZvnPjDXTmbi9tIgWXmO2UIgl1Fm1stj-nNF5IaB1q9_oKFH6Mtv0SN12bB8JvJoA76KR9EhLUdJOSLd3NriNf8DbM3yB3vZhyphenhyphenL5FrPc08dyOXmhN4/w400-h400/Feb2-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked green for my opaques and charity shopped Mango cardigan, its tired and worn out buttons replaced with more appropriate vintage ones from my stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My berry-coloured necklace and flower corsage were charity shops finds as well, while my brooch - which for some reason I'm wearing upside down - is part of my haul from January's indoor flea market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPBOLuFTr2OcqFj_dRZdI4Fxs7eIyQZ5RBs54xvzGBoBBexir6EW4YcnqK_ejBFRM88lAlw8VsudATNlpuqqZvrZ6z0FXJc_DuNS-9lO6M7zTAPho4IA8Bdvqo7kzuLmUSejfn0MFg_2KPtHWbULKX90U__V1cwlR8rysu15EYbd6ITapb6HAEp3c/s1627/Feb2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1627" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPBOLuFTr2OcqFj_dRZdI4Fxs7eIyQZ5RBs54xvzGBoBBexir6EW4YcnqK_ejBFRM88lAlw8VsudATNlpuqqZvrZ6z0FXJc_DuNS-9lO6M7zTAPho4IA8Bdvqo7kzuLmUSejfn0MFg_2KPtHWbULKX90U__V1cwlR8rysu15EYbd6ITapb6HAEp3c/w400-h246/Feb2-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If <a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vix</a>'s garden is a bewildering wilderness, ours is a junkyard jungle, with the bags of compost mixed up with building rubble from next door's kitchen extension still cluttering up the courtyard at the back. But our revived passageway, sheltered by the new and higher wall, is a triumph. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was only a matter of a couple of weeks ago when I noticed the first of the flower buds in the Hellebore (Helleborus sternii) I re-homed here last Spring, and lo and behold: not only had they multiplied, the first of its creamy, pink-veined flowers was showing her pretty face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That morning, I worked on a blog post while Jos ran an errand and made a pot of delicious tomato and paprika soup for our lunch, after which we decided on a wee trip to the charity shops. Or rather, shop, singular, as we only visited our most local one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblRLMypJmr5anUXcDKm0fmBGVcixnR6WfNl0cCdjw1YncECDDhM9hqOO-0azM05VF6hhmmoEPaMD2mZih7RBHldraMIu_jIY8RnHe169sk5AmBKCinCPjZNqtUXL8vL4Gw9zOuxllXYqNF820t7_7ts6w1zijjASEE_xYZ7QCd6NOSoRtY9K3Wc2k/s2000/Feb2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblRLMypJmr5anUXcDKm0fmBGVcixnR6WfNl0cCdjw1YncECDDhM9hqOO-0azM05VF6hhmmoEPaMD2mZih7RBHldraMIu_jIY8RnHe169sk5AmBKCinCPjZNqtUXL8vL4Gw9zOuxllXYqNF820t7_7ts6w1zijjASEE_xYZ7QCd6NOSoRtY9K3Wc2k/w400-h371/Feb2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Among my finds was this short-sleeved millefiori vintage dress, in perfect condition apart from missing its belt and needing a couple of split seams repaired. No big issue, even for someone with limited sewing skills like yours truly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bgn-HrtfmhYwVKDhiQ-Fh7EIm1KXd-8KxTQCk4I8AMZ4fb2awaQS5rwqxouMj1Ookk_LqKjztC9ZYwqhYyGyDONWDccpX1qcnX32SJzSbMF_moxWgSKde_xqi4YFeq0RD_1r0q6-pgNnM3pH34XQB-wyPGXgh7WSJp7lqm1XL-O-HOmKdqatyZDd/s2110/Feb2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2110" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bgn-HrtfmhYwVKDhiQ-Fh7EIm1KXd-8KxTQCk4I8AMZ4fb2awaQS5rwqxouMj1Ookk_LqKjztC9ZYwqhYyGyDONWDccpX1qcnX32SJzSbMF_moxWgSKde_xqi4YFeq0RD_1r0q6-pgNnM3pH34XQB-wyPGXgh7WSJp7lqm1XL-O-HOmKdqatyZDd/w400-h379/Feb2-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wrestled the marigold jumper from a shop dummy, and stumbled across this zig-zag patterned item, which is a pair of velvet-y lounging trousers. Much appreciated by Bess and me alike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The wide, unstructured, minty green leather belt with its round white metal bucket is Italian made.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm always on the lookout for leather watch straps and unearthed these ones, in two different shades of blue, from a box of boring black sisters and brothers. I initially thought that there was only one of each, but found two matching pairs when I released them from their plastic bag at home. Not bad for € 2 surely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3jLHO1xlPkntJLSP8_6xVg38s9DsQUwRwZ-4cW-4IpI0cekstQJK_A4XXDz9CJX5MwBuo6hb9ZzpJoFiWn1zG_NOeWfTRbuE06l_onbZp2ink9PMtZB3Oq8sOMIUJt3uozhx7vIIiWM-RM0PQWNiSOH-UGCfUJ9LsOFTex502Km-28gmNb4dvcHm/s4030/Feb2-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3jLHO1xlPkntJLSP8_6xVg38s9DsQUwRwZ-4cW-4IpI0cekstQJK_A4XXDz9CJX5MwBuo6hb9ZzpJoFiWn1zG_NOeWfTRbuE06l_onbZp2ink9PMtZB3Oq8sOMIUJt3uozhx7vIIiWM-RM0PQWNiSOH-UGCfUJ9LsOFTex502Km-28gmNb4dvcHm/w301-h400/Feb2-g.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, the book shelves yielded no less than four new additions to my TBR pile!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We stopped for wild bird seed and some packets of bread mix at the garden centre on our way home. No risk of making any impulse purchases this time, as most of the plant tables were quite bare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE_V3m2olwfAo_vRBsrBswlxGmM-68ZFx2e4qAlcGh0jb1KxJgrI1fYcC3034yVnsxBLZH_Dmb26OF4-0w0MKekXMEsDBTL0DkZYIp-cQrochFbdpPe3LNDEHs59xET49N2uTZre0HZZeXawwrQQkfEfkq0e3ALB62uYs_3XJimW-qO0_5lwFi-yk/s4030/Feb2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE_V3m2olwfAo_vRBsrBswlxGmM-68ZFx2e4qAlcGh0jb1KxJgrI1fYcC3034yVnsxBLZH_Dmb26OF4-0w0MKekXMEsDBTL0DkZYIp-cQrochFbdpPe3LNDEHs59xET49N2uTZre0HZZeXawwrQQkfEfkq0e3ALB62uYs_3XJimW-qO0_5lwFi-yk/w428-h640/Feb2-h.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In spite of a frosty start, Sunday developed into a deliciously sunny, almost springlike day, with the mercury climbing to 12°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My dress of choice was another Think Twice find and its label claims that it's a Ralph dress and was made in West Germany. Needless to say, the Internet wasn't very helpful in finding any information about this label, as my searches resulted in links to Ralph Lauren, rather than just Ralph. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9fVnzZ82ujH4hI-81POU1xpdpX5oXwbeVp9SDMSvqZA6pKVBaTP6m76E2m3GLgYnU9qTAJToeEkTckYzi_aJ6XyL1cs09qr01fLtzLPDRHfBNnRdhkLFKKtzZykeBkrksgkE89Ns2lErPaB78lYR-E0wkeGpbxXMS1_7mbjdQkCqsV_3sWoV9YeU/s2000/Feb2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1993" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9fVnzZ82ujH4hI-81POU1xpdpX5oXwbeVp9SDMSvqZA6pKVBaTP6m76E2m3GLgYnU9qTAJToeEkTckYzi_aJ6XyL1cs09qr01fLtzLPDRHfBNnRdhkLFKKtzZykeBkrksgkE89Ns2lErPaB78lYR-E0wkeGpbxXMS1_7mbjdQkCqsV_3sWoV9YeU/w399-h400/Feb2-i.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Appearances can be deceptive, as rather than black, the dress's predominant colour is a rich chocolate brown. It's got three buttons at the cuffs which echo those decorating each shoulder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From its clusters of flowers, I picked turquoise for my belt and pink for my beads, both items being charity shop finds. As was the blue Zoë Loveborn cardigan with its orange buttons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cameo brooch I pinned to my dress is another one from my recent flea market haul, while my cardigan was proudly displaying a single orange paste gemstone in a nest of gold thread.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb5FbeQW0pdDZy7QufTnikFstGje9Kyfv-fLgmURwpFl3LAPYhoKGk_a35tiT1KOwy0NwUsysvXzIv8dNIWFVFAHzYRMPa1vRWlgOwKesXoL-YiPXqNsdy3EHYx_apsFawjQZvROqsoDe3cgr8D4yyLLCwAEMYj1u5E0Ye7HvU_h9yCG2Oo4dZ1p8/s2000/Feb2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb5FbeQW0pdDZy7QufTnikFstGje9Kyfv-fLgmURwpFl3LAPYhoKGk_a35tiT1KOwy0NwUsysvXzIv8dNIWFVFAHzYRMPa1vRWlgOwKesXoL-YiPXqNsdy3EHYx_apsFawjQZvROqsoDe3cgr8D4yyLLCwAEMYj1u5E0Ye7HvU_h9yCG2Oo4dZ1p8/w400-h400/Feb2-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After lunch, we drove down to De Schorre in Boom, a Provincial domain and nature reserve at the site of yet another former clay pit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In fact, De Schorre isn't just your run-of-the-mill place: it is the the scene for Tomorrowland, the largest Dance Music festival in the world, which takes place for two consecutive weekends in July. If the wind is right - or should that be wrong - its deep thumping basses can be heard and felt at Dove Cottage, more than eight kilometers away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtIguTUTkJt1y2tk2jCTUmnZsNhlEEaoUl8zTM9HlirUoei9lv4VGgVDrzzuDPP85VNhXs2VSh7xWNEAeBgawqIHX9NyKk8DRRPhXJPoTy4fFUaECIX2LI69fZ-Dl7FOvuNbpvB3-E6HybJWmX_gSFVzMwMydgw50xGcBeHJKcyjmZSDKlx6z56m1/s2000/Feb2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtIguTUTkJt1y2tk2jCTUmnZsNhlEEaoUl8zTM9HlirUoei9lv4VGgVDrzzuDPP85VNhXs2VSh7xWNEAeBgawqIHX9NyKk8DRRPhXJPoTy4fFUaECIX2LI69fZ-Dl7FOvuNbpvB3-E6HybJWmX_gSFVzMwMydgw50xGcBeHJKcyjmZSDKlx6z56m1/w400-h400/Feb2-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A quick trawl on the blog revealed that our last visit was almost two years ago to the day! It was in January 2022 that we first came across some of the trolls installed in the summer of 2019 in honour of Tomorrowland's 15th anniversary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sets of wooden steps take you from street level about 25 meters down to the bottom of the former pit, where a network of boardwalks leads you through the wetlands created by months of rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon we spotted the first of the trolls - there are a total of 7 to be discovered - sitting astride the boardwalk. This one is called Arvid and apparently she is looking for dead branches in the forest, with which she is making of works of art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFqzhkIxM9X5iRmSNSVMwhyphenhyphenU2V9BCudNNoTq61usilPaCFpMlc8Gi9e1g99kLatXoVN39sCo024mmk1_NYRo-ecyuClnNyOaPa-1puqM5TdRF97_KK6iqvtHyyjaJv9n-w-8Pgk8vIbdfHWM68yl7_4YjeLrSB9rwj3XbN6WvNP5tyxQVwiCYCPEV/s2000/Feb2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFqzhkIxM9X5iRmSNSVMwhyphenhyphenU2V9BCudNNoTq61usilPaCFpMlc8Gi9e1g99kLatXoVN39sCo024mmk1_NYRo-ecyuClnNyOaPa-1puqM5TdRF97_KK6iqvtHyyjaJv9n-w-8Pgk8vIbdfHWM68yl7_4YjeLrSB9rwj3XbN6WvNP5tyxQVwiCYCPEV/w400-h400/Feb2-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Judging from her back view, she's been using some of those dead branches for her wild punky hairdo as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually the boardwalk ends at the junction with a broad path which leads to the domain's commercial heart, which has venues for parties, events and meetings. It is home to some sports clubs as well and there's a climbing and adventure tower which makes me wobbly-legged by just looking at it. We wouldn't even have ventured that far if it weren't for its sanitary facilities!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSENwMTQo2DFXbPzCIGCNBruef-9jPeSxc0kZjjOoKiKrGbIP5Tm5Nheq980GBfnmhq3Ur3MfFGvQKE19RHc1REr2buRiws5eizRnffBlyLzr1CHPJUqgQv6guIngmBJQqDLC40BtKgA020c7_nSS6VK_vE0_wdZo4i7jzpBdresh5gzhTCYwf1TJE/s2000/Feb2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSENwMTQo2DFXbPzCIGCNBruef-9jPeSxc0kZjjOoKiKrGbIP5Tm5Nheq980GBfnmhq3Ur3MfFGvQKE19RHc1REr2buRiws5eizRnffBlyLzr1CHPJUqgQv6guIngmBJQqDLC40BtKgA020c7_nSS6VK_vE0_wdZo4i7jzpBdresh5gzhTCYwf1TJE/w400-h400/Feb2-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About one third of the domain is coloured in as a nature reserve, where nature has reclaimed what was rightfully hers after the brick-making industry declined and clay-digging came to a stop in the 1980s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the sight of such natural bounty, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like in the industry's heyday, but <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfiiNLd4SjLa9eBx2dCJTcC2-Zhsd7TglpQovsVmdH0zoW4G__0UTFxCtmz4GUk8N57SHVnhWb1eymYopeoTm-lxfaB_7hv-Ghs84dApuOBXUpjYqPYTJUiLAuJQ_tSjk0TYHoctwsO8/s1600/1477389703278a.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>'s a photo to give you some idea.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LhQbyW-UHbtgz1b90OLgsFl7kefTMu_0NVWG7Dx-hZGlWe8p0Q629zVkE-_5j6Fg3F5sunYzuHLeB6SyH9yC0FC18NxtKgToXzkDayxjEqAR6agkcGgs4yZclQrCXH-v-OOyrrbdhJNBg6CsLeD7yvyOgJsycEnxEVtg9Ilv3xdw0qkbPhl9zxZx/s4032/Feb2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LhQbyW-UHbtgz1b90OLgsFl7kefTMu_0NVWG7Dx-hZGlWe8p0Q629zVkE-_5j6Fg3F5sunYzuHLeB6SyH9yC0FC18NxtKgToXzkDayxjEqAR6agkcGgs4yZclQrCXH-v-OOyrrbdhJNBg6CsLeD7yvyOgJsycEnxEVtg9Ilv3xdw0qkbPhl9zxZx/w482-h640/Feb2-o.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our return journey we came across another one of the trolls. This one is Hannes, who apparently loves making necklaces with wooden pearls he forages in the forest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, there were lots of families with children out and about, and it wasn't easy to photograph Hannes and me hanging out together with a constant stream of children wanting to tickle the poor giant's feet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trolls, by the way, were created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo using old pallets, recycled wood, broken branches and fallen trees, and they vary in height between 7 and 18 meters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mknJIpkJn59s6Gbn4tPOgC22JxNgdFWYAxWFd8xDQ8soLIPoJQdTj1KsgF7V9hjLJ1Palgl4q4gIVP0uLpv6COA3FKDwqQkL8RshDm0-pSFJ-LNf16ONzKfWNLImsbsrlDRFiHJArWpXgY8WRQ77qi-crB7q9BPK3eCCVJtsP8PJbPhAPKAeRL-3/s2000/Feb2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mknJIpkJn59s6Gbn4tPOgC22JxNgdFWYAxWFd8xDQ8soLIPoJQdTj1KsgF7V9hjLJ1Palgl4q4gIVP0uLpv6COA3FKDwqQkL8RshDm0-pSFJ-LNf16ONzKfWNLImsbsrlDRFiHJArWpXgY8WRQ77qi-crB7q9BPK3eCCVJtsP8PJbPhAPKAeRL-3/w400-h400/Feb2-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ruined brick building Hannes is perched upon, and the elevated track on tall brick pillars, are remnants of the area's industrious past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The fabulous graffiti artwork was added in 2023. It is called 'Formica' (which is Latin for ant) and was created by the artists of a collective called Treepack. The worker ants refer to the many workers who used to mine clay and make bricks here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshfx_q4jYBNJGDv3rp_NUDtjRtwXAoGc6MLGX-QtbeS00rKL-npIXwadzjlUs7zBsTRsQGGaYodgbQ_ZPHAZCi1Bpf1XWrQJgSorid0S5bk_9fZrqGhACcv_sC3VMzJTEJVS5Zthr/s1600/we7-k.jpg" target="_blank">photo</a>, which was made by Jos who used to live in the area, shows what it looked like in the early 1980s, before the factory closed down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRocPh4unCUb1SoRf5l2OfJDLDkEcCtnzZJ7sGsT7eMRiF78vnFjC395ssV2lRnCiXOHUglyuQjuAkDHkkz9bVWoZLibiON4E75WPCYzfbo795WUocYktE4TXDju9awGdx-kDcXKrKBE-PU_mbkkmEZZiX-P73Rj7hEpN1KCxerMOLVN2QLa0PnhgQ/s2000/Feb2-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRocPh4unCUb1SoRf5l2OfJDLDkEcCtnzZJ7sGsT7eMRiF78vnFjC395ssV2lRnCiXOHUglyuQjuAkDHkkz9bVWoZLibiON4E75WPCYzfbo795WUocYktE4TXDju9awGdx-kDcXKrKBE-PU_mbkkmEZZiX-P73Rj7hEpN1KCxerMOLVN2QLa0PnhgQ/w400-h400/Feb2-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our way up to where we'd left our car, we spotted a third troll on the further reaches of a pool, which is of course actually a water-filled former clay pit, ruled over by a rusty dredger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is Mikil, who is scooping water from the pool with a bucket. There's a rather vertiginous muddy path leading down to him, which we didn't dare to attempt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've still got the other three trolls to check out, which we are planning to do on a less busy and muddy day. Perhaps on a Friday in April?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfI2hgZV8EjAYHHIoyThPVNseYXoDW3rWA1YHgSH54GQFxIIEwAcMZZ1kHcDjC1LTUutPAtwHRjnWI-XMAFmOyCUGc2hyqQP3xxrtHITNoOctlajeoTA8iDT3zREKvj_OWPoglQAXLIw9KDxKepLuUzDs1TQreW2YNk9UX1mGjywOrjXeUQu0mvAY/s4030/Feb2-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfI2hgZV8EjAYHHIoyThPVNseYXoDW3rWA1YHgSH54GQFxIIEwAcMZZ1kHcDjC1LTUutPAtwHRjnWI-XMAFmOyCUGc2hyqQP3xxrtHITNoOctlajeoTA8iDT3zREKvj_OWPoglQAXLIw9KDxKepLuUzDs1TQreW2YNk9UX1mGjywOrjXeUQu0mvAY/w400-h268/Feb2-q.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd managed to avoid the worst of the sticky clay, but in one's hour of need there's this contraption.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Boomse kleiverwijderaar </i>translates as remover of Boom clay ... I do wonder who those shady characters in front of it are?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPYwvNEmerTQj-8ttlabxfG0ypVYQipBw8w8ph8ty1FflKyNLkyggGTuRZ8SP9a1C0hybk3pztSzKWdNqmBEs_DfWybWHn1S8iQtgf6TMfdURZJDp2_4otIK2p7OM7eeLDtfY50pbYrdqPJ81mB8Cfh9N2ncO-A8-V_-qaCXP2GZ0PpnccJWBFRsA/s4030/Feb2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPYwvNEmerTQj-8ttlabxfG0ypVYQipBw8w8ph8ty1FflKyNLkyggGTuRZ8SP9a1C0hybk3pztSzKWdNqmBEs_DfWybWHn1S8iQtgf6TMfdURZJDp2_4otIK2p7OM7eeLDtfY50pbYrdqPJ81mB8Cfh9N2ncO-A8-V_-qaCXP2GZ0PpnccJWBFRsA/w301-h400/Feb2-a.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at home, I settled myself on the sofa with my latest read, which was quite good. In fact, Anne Tyler never disappoints, and it's testimony to her talent that I finished this one in no time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-23769578354632888442024-02-06T19:23:00.000+01:002024-02-06T19:23:22.747+01:00White wilderness<p>Saturday the 20th of January dawned dismal and grey until suddenly late morning the sun managed to worm her way through the layer of clouds. </p><p>Knowing I wouldn't have time on Sunday, I fiddled around with collages for my next blog post and put together some possible outfits for the week ahead.</p><p>By then, the sun was out in full force, although she didn't manage to push the mercury beyond freezing point. So, once again, woollens to the rescue!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4_bQDWMREgqNBZA9f6nElh7zJTY2EEsodhzQ-IVYtTKfTjTBAYgugTgDtYS7KxRSvJ7IbqAeGqiTbY18JuIT5ggiUTPvgder8qB_haj39h7I7FFZ4jLCGAtJXCq5fXOgdNMdJ1zEt4jDKAAEac0ZeCsps3aQZAImZ8y7tGRjzB-iCIyh36Cv0y5a/s4030/Feb1-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4_bQDWMREgqNBZA9f6nElh7zJTY2EEsodhzQ-IVYtTKfTjTBAYgugTgDtYS7KxRSvJ7IbqAeGqiTbY18JuIT5ggiUTPvgder8qB_haj39h7I7FFZ4jLCGAtJXCq5fXOgdNMdJ1zEt4jDKAAEac0ZeCsps3aQZAImZ8y7tGRjzB-iCIyh36Cv0y5a/w428-h640/Feb1-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My chunky knit skirt with its brown, caramel and off-white chevron pattern is an old Think Twice find and tends to only come out of my closet on cold Winter days. This time, it found its perfect companion in a vintage bottle green wool jumper, its front panel higgledy-piggledy striped in off-white, sage green and burnt orange. The jumper too was picked up from Think Twice, while the white faux fur gilet I layered on top to further combat the cold was a charity shop find.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33IjnpedAsGDn0tdnTi2_wEM6x6WvttCyB6kYp96wiJz_JnyVRNjFOqedusbZ7llgL_wuda9WGMOWD_BeZcNwM9BPcJxCEhRziqR35hPuG9cGxt4ge3huL7yBUNrelmYRt1E_LfjjnBRHaMwB-fV9KXsHTYelteUKOXKhFGsvJoGL8GGGSnL1A-lu/s2000/Feb1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33IjnpedAsGDn0tdnTi2_wEM6x6WvttCyB6kYp96wiJz_JnyVRNjFOqedusbZ7llgL_wuda9WGMOWD_BeZcNwM9BPcJxCEhRziqR35hPuG9cGxt4ge3huL7yBUNrelmYRt1E_LfjjnBRHaMwB-fV9KXsHTYelteUKOXKhFGsvJoGL8GGGSnL1A-lu/w400-h400/Feb1-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Accessories were kept to the bare minimum with an ivory coloured carved beaded necklace and a brooch consisting of a spray of cream leaves and brown berries, both of which were flea market finds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While having lunch, we brainstormed about possible walking destinations. Obviously there was no way we would be staying inside on this rarest of commodities, a crispy cold yet sunny Winter's day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having exhausted the possibilities of most of the local parks, we were somewhat at a loss, and had already reluctantly settled for another visit to Antwerp's Park Den Brandt, when I suddenly had a Eureka moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc2QV901dfmYjeRNI_kNiBDmoN6Ign9wq75XcccyG9UF8GL65SrSB7qScGOxExYaIThnYtaTLBBnAn6GgOOkuUMiwCVg0xaHUnoRd1MS02wN4IQ9KBJ1OZhmRLUSlsqjNkHbNFmMmXGnZnyyWPj-mov9RDCzi584CdLyr01QpUz-0Ozll5mHfE_-V/s2000/Feb1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc2QV901dfmYjeRNI_kNiBDmoN6Ign9wq75XcccyG9UF8GL65SrSB7qScGOxExYaIThnYtaTLBBnAn6GgOOkuUMiwCVg0xaHUnoRd1MS02wN4IQ9KBJ1OZhmRLUSlsqjNkHbNFmMmXGnZnyyWPj-mov9RDCzi584CdLyr01QpUz-0Ozll5mHfE_-V/w400-h400/Feb1-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why not go for a long-overdue walk to the ex-clay pit based nature reserve in Terhagen? Surely, with the frost and snow of the last couple of days, it wouldn't be too muddy?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Incessant rain turning the paths into a sticky clay-based mud-fest had kept us away for many months. In fact, our last visit was on a glorious Spring day back in May, its highs of 23°C a total contrast to today's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We parked our car in the village of Terhagen in front of the former entrance of De Beukelaer, one of the many brickmaking factories which used to provide the area's livelihood. The brick entrance gate dates back to 1939 and was beautifully restored in 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkqgvSzh1s1tz5XIRviyu9TV3hPtzJHLCBUV8AtpgbVmGU7IBAyC6DkbyICu-9UUblk5geW-8KSRzqKd2jaGTZ7HWnad06L8aBuop0yo9gOhYUhQLKol1fEoeQMfTMYt6yxbyU0nWIFJrRvAyr0mGuGrmex6ZEPj7uY_NOHc2EVjksyfcIP0ae9xQ/s2000/Feb1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkqgvSzh1s1tz5XIRviyu9TV3hPtzJHLCBUV8AtpgbVmGU7IBAyC6DkbyICu-9UUblk5geW-8KSRzqKd2jaGTZ7HWnad06L8aBuop0yo9gOhYUhQLKol1fEoeQMfTMYt6yxbyU0nWIFJrRvAyr0mGuGrmex6ZEPj7uY_NOHc2EVjksyfcIP0ae9xQ/w400-h400/Feb1-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once past the gate and down a set of slippery steps, there is a choice of two paths: one leading between trees to the right and another to the left. The latter eventually takes one to an open area from where a narrow up-and-down path leads past one of the water-filled former clay pits into the heart of the reserve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jos claimed that we always take a right turn - which admittedly we might have done once or twice - so I indulged him and off we went. However, we had to turn back almost at once as the path became increasingly muddy. Taking the snow covered path on the left, we were momentarily confused when we arrived at the aforementioned open area, where the usually quite obvious path we needed to take insisted on a game of hide and seek in drifts of snow. Then we found it snaking between the trees on the bottom right in the De Beukelaer collage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgYk08K1OldODx37GgTUHBLUyfAb1XHGBLaLJyzvmtilfSbKfYYK6g2M2MFq3BhSv79LYcGA45-RTTlZMQ2l4gy-g5PNJlW51C4y5z9yAHUDTc1_d_wXx8h3shpQSBOnb_KGxdeUyE3xMJIWYr5jRw67CNovZSGwz_fl1FeHBaMfzei2L47lrUCSB/s2000/Feb1-e2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgYk08K1OldODx37GgTUHBLUyfAb1XHGBLaLJyzvmtilfSbKfYYK6g2M2MFq3BhSv79LYcGA45-RTTlZMQ2l4gy-g5PNJlW51C4y5z9yAHUDTc1_d_wXx8h3shpQSBOnb_KGxdeUyE3xMJIWYr5jRw67CNovZSGwz_fl1FeHBaMfzei2L47lrUCSB/w400-h400/Feb1-e2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the right path again, we continued our walk, crunching through solid snow, with only the odd muddy patch to negotiate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To our left, we caught glimpses of the water-filled pit, now a wide, white expanse of ice and snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everything was eerily quiet in spite of not being all too far from the inhabited world. There were hardly any fellow walkers out and about either, which was a bit mind-boggling on such a lovely Saturday afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLdjdkDmtQW3BG_YnOxwtNw5BOpxCamCwTOGiYndhLHQZP5fiwN9YRdzI90hL33CK302hv78xKjoj3Vv-FlV8p4byLkPFqnkXFuQRDc-pO5J1nsqYtdBwmXUQvJJzNLtp9EAv2H8MRRKVh8zwTcZiJoP1H-QnUixqgiBhsJIAYAT8xZY7QHX6LaD/s2000/Feb1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XLdjdkDmtQW3BG_YnOxwtNw5BOpxCamCwTOGiYndhLHQZP5fiwN9YRdzI90hL33CK302hv78xKjoj3Vv-FlV8p4byLkPFqnkXFuQRDc-pO5J1nsqYtdBwmXUQvJJzNLtp9EAv2H8MRRKVh8zwTcZiJoP1H-QnUixqgiBhsJIAYAT8xZY7QHX6LaD/w400-h400/Feb1-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was only when, after a short but stiff climb, we arrived at a huge sandy plain, that we spotted the odd, far-off dog walker. The plain, reminiscent of the Sahara on a hot Summer's day, is a reminder of the fact that once upon a time this was actually the bottom of the sea. Jos remembers hunting for shark's tooth here when he lived nearby as a boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We circumnavigated the partially snow covered plain and were just about to return to the path we'd come on, when a woman walking her dog warned us that it was quite slippery going down and that she'd almost landed on her bum. Having a life-long trauma from slipping on ice and breaking my arm as a four year old, I wasn't very keen. Still, we decided to risk it and, taking great care and making use of our walking poles, we safely got back on track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An alternative route would have meant making quite a detour. Not to mention the magical sight of the sinking sun illuminating the skeleton trees and the naughts and crosses pattern in the sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5VrBW0d2RcB1rUbMo1xi1-UY1Vvvj01DbA4r9agKTQjoT6IFulsl99F8ULcoGQVbQEB7qMLHoElSx5fOpatAFP3aZTzG3QCJlPIzjjwrfwR4cK6ImaJppuhIgq1o1CYa1SKYrpd6jg0nRpLaPM35uhmNyoGuvT3kOSOIqfmOICrwEXPfsubVNP9L/s4030/Feb1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5VrBW0d2RcB1rUbMo1xi1-UY1Vvvj01DbA4r9agKTQjoT6IFulsl99F8ULcoGQVbQEB7qMLHoElSx5fOpatAFP3aZTzG3QCJlPIzjjwrfwR4cK6ImaJppuhIgq1o1CYa1SKYrpd6jg0nRpLaPM35uhmNyoGuvT3kOSOIqfmOICrwEXPfsubVNP9L/w400-h301/Feb1-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No outfits photos were taken on Sunday, as we had January's edition of the indoor flea market to go to and were running late picking up our friend Inez.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we'd finished trawling the aisles of well-stocked stalls, I was too exhausted. My cold, which had thankfully taken a backseat on Friday and Saturday, was back for another round, and I simply had no energy left when we got back home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4KNmVm-XM9GhK2Kj1dU_azrAo5O_U69vdO-0t3Bpx-QzfESxsi1xGmnzvURB3n_OZPc50NXlV_QFjwcjf3mJurbyIfBDEZW5YcC2OrfzPdCu362qzNj0RQWTkYB9-DIhyphenhyphenr9RNRxUjGuvoAZmsMI7expxuvQryBfFMBpagRy0udDJLMfvPDJhIJjV/s3559/Feb1-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="3559" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4KNmVm-XM9GhK2Kj1dU_azrAo5O_U69vdO-0t3Bpx-QzfESxsi1xGmnzvURB3n_OZPc50NXlV_QFjwcjf3mJurbyIfBDEZW5YcC2OrfzPdCu362qzNj0RQWTkYB9-DIhyphenhyphenr9RNRxUjGuvoAZmsMI7expxuvQryBfFMBpagRy0udDJLMfvPDJhIJjV/w400-h336/Feb1-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd left my camera at home as well so, rather than taking you for a spin through the aisles, here's a peek at the treasures which came home with me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not having purchased even a single brooch in December, I now came away with no less than nine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pvlDzWmpQHzsuqiMW4IWMUwgDT0LqU2gPgYgK2pkG4aRuUSWrI-GDZqknMqELXYOd4eiH-ddd-NyD_-0Wh18CvVpngina6_aL1XpTW0cW_hobfmYLKPqMenSteacp2xlLMW5TZ6bzMIJfo6QIc_PH9NQTdZUxRy0f42gkqBtWaY4OozheAdy1TIh/s2000/Feb1-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pvlDzWmpQHzsuqiMW4IWMUwgDT0LqU2gPgYgK2pkG4aRuUSWrI-GDZqknMqELXYOd4eiH-ddd-NyD_-0Wh18CvVpngina6_aL1XpTW0cW_hobfmYLKPqMenSteacp2xlLMW5TZ6bzMIJfo6QIc_PH9NQTdZUxRy0f42gkqBtWaY4OozheAdy1TIh/w400-h400/Feb1-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't pay over the odds for any of them, my most expensive purchase being the agate one (above, bottom right) bought from one of the regular sellers, a very nice French speaking lady I purchased lots of lovely brooches from over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another favourite is the one on the bottom left, which I think looks like half a walnut shell. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrD8rlVlf8Usj7tks9tSALgnalbAtf2QJRvsYXMdtd5okhuJl8taq6REQ7wAOBDr2WYCidZSGdoLZxL_ebWtKbGEw24EysySEnpTgAGWiTU6D4p8CW9y377BtIT4C-XxLITb2X6_nFfm01-iIRpVcKfznvAyBDHXMfdhEi_Vmidq3FwoyoL5lBlXM/s2000/Feb1-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrD8rlVlf8Usj7tks9tSALgnalbAtf2QJRvsYXMdtd5okhuJl8taq6REQ7wAOBDr2WYCidZSGdoLZxL_ebWtKbGEw24EysySEnpTgAGWiTU6D4p8CW9y377BtIT4C-XxLITb2X6_nFfm01-iIRpVcKfznvAyBDHXMfdhEi_Vmidq3FwoyoL5lBlXM/w400-h400/Feb1-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The large cameo came from another regular seller, an older lady who lives in the next village to ours and who presides over a table heaped with all kinds of costume jewellery. She always strikes up a conversation, mainly about her health problems. By the time I managed to extricate myself, Jos and Inez had almost reached the end of the aisle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I fell head over heels for the wooden brooch with its hand-painted flowers. It was the first one that caught my eye and has already been worn in the meantime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can never resist kitschy plastic brooches, like the tiny blue cock and the olive green mouse, whose eyes turned out to be very hard to get into focus, and which I think gives the poor thing a bit of a squinty look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXjmRjpIDXGK7AX6tHn1h4LuYUz9mI6Cr8bEDfLsN7e97eyQHX2V9I-JOCh7Y9-lz3hcqIno8LRVkz_WRYKOfm3PeAIhLNEGGXd0M_Uer7fWC5jeKcmUqNs5rUC5-ilut-0Kyuk5n4KJySc_ulrsx6fpoB8Z39wkATsSY7defeuQOqwon02ouPCLw/s4030/Feb1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXjmRjpIDXGK7AX6tHn1h4LuYUz9mI6Cr8bEDfLsN7e97eyQHX2V9I-JOCh7Y9-lz3hcqIno8LRVkz_WRYKOfm3PeAIhLNEGGXd0M_Uer7fWC5jeKcmUqNs5rUC5-ilut-0Kyuk5n4KJySc_ulrsx6fpoB8Z39wkATsSY7defeuQOqwon02ouPCLw/w301-h400/Feb1-k.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mid-century celluloid souvenir brooches are another weakness of mine. I've got quite a few of these in my collection, mainly of German origin. I suppose this is where the gnomes are from as well, but it's rather unusual to find a Belgian one, in this case a souvenir from the seaside town of Blankenberge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKjuwcwtZ-6bYxZ_RcQOAopTJuxwIS-7L9bvzPz_lrOh-f3eQAwtKccc3GNAbuPx5HeReiijwhgiTyvnkShyphenhyphencQyeDWZH6NNH_9FmqFQgSLGiBMa2QoKEl2DQTfPsb1I3ir14wxcJm5Nea5ayo8zdGjKg0jzAZtqUZA6SaO6Fg3AL7DUziRo8t3vBV/s4029/Feb1-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4029" data-original-width="2696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKjuwcwtZ-6bYxZ_RcQOAopTJuxwIS-7L9bvzPz_lrOh-f3eQAwtKccc3GNAbuPx5HeReiijwhgiTyvnkShyphenhyphencQyeDWZH6NNH_9FmqFQgSLGiBMa2QoKEl2DQTfPsb1I3ir14wxcJm5Nea5ayo8zdGjKg0jzAZtqUZA6SaO6Fg3AL7DUziRo8t3vBV/w268-h400/Feb1-l.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually gasped when I spotted the red and white knitted coat several aisles away, and instantly made a beeline towards it with Inez in tow. Once I tried it on, there was no going back, particularly after Inez declared that she would never speak to me again if I didn't buy it. It's got a hood too. And pockets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather gods cranked up the weather thermostat to around 10°C in the week that followed, treating us to a melange of rain and sunshine, often in one day, and mostly accompanied by a blustery wind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a false start on Monday, I gradually started feeling better each day, testimony of which is that I had the energy to walk to various Think Twice shops for a rummage during my lunch breaks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjum5xrl4XhyphenhyphenT-Ndy5ate6bhdfCzhKU-nIqxU389qMAM_16NBlRvy0jlqky3SPFx9BRZELDlo5HNRoMD_LuW0I6K4nLSCsKdn5K4piN0Kwk8v_ezh5BkPrN95tvTRfMYN16N_SACKASJJTydjFv9C0bPQTDGVpH3YlZndBpWVfPjeLg4raDqE9gq_/s2000/Feb1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjum5xrl4XhyphenhyphenT-Ndy5ate6bhdfCzhKU-nIqxU389qMAM_16NBlRvy0jlqky3SPFx9BRZELDlo5HNRoMD_LuW0I6K4nLSCsKdn5K4piN0Kwk8v_ezh5BkPrN95tvTRfMYN16N_SACKASJJTydjFv9C0bPQTDGVpH3YlZndBpWVfPjeLg4raDqE9gq_/w400-h400/Feb1-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd completely missed their January round of sales, but was happy to browse their newest collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quite by coincidence, both of my purchases that week, on two consecutive days and in two different shops, featured diamond patterns. The purple and white dress, which came with its matching belt, is vintage, while the yellow, white, brown and pink short-sleeved jumper is from UK retro label Miss Fortune.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpwS2iAun2fsBN1TS4Y2XU3t5tu9yq8o39Kr3VCrxpff9xZECVjj1IQb3Ffzlk8YK91pyyOlVJpDWF15sWJXwT8_rpKWkT6d5qcGksaodnxfFtPd3O4qkE2Oq81DnsPwEh6ssJ5bYctdvGchgE-53CLWryuKpcSlDpjGDQth81UQK22RAy5Xhk4AC/s2000/Feb1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpwS2iAun2fsBN1TS4Y2XU3t5tu9yq8o39Kr3VCrxpff9xZECVjj1IQb3Ffzlk8YK91pyyOlVJpDWF15sWJXwT8_rpKWkT6d5qcGksaodnxfFtPd3O4qkE2Oq81DnsPwEh6ssJ5bYctdvGchgE-53CLWryuKpcSlDpjGDQth81UQK22RAy5Xhk4AC/w400-h371/Feb1-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and I was unable to resist the Paisley patterned maxi dress, which was 70% off at a high street shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I couldn't possibly say goodbye without showing you a second outfit, here's what I wore on January's final Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its main components were retail buys, starting with the caramel button-through cord skirt bought at full price in October 2021 from the same shop where I got the bargainous maxi dress from. It's become a firm favourite which has more than earned its keep in my wardrobe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-q7L_VMNwlaWw0j9YT4r-X8R3mWEk-MBJ5o_m_W81cMRRpbzvkVsEiJTdEMcadxDxpFTg9ky6JzXHOsFCxyfh8Wg2MMbHsqMUgw2Mk8i3BA5EpwXK9d_exFHq6x-w9zjzj1iGGtDdAf3R87BL8OE0jqYYpeJHmnwnFddAG-rs8K8wva0J6u65zYK/s4030/Feb1-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-q7L_VMNwlaWw0j9YT4r-X8R3mWEk-MBJ5o_m_W81cMRRpbzvkVsEiJTdEMcadxDxpFTg9ky6JzXHOsFCxyfh8Wg2MMbHsqMUgw2Mk8i3BA5EpwXK9d_exFHq6x-w9zjzj1iGGtDdAf3R87BL8OE0jqYYpeJHmnwnFddAG-rs8K8wva0J6u65zYK/w428-h640/Feb1-o.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blouse is by the defunct Belgian Wow To Go label, and snapped up from an outlet shop in November 2022. Like the skirt, it has featured many a time on the blog!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My zebra striped necklace (part of a set with a ring) was last year's flea market find, while both the burgundy belt and my squishy deer brooch were charity shopped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-aSvWhI61R10ek8cWACtIw9QstTeluF2b3_vRZM6r5TyBT332otgyvL6f4PeOkDdYAbMARlS2WoFEgQBqMBateqvskyccnFaQUtnGzGjWJRyTxxS1CWQs-qw9v_mk_QoP_Moe3a3zKUOWTB7J5FeiGEYjfe27WM9GLYqNb0fPiDu89JfNVk3PZIo/s2000/Feb1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-aSvWhI61R10ek8cWACtIw9QstTeluF2b3_vRZM6r5TyBT332otgyvL6f4PeOkDdYAbMARlS2WoFEgQBqMBateqvskyccnFaQUtnGzGjWJRyTxxS1CWQs-qw9v_mk_QoP_Moe3a3zKUOWTB7J5FeiGEYjfe27WM9GLYqNb0fPiDu89JfNVk3PZIo/w400-h400/Feb1-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Was there anything exciting on the menu for January's final weekend? Find out all about it in my next post! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope to see you again soon!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-51035789416576057462024-02-01T19:19:00.000+01:002024-02-01T19:19:55.869+01:00Stopping by the park on a snowy day<p>Saturday the 13th of January was a dull and grey day, on which the mercury climbed to about 3°C: a small but noticeable improvement on the negative temperatures we had been faced with during the week.</p><p>After our usual fruit & yoghurt breakfast, I caught up with Blogland, and fiddled around with collages for my next post.</p><p>Then it was time to step outside for outfit photos!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD14KxsgziLGFAE52aSN7u7nqPfZQ6nolTTRzvoYcNW-rWWzoq3vsIdbm5ZvFdTSImlPPd-WN5vrem2n4cD9XE0yhTPaLynhaquJLpMkb2dK8nNyB97u_4J6KpaBEvp5gOTqqoOKMD9qSSgMMCoNp7L0t6x8PCsfkRs_h2XR6zGHIOsgEeZtXnHW7/s4030/Jan6-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD14KxsgziLGFAE52aSN7u7nqPfZQ6nolTTRzvoYcNW-rWWzoq3vsIdbm5ZvFdTSImlPPd-WN5vrem2n4cD9XE0yhTPaLynhaquJLpMkb2dK8nNyB97u_4J6KpaBEvp5gOTqqoOKMD9qSSgMMCoNp7L0t6x8PCsfkRs_h2XR6zGHIOsgEeZtXnHW7/w428-h640/Jan6-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dress I was wearing is an old favourite, which made its debut on the blog when I first started out in March 2016 (see <a href="https://polyester-princess.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-walk-in-park.html" target="_blank">here</a> for a trip down memory lane).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's one of my dresses from the Finnish "Karelia" label and its heavyweight textured polyester fabric makes it perfect for days like these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked up the green(ish) bits in its pattern with my accessories, all of which were either flea market or charity shop finds. The chunky caramel cardigan is by Esprit and was charity shopped last Spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2chsQ3HpIPDq66K9lu_BkEroCBygrTv60W5hl2RDFF4b6sWNXz5BRb6jPbdge7UyS_QU6uZKURD57FKM5eu-sdIWZCCyUw1LgUpWW3E5ICdEY_b1OBKpUd9Ks2qKeDE6l7Krs6vFZjYBECu7GpbiVS5j8IqrYcIxdJPZb3puY3tHPHXZOfKsK5Ezb/s2000/Jan6-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2chsQ3HpIPDq66K9lu_BkEroCBygrTv60W5hl2RDFF4b6sWNXz5BRb6jPbdge7UyS_QU6uZKURD57FKM5eu-sdIWZCCyUw1LgUpWW3E5ICdEY_b1OBKpUd9Ks2qKeDE6l7Krs6vFZjYBECu7GpbiVS5j8IqrYcIxdJPZb3puY3tHPHXZOfKsK5Ezb/w400-h400/Jan6-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The afternoon saw us driving down to the two-floored charity shop in Mechelen, where we'd last been back in November. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Among the rails of mediocre offerings, I spotted the red Norwegian style jumper, which is by H&M, and a close cousin of my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW15yYVW-I756INqpa_0pSLa9o-W3p2mDXYw5xI6bkgQVXogmMG10giTjM0iqyfTRpC26_Orw4EozG-ESzpJERYyBzy_Gr25PNy2ezYnq8Qc6H_RDbNwW4Ygpd0OqXKZNbTKEmIa7vlTsIaUoYgiabycD0QcBNJTouTZSCpEj0z7b5uf-k91FF2A=s2000" target="_blank">green one</a>, which by pure coincidence was also found here. The multicoloured striped faux-wrap jumper is by C&A's Clockhouse label.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXjNqLkNfX5HoPQnv-HqmpegGwm0Xt787Lxu1hGyVLqqUOtxtatioVl8rQPIDbq3SBo3oQGxhk_tqHBaCnbkpkjcBQuJ0sG3vL_IstEM_oJuAc-hBXPDjrbgzaQ9d6TenrWnVzVFswMeTpLlmN62NElubxLbOcI6q0F_Pp1eGWChvwOatZl681t50/s4030/Jan6-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXjNqLkNfX5HoPQnv-HqmpegGwm0Xt787Lxu1hGyVLqqUOtxtatioVl8rQPIDbq3SBo3oQGxhk_tqHBaCnbkpkjcBQuJ0sG3vL_IstEM_oJuAc-hBXPDjrbgzaQ9d6TenrWnVzVFswMeTpLlmN62NElubxLbOcI6q0F_Pp1eGWChvwOatZl681t50/w400-h268/Jan6-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By then my lurgy, which had reared its head a couple of days earlier but until now had been reasonably well behaved, had decided to up the ante. I felt bone tired all of a sudden and was glad to be able to crash on the sofa once we got home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunday treated us to temperatures barely above freezing point, grey skies and some snow – which thankfully didn’t stick – in the late morning and early afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My wool knit skirt with its gorgeous jacquard pattern was picked up for a pittance from Think Twice in November 2019. It's by Hess Natur, a German label which has been promoting sustainable fashion since 1976.</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oUDhQdiUGUBH5FfVrco3W6LXvrUbyBaNY1j3jfmy3nNmywgvE3NtLaDI9kPSdFqsfkJugbxVLwtQfsx8Sf4GRKYtuszUWm3nX1SPF-j2ELhvZqkFR1hWyoUXzZOIzR0h5pN3fBUWk5UUDX-VAebx8ybKtMegMaTXvuCWcKayo3F_w9kEHDjV3MB1/s3264/Jan6-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oUDhQdiUGUBH5FfVrco3W6LXvrUbyBaNY1j3jfmy3nNmywgvE3NtLaDI9kPSdFqsfkJugbxVLwtQfsx8Sf4GRKYtuszUWm3nX1SPF-j2ELhvZqkFR1hWyoUXzZOIzR0h5pN3fBUWk5UUDX-VAebx8ybKtMegMaTXvuCWcKayo3F_w9kEHDjV3MB1/w400-h400/Jan6-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I combined it with a blue polo neck jumper I've had for absolutely ages, with a charity shopped cropped faux fur gilet layered on top. The hot pink belt was recently found on the high street. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was that cold that even the beads on my necklace were wearing crochet jackets! However, by the time we were ready for outfit photos, it had stopped snowing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As more of the same had been forecasted for later that week, I dug out my stash of warm woollens and, after searching high and low for them, was finally able to locate my snow boots, which are vintage and were a pre-blog Think Twice find.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As it turned out I'd already spent the day's energy quota by then, the rest of it was spent on the sofa, riding out the waves of my cold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBftnQkeWfce1ckOWgGahzLnssbyrLuvFrA9CoxVc8WOptPvB9t0Ic-M-jjX1ZQnk52w6onSid8CZvHQZgxNLrclt8ImFSyQSF9RojWvo2UZQk4WUjMBJsBFBYVubtXfGA_R0023-lcN-_fBXxnqjDaMXYYnumO4KSw8cqnYKa4IRL7dGp-NoIjHdQ/s2000/Jan6-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBftnQkeWfce1ckOWgGahzLnssbyrLuvFrA9CoxVc8WOptPvB9t0Ic-M-jjX1ZQnk52w6onSid8CZvHQZgxNLrclt8ImFSyQSF9RojWvo2UZQk4WUjMBJsBFBYVubtXfGA_R0023-lcN-_fBXxnqjDaMXYYnumO4KSw8cqnYKa4IRL7dGp-NoIjHdQ/w400-h400/Jan6-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lack of remaining daylight after work still prevents us from taking outfit photos during the week, but here are some flat lays I did later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plaid skirt is Gor-Ray and was charity shopped in December 2018. I wore it with a striped jumper of many colours - an old sales bargain from New Look - one day, and with my new H&M jumper the next. To the latter I'd pinned a vintage poodle brooch found at the indoor flea market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't venture outside much during my lunch breaks that week, but still managed to snaffle a wide orange suede belt at half price from haberdashery and accessories shop Veritas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMy07USHodUWKcfYIJb6qxFGG1igxFDAicpGtBF7nsBGO5UCEGUt0lvqA5HMxUeTqyAOiZfzTPgCAiViR0OBhQxLzvaB4Xk4AfiphYy_npNLnC0R6qFHU9AWlgSYqSMY8uW_e7vzGD6G7Mg7dJRbj6tIJgo1XenZnvcEY39rJ_uH0-I31q6zwgKLI/s2668/Jan6-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2668" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMy07USHodUWKcfYIJb6qxFGG1igxFDAicpGtBF7nsBGO5UCEGUt0lvqA5HMxUeTqyAOiZfzTPgCAiViR0OBhQxLzvaB4Xk4AfiphYy_npNLnC0R6qFHU9AWlgSYqSMY8uW_e7vzGD6G7Mg7dJRbj6tIJgo1XenZnvcEY39rJ_uH0-I31q6zwgKLI/w640-h446/Jan6-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sky on Wednesday - we were the 17th by now - was granite grey with the promise of snow, but it turned out we were spared the worst. Unlike in other parts of Belgium, there was only a dusting of snow at home and none at all in Antwerp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thursday wasn't a good day, health-wise, as it was filled with lots of coughing and generally feeling unwell. The weather was a mixture of grey skies and sunny spells, with some flurries of snow, and temperatures still flirting with the freezing point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sun was out in full force while I was waiting for the tram to take me home. As you can see, I was in luck, there'd be one in just 4 minutes!</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdNMKflDQ_gjhqD7HQjI1APcIJBA9e4nmvH422vxQwdPmWysa52tavw-Vyse7P13755ln0Ml-icsfA1Hx8bJK3RE_cjl3gZc3eD4zLXBrFLE8-vw-R75d846t3E9YPqRpfWYZYV2A7vVrB8PL4e543j2u8Co1ifOj1a7q3mroSVLcuOxkSEcFMZjh/s4030/Jan6-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdNMKflDQ_gjhqD7HQjI1APcIJBA9e4nmvH422vxQwdPmWysa52tavw-Vyse7P13755ln0Ml-icsfA1Hx8bJK3RE_cjl3gZc3eD4zLXBrFLE8-vw-R75d846t3E9YPqRpfWYZYV2A7vVrB8PL4e543j2u8Co1ifOj1a7q3mroSVLcuOxkSEcFMZjh/w428-h640/Jan6-g.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday dawned sunny and blue-skied with the temperature still stuck around zero degrees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd taken the day off which allowed me to take my time standing in front of my wardrobe(s) and selecting my outfit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked another dress which has been with me forever. Yet another old Think Twice find, I fell head over heels for its colourful Paisley-esque pattern. With its fabric's generous wool content, it's a firm Winter favourite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLh8UF8EIWeSuCL3oFIYSukfyeHDUd4NrjBpdzFAaDDfnBmA9w8-BDrWvpJ7N0xN9doQoZJZFygnzxOxhXgnJZXexWa3LMupNBDwpJ5a89wDNCOHL9aEr1-GJkwQz-0q2FNpfjp7a6ABJfS9l3ZaeY2Cz118fLiE-jbSWSce1c0-MfWDAFWQiy6rW/s3264/Jan6-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLh8UF8EIWeSuCL3oFIYSukfyeHDUd4NrjBpdzFAaDDfnBmA9w8-BDrWvpJ7N0xN9doQoZJZFygnzxOxhXgnJZXexWa3LMupNBDwpJ5a89wDNCOHL9aEr1-GJkwQz-0q2FNpfjp7a6ABJfS9l3ZaeY2Cz118fLiE-jbSWSce1c0-MfWDAFWQiy6rW/w400-h400/Jan6-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The shaggy orange cardigan I wore on top was charity shopped in the Autumn, and the eagle-eyed among you might spot that I'm wearing the orange suede belt which joined my collection only a couple of days earlier. My necklace and brooch were found in a charity shop and on the indoor flea market respectively.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76iUOyclxmQ0YW6-H5LotTv_Rdr5dYuOWFTafREz59i0Eahb-fKcqrzeay8Gj1xQ9AL_qaWllpjDBtGSRr_-0dCtgNtR6Vds6t9gcnHTwUKLXItBLSm28Z14bqjbwyTILw62RDjuN_j8Nx00biMvG1KhQ51RjpA28cT4Z-E9OsCj9EntlIHIUOt_7/s2000/Jan6-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76iUOyclxmQ0YW6-H5LotTv_Rdr5dYuOWFTafREz59i0Eahb-fKcqrzeay8Gj1xQ9AL_qaWllpjDBtGSRr_-0dCtgNtR6Vds6t9gcnHTwUKLXItBLSm28Z14bqjbwyTILw62RDjuN_j8Nx00biMvG1KhQ51RjpA28cT4Z-E9OsCj9EntlIHIUOt_7/w400-h400/Jan6-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather was simply too glorious to hunker inside nursing my cold. In fact, it was the perfect weather to clear those clogged up sinuses and my congested chest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Casting around for a walking destination, we decided to drive down to the charity shop in Duffel, leave our car behind on its car park and try and cross the road to the park. I said <i>try</i> as due to extensive road works we hadn't been able to get there for nearly a year. Last time we looked, we were faced with a muddy mire and turned heel. That day, however, we were not only able to cross the road, we could even park our car in a side street leading up to one of the park's entrances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2gLepoItsaSFOZhijGNtNnhhhK4e9DJxVR4j5y5K19evzAnSOzDa4BcqHTc5uyHJNmpEXCv8zpmyF5Zu2e6zgxjHr-f8poy7Cdg0Hcyw20wdqI3WxJZFce4BkoALUhy7OiY0-FOLppiAkoF0JO14RwgMz2MhZFFavjnCVqjlxcOfv4TJ28nIk2Hx/s4030/Jan6-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2gLepoItsaSFOZhijGNtNnhhhK4e9DJxVR4j5y5K19evzAnSOzDa4BcqHTc5uyHJNmpEXCv8zpmyF5Zu2e6zgxjHr-f8poy7Cdg0Hcyw20wdqI3WxJZFce4BkoALUhy7OiY0-FOLppiAkoF0JO14RwgMz2MhZFFavjnCVqjlxcOfv4TJ28nIk2Hx/w428-h640/Jan6-i.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sight that met us when we entered the park was truly enchanting. Apparently, even if it is only a mere 8 kilometers from where we live, it had snowed here much more intensively than it had back at home. And although some of the snow had already melted by now, there was still enough of the white stuff left to satisfyingly crunch through with my snow boots! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Layered up against the cold, I was wearing my beloved Princess coat, a chunky knit and fringed sage green scarf and a turban-style knitted hat to which I'd pinned one of my flower corsages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGmXtN7abNq5ZRnKDzvENXQ8tzHn5tDBYDJOxIbKSMHMh0X0WhvvmwupCEXZfaoC_oRypo9gbhzl_tIqRWqYiv517t2aE6sSfuIjGvgQ79ld6z-ZKfXW7ZEMkKOxsaFsEjQC4jgvMU6BtEQjAadONzXoImYSf0DF_USyy_c9ErFFIdCQXsv0Mfi-B/s2000/Jan6-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGmXtN7abNq5ZRnKDzvENXQ8tzHn5tDBYDJOxIbKSMHMh0X0WhvvmwupCEXZfaoC_oRypo9gbhzl_tIqRWqYiv517t2aE6sSfuIjGvgQ79ld6z-ZKfXW7ZEMkKOxsaFsEjQC4jgvMU6BtEQjAadONzXoImYSf0DF_USyy_c9ErFFIdCQXsv0Mfi-B/w400-h400/Jan6-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy to be back there after such a long absence, we walked to our heart's content, circumnavigating the various ponds, which were still frozen solid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A pair of Egyptian geese was ice skating on one of them, while a heron sat scratching its head wondering where all the fish had gone. No happy meal for him or her that day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09MqKi4bhCS3RQyKOH0oHu92cMYVCDTGsoBZsTnkHy_trN8T-kCu6_HAiGXZQA8UsV9Gfuuub4TYyx-n-ewcKqZfuZVVCz-gXiZzjbxwqnuXEhlpQHUAmUvMD3lFk03POAdCQdsFMuHPT6XwEu_upWA5KKA5RVAOVxLB4AcU5gXCq_EisySHqn0P8/s4030/Jan6-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09MqKi4bhCS3RQyKOH0oHu92cMYVCDTGsoBZsTnkHy_trN8T-kCu6_HAiGXZQA8UsV9Gfuuub4TYyx-n-ewcKqZfuZVVCz-gXiZzjbxwqnuXEhlpQHUAmUvMD3lFk03POAdCQdsFMuHPT6XwEu_upWA5KKA5RVAOVxLB4AcU5gXCq_EisySHqn0P8/w301-h400/Jan6-k.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Powdery snow had come to rest on one of the park's benches, daring us to sit down and stare at the wintry scene, the cloudless sky dyeing the snow with a blue rinse and the sun making the ice crystals sparkle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCf6BAHyU1dxMX_z1lW_Q9uoq8e4a92a-rHPvayQufvz3qv1p71CwqzucM5TywWOJ0c4H5Sfp_kPpAFdFAuEfS9lIsjtPGek6c27nBgUYLgxSiN-mNGOr2c1ql6w30budQrWvgz7Z2YAEoK46zVHZ617GEn_cJdoIWVfQK1DO4qjCz3uRj-CrBaP-/s2000/Jan6-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCf6BAHyU1dxMX_z1lW_Q9uoq8e4a92a-rHPvayQufvz3qv1p71CwqzucM5TywWOJ0c4H5Sfp_kPpAFdFAuEfS9lIsjtPGek6c27nBgUYLgxSiN-mNGOr2c1ql6w30budQrWvgz7Z2YAEoK46zVHZ617GEn_cJdoIWVfQK1DO4qjCz3uRj-CrBaP-/w400-h400/Jan6-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a small stretch of open water near the bridge, where all the park's waterfowl seemed to have gathered for a swim, bickering among themselves for the best spots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the Egyptian geese were still stoically practising their ice skating routine. Joining the hoi polloi ducks and lesser geese was obviously beneath them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib065xB1YxPv9MZxCPQs63hag1SoF7xyy9lHMLWvQdtxCWE3OwmdPJfOQmHLxLH7Uh02BJrC0wKrvhOFc-O220nIJXUKbI-64igMPznk1T0ECqPTnuhEDM-zTfmmyscHvSWZQmYoA2C9I2vgK2vis6Emj-QZaNn5T_2U6VJb2n0NHYdjbifYybqJN/s4030/Jan6-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib065xB1YxPv9MZxCPQs63hag1SoF7xyy9lHMLWvQdtxCWE3OwmdPJfOQmHLxLH7Uh02BJrC0wKrvhOFc-O220nIJXUKbI-64igMPznk1T0ECqPTnuhEDM-zTfmmyscHvSWZQmYoA2C9I2vgK2vis6Emj-QZaNn5T_2U6VJb2n0NHYdjbifYybqJN/w268-h400/Jan6-o.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We passed the Brutalist fountain, only recently relieved of its crippling layer of moss and weeds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hibernating in the middle of its frozen pond, it was looking deceptively insignificant now that it had been temporarily silenced.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcPgMuRiLDlD2AZGQxiREcLCbKCeZwZ9EzCQMihaBdINEEBwxhkWEzxubdrql14XItdkmIuFfapInAxmzRQfyyIKht4R3-WVwYZb4wzc4xMjdFL75MsdkyiGxcwM6W6hj0SdU39pJ1ZPqIMEpSs3H6kUV4l4N1jA2bOOJYuH6tVUC8SfgH4HtU_kl/s4030/Jan6-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcPgMuRiLDlD2AZGQxiREcLCbKCeZwZ9EzCQMihaBdINEEBwxhkWEzxubdrql14XItdkmIuFfapInAxmzRQfyyIKht4R3-WVwYZb4wzc4xMjdFL75MsdkyiGxcwM6W6hj0SdU39pJ1ZPqIMEpSs3H6kUV4l4N1jA2bOOJYuH6tVUC8SfgH4HtU_kl/w400-h268/Jan6-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just gone mid-afternoon, and the sun was already sinking towards the horizon, a blinding orb caught in the branches of the trees, when we made our way back to where we'd parked our car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time to call it a day and answer the call of the sofa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_V969mDLgO5_BVhtp8Kkl68hGLEbea6iJgqKZMm8L29fytozcq5NrhzfQiXn9YCfOXuEtOumPQqNGr7hoQbbGXIGXfUW_R5Z0LX4OH3mo6onXe3GHHRj1QjR-_SGSPNGAHU7bPsOKVXLijuUJDip8VlPO4KEs44CxPXGOMov4ff29Qwhag1ZEXE-/s4028/Jan6-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_V969mDLgO5_BVhtp8Kkl68hGLEbea6iJgqKZMm8L29fytozcq5NrhzfQiXn9YCfOXuEtOumPQqNGr7hoQbbGXIGXfUW_R5Z0LX4OH3mo6onXe3GHHRj1QjR-_SGSPNGAHU7bPsOKVXLijuUJDip8VlPO4KEs44CxPXGOMov4ff29Qwhag1ZEXE-/w301-h400/Jan6-p.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, it's goodbye from me, and goodbye from Her Royal Highness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be back with more Winter walks and rummaging adventures soon!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-42473003728318409412024-01-27T18:58:00.000+01:002024-01-27T18:58:46.195+01:00January blues<p>As at the end of January my blog has only just made it to its beginning, it's clear that I've got a lot of catching up to do.</p><p>But first things first: I would like to thank you all for your well wishes! I'm glad to report that I've been feeling much brighter this past week as, physically as well as mentally, I seem to be on the mend.</p><p>For the sake of continuity, I will have to relive it all though, starting with my first day back at the office on the 2nd of January. Although I didn't exactly relish the early wake-up call, my days of leisure had apparently managed to recharge my batteries even if that pesky cold had done its best to throw a spanner in the works.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapKtSfnXwRXsNCoSGiZ19tMjxkt3zDudRJvL9MTXNG4PEDOypuFY_k4zLQa0rkAHTYYLlS8wmd_0GWtJEu6Fld2VU3sfSuORdO8DmXiJseZfQXZT47mmUBgF4tSWDwevpoVb5uSb1OMKJZWxIEFTUbwR1WNCvaMzlP8zMzIooQMmACzWCv7pyS9Br/s2000/Jan5-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapKtSfnXwRXsNCoSGiZ19tMjxkt3zDudRJvL9MTXNG4PEDOypuFY_k4zLQa0rkAHTYYLlS8wmd_0GWtJEu6Fld2VU3sfSuORdO8DmXiJseZfQXZT47mmUBgF4tSWDwevpoVb5uSb1OMKJZWxIEFTUbwR1WNCvaMzlP8zMzIooQMmACzWCv7pyS9Br/w400-h400/Jan5-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The amount of work waiting for me at the office was more than reasonable and as the builders renovating the Art Deco tower building were apparently still enjoying their holidays, it was a haven of peace and quiet for once.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Determined to keep things positive, I ignored the rain which kept falling down in buckets all day, and walked to the nearest Think Twice shop for a browse. The shop in question is in a cul-de-sac with one of the entrances of the recently restored Stock Exchange (Handelsbeurs) at its dead end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ground floor with its beautiful central square is open to the public, but lately only during the school holidays. I instantly abandoned my original plan when to my delight I noticed one of its doors standing wide open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBm9XgsxJMOcvtPOgHeFovWxFOPSjJE-LcizaXbAk25ecaOA-ZN7IZvYjtcwaJQEf-Chm-Ua7l7hAZhsxF3Byesxxc8UsnI7mIKDhePGHO08dm33JwVICOI1teO_FRBi00oBsskgZYltYZsCxH6de6RExlqAuR_5l7h3RNxFwsKfkCJDiuHM9VZHp/s2000/Jan5-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBm9XgsxJMOcvtPOgHeFovWxFOPSjJE-LcizaXbAk25ecaOA-ZN7IZvYjtcwaJQEf-Chm-Ua7l7hAZhsxF3Byesxxc8UsnI7mIKDhePGHO08dm33JwVICOI1teO_FRBi00oBsskgZYltYZsCxH6de6RExlqAuR_5l7h3RNxFwsKfkCJDiuHM9VZHp/w400-h400/Jan5-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The original Stock Exchange was opened in 1531, and it was the first one ever built specifically for this purpose, becoming the model for other exchanges all over the world. The original building, which was designed by the Antwerp architect, Domien De Waghemakere (1460-1542), burnt down on two occasions, in 1583 and 1858. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The architect incorporated a courtyard surrounded on four sides by unusual Moorish arcades. It was originally open to the sky so that God could observe the transactions, but was later roofed over to protect the merchants from the harsh northern climate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya26Xsq573mcQB0I6AJ_bNxVB-udkTsWfTsxcWJKUQWTA7lgg0Mx3DptMsITfBOFAb_ZoQ1OoI-k-NVtocZGP-F6zu0-pDaHlQUf8huthyphenhyphen47UHA-2g1rOEiCsRl4ajKpobR5tI3TkDLtZ4Ru_QRtteBq_Ho8rzw1IkmBm0YgLlklPEXcHJ7Quid1W/s2000/Jan5-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya26Xsq573mcQB0I6AJ_bNxVB-udkTsWfTsxcWJKUQWTA7lgg0Mx3DptMsITfBOFAb_ZoQ1OoI-k-NVtocZGP-F6zu0-pDaHlQUf8huthyphenhyphen47UHA-2g1rOEiCsRl4ajKpobR5tI3TkDLtZ4Ru_QRtteBq_Ho8rzw1IkmBm0YgLlklPEXcHJ7Quid1W/w400-h400/Jan5-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the last devastating fire in 1858, a new stock exchange was built. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The current opulent neo-Gothic building was designed by architect Joseph Schadde (1818-1894), who incorporated many of the original building's features, and was completed in 1872.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It went on to serve as a stock exchange until 1997 when most of the business was moved to Brussels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Until that time, the courtyard was also used for book markets and events - I remember going to gigs and parties here in the late 1970s and early 1980s - and the renowned Antwerp Fashion Academy held many of their famous end of year student fashion shows here. Access to the courtyard was eventually closed off for safety and security reasons in the late 1990s, after which it stood empty for almost twenty years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08FB7cd8xp-mdBano8S7q3L8U9UKmXoAQk0S7-QVgeqlSWHrEF6MPiqlrOW8tuA16FiZFju-gyKf9S94djXExgivj51uKNuXUQfAF395FfhK6e5dF2PuKKjRRXjmwsHVGb8evJyLl4Yrhyphenhyphen9zNrvyqHSyVwZFOR8sMipHXZRB-BpNiEjbqoeaavryu/s2000/Jan5-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08FB7cd8xp-mdBano8S7q3L8U9UKmXoAQk0S7-QVgeqlSWHrEF6MPiqlrOW8tuA16FiZFju-gyKf9S94djXExgivj51uKNuXUQfAF395FfhK6e5dF2PuKKjRRXjmwsHVGb8evJyLl4Yrhyphenhyphen9zNrvyqHSyVwZFOR8sMipHXZRB-BpNiEjbqoeaavryu/w400-h400/Jan5-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then a miracle happened: the city finally found the necessary funds to renovate the building, which took place between 2016 to 2019. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was re-opened to the public in October 2019 and if you ever find yourself in Antwerp during the school holidays, it is well worth stepping inside to admire the Moorish arcades, the walls decorated with world maps, the stunning stone columns and the 56 wooden stockbrokers offices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The figure of the 19th-century architect looks down on the courtyard from a first-floor balcony (below, bottom left).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vqBMIQmwpXziqWNxDn0uIkXhOyCJ-vAp9v9igRjz_cPE3trYiBJXH4kv0Rd1O9XchyphenhyphenJxqoFWwq_xieg4RQAicMpmVcNYn92bWs1Dy1PMAPb6KcY9WR9t4uWuJJp_SRAL99HUxjloI68lUxS6-IMHaLvEfpHDuZkxApZG-ptZ7jsw7ZX_zacbo9D_/s2000/Jan5-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vqBMIQmwpXziqWNxDn0uIkXhOyCJ-vAp9v9igRjz_cPE3trYiBJXH4kv0Rd1O9XchyphenhyphenJxqoFWwq_xieg4RQAicMpmVcNYn92bWs1Dy1PMAPb6KcY9WR9t4uWuJJp_SRAL99HUxjloI68lUxS6-IMHaLvEfpHDuZkxApZG-ptZ7jsw7ZX_zacbo9D_/w400-h400/Jan5-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The metal roof structure has been repainted in its original green rather than the rusty brown shade it was painted in prior to the renovation. This serves to bring out the best in the floral motifs in the roof. They symbolize the goods which were once traded here: barley, grapes, oats, hops, tobacco and cocoa, among others, and thus refer to the original function of the building. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here, the architect was well ahead of his time: with their striking ornamental character, these wrought iron structures could be considered a forerunner of Art Nouveau!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQPDOTfH479DMU0ed3-aJdikre6qKczjvfJVbt7-tR_Qa3KY_9GxQm8G0UozqmTSeLe14UYYy1dipkpo5TasxdovnMO6zqmhfY4-Em2M1wt_EQBh1-fqrKf0ztAiELcaKj7__Fnw6NdE4pcdSyuBZ-MJ0yPgbpZoJJpRUQk_LCUcWhRy55aQCxAKw/s2000/Jan5-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQPDOTfH479DMU0ed3-aJdikre6qKczjvfJVbt7-tR_Qa3KY_9GxQm8G0UozqmTSeLe14UYYy1dipkpo5TasxdovnMO6zqmhfY4-Em2M1wt_EQBh1-fqrKf0ztAiELcaKj7__Fnw6NdE4pcdSyuBZ-MJ0yPgbpZoJJpRUQk_LCUcWhRy55aQCxAKw/w400-h400/Jan5-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The photos were taken on two consecutive days, as it immediately became apparent when I visited on Tuesday that my phone's camera wasn't up to capturing all those magnificent details. I therefore returned on Wednesday, armed with my proper camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for that browse at Think Twice, I did manage to nip in on Tuesday and find this floral pussy-bow frock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aiok7dOIT0jwW3zoKkWxRDYxqOV3QKjiWfp2r27Bbsblmo9dYLY_VUDR9oykwrg8WH7l0AVt1FMBOT2GNgO4s3v5noZOFuSzyKBr9eqf2FVI2oD-ZogwRWaZvBWILroq_DMyLyAIIJSLQwz6Fu8ZuKTebKn14WLc6QFQ72pb3BYrfK7ObWPDQyGi/s3970/Jan5-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3970" data-original-width="2758" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aiok7dOIT0jwW3zoKkWxRDYxqOV3QKjiWfp2r27Bbsblmo9dYLY_VUDR9oykwrg8WH7l0AVt1FMBOT2GNgO4s3v5noZOFuSzyKBr9eqf2FVI2oD-ZogwRWaZvBWILroq_DMyLyAIIJSLQwz6Fu8ZuKTebKn14WLc6QFQ72pb3BYrfK7ObWPDQyGi/w278-h400/Jan5-a.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was on the Wednesday that our bosses walked in, paying us a surprise visit from Miami. Although inevitably somewhat exhausting, these visits are usually quite enjoyable, as they are both really nice guys. This time, however, things went a bit pear-shaped, as my colleague and I had quite an unpleasant altercation with them just before they left on Friday. For obvious reasons, I won't be able to go into any kind of detail, but let's just say that my anxiety levels went through the roof and I was down in the dumps for days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGgCcAcxCTCkTHy6JeD8f_7sV1QBDXE279v4YJAYDz1n8XT-OyPLw7cLRmZM2H1KP-n4xIQ9vMBglRCsqm4jT67tuGKcHVmILjDqfh0Ab57G6OOjrHWJ0kegXg2d7URAUwGUKc9vkpZBzhzuS1snybTIrAgtiTuYiLF154f2_UZ5saJyFcF3CuIm8/s4030/Jan5-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGgCcAcxCTCkTHy6JeD8f_7sV1QBDXE279v4YJAYDz1n8XT-OyPLw7cLRmZM2H1KP-n4xIQ9vMBglRCsqm4jT67tuGKcHVmILjDqfh0Ab57G6OOjrHWJ0kegXg2d7URAUwGUKc9vkpZBzhzuS1snybTIrAgtiTuYiLF154f2_UZ5saJyFcF3CuIm8/w428-h640/Jan5-h.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I definitely wasn't feeling up to much on Saturday, so needed lots of colour to get me through the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As by now the temperature was on a slippery slope towards freezing point, this thin knit dress of many colours, charity shopped in February 2022, couldn't have been more perfect for the job. I layered a green long-sleeved t-shirt underneath and was wearing opaques in the same colour, although you need X-ray eyes to see them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdbnk1pzR-St19mppdiC6WQnfkl5GRdrFEwD0k9wxnPl1B_mpPzP2JOz5OyzLErm3XXgb_P9KofAOhuwA0TlEkErmobiEsWsRMPLcvmVoiD9QI_P1-hikIbrZtMIrbJUn_94sUIrtDQRJSHgUCu7icIq6XS4tSxVb489nOEbcFF7rXorJlg5tLRyW/s2000/Jan5-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdbnk1pzR-St19mppdiC6WQnfkl5GRdrFEwD0k9wxnPl1B_mpPzP2JOz5OyzLErm3XXgb_P9KofAOhuwA0TlEkErmobiEsWsRMPLcvmVoiD9QI_P1-hikIbrZtMIrbJUn_94sUIrtDQRJSHgUCu7icIq6XS4tSxVb489nOEbcFF7rXorJlg5tLRyW/w400-h400/Jan5-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The green wooden necklace is from the Belgian Les Cordes label via the charity shops, and both the darkest green textured leather belt and the waffle knit orange long-line cardigan were old charity shop finds as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only my tan boots and the little yellow bird brooch were once bought brand new on the high street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLN6AAaJvZEHtITQ2pE3cMUSArLXGcTJ9vbmU87dRYYPN69F2i8sV_dP1ILPIGOhqcMNENddtlSkILR97IsDpfNBoRs14M5BcpKvRyiezTX9S3DFjXz-JjL6viGyh7_TbOY5o7ZYR3IW8Xf4CpcfrNT_rh0UTUW8E2Jj-zbgcJTxjkHw-QXZfVynM/s4032/Jan5-j%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLN6AAaJvZEHtITQ2pE3cMUSArLXGcTJ9vbmU87dRYYPN69F2i8sV_dP1ILPIGOhqcMNENddtlSkILR97IsDpfNBoRs14M5BcpKvRyiezTX9S3DFjXz-JjL6viGyh7_TbOY5o7ZYR3IW8Xf4CpcfrNT_rh0UTUW8E2Jj-zbgcJTxjkHw-QXZfVynM/w301-h400/Jan5-j%20(1).jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spent the morning dismantling the tree and banishing it to the basement for another year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although initially clearly showing her disappointment, Bess eventually took it into her stride and was happy to have her scratching and climbing posts back where they belong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5lhuEUxmvnrLrrLxMgkk5WZwrwzEkgR8Mb68Aiw_lzEYEBVcMReoeuIhiUYTS6AGV4CAMG8peeYdb5GDu_q8DVShreGv7C5hC5CkHHn05O5Q-x1ACK0T1VwoCQZY4tdrH88Q5hyphenhyphenIvdMjOlrjohoa3z_8G2q3WSs6mVPTS1GIrs8qqrLeYa5FNWFd/s4030/Jan5-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5lhuEUxmvnrLrrLxMgkk5WZwrwzEkgR8Mb68Aiw_lzEYEBVcMReoeuIhiUYTS6AGV4CAMG8peeYdb5GDu_q8DVShreGv7C5hC5CkHHn05O5Q-x1ACK0T1VwoCQZY4tdrH88Q5hyphenhyphenIvdMjOlrjohoa3z_8G2q3WSs6mVPTS1GIrs8qqrLeYa5FNWFd/w428-h640/Jan5-k.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunday had a dull and grey start, but as the mercury took another dive towards freezing point, the weather gods regaled us with sunny spells and a clear blue sky later in the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Both my patterned blue velvet midi skirt and red and navy jumper were found at Think Twice, albeit with several years between them. I couldn't get over how well they got along together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfi9GYuZ20Xf8tMpccCOrJSKtho1ivV89DjHuR4JqaYUTT0CPGQr9pnO6nqVPgU6DyrrF-ANmGHVcsLp6tlQr9IbJRpkwCAlUiWOsYX4ozqCnqz1uJCQ7h8X3HVlKrQsAeMoe_9EL1R4Nh21mXefTYYEt31m6vXXofYpuuw4G353kflerJya68FR5/s3264/Jan5-l%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfi9GYuZ20Xf8tMpccCOrJSKtho1ivV89DjHuR4JqaYUTT0CPGQr9pnO6nqVPgU6DyrrF-ANmGHVcsLp6tlQr9IbJRpkwCAlUiWOsYX4ozqCnqz1uJCQ7h8X3HVlKrQsAeMoe_9EL1R4Nh21mXefTYYEt31m6vXXofYpuuw4G353kflerJya68FR5/w400-h400/Jan5-l%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't remember whether the brooch - a girl wearing blue and white and holding a posy of diamanté flowers - was a flea market or charity shop find, but the red beaded necklace was definitely the latter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The half-elasticated belt with its massive square buckle was picked up from a high street shop near my office in the Autumn of 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jF33-z1dABITUe8Qd8kRQ8BANN9vn5ng1m5-bpFtdRebwzLPOyLSNlMVYKdfGCz1Kynk4Se2co7uwh2srSf4BSNxKoVEGqUD8BzmZuaRyyXO17eHGgxtX2l1pela8qbPlJQC3Lz9XoUK2v4NZcIE_mQq1Tp0bQw_jy0pR7fMSNhbXvOFAp5nsJv4/s4030/Jan5-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jF33-z1dABITUe8Qd8kRQ8BANN9vn5ng1m5-bpFtdRebwzLPOyLSNlMVYKdfGCz1Kynk4Se2co7uwh2srSf4BSNxKoVEGqUD8BzmZuaRyyXO17eHGgxtX2l1pela8qbPlJQC3Lz9XoUK2v4NZcIE_mQq1Tp0bQw_jy0pR7fMSNhbXvOFAp5nsJv4/w268-h400/Jan5-m.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we do every Winter, we have been supplying the winged visitors to our garden with free food. We had been wondering why the left side of our little feeder seemed to be emptying much faster than the one on the right. The mystery was solved while we were having breakfast that morning! In order to avoid the greedy wood pigeons from eating us out of house and home, we have moved the hanging strawberry bucket elsewhere, but still they keep finding ways to get at the feeder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDSNR51Q39J02DpZZlwOQUAdYR1rtKwK-61h2XMU2eCoYgkwZM7uHKInf3XT67RqhbQjy0DpqrrNdI8P2OxE6m4rSZcexJf95qtL8ixYKNW8BHvWOUmrjEkoRqYx7nDv2KF9AKwOBA9_Ufyxqwps2AAT9RUY6vqe6UN83fAatiHBmxwW0_HIW2d3V/s3264/Jan5-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDSNR51Q39J02DpZZlwOQUAdYR1rtKwK-61h2XMU2eCoYgkwZM7uHKInf3XT67RqhbQjy0DpqrrNdI8P2OxE6m4rSZcexJf95qtL8ixYKNW8BHvWOUmrjEkoRqYx7nDv2KF9AKwOBA9_Ufyxqwps2AAT9RUY6vqe6UN83fAatiHBmxwW0_HIW2d3V/w400-h400/Jan5-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went to Jos's son and daughter-in-law for a family get-together in the afternoon. As is the tradition here in Belgium, our 2 and half year old grandson Cas was "reading" his Nieuwjaarbrief (New Year's letter). Children here are expected to write a letter with New Year’s wishes for their parents, godparents and grandparents, which is then read out loud in front of everyone. Obviously, at his very young age, Cas can neither read or write, so it was his Mum, Carolien, who did the honours, with a little help from Cas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As a reward, he was given presents, ours being puzzles and a Playmobil road sweeper which Bompa (granddad) Jos and Nana Ann dutifully assembled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EvB_Im3rEPuZ-eOttbUct3Fc_O754TEt2tkcBc2A1EnwrVGAII-_wnLrSH7HSf_q6cFtf-w_rfRN887ccBSbfJ08X3G06y-tc1soa0_WnAgCaxCkIW77ll9352E-NPZ_MyrjBUlDbhyJYS5A4glrBzUmYMZZLB0fKqYT-otH4i6t1NBH6XkNmIoy/s4034/Jan5-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4034" data-original-width="2700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EvB_Im3rEPuZ-eOttbUct3Fc_O754TEt2tkcBc2A1EnwrVGAII-_wnLrSH7HSf_q6cFtf-w_rfRN887ccBSbfJ08X3G06y-tc1soa0_WnAgCaxCkIW77ll9352E-NPZ_MyrjBUlDbhyJYS5A4glrBzUmYMZZLB0fKqYT-otH4i6t1NBH6XkNmIoy/w428-h640/Jan5-o.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In order to close the gap between my blog and the present, I am fast forwarding to the Friday of the next week, the 12th of January. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the run-up to the 1st of April, when I can finally start my official 4-day weeks, I am trying to ration my Fridays off so as not to eat into my holiday quota too much. That day, however, I took the afternoon off, to take a rest from what had been an exhausting week and nurse my newly emerged lurgy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp1l1gfmxRMmx_g6OnjP2a-j6FHa5wOwO5GmO1PYdCQFbx-fZE4hNOy0-8ggewsriWq-PCrAWLF8FykyEBQ7x6R7zmPqvgHBzmsdVyOaNn6R8f3kSMVhEMs4MUryUFeyr2DIMnGtEfFKPV8EzX39rZp9ElpldyHN74jdAUceXKGWPePn0qhsfDfnQ/s3264/Jan5-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp1l1gfmxRMmx_g6OnjP2a-j6FHa5wOwO5GmO1PYdCQFbx-fZE4hNOy0-8ggewsriWq-PCrAWLF8FykyEBQ7x6R7zmPqvgHBzmsdVyOaNn6R8f3kSMVhEMs4MUryUFeyr2DIMnGtEfFKPV8EzX39rZp9ElpldyHN74jdAUceXKGWPePn0qhsfDfnQ/w400-h400/Jan5-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The week had been sunny but cold, with temperatures well below freezing point even during the day. After I had been wearing skirts and jumpers all week, I deemed it time for a dress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Crimplene one, its fabric a mix of polyester, wool and angora, is an old favourite snaffled from a consignment shop several years ago. It's got its original self-fabric belt, which this time I exchanged for the same belt I wore with the dress of many colours. Again, I layered a long-sleeved top underneath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from my green suede boots, the rest of my outfit were either flea market (ring and bird brooch) or charity shop (cardigan and necklace) finds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that's all I've got time for now. I'll be back with the rest of the weekend and part of the next one in a handful of days. See you again soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-75773530986476307672024-01-22T19:12:00.001+01:002024-01-22T19:12:55.168+01:00Twixmas tales - Part 4<p> It feels a bit strange still to be blogging about our Twixmas adventures during January's penultimate week. At the same time, however, my constant lagging behind has been a blessing in disguise as I'm not sure there'd be much I could tell you about otherwise. </p><p>Right up until last weekend, we hadn't gone for any walks since the one mentioned in this post and, apart from the briefest of rummages last weekend, trips to the charity shops have been far and few between. I'm fully aware of the fact that this is very unlike me but, to be honest, my mind's not really in a good place right now. Let's call it a mixture of the January blues, a more than average measure of work-related anxiety and my current lurgy which has turned out to be the gift that keeps on giving.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x4G9PaAdld3m4t7VA8CWoSTMqaEuM744bATEmk2EfcZgBtWa3zp2Jr4iTlZrxw4qflFGzZaN80OXCdIYRZwX5mnK2D-W421MYlCinIc-NO0gtwanEsmJn9wo-3fldGZeJrImE5xr0rfSHAyHVAv-ypxEor8tTQJm7_v0vKsw1OI7XXri29nSkETR/s3748/Jan4-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3748" data-original-width="2507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x4G9PaAdld3m4t7VA8CWoSTMqaEuM744bATEmk2EfcZgBtWa3zp2Jr4iTlZrxw4qflFGzZaN80OXCdIYRZwX5mnK2D-W421MYlCinIc-NO0gtwanEsmJn9wo-3fldGZeJrImE5xr0rfSHAyHVAv-ypxEor8tTQJm7_v0vKsw1OI7XXri29nSkETR/w428-h640/Jan4-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, it's with great pleasure that I'm inviting you to take a seat in the time machine and join me on a short trip to the near past: Saturday the 30th of December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's start by having a look at what I was wearing that day! I was adamant to give one of my latest Think Twice finds, the vintage wing-collared orange jumper, its very first outing. I didn't have to think long and hard about its main companion: with the orange stripe in the plaid of this chevron-patterned skirt it was actually a no-brainer! The latter was well worth wrestling off a charity shop dummy in January 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6_xOMWRJ8x7ch4nnAVPJp8cL1WM0lPqQwTQqcE4QbFEIasx6Pk8kVESZ-LWBgEZD4XBhSgjXmpLDRPcmYZ6jXauT0iYzlLywUJdzOI6QUUyzSB39rM1lQOOJuHQQeqKk6cV7HnN_wkkrDVXa7DnFBNJkJMiOvLXjMiSKLADRJydxwgylCLZGW7H/s2000/Jan4-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6_xOMWRJ8x7ch4nnAVPJp8cL1WM0lPqQwTQqcE4QbFEIasx6Pk8kVESZ-LWBgEZD4XBhSgjXmpLDRPcmYZ6jXauT0iYzlLywUJdzOI6QUUyzSB39rM1lQOOJuHQQeqKk6cV7HnN_wkkrDVXa7DnFBNJkJMiOvLXjMiSKLADRJydxwgylCLZGW7H/w400-h400/Jan4-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After having been neglected for the better part of last Winter, I've been wearing my green suede calf-length boots quite a lot lately. They are the perfect length for offering a glimpse of my - obviously orange - opaques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My accessories were a tiger-eye in a nest of gold metal necklace - a flea market find back in January 2019 - and a tiny Léa Stein bird brooch picked up on a trip to Middelburg in August 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlcv2pWNoltVRQteTl8dqQVb_hmc1fnshu5hV3K0ZaU5aT3WSbOziBTzKeMxCPaJ9ORzgofvKKCQW9P-QQTpDmB-v2d_94ZYxorf2RuIF1CWoCMP6d6BLk5KeDaXxTOrWdMxEbYkqGIxRkFO0AtKWgUzDPsYSlNYi8P8aeDwLVWDvBWvV8GClZj6b/s3961/Jan4-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3961" data-original-width="2650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlcv2pWNoltVRQteTl8dqQVb_hmc1fnshu5hV3K0ZaU5aT3WSbOziBTzKeMxCPaJ9ORzgofvKKCQW9P-QQTpDmB-v2d_94ZYxorf2RuIF1CWoCMP6d6BLk5KeDaXxTOrWdMxEbYkqGIxRkFO0AtKWgUzDPsYSlNYi8P8aeDwLVWDvBWvV8GClZj6b/w268-h400/Jan4-c.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the weather forecast for the Christmas break had been pretty dire, we couldn't have been happier when it turned out the weather gods sent us a parting gift of a handful of dry and sunny days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Combined with the 10°C declared by the thermometer, it would have been downright silly not to take advantage of the glorious weather by going for another walk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only 10 minutes up the road, in the neighbouring village of Aartselaar, leafy Solhof Park is the perfect place for a short head-clearing walk. As we walked towards the park's entrance after parking our car, we passed some partially flooded meadows as a result of the relentless rain of the last couple of months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTh616YHUXNVIx_Fq1aLUeUEZ3R1mlLk2N5qx7fCzmSwHr9oFz52XuTo1m8K0nxc_3ZmRePUOPzd0rYIOy7LO8ODWxkOhG9LCY3p3T8XKgi-JkWZkcU_HA555fELqEv-Ozrpiq62s27QCfLpDZDDVcqVGam5v3IWtvVNruW5wvSn712FrtB0W0m4N/s2000/Jan4-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTh616YHUXNVIx_Fq1aLUeUEZ3R1mlLk2N5qx7fCzmSwHr9oFz52XuTo1m8K0nxc_3ZmRePUOPzd0rYIOy7LO8ODWxkOhG9LCY3p3T8XKgi-JkWZkcU_HA555fELqEv-Ozrpiq62s27QCfLpDZDDVcqVGam5v3IWtvVNruW5wvSn712FrtB0W0m4N/w400-h400/Jan4-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The narrow paths meandering through the trees in the park itself were relatively mud-free, but I was still glad to have changed out of my suede boots and into my old walking workhorses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Wedgwood blue sky offset the starkness of the bare Winter trees and the satisfyingly crunchy deep-pile carpet of leaves at their feet. The wet but relatively mild weather had woken up the first of the catkins while a family of fungi had taken up residence on some of the dead wood scattered on the forest floor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE7WDUfITucEK8XjRDtpxUOfoCOvyqw0ccP1nAEEmWCDUwaKTh73bnn4IozydzOrQETfOy-oj5VYR-hEczNywYiCH8ucJUtooQzuRGNxxmEIGNOzQtkE20LDOajse9YhQK4iI8J_YPwC5dYyZsXe4WQihpzZNMT_9V5cdgahiIIlZPW-AybDLq2DE/s2000/Jan4-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE7WDUfITucEK8XjRDtpxUOfoCOvyqw0ccP1nAEEmWCDUwaKTh73bnn4IozydzOrQETfOy-oj5VYR-hEczNywYiCH8ucJUtooQzuRGNxxmEIGNOzQtkE20LDOajse9YhQK4iI8J_YPwC5dYyZsXe4WQihpzZNMT_9V5cdgahiIIlZPW-AybDLq2DE/w400-h400/Jan4-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First outing for the purple and lime coat I charity shopped earlier that week, and which I wore accompanied by my purple mohair beret and my fringed sage green scarf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kTp55XGieU-mxU_obTbggXi0ZzsJsx9rFV15-u699wr2hiLYTYbq9101B6lEvgKPkdLFqBFCQFTW6GpCM9glB32yPGTbd13DZF0GV4LS37MLlzR12sij1HFLk23T7W93R0L3_LVM8tYvrbeGXxexqxRdcSLLVhsgaMhP585iPplfLWa5P63L2mI7/s3777/Jan4-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3777" data-original-width="2840" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kTp55XGieU-mxU_obTbggXi0ZzsJsx9rFV15-u699wr2hiLYTYbq9101B6lEvgKPkdLFqBFCQFTW6GpCM9glB32yPGTbd13DZF0GV4LS37MLlzR12sij1HFLk23T7W93R0L3_LVM8tYvrbeGXxexqxRdcSLLVhsgaMhP585iPplfLWa5P63L2mI7/w301-h400/Jan4-f.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whenever we walk here, our feet lead us into the direction of the gazebo which, at this time of year, is clearly visible on its yew-clad knoll (below, top left). The knoll is home to an old ice house, which is said to be in excellent condition and one of the rare remaining examples in the area. Firmly padlocked, it is now a place of hibernation for a colony of bats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i> </i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmAoApgQ92774miFqTCbu1ILywQtE7ufhln3FWLxfVfxpum4W_dfNVu-HBv4fncCA1FSm-YyFwVW5MN0z0-NKtFksdyF9SdWNBZJ1rJDr1I8k6pAZWtzTMulioRFGb_Zg1rctj05Yh4yeXML9M49IZv3Og8h9WcbmTPNd3yHD6CugWgOrIXbZ0Yfr/s2000/Jan4-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmAoApgQ92774miFqTCbu1ILywQtE7ufhln3FWLxfVfxpum4W_dfNVu-HBv4fncCA1FSm-YyFwVW5MN0z0-NKtFksdyF9SdWNBZJ1rJDr1I8k6pAZWtzTMulioRFGb_Zg1rctj05Yh4yeXML9M49IZv3Og8h9WcbmTPNd3yHD6CugWgOrIXbZ0Yfr/w640-h640/Jan4-g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The knoll can be climbed by way of a narrow, yew-hemmed path spiralling up to the top. It's not exactly for the faint-hearted as it's quite eroded in places, and I'm always glad of my walking stick, which helps me keep my balance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the very top, the gazebo awaits, its conical roof resting on gnarled and graffitied pillars. There's a view towards the white stuccoed manor house, originally dating from the late 19th Century but now much modernized and turned into a featureless hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKTl4CVulQI_gAI5_RirgwPqqjJdCcI-2_JDiHE096sCgyOwAdmiTmPjbScQrJODJj-cO0XrYPtue9r7Xj3nWItZTlSRD2PazOnekSPqBkMA9OT6PzIWx7hZy7MkK8nj-5I36c-DCnOuhjyCk5EyScwjCJNVEsOMfOiRmHZkRlZUwDwHif_0Q0EX_/s2000/Jan4-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKTl4CVulQI_gAI5_RirgwPqqjJdCcI-2_JDiHE096sCgyOwAdmiTmPjbScQrJODJj-cO0XrYPtue9r7Xj3nWItZTlSRD2PazOnekSPqBkMA9OT6PzIWx7hZy7MkK8nj-5I36c-DCnOuhjyCk5EyScwjCJNVEsOMfOiRmHZkRlZUwDwHif_0Q0EX_/w400-h400/Jan4-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back on solid ground, we continued our walk, taking note of the high water levels in the moat and marvelling at the monumental trees, some of which are at least 100 to 150 years old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you go down to the woods today ... be sure to watch your step as there are strange creatures lurking between the trees!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RieNynh9RZjBsnF2ORw3ReF3oJsS3vFUr1p8zA4oW0P8PRy8z-OhQctJhH4u3ybzbZImXmACEGV7G70pF_nxJ329IyFAuEyfVDi6iztv-1bL7LR5n2ngV4lkvHl4wrBUXGc4FjwbXfRytdku7n1ats0gJ72KYKGYAFmJrs-jxf-SUSSFJUzPnwlV/s4032/Jan4-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RieNynh9RZjBsnF2ORw3ReF3oJsS3vFUr1p8zA4oW0P8PRy8z-OhQctJhH4u3ybzbZImXmACEGV7G70pF_nxJ329IyFAuEyfVDi6iztv-1bL7LR5n2ngV4lkvHl4wrBUXGc4FjwbXfRytdku7n1ats0gJ72KYKGYAFmJrs-jxf-SUSSFJUzPnwlV/w301-h400/Jan4-i.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then the year's final day dawned, which is when we realized we still had a little project lined up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we'd brought these <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8MXLQZy9z_A3UXRzCd9EmvbbxAqCdNTOrmW-fZVdyq6sQ36GUbzRiUjsjQzS5YxelOw6AVogL3CtnHGebJjpTaSBPy9NXjblqScNWXIHyq3vZ7Zcep0AdDkkBAkkZu3GoCM0xWkheJnD2ZNQZ-WqPosJpgUH9oahhNy_H9U6HxjvozW5y_DKCuAx/s2348/Dec2-j.jpg" target="_blank">two ladies</a> home from the indoor flea market's December edition, they had been patiently awaiting their fate. Now was the time to introduce them to their sisters - and little Mexican brother - on the spare room's mantelpiece! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh187pTtM0JLHiTrrlwHniPQFfJ2tVVG6AEUFdft9dc1WQ8aoSvjCpM-HTqZ2auFZdbUrGsCkWpuvyWhCvI6CQa8qBVQITiHF3wqEbovBlGtIeBjDzTtHIU7h0tBW73NoZlITk8U8DXfEH-kaj0dafgQlk4LOSCBA01hwXtbH-my6bo_5komEDlnHt/s3014/Jan4-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="2826" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh187pTtM0JLHiTrrlwHniPQFfJ2tVVG6AEUFdft9dc1WQ8aoSvjCpM-HTqZ2auFZdbUrGsCkWpuvyWhCvI6CQa8qBVQITiHF3wqEbovBlGtIeBjDzTtHIU7h0tBW73NoZlITk8U8DXfEH-kaj0dafgQlk4LOSCBA01hwXtbH-my6bo_5komEDlnHt/w375-h400/Jan4-j.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rest of the day was spent not doing much at all and resting up in anticipation of our New Year's Eve get-together with our friend Inez. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No longer used to staying up after midnight - which is well past our usual bedtime - we were fully expecting to nod off on Inez's sofa before the clock struck 12!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBjW9WsfJ7IHSuGbcEF3eVPwMzlCO5Lv0xcPmEAeoklJRo_o-e9Qia8WkMRsJb3nJcUaahKvwf2xNFTZ4ixNC5KLZAdVNTYUlc1UtxtG6OO2LkbHiGBlWWGSTscTJcbeBrsD4h63ihM4w6kgNHJE5DNE_uJa5z_QZHb8l2keaC7aZx3EiqFk8YLuc/s2000/Jan4-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBjW9WsfJ7IHSuGbcEF3eVPwMzlCO5Lv0xcPmEAeoklJRo_o-e9Qia8WkMRsJb3nJcUaahKvwf2xNFTZ4ixNC5KLZAdVNTYUlc1UtxtG6OO2LkbHiGBlWWGSTscTJcbeBrsD4h63ihM4w6kgNHJE5DNE_uJa5z_QZHb8l2keaC7aZx3EiqFk8YLuc/w400-h400/Jan4-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We didn't - if only just - and had a lovely time eating, drinking - alcohol free bubbles and wine - and being merry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had Jos's homemade minestrone - which we brought along in our soup maker - as a starter, followed by Inez's main course of mince, feta and spinach filled peppers with new potatoes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyu6o4DsLNg_Rkv1seHzwmQK9hrCV1X83dvAML5uPdL0IpMlzu43Gk6ulTTfoVkgP4YzFaVNWcxir92dkBSnxIelcQJz9mGrTPV5evuGsW7Tp3IvUbDkT02CX0HthrqVghMF7vIJg535i8XvGULm5JDkKHznBYR36kujLTUjGAXHRE3WP7AAfAcPQ/s2000/Jan4-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyu6o4DsLNg_Rkv1seHzwmQK9hrCV1X83dvAML5uPdL0IpMlzu43Gk6ulTTfoVkgP4YzFaVNWcxir92dkBSnxIelcQJz9mGrTPV5evuGsW7Tp3IvUbDkT02CX0HthrqVghMF7vIJg535i8XvGULm5JDkKHznBYR36kujLTUjGAXHRE3WP7AAfAcPQ/w400-h400/Jan4-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dessert was a delicious ice cream Bûche de Noël, also supplied by Inez.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found Inez's frock at Think Twice during one of our cappuccino fuelled catch-ups, while mine was a charity shop find in December 2020.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzfHgWhnXwgBNjFgLcfnVp0l7xQD6OqBmCYMj0SD2Sy_o_RqUN36cagPZtXrIbWOHyl8Mj-mJtnBdBFRYYfsIwsFR7P6RXn1VTo1KCitEYvd56LWN_4q8VjsPY6z5-7hJjG1Tr3ogZeVDdLwcpXWTmRylylNLhyphenhyphen8E0p8aLB3hkWb-0duJLB2OBLQk/s4030/Jan4-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzfHgWhnXwgBNjFgLcfnVp0l7xQD6OqBmCYMj0SD2Sy_o_RqUN36cagPZtXrIbWOHyl8Mj-mJtnBdBFRYYfsIwsFR7P6RXn1VTo1KCitEYvd56LWN_4q8VjsPY6z5-7hJjG1Tr3ogZeVDdLwcpXWTmRylylNLhyphenhyphen8E0p8aLB3hkWb-0duJLB2OBLQk/w429-h640/Jan4-m.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's by the German "Ein Fink Model" label, and I'm including a close-up of its fabric of golden yellows and oranges threaded with Lurex. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The brooch, a white metal scroll with dangly little chains ending in tiny pearls, is one of my oldest in terms of ownership, and may well have kick-started my collection.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtWTELZq5ZibECX7oAg4gGwLsxHogcM2nHn5hKk5tAaR4PNara6FU9EtW-YpK2IjtM8e9RsMmMUcF3_DljpPE80UirLXEov4Ef65hq6TwSVx_enpJyxVaLt1GJ2RW5treyobohKPNE4ZyMrBuzhVaQB0T3D5ixlRMDE_tsuaYABuT2DMemlW0gIxH/s4028/Jan4-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtWTELZq5ZibECX7oAg4gGwLsxHogcM2nHn5hKk5tAaR4PNara6FU9EtW-YpK2IjtM8e9RsMmMUcF3_DljpPE80UirLXEov4Ef65hq6TwSVx_enpJyxVaLt1GJ2RW5treyobohKPNE4ZyMrBuzhVaQB0T3D5ixlRMDE_tsuaYABuT2DMemlW0gIxH/w301-h400/Jan4-n.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We drove home in torrential rain and were in bed by 1.30 am, which of course we had to pay for the next day. In spite of a generous lie-in, I felt out of sorts all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was plenty of Lurex in my New Year's Day dress too, although it isn't very noticeable in the pictures. I picked up this purple and lilac patterned dress for next to nothing in the Think Twice sales back in December 2017 and up-cycled it by changing its buttons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98IWJOCDT5IJ8xnSiypibcdVNZQen_TFXQAuQIF7wH-L4LQ-L026fCSjdlRxxGuvu-f8A3cbM3TemIyxtP_xkxHiG56w7Md8pXHcycR3eWdNQkdxsqVVTnwgyHVVdSwnM4toXoR3tedxSX0jbylC2XhDtp6fo-axmeNtUKYhBLD5LXoF8hPjOC8KF/s4030/Jan4-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98IWJOCDT5IJ8xnSiypibcdVNZQen_TFXQAuQIF7wH-L4LQ-L026fCSjdlRxxGuvu-f8A3cbM3TemIyxtP_xkxHiG56w7Md8pXHcycR3eWdNQkdxsqVVTnwgyHVVdSwnM4toXoR3tedxSX0jbylC2XhDtp6fo-axmeNtUKYhBLD5LXoF8hPjOC8KF/w428-h640/Jan4-o.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My purple pleated belt as well as the chunky orange long-line cardigan are old charity shop finds, while the orange metal flower brooch was a gift from my lovely friend <a href="https://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kezzie</a> last February.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The necklace, with its purple, pink and orange wooden beads was found on the high street back in the mists of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzmvO1rjnoNucUpmefwaM3baMeW6ZY1gO9Slv8XUbWF0gDDiMifNApgylEGH4VA1X924eFjw9RjWCLVBHMYG7RYV7peoaMJO5ks0g9GqokQ149bcOmn4tGf7IzDmBP35iBILFwm8WQZa3NLgoMOLpvFz-LxoqoQl94lC1YG8OGnSfeyunHsT4TNl-/s2000/Jan4-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzmvO1rjnoNucUpmefwaM3baMeW6ZY1gO9Slv8XUbWF0gDDiMifNApgylEGH4VA1X924eFjw9RjWCLVBHMYG7RYV7peoaMJO5ks0g9GqokQ149bcOmn4tGf7IzDmBP35iBILFwm8WQZa3NLgoMOLpvFz-LxoqoQl94lC1YG8OGnSfeyunHsT4TNl-/w400-h400/Jan4-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having finished Kate Morton's Homecoming, I selected the year's first book from my TBR pile. For some reason Jonathan Coe's latest offering is making me crave chocolate ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm hopeful that, with a little more time on my hands in the near future, I'll be able to increase the number of books I'm reading. I didn't exactly count them, but it can't have been much more than twenty or so in 2023, which is quite shameful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtetgH43s8L-Yzr7LTzWjBFHeAcVkruabSfhpOnBKpTMjir8BsCmE1XVTpBFCcnm-3TAzKyxOSlYWJ-8dQCAWitkLu65E8wjLx0OCHWb3_or5bVk3fQbUHVSkUC1yjvS5mZsj8WuMtHY-BHm1kjR2ISXlJnYfdHMxj6eeVKrwU2jhV6AY0ksOlXi0B/s4028/Jan4-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtetgH43s8L-Yzr7LTzWjBFHeAcVkruabSfhpOnBKpTMjir8BsCmE1XVTpBFCcnm-3TAzKyxOSlYWJ-8dQCAWitkLu65E8wjLx0OCHWb3_or5bVk3fQbUHVSkUC1yjvS5mZsj8WuMtHY-BHm1kjR2ISXlJnYfdHMxj6eeVKrwU2jhV6AY0ksOlXi0B/w301-h400/Jan4-q.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wonder what else will 2024 bring? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've no idea, but Bess is looking forward to a future filled with cuddles and treats!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1yaqNaxHyNElWY5Wk6a4gsruy4BHpZ_LmqIUsnbVmfjQSdLA_IP65Rs5PqbbWgZ_JX0HVJGFrFrHAQY9c7KeqYjc33pnIHc6rklKagFd1UVu1oHqDZjz6idhs9H33ucAJb8xTZs4IUD770qXJVA2iQpx1EFnlfkXoWkkHp-0pIvqfBQ36AlkKp8D/s4030/Jan4-r.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1yaqNaxHyNElWY5Wk6a4gsruy4BHpZ_LmqIUsnbVmfjQSdLA_IP65Rs5PqbbWgZ_JX0HVJGFrFrHAQY9c7KeqYjc33pnIHc6rklKagFd1UVu1oHqDZjz6idhs9H33ucAJb8xTZs4IUD770qXJVA2iQpx1EFnlfkXoWkkHp-0pIvqfBQ36AlkKp8D/w301-h400/Jan4-r.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-59328352482385799282024-01-17T19:53:00.000+01:002024-01-17T19:53:02.109+01:00Twixmas tales - Part 3<p>It's hard to believe we're more than half way through January by now. How the hell did that happen? </p><p>So far, the year's first month has been a bit of a disappointment. Forget about the concept of Blue Monday, I'm inclined to introduce Blue January instead. Not only have my stress levels gone through the roof lately, I seem to have succumbed to the dreaded lurgy again, due to which I've been coughing my lungs out since last Thursday. </p><p>OK, that's quite enough of my moaning. Let's return to happier times instead!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_-yDTwUGhpWcEjgmYi5eAYnHObYHWF-F3jK9y7TNQ7l0qTemrSoQonTATx-3oPsRdA6TBbYeHbmraQKmA_iBIXIEI0ilb7ugEQswhGOEuAdFPTASNQCUAMlevyk9EepgnpTS67FX9FdwwJLE7WdoQUYwxjl-cxOsvjsymSFuGtYfF_V2TNGAkfUO/s4030/Jan3-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_-yDTwUGhpWcEjgmYi5eAYnHObYHWF-F3jK9y7TNQ7l0qTemrSoQonTATx-3oPsRdA6TBbYeHbmraQKmA_iBIXIEI0ilb7ugEQswhGOEuAdFPTASNQCUAMlevyk9EepgnpTS67FX9FdwwJLE7WdoQUYwxjl-cxOsvjsymSFuGtYfF_V2TNGAkfUO/w428-h640/Jan3-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Christmas break was still in full swing on Thursday the 28th of December and, as my previous cold seemed to have taken a backseat for now, I was determined to enjoy every minute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Helpfully, the weather gods were clearly taking pity on us by sending - oh miracle of miracles - yet another dry day our way. But although the day's highs of 11°C were more than reasonable for the time of year, an at times blustery wind made it feel somewhat colder than it actually was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpraxxvRqz0xrhsXXTdhaYJyOBpaqSueRUDInRigpB8BsxFbkHs9rdRCM_6XA1cQxRYRMWwfWWxN3E1zRBaJHr22980amYyTsZthffYK8698Y2f4Ua3W2-LzXk3Hkt46NNHT88-FI1EMq4bjGembs-oBIchJCBkuhvWd1Wq12RPalZRzgEJMG1LaR/s2000/Jan3-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpraxxvRqz0xrhsXXTdhaYJyOBpaqSueRUDInRigpB8BsxFbkHs9rdRCM_6XA1cQxRYRMWwfWWxN3E1zRBaJHr22980amYyTsZthffYK8698Y2f4Ua3W2-LzXk3Hkt46NNHT88-FI1EMq4bjGembs-oBIchJCBkuhvWd1Wq12RPalZRzgEJMG1LaR/w400-h400/Jan3-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I found the raspberry dress, which is sprinkled with tiny white stripes and yellow and white dots, at Episode - part of a Dutch chain of vintage shops - in February 2019. As its fabric is quite thin, with only the skirt being lined, I layered a yellow long-sleeved t-shirt underneath, which you might be able to catch a peek of between the bodice's tiny raspberry buttons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I refrained from using yellow for the dress's companions and accessories, which would have been the obvious choice. Instead I wore a chunky knit caramel cardigan by Rhétorique - charity shopped in May - and a matching pair of opaques. Both my flower-infused brooch and Murano glass necklace were flea market finds, while the stretchy belt with it faux-bamboo buckle was picked up on the high street in March 2023.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFtZ96D7WbVUzWSfUbjHLE3D33C9wtC18qEXJk6T_Iasm7vVM_dB53gZ87VwWQ-hcucvW5EYrncHC_8-52-AjFSLFIUawS9N321GNEE9u0iLhegYkNUE0bZyPfnlqu9V9YU8_1Lnup0L2zFuuWJJaO4wLVywodRcCe323wIjTe7sY9cfNuqJu2g8Y/s2000/Jan3-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFtZ96D7WbVUzWSfUbjHLE3D33C9wtC18qEXJk6T_Iasm7vVM_dB53gZ87VwWQ-hcucvW5EYrncHC_8-52-AjFSLFIUawS9N321GNEE9u0iLhegYkNUE0bZyPfnlqu9V9YU8_1Lnup0L2zFuuWJJaO4wLVywodRcCe323wIjTe7sY9cfNuqJu2g8Y/w400-h400/Jan3-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While Jos was running an errand that morning, I took out my sewing basket and attached a loop to the purple and lime coat I found on Wednesday, so that it could be hung up on our hallway's coat rack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, after lunch, we decided to make the most of the dry if somewhat cloudy weather conditions by going for a walk. Our destination of choice: Fort 5 in the neighbouring village of Edegem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After Belgium gained its independence in 1830, the fear of a European conflict or invasion remained, primarily from the Netherlands and France. In 1859 it was decided by the Belgian government to defend the city of Antwerp by surrounding it with a 15 km long earthen rampart with 19 gates, based on a plan of military engineer Capt. Henri Alexis Brialmont. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCBX8ueY7mMtrA7Rln9jfFb3iRv2zLWP-O9SyzcjUxXXJ5XmCtVwY5GI2YQrSBOWhIlr057GSjBWE2F-uxdAG9c7nePkK_cWOmWx8rWhctBe433inUQq7qPECwEqbbD5tpiQr1HxjK4dwpQ1k1iE94vBcn_jxh56HMTnVMuwO8WyjWeUffaRItgoE/s2000/Jan3-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCBX8ueY7mMtrA7Rln9jfFb3iRv2zLWP-O9SyzcjUxXXJ5XmCtVwY5GI2YQrSBOWhIlr057GSjBWE2F-uxdAG9c7nePkK_cWOmWx8rWhctBe433inUQq7qPECwEqbbD5tpiQr1HxjK4dwpQ1k1iE94vBcn_jxh56HMTnVMuwO8WyjWeUffaRItgoE/w400-h400/Jan3-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It also had an advanced ring of 8 almost identical brick forts, commonly known as the Brialmont Forts. All the forts, except for Fort 1, are still in existence today, and most of them have been turned into nature reserves and recreational areas, with part of the buildings being used by a variety of local clubs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fort 5 is closest to where we live: a mere 10 minute drive is all it takes to the car park near one of the domain's entrances. Immediately upon entering a magnificent view of the moat opened up, with a mighty blue heron statuesquely perched on a toppled tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead of taking the obvious route, skirting the moat, we turned left on the path running behind the playground and, after taking another left turn, found ourselves walking in as yet unknown territory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4FPmoCDRrOOERxJSrkXyBVzEyyGFhDbZCuZfJdCHFnuQQH0ZJvsmWegACB4uGVJHA-ipxMFMpaz4R-iBWtGOd3OArU9_HuejeyFTyggCkE_xAXjIIyR3uaC3-GYVstznm8lDOS0UVN_YnNJ1Nhm9anEiM1OwWCDJ45V6jQZaeGbBIZ4BFg42LJ3_/s4032/Jan3-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="4032" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4FPmoCDRrOOERxJSrkXyBVzEyyGFhDbZCuZfJdCHFnuQQH0ZJvsmWegACB4uGVJHA-ipxMFMpaz4R-iBWtGOd3OArU9_HuejeyFTyggCkE_xAXjIIyR3uaC3-GYVstznm8lDOS0UVN_YnNJ1Nhm9anEiM1OwWCDJ45V6jQZaeGbBIZ4BFg42LJ3_/w640-h482/Jan3-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did not worry about getting lost, though, as we could soon catch glimpses of the brick and sandstone fort buildings shimmering through the tangle of trees. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we came across the remains of what we think might have been the main entrance gate to the fort and which, in spite of countless of previous walks here, we'd never happened upon before. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhhe8zg4zwZ1T7ePhJ5u3Vgxc6n2ck_-Uy_A2pqAulbi8DX2ScvX6GeT2pBYIfga-XmnV79xLnhjqq-i2zLg2-mS4-DH87N6vcjsh09sgMvi5VyxI65P6YvqlTtHIKuDCsuHESrEkA5ssoMFrb-frgpJJqqLSRmT0Uy2tF3EzNLfHa8b_TyHJ32HG/s2000/Jan3-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhhe8zg4zwZ1T7ePhJ5u3Vgxc6n2ck_-Uy_A2pqAulbi8DX2ScvX6GeT2pBYIfga-XmnV79xLnhjqq-i2zLg2-mS4-DH87N6vcjsh09sgMvi5VyxI65P6YvqlTtHIKuDCsuHESrEkA5ssoMFrb-frgpJJqqLSRmT0Uy2tF3EzNLfHa8b_TyHJ32HG/w400-h400/Jan3-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beyond the gate, a cobbled pathway lead us to the long row of atmospheric moss and lichen incrusted fort buildings, their woodwork in various stages of dereliction, and carrying the weight of over a century's worth of trees upon their roofs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4i2qoN1xae-ReBXS_A5LHd2tQ6yk4zwh9JwtU9Wt0ZAy5_cF7QTgiKfMihGfWZuEGETXrAxcKKnWXaa4AzrEEluzdMih4QOTfYytxyak7c-9du0nSajnYj6weXOQr2_cwvLMFfOLuhqdOiRlfXO6IzET2zRKvVPY6ThuAcyfyJNZlVDYJ2FhJYGb/s2000/Jan3-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4i2qoN1xae-ReBXS_A5LHd2tQ6yk4zwh9JwtU9Wt0ZAy5_cF7QTgiKfMihGfWZuEGETXrAxcKKnWXaa4AzrEEluzdMih4QOTfYytxyak7c-9du0nSajnYj6weXOQr2_cwvLMFfOLuhqdOiRlfXO6IzET2zRKvVPY6ThuAcyfyJNZlVDYJ2FhJYGb/w400-h400/Jan3-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From here, we continued our walk along a path meandering through the semi-wilderness (below, top left), until we arrived at a grassy open space. At the other side of this, we spotted a familiar-looking low brick building, which seemed to have burrowed itself into the earthen mound, with eyes half-closed giving the impression of having a thatched roof.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was then that we realized we'd been here on a previous walk when, with some trepidation, we'd had a peek into the creepy passage lying beyond the arched doorway on the bottom left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQXcksSHAMy6dKxmo0sQpLJdSjfx4lg60GfTd-q_s0DOT7Mp_4KkERondWP4Efr5yoouhvJFUT8X6R35VsRqgdupIrYsECl1JGDRacSb4dArZRNS1TNY9PsNNpMi_gC26_X9J58rFykenMXmFVtfnnLn-Et3yMHuXzj-XNQQBqDOvXNtxAetFzOht/s2000/Jan3-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQXcksSHAMy6dKxmo0sQpLJdSjfx4lg60GfTd-q_s0DOT7Mp_4KkERondWP4Efr5yoouhvJFUT8X6R35VsRqgdupIrYsECl1JGDRacSb4dArZRNS1TNY9PsNNpMi_gC26_X9J58rFykenMXmFVtfnnLn-Et3yMHuXzj-XNQQBqDOvXNtxAetFzOht/w400-h400/Jan3-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, we only had to round the corner to find ourselves at the water's edge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If the weak Winter sun had been making feeble efforts to break through the layer of grey at the start of our walk, she had by now given up all pretence. The sky was darkening as the afternoon progressed and it was only the wind, which had increased in force as we walked, which prevented the rain-pregnant clouds from discharging their cargo there and then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2GsmAPfbIdLJmbnFToJ6rfp5DVwU4rX6aKZ_YiBVxDSwxCooo01fjlTIurcTMYKRmv1aa4VpZjmodMnxbnK5zbJ5_3x4_9LwRu8cqBmTHmMg6FA7uK-fQiwVKr6U94BxQYbF6p2QdwQ2Fw4heR_CUBKYtvQihJWlvUB14sMQ_2LRyG0ZX4paIDdo/s2000/Jan3-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2GsmAPfbIdLJmbnFToJ6rfp5DVwU4rX6aKZ_YiBVxDSwxCooo01fjlTIurcTMYKRmv1aa4VpZjmodMnxbnK5zbJ5_3x4_9LwRu8cqBmTHmMg6FA7uK-fQiwVKr6U94BxQYbF6p2QdwQ2Fw4heR_CUBKYtvQihJWlvUB14sMQ_2LRyG0ZX4paIDdo/w400-h400/Jan3-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The world had once again reverted to greyscale, the only colour provided by the bleached wood of the bird hide and the orderly row of ducks who sat looking forlornly at the wind-rippled water of the moat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The narrow winding path along the moat eventually takes you to the spot where the fort straddles it. Here, the path enters a low tunnel, passes through a handful of draughty cobwebbed and graffitied rooms, and out again at the other end. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWv8AepLaIrVYXShEJZsFC4U1spDOKt60AhzfD2prXxqDohO_CGSDtdsrKFHlkUGsJIQcj1JOVJuuC4AMexgEEoo-vflbbCaqc5Wvorn0uQ5MB4eVfVHyzwA5GoiuBB-w5ykkWM4hkt_4xD0K8g2d0fzUSQ3kyw6iaO8zNv7ISI9YtO9fcYMhWMWF/s4030/Jan3-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWv8AepLaIrVYXShEJZsFC4U1spDOKt60AhzfD2prXxqDohO_CGSDtdsrKFHlkUGsJIQcj1JOVJuuC4AMexgEEoo-vflbbCaqc5Wvorn0uQ5MB4eVfVHyzwA5GoiuBB-w5ykkWM4hkt_4xD0K8g2d0fzUSQ3kyw6iaO8zNv7ISI9YtO9fcYMhWMWF/w428-h640/Jan3-l.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before entering the tunnel, I briefly paused to show you my outerwear, consisting of one of my favourite vintage coats - on constant rotation with my fur-collared Princess coat - accompanied by a charity shopped yellow double knitted beret and the colourful pom-pom scarf I'd picked up the previous day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMw9g_jPzb4YLlL_aoKvMHLJer1EjEoyexLD8SSRMyf-gBu4FEUxIaDqhVYXp1tlz2lIoMW451KHrZ72kgcWfEa0ItoXDFpWdEr05RUmr_NG_Y2WNKFwnittfgDvyTsBsNFULHNNOkFeYEo8uBL9iiCqhKko9pZ99489X9NhWtxujb62TiZWtB1b0/s2000/Jan3-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMw9g_jPzb4YLlL_aoKvMHLJer1EjEoyexLD8SSRMyf-gBu4FEUxIaDqhVYXp1tlz2lIoMW451KHrZ72kgcWfEa0ItoXDFpWdEr05RUmr_NG_Y2WNKFwnittfgDvyTsBsNFULHNNOkFeYEo8uBL9iiCqhKko9pZ99489X9NhWtxujb62TiZWtB1b0/w400-h400/Jan3-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The brooding sky and the wind which was making the branches of the trees ominously creak and moan made us quicken our step, anxious to re-join our car before the weather caught up with us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, although Winter gets a bad rap all around, there's something to be said for these quintessential Winter landscapes, all but devoid of colour and framed by the twisted and gnarled skeleton trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_uopvuOg2a_6AD9Py9s974_w8kHC6po5S6FZr7s5QYQLpb3YJaXuQ_vM_7HQs4JWXO7xHZ8N0bu8ouTiVmYclzmeQRDAXYypWQdI5i0_FLe9zCWvBdg5Scb4Kl00T7BO5VrzqcC_ZW5Y90gnCWYuA_PIeADYc1IMEf7_imWAnpwPNgLrsoeTzoRy/s4030/Jan3-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_uopvuOg2a_6AD9Py9s974_w8kHC6po5S6FZr7s5QYQLpb3YJaXuQ_vM_7HQs4JWXO7xHZ8N0bu8ouTiVmYclzmeQRDAXYypWQdI5i0_FLe9zCWvBdg5Scb4Kl00T7BO5VrzqcC_ZW5Y90gnCWYuA_PIeADYc1IMEf7_imWAnpwPNgLrsoeTzoRy/w640-h428/Jan3-j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We made it back unscathed, and the rain was kind enough to hold off until we were safely ensconced at home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The year's final Friday brought grey skies and showers, the mercury still effortlessly climbing into the low double digits</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0spTlcgerkfGCzzN9FwJgynREJEQoM7lxbfsdUpzMtA2i8N_p5Ix5i7OsDUwVPE3VCXRPwMrn7eV82sVniy9-fnxHlpbodEqje-pL2UGUwQC-_4W_-6wumQwqlaKLXlvQP9y27lDbc43S_raQGipRtIJHv9W96l-FYrKcEUMPNvYKMNDO-PvdYvES/s4030/Jan3-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0spTlcgerkfGCzzN9FwJgynREJEQoM7lxbfsdUpzMtA2i8N_p5Ix5i7OsDUwVPE3VCXRPwMrn7eV82sVniy9-fnxHlpbodEqje-pL2UGUwQC-_4W_-6wumQwqlaKLXlvQP9y27lDbc43S_raQGipRtIJHv9W96l-FYrKcEUMPNvYKMNDO-PvdYvES/w428-h640/Jan3-m.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had this black, grey and red plaid wool-polyester blend dress earmarked for an outing for a while, and I'd even mentally sorted out its companions. Not that I deviated very much from its previous incarnation, worn after I brought it home from Think Twice at the end of 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its short sleeves almost dictated that I layered something long-sleeved underneath, and this red t-shirt turned out to be just perfect for the job. I echoed this with my red opaques and red elasticated belt with massive square mock croc buckle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWgMoV7saeJn_fg5KiNycpEyHJ0nyQZpy5FXwaink5ysdTR7zNJOofI842ezoHrPMi97NTuly-pfa8oWQfJsBZAoONH-HPNHrQUnFSjzQjvEeD6wXk4UVwzm7OWGyN5ELe7TuVR3KKq8sxghQH4g7YktnUQANf2ZJJfyLlRp8GBABByL2JBW0TJZH/s2000/Jan3-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWgMoV7saeJn_fg5KiNycpEyHJ0nyQZpy5FXwaink5ysdTR7zNJOofI842ezoHrPMi97NTuly-pfa8oWQfJsBZAoONH-HPNHrQUnFSjzQjvEeD6wXk4UVwzm7OWGyN5ELe7TuVR3KKq8sxghQH4g7YktnUQANf2ZJJfyLlRp8GBABByL2JBW0TJZH/w400-h400/Jan3-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both the chunky off-white flower brooch and the black and off-white beaded necklace are vintage, the former a flea market find and the latter bought from a sorely missed vintage shop I used to frequent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A special mention goes out to my fake snake ankle boots, which were a sales bargain from New Look when they closed down all of their Belgian shops in 2019.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVaCAjLXQXCu_Ms0HYkcctpCmpXsybOHiEkUeTIJRNHqc1gmqhWmb0Zsw60RIThSmnki7OvqByUI4ef9oRyPBwvRkPp90uhajdHS3LVVlTRmU110lcPVqvTZx_gvs_kMHJYkANam5ctULaA6cppmmPUFnAJdYOVwtLnJ4VbBpU5ZyjhT68vywvUBi/s3672/Jan3-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2986" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVaCAjLXQXCu_Ms0HYkcctpCmpXsybOHiEkUeTIJRNHqc1gmqhWmb0Zsw60RIThSmnki7OvqByUI4ef9oRyPBwvRkPp90uhajdHS3LVVlTRmU110lcPVqvTZx_gvs_kMHJYkANam5ctULaA6cppmmPUFnAJdYOVwtLnJ4VbBpU5ZyjhT68vywvUBi/w325-h400/Jan3-o.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the usual fruit and yoghurt breakfast, Jos did the year's final food shop, while I cleaned up the little kitchen cupboard we found at the indoor flea market earlier that month. It still needs a replacement handle for the yellow door, but it will definitely do for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hung it up in its designated space, which we were relieved to find it fit exactly! Phew!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We currently store kitchen towels and cloths behind the yellow door and packets of tea behind the blue one! There was also some space to put a couple of our vintage tins on top, relieving a full to bursting shelf elsewhere in our kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The framed print is vintage and a true Flemish classic, admonishing you to refrain from cursing, as God is watching you! We've got two of those around the house, not that we are taking too much heed ...</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-48266294143857265742024-01-12T18:43:00.000+01:002024-01-12T18:43:04.390+01:00Twixmas tales - Part 2<p style="text-align: left;">I woke up with a head full of cotton wool on Boxing Day. As congested sinuses had made me toss and turn all night, I could only thank my lucky stars that I didn't have to get up when it was still pitch dark outside and that I could spend the day doing whatever tickled my fancy. In fact, nobody would have batted an eyelid if I'd wanted to spend it lying on the sofa if so inclined. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Wasn't it just my luck though that I had to be plagued by a head cold during my week off? Admittedly, it was miles better than being struck down by a serious case of the flu like I was last year, but I could still have done without it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr6mpvS9olDM_MS-nC38hS6Dzpg_y7cRirt_W9hcjiibklXTrrEm51ivQ7-bJnvBQmRbwqsFWuBK25r8EQJlfVbpKXlNA0p7TzUT4Xb-56bSntbmIr-RS7SctamIyM8ZrjMmlf3rcoZ6JAH7HhH6QxtDzpxJbwRHwOctbiDkkez6JBNX1RspN2uf1/s4030/Jan2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLr6mpvS9olDM_MS-nC38hS6Dzpg_y7cRirt_W9hcjiibklXTrrEm51ivQ7-bJnvBQmRbwqsFWuBK25r8EQJlfVbpKXlNA0p7TzUT4Xb-56bSntbmIr-RS7SctamIyM8ZrjMmlf3rcoZ6JAH7HhH6QxtDzpxJbwRHwOctbiDkkez6JBNX1RspN2uf1/w428-h640/Jan2-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I started feeling a bit better after a healthy dose of fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, after which I had a good old rummage in my wardrobes (note the plural!) in search of the perfect outfit to suit my mood as well as the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No athleisure wear for me, thank you, and God forbid I'd stay in my pyjamas all day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, out came this navy blue Diolen dress, its pattern a seemingly incongruous mix of yellow and tan flowers and seashells. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUUmDsTKNBL-mMLNeg3VcZ3vLsnZmB0NxgWcNmPfNcJDtFScDARaMS2FvXcgzPPT3aaRcYHpbDgb23pxHVJ-dtddxAX9PjvyTsontCTMRUdnGfLRejqbKGwYADs5mkhGRUhnVCwuGGNUAsFLpe_DrbKo9rUUJdTuHGs09mdgmY594NbXDwXEoCRJa/s2000/Jan2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUUmDsTKNBL-mMLNeg3VcZ3vLsnZmB0NxgWcNmPfNcJDtFScDARaMS2FvXcgzPPT3aaRcYHpbDgb23pxHVJ-dtddxAX9PjvyTsontCTMRUdnGfLRejqbKGwYADs5mkhGRUhnVCwuGGNUAsFLpe_DrbKo9rUUJdTuHGs09mdgmY594NbXDwXEoCRJa/w400-h400/Jan2-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Blues and yellows were the colours of choice for my dress's companion, a zig-zag patterned Zoë Loveborn cardigan charity shopped back in November. The blue flower corsage I pinned to the latter was echoed by my moulded plastic flower ring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My necklace featuring multicoloured wooden disks was bought brand new from Accessorize and has been in my collection for many years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The day was miraculously dry and sunny for once and with the temperature still a more than reasonable 12°C, it was clear that the sofa would have to wait another day.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vt-xasl_-EMRIniBum6fkIqxJ0qkrEssTnPb2EqKk6k02QkVi5PVeb7TFc2g4__FtbWhymuX_f73i4nzXMA-wK3Y03tyIndcJzJRaoz4S8OLIuYyAFD2fyqi5Rr2CjYqmi5zzSZdG7mmQCfNnsQPgvzAzn3be-CQ1YzvzrqfzLoAY2j1kiqTyaxB/s2000/Jan2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vt-xasl_-EMRIniBum6fkIqxJ0qkrEssTnPb2EqKk6k02QkVi5PVeb7TFc2g4__FtbWhymuX_f73i4nzXMA-wK3Y03tyIndcJzJRaoz4S8OLIuYyAFD2fyqi5Rr2CjYqmi5zzSZdG7mmQCfNnsQPgvzAzn3be-CQ1YzvzrqfzLoAY2j1kiqTyaxB/w400-h400/Jan2-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has long been a tradition of ours to go for a walk in Middelheim Sculpture Park on Boxing Day, even if the weather was determined to put a spanner in the works a couple of times. This year, however, wild horses couldn't have kept us away!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Art has been on the move here all through 2023 and will continue to do so in 2024, as a mind-boggling total of 224 works are in the process of being given a new home. I'm pretty sure that Odyssey (above, bottom right) wasn't in this particular place before. Dating from 1968, it is a work by the American sculptor Bernard (Tony) Rosenthal (1914-2009). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ9sVYU0yLeRflQHbAMua09AkXksc5D4TEz80nQ6c_bPoXiZbGT8kXegUtcGui9_jb0fGVZYM1UMaYW93YqALFFRBLYwo7eZZc6uXBdvASJAXvFLAleSE1dgsB-or5fKMe0J5CKxugfLzQITzrLrD-f8j9pgjyiUoLhHTOLDmkCnkyi_5xn-EpsEl/s4030/Jan2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ9sVYU0yLeRflQHbAMua09AkXksc5D4TEz80nQ6c_bPoXiZbGT8kXegUtcGui9_jb0fGVZYM1UMaYW93YqALFFRBLYwo7eZZc6uXBdvASJAXvFLAleSE1dgsB-or5fKMe0J5CKxugfLzQITzrLrD-f8j9pgjyiUoLhHTOLDmkCnkyi_5xn-EpsEl/w640-h482/Jan2-d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hesitant Midwinter sunshine was spotlighting Antony Gormley's Firmament III, which I suspect is among the 50 or so works of art in the park which are inseparable from their location and will therefore remain in situ.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The same will definitely be the case for the make-believe street called Surroundings (1972-1973), an art installation by the Italian artist Alik Cavaliere (1926-1998).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklewokSBcLmL0kU-CyBbChuuLes1zJqzaeOKm-Qzw63aFngpH2_ZzAmU189Mx97XTSN3CCp2nIW2TgB-xUdYECX4SDvqzbA4YFIXGxJjgqCzzgr7A8Ty8H3D8_Kr8cunnEIQ9Sv6SfaO6YWVTbHpdMDXY3haaRFuEDW5ddmyXWuHanPzHEJosRspw/s2000/Jan2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklewokSBcLmL0kU-CyBbChuuLes1zJqzaeOKm-Qzw63aFngpH2_ZzAmU189Mx97XTSN3CCp2nIW2TgB-xUdYECX4SDvqzbA4YFIXGxJjgqCzzgr7A8Ty8H3D8_Kr8cunnEIQ9Sv6SfaO6YWVTbHpdMDXY3haaRFuEDW5ddmyXWuHanPzHEJosRspw/w400-h400/Jan2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Moving a sculpture that has been anchored in the ground for decades is no easy task. Moreover, they are all unique works of art, each of them requiring its own preparation process, method and approach depending on its materials and vulnerabilities. The relocation of a total of 224 different works of art is, therefore, a hugely labour-intensive job. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the transformation, the sculptures will be on display in completely different clusters, inspired by the different types of landscape in the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gbkViD4zISV0YEBpZ1-zs7DxQ1c8YTQqCxyQ6dZjTmwDMcKAjdP-6W8anZUP-5K8M3Q9yWgPKNshHuJaOuV5KuA1oAQ8xoHUJSAwYy4Bi7xuiSc_cqH7SOFzQqqAD9mjzsKUAa0eUhnwCTg1CmhZ75XEMMjaMXpEMs1auhUxyzPt0XrGFODLTOS/s2000/Jan2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gbkViD4zISV0YEBpZ1-zs7DxQ1c8YTQqCxyQ6dZjTmwDMcKAjdP-6W8anZUP-5K8M3Q9yWgPKNshHuJaOuV5KuA1oAQ8xoHUJSAwYy4Bi7xuiSc_cqH7SOFzQqqAD9mjzsKUAa0eUhnwCTg1CmhZ75XEMMjaMXpEMs1auhUxyzPt0XrGFODLTOS/w400-h400/Jan2-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, normal service is disrupted, with some parts of the park temporarily out of bounds, and a not inconsiderable amount of sculptures hanging out together in the adjacent open-air depot before being allocated their new location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Believe it or not, but the massive tire which has suddenly materialized at the back of the Braem Pavillion is a work of art too: dating from 2012, it is part of Pièces à conviction (Pieces of evidence) by the Belgian artist Michel François (b.1956). It used to be in the part of the museum called Middelheim-Laag on the opposite side of the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW33K18qJ-pfO3H2v1PHoT5i-TlIivOvrqWeIw8cMpGBQGrmuC4NIuqKIABnq6RTcVFfp1Y4Z-1Xm9gR8ETL6KAB18wdbqLOUa2_oIZT9U6ek-BxpcuMPgL-a8uzDEZ-4RLKLJBkYHDJXS07i4MyBg_J37AK_1hzFJKvK8EKoveuUACrNAqT8NK1JU/s2000/Jan2-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW33K18qJ-pfO3H2v1PHoT5i-TlIivOvrqWeIw8cMpGBQGrmuC4NIuqKIABnq6RTcVFfp1Y4Z-1Xm9gR8ETL6KAB18wdbqLOUa2_oIZT9U6ek-BxpcuMPgL-a8uzDEZ-4RLKLJBkYHDJXS07i4MyBg_J37AK_1hzFJKvK8EKoveuUACrNAqT8NK1JU/w400-h400/Jan2-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vierkantrohre Serie D (above, top left) by German artist Charlotte Posenenske (1930-1985) has been attached to the side wall of the Braem Pavilion since 2017. It consists of a set of six hollow forms made of galvanized metal that appear to be parts of an industrial ventilation shaft. Very convincingly, it seems, as I only found out this was actually a work of art when I was browsing the museum's online catalogue a couple of years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bosque Metalica (above, bottom left) has found its new location near the Braem Pavillion as well. Dating from 1971, and thus a contemporary of the Brutalist pavillion, the sculpture which consists of eight separate elements in black, green, orange and yellow, is by the artist Jorge Dubon (Mexico, 1938-2004).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rpCBaJXoqYgeKj6pNF6OKXfsRUJQgCsBTrm2crA3Cr37jn_XPNvS8LIV49Z3Le1tzCysSQmCvc-2UX9yXjQWmMEdFn-omZDZnohsZuTyY_4ogjC6PyjD1MV-22ObYw2nKzs1F0qFm8z3KZoMx8dkvJsMPlKtwo9E_QbUPdbKQZ57XuiEZ28YUPVR/s3264/Jan2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rpCBaJXoqYgeKj6pNF6OKXfsRUJQgCsBTrm2crA3Cr37jn_XPNvS8LIV49Z3Le1tzCysSQmCvc-2UX9yXjQWmMEdFn-omZDZnohsZuTyY_4ogjC6PyjD1MV-22ObYw2nKzs1F0qFm8z3KZoMx8dkvJsMPlKtwo9E_QbUPdbKQZ57XuiEZ28YUPVR/w400-h400/Jan2-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Making a shortcut through a carpet of leaves to avoid a particularly muddy stretch, we came across Artisticus Confusa (2020), a whimsically shaped aluminium flower of nearly one metre tall, created by Tom Volkaert, who was born in Antwerp in 1989.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gold painted chair is part of the park's furniture. These, and their silver painted sisters can be found all over the park and are perfect if one wants to take a breather or just, sit and stare at a particular work of art, or perhaps even temporarily become part of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH82p83HmXGSuqHU2WL9oOLdXCyujrWDxbGP5x-KLbYKMWi3c5LUh6EUGZgWTIMxrLpECs_B4DmcvoEoiVlB4oxQtBXThMnVAFJNvHIL9dnqMsgXNAleQ_GQCVuNZYLFdlTOUPcnctBU1BTog6I00UoGxcNuSekmLUzi-S-ddqTcsjHuTpl4BZ4jVZ/s4030/Jan2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH82p83HmXGSuqHU2WL9oOLdXCyujrWDxbGP5x-KLbYKMWi3c5LUh6EUGZgWTIMxrLpECs_B4DmcvoEoiVlB4oxQtBXThMnVAFJNvHIL9dnqMsgXNAleQ_GQCVuNZYLFdlTOUPcnctBU1BTog6I00UoGxcNuSekmLUzi-S-ddqTcsjHuTpl4BZ4jVZ/w268-h400/Jan2-o.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This sculpture, which I believe is new to the museum, was caged to protect it from the elements. Although I hadn't seen it before, it instantly rang a bell, as it reminded me of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfe0Jz9avPwECF3GAkxhA9UBf4-lZh8Vq69XqEb8nGoxX61YTc5jXbWPq5hVY2SI8Q44N7vuOBZJyq6K0kjfDIwtQFCFz2sc9t1pTY2jEI1SvRzgwWlKXqw_4rFj-XW9o78D45MHiUngXSiJjU0jk0XiP9QKTimLz1NX3ubTk9ErDMF2hHNk17w/s2000/Apr5-h.jpg" target="_blank">sculpture</a> on display in the courtyard of the 800-year old castle known as Het Steen standing on Antwerp's quayside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure enough, when I looked it up, it turned out to be by the same artist, Sharon Van Overmeiren (b. 1985). It is called The Voyage of the Mascot and dates from 2021.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqHOERvypu3KG8OboSsLDy1vooYwJpNqGjxrKskBYQnwmAeoySKOo9Ir40wkihHB-1A2AsljOaq-v2p5wPoQ_SWrc8zjujrbtFKwgxwbh7oZxMKzECKPelo7MhGrAlqwBP5q4hkRPIV9U85X6dNf59tWr5smY1sSqcA4zPbX9K8cm7lVv6IotRh3o/s2000/Jan2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqHOERvypu3KG8OboSsLDy1vooYwJpNqGjxrKskBYQnwmAeoySKOo9Ir40wkihHB-1A2AsljOaq-v2p5wPoQ_SWrc8zjujrbtFKwgxwbh7oZxMKzECKPelo7MhGrAlqwBP5q4hkRPIV9U85X6dNf59tWr5smY1sSqcA4zPbX9K8cm7lVv6IotRh3o/w400-h400/Jan2-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended our afternoon walk in the Museum Café, where we shared a hefty piece of cheesecake, and enjoyed cups of cappuccino (Jos) and hot chocolate (me).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although more rain had been forecasted for Wednesday the 27th of December, it never materialized. I know, stranger things have happened but still ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was rewearing the as yet unphotographed outfit I wore on my last office day of the year, featuring a happy mix of charity shop and retail buys.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF9ldPwcYBWIgzEsJ3jCZpF0cJUYYY-v9h4qRwCBYVpKXEncSDKYTXWCtCxTM1-zw3hVJyJnO4Oda-Vwpx36jQ1CL4OtzYdvZAbDfELdNxPu8t9JPrHZzLs0vxmqcPBtmcvXBkZCjj0hTeILutGDJI14_fN3ViW7X3B-iBcxvV6uX-ZK0scWe44H-/s4030/Jan2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF9ldPwcYBWIgzEsJ3jCZpF0cJUYYY-v9h4qRwCBYVpKXEncSDKYTXWCtCxTM1-zw3hVJyJnO4Oda-Vwpx36jQ1CL4OtzYdvZAbDfELdNxPu8t9JPrHZzLs0vxmqcPBtmcvXBkZCjj0hTeILutGDJI14_fN3ViW7X3B-iBcxvV6uX-ZK0scWe44H-/w428-h640/Jan2-j.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The forest green faux suede skirt is an old sales bargain from Mango and an absolute joy to wear. Here, it is joined by a rose-patterned jumper from King Louie, by way of the charity shops. Both the label-less sparkly pink cardigan and the green Les Cordes necklace were charity shop finds as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My one and only Christmas themed brooch deserves a special mention, as it was a gift from the lovely Gisela, who blogs under <a href="https://missmagpiemusings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Magpie's Musings</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIywPYr_ZLmdQkNO5Fp-kHcpBeg8azCtHk83fqQR_Td-el5POFShSjlRWwuIEAZaqNkV4dsAZuEXDmcyGAfDAiwosFkuuBRn5Tf9DrXgFbo2CbtY_u4B7znbuySL19q_slE7MYEqA7v1ISe-_qXBUcUhCstEElMlao7tEBZKiocEUSeOoDdMK3O9z/s3264/Jan2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIywPYr_ZLmdQkNO5Fp-kHcpBeg8azCtHk83fqQR_Td-el5POFShSjlRWwuIEAZaqNkV4dsAZuEXDmcyGAfDAiwosFkuuBRn5Tf9DrXgFbo2CbtY_u4B7znbuySL19q_slE7MYEqA7v1ISe-_qXBUcUhCstEElMlao7tEBZKiocEUSeOoDdMK3O9z/w400-h400/Jan2-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from the odd sniffle, I was feeling so much better and, what's more, I was craving a rummage at the charity shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We drove down to the three-floored one in Duffel where it was quite busy as it seemed a lot of people had had the same idea. Or perhaps they'd come to donate their unwanted Christmas presents?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1XxOwPjPBItcJaBYuwVHUlQp3dd5NiW3DkUdpJ9kxvVWyWQ1tMzMmAObYTMFwJp1su-PiXECpnwyK-9Vdlh8xE2MQhTZ0CTRuJpsBRarZpZL4EywlF0L-TsUOUb7NN9wEzklvexOaSxvcJ4jN4zM7vh0Ce7OSiBNw-bRsXHQTWaHAxKmbfnFpVLr/s4030/Jan2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1XxOwPjPBItcJaBYuwVHUlQp3dd5NiW3DkUdpJ9kxvVWyWQ1tMzMmAObYTMFwJp1su-PiXECpnwyK-9Vdlh8xE2MQhTZ0CTRuJpsBRarZpZL4EywlF0L-TsUOUb7NN9wEzklvexOaSxvcJ4jN4zM7vh0Ce7OSiBNw-bRsXHQTWaHAxKmbfnFpVLr/w400-h301/Jan2-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, here's a quick look at what I found. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above, from left to right: brown marled knit hat, groovily patterned blouse by Belgian label Claude Arielle, tan mock croc belt by CKS, which is yet another Belgian label, and chunky yellow, white and dusty pink knit scarf with pom-poms!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In spite of my self-imposed coat ban, I couldn't possibly resist this purple and lime patterned one, although the photo doesn't do its colours much justice. To make up for this, I'll be wearing it in one of my next posts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjMXGbvJBhKAln9obXXVPTNW4B9_6b9b-X__wGT-UAY1ZKpKq3e3l1zLySDIhimgCpBfbPTOuH7e9NTLSY1hgQYQ-S6SlbhCkSCrE_tGyjmqlJRsHDq2btrdjLZSjTc5vwxvgTrneGvT7jiuXjZQTGgJcxz9Xxf9UG6x2OJhsKh9aTflN_97sffoU/s3916/Jan2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3916" data-original-width="2945" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjMXGbvJBhKAln9obXXVPTNW4B9_6b9b-X__wGT-UAY1ZKpKq3e3l1zLySDIhimgCpBfbPTOuH7e9NTLSY1hgQYQ-S6SlbhCkSCrE_tGyjmqlJRsHDq2btrdjLZSjTc5vwxvgTrneGvT7jiuXjZQTGgJcxz9Xxf9UG6x2OJhsKh9aTflN_97sffoU/w301-h400/Jan2-m.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now, it's time to divulge which one of my lady brooches turned out to be the bargain of the century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ta-dah! I'm sure this isn't the one you expected it to be! Bought for less than € 10 at the indoor flea market a couple of years ago, I only found out its true nature and value by accident in the Summer of 2022 when I was looking up a Léa Stein brooch I'd picked up in a vintage shop in Middelburg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It turns out that, although not marked, this was a Léa Stein too, and one of her earliest and most valuable at that, estimated between $ 200 and $ 300. It's one of her serigraphy (screen printed) brooches dating from the late1960s and the early 1970s. The most collectable among these are the romantic or nostalgic female portraits, a plastic version of Victorian miniatures, so to speak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIGXQTzDVWey6lDs3dMLMEjI95BmS1daxMHr4LZoH8PddmrjsoIWWGm8c7F7W7Dzixl28lOtTcvKog0XRkE93xJImpw7exnOVRfLZxWGSI8r_dWVePttQiSFE-T1IgiZ3pKM41Z8qEYcOx9-lKsKg8-H0GalU4SfJ1sAaxINquQG8-XNgILz1ENh0/s4032/Jan2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIGXQTzDVWey6lDs3dMLMEjI95BmS1daxMHr4LZoH8PddmrjsoIWWGm8c7F7W7Dzixl28lOtTcvKog0XRkE93xJImpw7exnOVRfLZxWGSI8r_dWVePttQiSFE-T1IgiZ3pKM41Z8qEYcOx9-lKsKg8-H0GalU4SfJ1sAaxINquQG8-XNgILz1ENh0/w301-h400/Jan2-n.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For those of you who are unfamiliar with Léa Stein, who was born in1936, she is a French artist and accessories maker known for her compressed plastic buttons, brooches and bracelets. She is often hailed as the most notable and innovative designer of plastic jewellery of the 20th century. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stein entered the fashion industry in 1957 working in textiles, and by 1965 had developed an interest in plastic. She worked with her husband, the chemist Fernand Steinberger, to develop a process of layering very thin sheets of cellulose acetate (or rhodoid) and laminating them to form a multi-coloured sandwich of plastic, which was then baked, cooled and cut into shapes. The process could take as long as six months!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her brooches are avidly collected and generally command high prices and it therefore won't come as a surprise that they are often imitated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a very interesting and useful Facebook group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/147547472006985" target="_blank">Lea Stein Appreciation</a> of which Mme. Steinberger herself is a member and to which she sometimes contributes whenever there is doubt if a certain piece is a Léa Stein original or not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be back with more adventures soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-73920468566058632882024-01-07T19:11:00.000+01:002024-01-07T19:11:06.312+01:00Twixmas tales - Part 1<p>Christmas, Twixmas and New Year have all come and gone, but as usual I've still got a lot of catching up to do. </p><p>Meanwhile, it's been back to the grind for me since Tuesday. The long and short of it is that by the end of my first week my one and only resolution - to try and be more positive in 2024 - has already gone out of the window. Oh well, enough said.</p><p>On top of all that, I'm being plagued by Blogger issues, as lately I'm getting failed to publish errors when commenting while logged in. I lodged my problem with the Blogger community and was told it might be an issue with cookies. Apparently, third party cookies need to be enabled. For some reason, they were disabled - nothing to do with me! - and when I put it right yesterday I was able to comment normally again. Fast forward to this morning, and I'm getting the error again, and this while the bloody third party whatevers were enabled ... </p><p>I wonder if there's anyone else out there who has been having similar problems? Anyway, I will be commenting anonymously where possible, which I can do when I'm not logged in, for the time being.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh2LUnV2lFUw1ef1N1CIu29S2ClPTXkOVrwo-DpdtV7JiuOQ_Q5vcYgye3-9wJR6HIukL77FLZLvGZQOYs9984SJZudgcgzvUiNcvAZx5_1qSH1mfiEz7U_A3nAW9_BEtpkdW37q5-Tt31C6f0NzRO027GWGciP5oTonvmJ8nT_YYu2lCJDxcNYNV/s4030/Jan1-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh2LUnV2lFUw1ef1N1CIu29S2ClPTXkOVrwo-DpdtV7JiuOQ_Q5vcYgye3-9wJR6HIukL77FLZLvGZQOYs9984SJZudgcgzvUiNcvAZx5_1qSH1mfiEz7U_A3nAW9_BEtpkdW37q5-Tt31C6f0NzRO027GWGciP5oTonvmJ8nT_YYu2lCJDxcNYNV/w428-h640/Jan1-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But now let's retrace our steps to December once more, starting with Saturday the 23rd which for all intents and purposes was the first day of my longed-for Christmas break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My journal tells me that it was mostly dry but cloudy accompanied by a blustery wind. At a more than reasonable 12°C, it was much too warm for the Nordic style jumper I originally had in mind to wear with the patterned velvet maxi skirt I snapped up for € 6 at Think Twice at end of September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP9deTC2JSqXEFMl1RN025tBtiYJmdfGsQulSQ2UM-GYNbGiNLwZB5VwnrPAF0cD68ZWq2OOxwEBR4uDDX_f_vdjVvu7LtEKbnS_OlDm7Yj9nrcAEs4qxrxcI3pnn5gELmjhoTr6gE8ECdejWq6auOHIVXJ5edHuXYQf0BQjsNFzDJDlZ-ZSpx_jT/s2000/Jan1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioP9deTC2JSqXEFMl1RN025tBtiYJmdfGsQulSQ2UM-GYNbGiNLwZB5VwnrPAF0cD68ZWq2OOxwEBR4uDDX_f_vdjVvu7LtEKbnS_OlDm7Yj9nrcAEs4qxrxcI3pnn5gELmjhoTr6gE8ECdejWq6auOHIVXJ5edHuXYQf0BQjsNFzDJDlZ-ZSpx_jT/w400-h400/Jan1-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Instead, the skirt's companion was a thin knit green jumper with diamond patterned yoke, to which I pinned a vintage lacquered wooden brooch, both of which were charity shop finds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My beads were charity shopped too, but the half-elasticated belt with its massive square buckle as well as my tomato red plastic ring were high street bargains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8hhwOejVGBP1A4XNbkY0flyZEf1k4rQam3NBbSLx3Og0qtGUJPP_EAVcquq2zO0Mu5qZ8N8Ww96ru6Htj_fMKVXkdS9hkQhXeZgmeLv2RjVlDiPiNURAN7cjFJIdRvjBByb0NJaogVsKvOVNc94VKbA5QuryKNDlfnIMBmnNScXlYmtmByiCbHFL/s4030/Jan1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8hhwOejVGBP1A4XNbkY0flyZEf1k4rQam3NBbSLx3Og0qtGUJPP_EAVcquq2zO0Mu5qZ8N8Ww96ru6Htj_fMKVXkdS9hkQhXeZgmeLv2RjVlDiPiNURAN7cjFJIdRvjBByb0NJaogVsKvOVNc94VKbA5QuryKNDlfnIMBmnNScXlYmtmByiCbHFL/w400-h268/Jan1-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just love that giddy feeling one gets on the first day of the holidays, with a seemingly endless string of days to be filled with unknown pleasures stretching out in front of you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We'd slept in a little, then had a leisurely breakfast, after which Jos and I went our separate ways: while he did a last minute food shop I spent a joyful hour or so pottering and playing around with my wardrobe, thinking up possible outfits for the days ahead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, after a lunch of Jos's homemade minestrone with crusty bread, we contemplated going for a walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9kmUT626zCD1C2W9fEL0YbtOzS-Nu1Vo_lwEyBkiS0xKxB_ItQHij2VioZhwSAjEpyQPQFHHT8xZlxqntaWBYGt0qZGDOQXjJ7sS6X2n5hC7BwkViRPjjtmTcJHoVGsMwuiQd6kZwGBHAtTozWS1pKF-x5W7okwu48j5_bDgHWmAgrSqkbSOnw1j/s2000/Jan1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9kmUT626zCD1C2W9fEL0YbtOzS-Nu1Vo_lwEyBkiS0xKxB_ItQHij2VioZhwSAjEpyQPQFHHT8xZlxqntaWBYGt0qZGDOQXjJ7sS6X2n5hC7BwkViRPjjtmTcJHoVGsMwuiQd6kZwGBHAtTozWS1pKF-x5W7okwu48j5_bDgHWmAgrSqkbSOnw1j/w400-h400/Jan1-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In spite of the temperature, the world outside our windows wasn't looking very inviting. However, with yet another batch of wet weather days forecasted, we decided to go ahead and brave the elements. If nothing else, the strong gusts of wind would make short shrift of the lingering cobwebs in our heads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfRZSnp2ibaadE8KeyzqihdXaiOD_-AnQ69oLHgL7SEZLnjlDTYP3kce1LGhcFqnVH4LJT7Z2tsMp333Gs8v0EtwYHI-jwu4QZg2miPnE8ILQC4CQcqRb7gJQArmzUetfdaQ_ti1FdA0mn_0ZK__iRUAKYz1nt-zInV5v7ZJBwhWqby1mhKkEMNpc/s4030/Jan1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfRZSnp2ibaadE8KeyzqihdXaiOD_-AnQ69oLHgL7SEZLnjlDTYP3kce1LGhcFqnVH4LJT7Z2tsMp333Gs8v0EtwYHI-jwu4QZg2miPnE8ILQC4CQcqRb7gJQArmzUetfdaQ_ti1FdA0mn_0ZK__iRUAKYz1nt-zInV5v7ZJBwhWqby1mhKkEMNpc/w400-h268/Jan1-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not being close to a town or shopping centre, there's always plenty of parking space at Boom park, which was our chosen destination for the afternoon. Obviously, our aim was to steer clear of the Christmas shopping extravaganza, which was still in full swing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4iW83LZXwFTOsqXoSLBrqKjLJvW5rjkatfe4fLmhzwjlNBE9YkUiDq9nVtRPMjOP2l0DzuzjkNvDVELuTPzvR85W349Ule31w-FU6f85_7BzepSC5sY4vwe4LN_AQHwXp_vg6hu7kKG6gDIcW65B9G-ReSr4ZXyix0v23QO5gTul_qZ5IO-6iC0N/s2000/Jan1-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4iW83LZXwFTOsqXoSLBrqKjLJvW5rjkatfe4fLmhzwjlNBE9YkUiDq9nVtRPMjOP2l0DzuzjkNvDVELuTPzvR85W349Ule31w-FU6f85_7BzepSC5sY4vwe4LN_AQHwXp_vg6hu7kKG6gDIcW65B9G-ReSr4ZXyix0v23QO5gTul_qZ5IO-6iC0N/w400-h400/Jan1-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from the odd like-minded Scrooges and the ubiquitous dog-walkers, we only had to share the park with the resident ducks and a white cat who was contemplating life from a fallen tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The paths were quite muddy in places so, as I'd been foolhardy enough not to change out of my as yet still pristine green suede boots, we took a shortcut through the layer of leaves carpeting the park's naturel playground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoDT3sXg9DhTTnFf1BJ7wd25bwx7zDsySLfI6dE8hSa4yyFFCsBj8HxHshWWrUUypGIgCQDwtnKAV2jYsF8G2drRUXgiyy0zc8AQYNp7jmwT9bVJKFRsiDm6NKU3ZThJj9Y6zPQFeNyanDW1TGpMHHK4KWXAFq5KV2_ajkkub0obsu_oUth_U7hFB/s3865/Jan1-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3865" data-original-width="2906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoDT3sXg9DhTTnFf1BJ7wd25bwx7zDsySLfI6dE8hSa4yyFFCsBj8HxHshWWrUUypGIgCQDwtnKAV2jYsF8G2drRUXgiyy0zc8AQYNp7jmwT9bVJKFRsiDm6NKU3ZThJj9Y6zPQFeNyanDW1TGpMHHK4KWXAFq5KV2_ajkkub0obsu_oUth_U7hFB/w482-h640/Jan1-h.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In honour of Christmas - nah, not really - I was wearing red and green outerwear. This consisted of my my recently found red embroidered Kangol beret and all-time favourite green fur-collared woollen jacket. One of my best-ever Think Twice finds, the latter has been living with me since November 2017.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Italian made red leather crossbody bag has been my weekend and holiday companion ever since I picked it up in a charity shop back in May.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxeO5TxBsLbPpuFB0ROF7rRKBpD8H_ObSd4-lbl3ld1vNVond6EvVnELzgXZErsVbjrBvB4nj6Ak2NYaLQfp4Qq2C4myB4gP1e6q1joxqomCKcijpeglx_mQesV_0WtHaKGp3sH-CZ1V3slzm0yEgsJtOSWkuWhAQqfl90lhGVBFgGfJb6EsXWU9E/s2000/Jan1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxeO5TxBsLbPpuFB0ROF7rRKBpD8H_ObSd4-lbl3ld1vNVond6EvVnELzgXZErsVbjrBvB4nj6Ak2NYaLQfp4Qq2C4myB4gP1e6q1joxqomCKcijpeglx_mQesV_0WtHaKGp3sH-CZ1V3slzm0yEgsJtOSWkuWhAQqfl90lhGVBFgGfJb6EsXWU9E/w400-h400/Jan1-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jos had been nursing a persistent head cold for a couple of days and, sure enough, he was kind enough to give it to me as a Christmas present.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By Christmas Eve we were having a sniffling and sneezing competition and were going through our stash of cotton hankies at the rate of knots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rF8O_4UvUnVme0lGU-fJfW596-IXqrZVH0qlg-7i92je8GQTFJdRKCRvSmTedZmeTcxIsASdf92Rt_CG8dm6CJkcFmwgu4Vs8U5xkdSnReemgZ_JOni2J-XF6cDGvcmkKONMU_mf6aujH-l5vrfs3eZvGV8nswCCo5mfUH1JyM_egJqSuOa31Z0w/s4032/Jan1-i%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rF8O_4UvUnVme0lGU-fJfW596-IXqrZVH0qlg-7i92je8GQTFJdRKCRvSmTedZmeTcxIsASdf92Rt_CG8dm6CJkcFmwgu4Vs8U5xkdSnReemgZ_JOni2J-XF6cDGvcmkKONMU_mf6aujH-l5vrfs3eZvGV8nswCCo5mfUH1JyM_egJqSuOa31Z0w/w428-h640/Jan1-i%20(1).jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, as a dedicated blogger, I was determined to step outside between showers to show you what I was wearing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last worn back in March, I thought it was time to give my vintage Venetia frock, with its pattern of tiny white dots and garlands of frothy pink flowers, another outing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I only briefly wore it on its own, just to show you the burgundy belt I'd added at my waist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As in spite of the rain we were still blessed with highs of 12°C, I only needed a sleeveless knitted vest on top, the perfect opportunity to show you one of my latest Think Twice finds.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7AK9MgGssFxVRYUDg9mGyka2m4E0DmMIGp6U6ZZCaPivyciwWGPnkpi29fsi9IXFM_ucJMe8736Rf82QkY1fz6HET50OeAx3buEGSKBTepec9wDzryfDuCO_J2bX_A-rZm6jUa1D_VhNjHC6h_Ph0GeEX2MB75A-EBZZ3pnpfc29iNISXyXVWD1e/s3264/Jan1-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7AK9MgGssFxVRYUDg9mGyka2m4E0DmMIGp6U6ZZCaPivyciwWGPnkpi29fsi9IXFM_ucJMe8736Rf82QkY1fz6HET50OeAx3buEGSKBTepec9wDzryfDuCO_J2bX_A-rZm6jUa1D_VhNjHC6h_Ph0GeEX2MB75A-EBZZ3pnpfc29iNISXyXVWD1e/w400-h400/Jan1-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From Think Twice's most recent collection, this Austrian made olive cable knit beauty with its rows of tiny white rosebuds caught my eye during a lunch break cappuccino catch-up with Inez earlier that week. I thought the vintage celluloid deer brooch - picked up from the indoor flea market in December 2022 - matched it perfectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pearly pink brooch I pinned to my dress came from Think Twice while the faux-pearl choker was a fast fashion buy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSWEFQjJ2OC5WyFRwFvjLPRaf1kbz_yix6vn8pdBqEyuNn9jhAxV1YwOOnF4jUs2UMSbCwvSQl93sTArDq_2S7WmhSROQbMKy0EXGlFO0dbkBMxwJEAOrw-K_Fg4buh4_EyhL9xefehXEEWYW69k2-CUPFc0DUVyuQ-NJI8M6zhJguQJcsqfJ2Vx1/s4028/Jan1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSWEFQjJ2OC5WyFRwFvjLPRaf1kbz_yix6vn8pdBqEyuNn9jhAxV1YwOOnF4jUs2UMSbCwvSQl93sTArDq_2S7WmhSROQbMKy0EXGlFO0dbkBMxwJEAOrw-K_Fg4buh4_EyhL9xefehXEEWYW69k2-CUPFc0DUVyuQ-NJI8M6zhJguQJcsqfJ2Vx1/w301-h400/Jan1-k.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sleeveless vest wasn't the only thing I was tempted by when perusing Think Twice's latest offerings, as I fell head over heels with this vintage wing-collared orange jumper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nursing my worsening cold, I spent the afternoon sprawled out on the sofa, finishing Mary Webb's Gone to Earth and listening to a selection of big band records from our collection. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we tried our hand at making waffles, using one of the recipes which came with our waffle and toasted sandwich maker. They weren't half bad, particularly for a first attempt, although admittedly the first two ended up being a bit overdone ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNZ_fQT78t85dAXtj7d54ha_sm93fjwysdBcJn06bI9S6PpHp-JTEWsCd5RG6nk95Z0b81L2n9o7v-jzBWym_G4Blx8Roatjsf9nHHQrttR5EByjdlMJ4UZ7i56AjaV4F56u4MFhnJQPesiIIMhHHN6OIKZ1yzKWXocFkU4uX4ihDCe7A7UPqy3fg/s2000/Jan1-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNZ_fQT78t85dAXtj7d54ha_sm93fjwysdBcJn06bI9S6PpHp-JTEWsCd5RG6nk95Z0b81L2n9o7v-jzBWym_G4Blx8Roatjsf9nHHQrttR5EByjdlMJ4UZ7i56AjaV4F56u4MFhnJQPesiIIMhHHN6OIKZ1yzKWXocFkU4uX4ihDCe7A7UPqy3fg/w306-h400/Jan1-l.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, my cold hadn't disappeared overnight on Christmas Day. I had, in fact, slept quite fitfully, waking up several times with an alternately blocked and runny nose. It's a good thing we didn't have any plans for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I still insisted on getting dressed though, so this is my Christmas outfit for 2023, which actually includes two fairly recent acquisitions to my wardrobe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44PNsWPa1Aqf5Sh7elrO7WM0gegf012d5ktGSs6OhBlhL3VU-SZOrQQDowlQFHGL0U0fn8Kmx9ezMHz7N-2RGHi-kgK5pZcPlQBUJ4ix3gw7KvrwKSM126gcYMV5TZGi5YtOIj7r_GzMKUpBVm_aJ2DOUqen0saQEHveTYW7Cz95gO-_WnKjgaUWB/s4028/Jan1-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="2694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44PNsWPa1Aqf5Sh7elrO7WM0gegf012d5ktGSs6OhBlhL3VU-SZOrQQDowlQFHGL0U0fn8Kmx9ezMHz7N-2RGHi-kgK5pZcPlQBUJ4ix3gw7KvrwKSM126gcYMV5TZGi5YtOIj7r_GzMKUpBVm_aJ2DOUqen0saQEHveTYW7Cz95gO-_WnKjgaUWB/w428-h640/Jan1-o.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The eagle-eyed among you might have spotted the vintage Diolen C&A blouse which followed me home from Think Twice during a sun-drenched lunch break at the end of November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I brought it home, I had this cord skirt - a naughty retail buy earlier that month - hanging outside my wardrobe, and instantly thought they would make a fabulous combo. The skirt was <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco_ON4CahsGI4uI80kH3E-oi1ZGDceWqFikb5UbluCTiGpOxGJF39bF3s_1sd9ZQe3lQ3b6JdRFZ-DCXS6_DijJxxMDIqAwRtBi3Uq6LVrFyJ8Bw95R_e04lSLV-eWXSvGIayzUuOye9wHwpUCGC4sOkZ-4YGSKm4zd_Y8AL6q9X5ZdVBlIosUCHq/s3264/Brug2-p.jpg" target="_blank">last seen</a> during our November getaway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OX63bF1MwrkpAqCPuTWEsMYwbHt7P4Wz8FVIamHWsP1ZTO_G51x4a9SwVBxz5dsLgh54A-VqGRjGhWWfG1sioA3kIOlEkIkao5LLkuLknzADT6je11CkjIH74IhYGNcBWJRnfhwBvCtxXa7_fD_9kg6J8_EXYplAj288rLGcUG_ZIcazQodX7pVg/s2000/Jan1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OX63bF1MwrkpAqCPuTWEsMYwbHt7P4Wz8FVIamHWsP1ZTO_G51x4a9SwVBxz5dsLgh54A-VqGRjGhWWfG1sioA3kIOlEkIkao5LLkuLknzADT6je11CkjIH74IhYGNcBWJRnfhwBvCtxXa7_fD_9kg6J8_EXYplAj288rLGcUG_ZIcazQodX7pVg/w400-h400/Jan1-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another one of my deer brooches adorned the blouse's collar. I found this particular one in a long-gone vintage shop shortly before the advent of my blog. I've got a penchant for vintage deer brooches and ornaments and I'm sure it doesn't come as a surprise that we sipped our alcohol free pre-dinner drinks from vintage Babycham glasses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFgXh9RBLtQakrL5kFelFtH6HCCpMH-eoNIB16BRXu9reJBzYQPA0tGo3fLU3VIKSHW6deZ7khDNFb1Pdt5UGhK0XrEf8enbFlB9yUSHj3jcR29BFyFqGvUPwmyfIGOFT-Vs8rHxXV_sKOGCldL9dJUzkQpV89l98sV8yDUWZopp4hy5joGpWzUfP/s3705/Jan1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3705" data-original-width="2890" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFgXh9RBLtQakrL5kFelFtH6HCCpMH-eoNIB16BRXu9reJBzYQPA0tGo3fLU3VIKSHW6deZ7khDNFb1Pdt5UGhK0XrEf8enbFlB9yUSHj3jcR29BFyFqGvUPwmyfIGOFT-Vs8rHxXV_sKOGCldL9dJUzkQpV89l98sV8yDUWZopp4hy5joGpWzUfP/w313-h400/Jan1-n.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of brooches, I'd promised myself to tidy my drawers of brooches during my break so, in spite of the brain fog, I made a start with the first one, containing my so-called lady brooches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see, they come in all shapes and sizes and while some of them are of the cheap 'n cheerful variety, there are more than just a few treasures in there as well. I've only found out recently that one of them is quite sought after and commands a much higher price than the single digit one I paid for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't resist a cliffhanger, so all will be revealed in my next post. In the meantime, I'm inviting you to take a guess ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyES_42jZBkkBt2a-14hOCK3DO5ggFcqxoZl2OQa6s71gripr97_BkUxFmYCdIcJlWS_HWOe9qh1mSA3PLW-8uhR7GYHuRMso_fkCUxlFBlqxG0H5sQl0fIesKEkZ7q5UI0zb_FkZIXFuDkUXgPd38TRthHNK15DkPSPn-_13OKEwOhzP7WlPydPf/s4028/Jan1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyES_42jZBkkBt2a-14hOCK3DO5ggFcqxoZl2OQa6s71gripr97_BkUxFmYCdIcJlWS_HWOe9qh1mSA3PLW-8uhR7GYHuRMso_fkCUxlFBlqxG0H5sQl0fIesKEkZ7q5UI0zb_FkZIXFuDkUXgPd38TRthHNK15DkPSPn-_13OKEwOhzP7WlPydPf/w301-h400/Jan1-m.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rest of the day was spent completely engrossed in my latest read, which I'd started that morning and which transpired to be quite the page-turner! I would finish all of its 628 pages in less than a week, although I don't think it was as good as any of her previous novels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See you next time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-45073269433212504442024-01-02T19:12:00.000+01:002024-01-02T19:12:14.186+01:00A Midwinter walk<p>At the end of my last post I mentioned that Bess had only climbed into the lower branches of the <i>faux fir</i> twice since putting the thing up on the 15th of December. We were already getting our hopes up for next year, thinking it might be safe to start using our fragile vintage baubles again ... Well, what can I say? How wrong we could have been! </p><p>While we were having lunch last Thursday, we suddenly heard a rustling and a tinkling of bells - there are two tiny gold-tone bells among our cat-proof decs - and sure enough, our fickle feline had climbed and installed herself three-quarters up the tree, from where she sat looking at us as if butter wouldn't melt.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqDIjzI8OC7i_v8eyUPrKEN8cjtMGB1mBnppa7HuJqhvOB8wFJRao36AGKi-APss_Nt-DmfYCGeijA27ojQ_2Ys2_p0uIkws4AQOFNA97SL5JzMuNrcMTrx27Qmsp6iclM1gDKgFXW8y3xQx_D54-3-FDFQgv8WeESZsSEGu0RzUxHN32R6p9H8W_/s2000/Dec3-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqDIjzI8OC7i_v8eyUPrKEN8cjtMGB1mBnppa7HuJqhvOB8wFJRao36AGKi-APss_Nt-DmfYCGeijA27ojQ_2Ys2_p0uIkws4AQOFNA97SL5JzMuNrcMTrx27Qmsp6iclM1gDKgFXW8y3xQx_D54-3-FDFQgv8WeESZsSEGu0RzUxHN32R6p9H8W_/w400-h400/Dec3-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although my blog hasn't even reached Christmas yet, I couldn't possibly not share the photos she willingly posed for, and it definitely wouldn't do to publish them mid-January when all thoughts of Christmas have long been banished. She's been in there on a daily basis ever since, dislodging branches left, right and centre, and I've got a funny feeling we'll be obliged to dismantle the tree well before 12th Night comes around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix35bBfLi51jyeF3HeCSPiPpEWv6G40rbXllGAsGRwg1KSY027UWEJ-_T0dhEdQJR8_uzQnOLXJdjLBoHzcoHtFKFnS7AtjBcSIw6d0TJgwXMY2-ng_bfLO-lLUxPRRvbgBIEPWoTJ82zUAZYEirDPrWQHvq7IM6PXasWoFCmE98zreCtQRiCsX4DJ/s4030/Dec3-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix35bBfLi51jyeF3HeCSPiPpEWv6G40rbXllGAsGRwg1KSY027UWEJ-_T0dhEdQJR8_uzQnOLXJdjLBoHzcoHtFKFnS7AtjBcSIw6d0TJgwXMY2-ng_bfLO-lLUxPRRvbgBIEPWoTJ82zUAZYEirDPrWQHvq7IM6PXasWoFCmE98zreCtQRiCsX4DJ/w428-h640/Dec3-b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excuse all this going back and forth in the time machine, but after that brief intermission, let us return to Saturday the 16th of December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My journal, which has once again been my saviour, tells me it was a grey and chilly, yet dry day, with the mercury nudging the double digits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I plucked another vintage dress with a generous wool content out of my wardrobe. I fell for the rather unusual mix of leopard and zebra in its print in a charity shop almost exactly two years to the day. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQuk1LiXPghQh1eCS7YOL_P6VKShSPqgQvYk1idvvt9S75Wd5g6BAMYNTV-I7EYX83VJxYL9TYoXPhHwetccUiJtgmygCI82UFOnC9jRmCyJkPDsz2kJBbDyoE5PRAQbm0YuzBbx6mjFW1ALsgRsu5yWJZYCNP9bghgcrEIvtFKL_AG721UB_fn19/s3264/Dec3-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQuk1LiXPghQh1eCS7YOL_P6VKShSPqgQvYk1idvvt9S75Wd5g6BAMYNTV-I7EYX83VJxYL9TYoXPhHwetccUiJtgmygCI82UFOnC9jRmCyJkPDsz2kJBbDyoE5PRAQbm0YuzBbx6mjFW1ALsgRsu5yWJZYCNP9bghgcrEIvtFKL_AG721UB_fn19/w400-h400/Dec3-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I opted for berry shades for its companions: the wide stretchy belt, beaded necklace and chunky long-line cardigan by the Belgian high end label Hampton Bays were charity shopped over the years, while the ceramic leaping deer brooch was a flea market find. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My outfit was bookended by a red Kangol beret and a pair of burgundy boots from Think Twice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've included a close-up of my patterned opaques, which were a sales bargain from haberdashery and accessories chain Veritas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8Ul3WOuey9jPLEXy9xdKgAs1I9iCdTSFU_pmEMMuwp0DuyJjvho0RpTitR0yTpSlMRwQ64UysBNp7ftVO7f4qLmgTktYHog5XJrU8nAvfPAl2sc-DdQaqayq_ea4M60HPJLv7D6LdM5dS_EKQ8wYOMi8APmncfZ2O_AWML_fc0nS2h5GWZnyf223/s3840/Dec3-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8Ul3WOuey9jPLEXy9xdKgAs1I9iCdTSFU_pmEMMuwp0DuyJjvho0RpTitR0yTpSlMRwQ64UysBNp7ftVO7f4qLmgTktYHog5XJrU8nAvfPAl2sc-DdQaqayq_ea4M60HPJLv7D6LdM5dS_EKQ8wYOMi8APmncfZ2O_AWML_fc0nS2h5GWZnyf223/w246-h400/Dec3-d.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent the morning tackling some overdue chores and dusted the blue room, landing and most of the bedroom until it was time for lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and I photographed my latest € 4 Think Twice buys, starting with an instant outfit in the form of a label-less Western style tartan blouse and a peasant-style skirt, the tattered remains of whose label proclaims that it was made in France and is a 50/50% wool and polyester blend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM9-yVWH5WUDBIYIiLCTCYU9YxYhVbHs5y-RgwQMo_OGODdBrSk7rQ4toZr6JzyVO4_QbhAZd7RxXjBDwLjzrsE1mNAkyX56WtPVSV-XRJzABEvj8VGCwbL6ANUI7ooB1HxeFe5riCeiUfd21dOMZJMigOqRFmfrMwehJryKCdGUguLTdQraoTqIV/s3716/Dec3-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3716" data-original-width="3002" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM9-yVWH5WUDBIYIiLCTCYU9YxYhVbHs5y-RgwQMo_OGODdBrSk7rQ4toZr6JzyVO4_QbhAZd7RxXjBDwLjzrsE1mNAkyX56WtPVSV-XRJzABEvj8VGCwbL6ANUI7ooB1HxeFe5riCeiUfd21dOMZJMigOqRFmfrMwehJryKCdGUguLTdQraoTqIV/w324-h400/Dec3-e.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also grabbed this rust brown, green, yellow and white striped men's scarf for Jos, who has been wearing it on a daily basis ever since. What's more, he willingly posed in it in front of our local charity shop, which is where we were headed after lunch. The tan corduroy hat he is wearing was gifted to him by one of his many acquaintances from the village.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy86Fs2dUMNfLtdFyBdiFXrkKpdegBy0HHWlsITjrPXNvlvdIKrN08OiroZFAoipC7rmBKNZhz4Jjm4VAlCdbA5II_6jaBNTGIyx6a4QCHNGfylIXvg-_NEjH3rDjpBbuQuWag04ZI1r6Ol7PmoSfVhAFhckA0astviOEdTy7QgR75mh49UrX7ZNEi/s3729/Dec3-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3729" data-original-width="2950" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy86Fs2dUMNfLtdFyBdiFXrkKpdegBy0HHWlsITjrPXNvlvdIKrN08OiroZFAoipC7rmBKNZhz4Jjm4VAlCdbA5II_6jaBNTGIyx6a4QCHNGfylIXvg-_NEjH3rDjpBbuQuWag04ZI1r6Ol7PmoSfVhAFhckA0astviOEdTy7QgR75mh49UrX7ZNEi/w316-h400/Dec3-f.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were on the lookout for a small bin for our fruit and veg waste, so that we wouldn't have to venture outside to the compost heap all the time. Of course, the charity shop obliged! What's more, there was quite a choice, from which we selected a small purple brushed metal pedal bin, which was in perfect condition apart from the tiniest of dents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While we were there, it would have been downright criminal not to browse the clothing aisles, where I found this pair of - again virtually unused - suede grey and olive green boots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HoNBb_5NJfaC4imOLh_EaeUaVTUdT3AGk05J8AC19d2cTOYbBaaEgo9T63vZFVvfgiaSzgPTr01XxtsJYxAMthfFhXoG1sfc0BaJRHDv0kcuatrw43PD9XzCJ5exwEBxTpMYdi8XhXKyfSmSy3uGgVo5AwuUJQs10QNIzAcQiK82ioXakU9VewdH/s2000/Dec3-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HoNBb_5NJfaC4imOLh_EaeUaVTUdT3AGk05J8AC19d2cTOYbBaaEgo9T63vZFVvfgiaSzgPTr01XxtsJYxAMthfFhXoG1sfc0BaJRHDv0kcuatrw43PD9XzCJ5exwEBxTpMYdi8XhXKyfSmSy3uGgVo5AwuUJQs10QNIzAcQiK82ioXakU9VewdH/w400-h400/Dec3-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weather looked much more promising on Sunday, when sunshine and blue sky did away with the clouds mid-morning. A persistent wind made it feel chillier than the forecasted highs of 8°C, so that I changed my thin bottle green King Louie cardigan for a chunkier one after we'd made these photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Underneath I was wearing a vintage psychedelic shift dress in shades of brown on white. In order to tame its tie collar, I pinned it with a sparkly peach coloured brooch. People are usually incredulous when I tell them it isn't vintage, but picked up brand new at H&M in the early noughties! I've even seen its sisters sold as vintage on flea markets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc-Fl_sSfpXJQljg1BkRX_u10EBPcqW3bClMY50F0C4goIjLCBYTI56S4y3qvSc8RjIDDB6cnU3I_D0Dl8NEO2NWH-zatUmsp1kvIaC_njfEGAgQ-WdJEKo8sbutpHZ35mLWh_krF9ZeNykVQzpVoS1v5AGp4wvH_7BfwiPdFnscCy7WPrZf6Iyv8/s3952/Dec3-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3952" data-original-width="2644" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc-Fl_sSfpXJQljg1BkRX_u10EBPcqW3bClMY50F0C4goIjLCBYTI56S4y3qvSc8RjIDDB6cnU3I_D0Dl8NEO2NWH-zatUmsp1kvIaC_njfEGAgQ-WdJEKo8sbutpHZ35mLWh_krF9ZeNykVQzpVoS1v5AGp4wvH_7BfwiPdFnscCy7WPrZf6Iyv8/w428-h640/Dec3-h.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My moss green suede belt was charity shopped, while both the pale peach flower corsage and my tan boots were supplied by the high street. The latter, too, were exchanged for a more sturdy and slightly scuffed pair before we left the house to go for a long-overdue walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tossing around a couple of walking destinations during lunch, most of which were discarded as being too muddy after all the rain the weather gods had sent our way lately, we decided to drive down to Den Brandt, one of the cluster of parks to the south of the city of Antwerp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwR3-eFnww4kAZNP11NuVwpE0u0QZD_z3VvVYWFZvR0vWiOWaBn6AwjF1k1GGc7poIUUHKy0dD85bCdomIY8yirfOAjRqEMCm0ELCc3E9XFwkoj47XoSBWsH3rzHsTS21aczzsDal0WAIgQgTnAn7MqdyBfcjlUQd8ynE98Gs1Zdi8pTWJnoxmIxj/s2000/Dec3-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwR3-eFnww4kAZNP11NuVwpE0u0QZD_z3VvVYWFZvR0vWiOWaBn6AwjF1k1GGc7poIUUHKy0dD85bCdomIY8yirfOAjRqEMCm0ELCc3E9XFwkoj47XoSBWsH3rzHsTS21aczzsDal0WAIgQgTnAn7MqdyBfcjlUQd8ynE98Gs1Zdi8pTWJnoxmIxj/w400-h400/Dec3-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Creatures of habit that we are, we parked our car in a quiet side street around the corner and entered the park through the public picking garden, now quite bare and sparse looking apart from some hardy yet straggling herbs hanging on for dear life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1yRSu2qXFzC4qgOr0O5deaXeXTlmH7tnGWbq1w2-j_VTSD-ogioPjiXhUmMIhHKSodSMh5jbP8lhKkOCCz6LUZEwDHwSZa5iFd2tRTfGKKxaXXhBYNp92OUNEJl3qgaCPqvK_JvA3L3ZTrKolKJo2fWpydg2SgFeGmEybfJwuKJMUEQGz15vzJo6/s2000/Dec3-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1yRSu2qXFzC4qgOr0O5deaXeXTlmH7tnGWbq1w2-j_VTSD-ogioPjiXhUmMIhHKSodSMh5jbP8lhKkOCCz6LUZEwDHwSZa5iFd2tRTfGKKxaXXhBYNp92OUNEJl3qgaCPqvK_JvA3L3ZTrKolKJo2fWpydg2SgFeGmEybfJwuKJMUEQGz15vzJo6/w640-h640/Dec3-j.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The poor Gautam Buddha was still sitting in the gras next to his perch, from which he was separated many months ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His offerings were rather sparse too: a small sprig of ivy, a bright pink bloom, a braided ribbon, a coin-shaped pendant on a shoestring and a black plastic button. A kindly soul had made him a lovely crown of flowering Rosemary tied with red ribbon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMZkeRhByNZT3NgeXxICB_Xn_vK7rQ6qAYYue91Q7fraJD-vLek1v4e-WHnFTbNCJwlH3UzyfAfV72QKm02EKW6SDutLnJZ74mpg4L9TAVr4ZdPT1j_S2zY1ulvTrnifto_HhEptevVOSe5kadZdz36ToTv4H58qBptDG1O7Df_pWbL142OUZ-xFU/s2000/Dec3-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMZkeRhByNZT3NgeXxICB_Xn_vK7rQ6qAYYue91Q7fraJD-vLek1v4e-WHnFTbNCJwlH3UzyfAfV72QKm02EKW6SDutLnJZ74mpg4L9TAVr4ZdPT1j_S2zY1ulvTrnifto_HhEptevVOSe5kadZdz36ToTv4H58qBptDG1O7Df_pWbL142OUZ-xFU/w400-h400/Dec3-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The low and dazzling Midwinter sunshine had been soaking up some of the moisture from the saturated soil and was hazing the horizon as we climbed the steps into park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were somewhat out of our depths at first, our feet and limbs rusty from being out of practice. We were feeling strangely lightheaded as, putting our weight on to our walking sticks, we shielded our eyes from the blinding rays of the sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Among the desiccated reeds, the bronzed bracken and the gold and russet leafed carpet at our feet, the evergreen shrubs and pine trees stood out quite outlandishly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaiokPmdAdhtp7wDr6onEE2QolC1RDCbVjjurdjw0UPBQGypC55Y2kQDIuJfkUao9lVFjwnyvZCqGTDib39PGLk3Itc83iXYCwn5bWxihgLOQpYOKOhFQ_iWzkULK4N3XqCV967AfX56FpsVtanwLBfLDxlX1IifT2WXHK-PesBAchupw0Ooy4EV2/s4028/Dec3-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaiokPmdAdhtp7wDr6onEE2QolC1RDCbVjjurdjw0UPBQGypC55Y2kQDIuJfkUao9lVFjwnyvZCqGTDib39PGLk3Itc83iXYCwn5bWxihgLOQpYOKOhFQ_iWzkULK4N3XqCV967AfX56FpsVtanwLBfLDxlX1IifT2WXHK-PesBAchupw0Ooy4EV2/w482-h640/Dec3-o.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added complementing colours with my outerwear: the moss green and tan double-breasted textured wool jacket I snapped up from Think Twice at the end of September, belted with a retail buy tan leather belt, a tan beret and ditto handbag - both charity shopped - and an Autumnal hued scarf bought from H&M back in the mists of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB5F-cezcDWXgTsei1DiCStW7OVvafafyNBXETZ7szSetpLc2aQkz07SrtaJQhpJSy4elOqARHq2IWGfSccvvpbhC_Ptd4WF0O6gK4Up1O3rVkxDP258NNF5ld4Wd2_AVL-NS6JMBUthGk_3uw8_oyspqeO2R0X2FErra_rqYj9rpkyrQ1rnJV2FD/s2000/Dec3-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB5F-cezcDWXgTsei1DiCStW7OVvafafyNBXETZ7szSetpLc2aQkz07SrtaJQhpJSy4elOqARHq2IWGfSccvvpbhC_Ptd4WF0O6gK4Up1O3rVkxDP258NNF5ld4Wd2_AVL-NS6JMBUthGk_3uw8_oyspqeO2R0X2FErra_rqYj9rpkyrQ1rnJV2FD/w400-h400/Dec3-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The skeleton trees, contrasting starkly with the wedgwood blue sky, were catching the sun between their twisted branches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, suddenly, our first glimpse of the romantic late-classical castle, at first glance looking like a freshly and perfectly iced cake, until a closer look puts paid to that illusion as the cracks and fault-lines become apparent. They're currently renovating the so-called <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjBmfSo7qCdOiu0ECEtqQEZm0APjH1IfOR8DUn1Htfmmxb1XjEQalIgZpzoFzsXrfvaHOPaoXgmZ-KG_tJk37O_GpEy3iXk170DC9O3CHfKMAwaeSsdVU6ef92wJTZf4wyGMor31d14uh6FjH9Q0cXXVEkF5ZudEW-B_dA8Yb_pLuESFsv2QX8w/s2000/Nov1-j.jpg" target="_blank">English cottage </a>which is part of the estate, so hopefully the castle itself is next on the agenda?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHBiZEcbVSrJCOzRv1bidnCKi8FBmBs5GltaNczyXxXbPgGQaSNXn4bFRUIaWz8qXtbAMK_ABOxaDjGRjZ5TjsTeQBgCBUyu51IIzV7o-UoFf4CGzvHAhwAmzcnSzk5atHDMlpRplGTj2NweaZrhqSFxoV6moRJRRP5ZpGMmeeAxLjK99rgzSMrVF/s2000/Dec3-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHBiZEcbVSrJCOzRv1bidnCKi8FBmBs5GltaNczyXxXbPgGQaSNXn4bFRUIaWz8qXtbAMK_ABOxaDjGRjZ5TjsTeQBgCBUyu51IIzV7o-UoFf4CGzvHAhwAmzcnSzk5atHDMlpRplGTj2NweaZrhqSFxoV6moRJRRP5ZpGMmeeAxLjK99rgzSMrVF/w400-h400/Dec3-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We walked along the sweeping lawn at the back of the castle, well away from the edge of the moat which was overgrown with rampant reeds. Just before crossing the bridge and walking to the French-inspired parterre at the front, I snapped this photo of the top half of the castle rising - Manderley-style - above a bank of rhododendrons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Jstq3Qz8sdqNCDnntWiFgDGLIf6dI3ZCEwK1WwB9CNAj7NR-Xvf33VwSiN3bunVRFhSm_jiHgbU6Se2nJrZdBBALJ57WiqlOLgutdwQO0ybB8Xa88pmtnd8dM4_pYK3SpqHVLgHAS2poUyUkDT-327AGjDIzkDzi0W_3HOSTxVs4G_fmNTuunm0/s4030/Dec3-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Jstq3Qz8sdqNCDnntWiFgDGLIf6dI3ZCEwK1WwB9CNAj7NR-Xvf33VwSiN3bunVRFhSm_jiHgbU6Se2nJrZdBBALJ57WiqlOLgutdwQO0ybB8Xa88pmtnd8dM4_pYK3SpqHVLgHAS2poUyUkDT-327AGjDIzkDzi0W_3HOSTxVs4G_fmNTuunm0/w640-h428/Dec3-n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last visit before returning to our car was to the "Dancing Nymphs", who have been reeling around the fountain in front of the castle since the park opened to the public in 1911. Purchased by the city of Antwerp at the 1910 World Fair in Brussels, and officially called the "Three Graces", these mad-looking maidens with their demonic grimaces were created by German sculptor Walter Schott.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fountain has been lying dormant for quite a few years now, but at least the rain had filled its base with water, providing a mirror for the maidens to preen themselves in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr0pM-s1vpXOg-bVGalaBe2yzdrhiHDSGXgpSmD9F9-q9ZfHENxnb4xVAz1Icr-EwHVx0l2aY6JfURIt87UbfLrF2QWX3WTZriD1T6eC5Q8aaJpVMmwpm8fIV2CoKuwtd62EyQccmLkesHrQ2BnDfKh_J16Ypx-DoenDw2vwPADW-fOwkjB0W8n5r/s2000/Dec3-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr0pM-s1vpXOg-bVGalaBe2yzdrhiHDSGXgpSmD9F9-q9ZfHENxnb4xVAz1Icr-EwHVx0l2aY6JfURIt87UbfLrF2QWX3WTZriD1T6eC5Q8aaJpVMmwpm8fIV2CoKuwtd62EyQccmLkesHrQ2BnDfKh_J16Ypx-DoenDw2vwPADW-fOwkjB0W8n5r/w400-h400/Dec3-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, my Christmas break has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and I actually had to go back to work today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've still got a lot of catching up to do, though, as blog-wise 2023 isn't over just yet ... I will be back with Twixmas tales in a couple of days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy New Year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-53459739386942740892023-12-27T19:34:00.000+01:002023-12-27T19:34:24.973+01:00A year is just a drop in time<p>It seems that time has been running away from me again. It simply beggars belief that I'm already half-way through my Christmas break.</p><p>So far, the days have had more than just a hint of indolence. The latter, however, was mostly of the forced variety due to a nasty but thankfully short-ish head cold which joined forces with the weather in throwing a spanner in the works on Christmas Day in particular.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvftHnxYXHlzo2cXEseeJZXeb_aix5QQo0stQlW2wPN7O5bvPU8bvSIT7W8q2vCP8M50JkC9RFfp44QAmz7F5yqLQ-gA8NJuM-4ReLZEJlESdPFiMjWfAG5UXzMVC1wEx7RI2U36UPTUpKPx6GAjg6gDZDgjstiiI7Zu4ZP2luu0jIFLMf9kwgI4x/s4030/Dec2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvftHnxYXHlzo2cXEseeJZXeb_aix5QQo0stQlW2wPN7O5bvPU8bvSIT7W8q2vCP8M50JkC9RFfp44QAmz7F5yqLQ-gA8NJuM-4ReLZEJlESdPFiMjWfAG5UXzMVC1wEx7RI2U36UPTUpKPx6GAjg6gDZDgjstiiI7Zu4ZP2luu0jIFLMf9kwgI4x/w428-h640/Dec2-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of this was still in the future on Saturday the 9th of December, so let's cast our minds back to that day. Although, not having made much of a journal entry for that day, there isn't a lot I can tell you about it apart from the fact that it was another dark, dismal and utterly wet day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were able to nip outside to make outfit photos between showers, though, so that I can at least show you what I was wearing.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr7aZTEBxVZLIeluUTpvTmu4sXoWcAOe61SSZMJsqhOfz1QzZ9Y73eH2WdKlZq_qLoZdLFVkGCWuifKr8UqEjDAjMrdK-x3LQ9ViWJmcrQbLgvmGDeJNcD61VtCKzHYbx9Py56eNliMeQkq3XOwdDjKyJnT7v-sngARAwtJlfCj2tImvnHZGRB3hN/s3264/Dec2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr7aZTEBxVZLIeluUTpvTmu4sXoWcAOe61SSZMJsqhOfz1QzZ9Y73eH2WdKlZq_qLoZdLFVkGCWuifKr8UqEjDAjMrdK-x3LQ9ViWJmcrQbLgvmGDeJNcD61VtCKzHYbx9Py56eNliMeQkq3XOwdDjKyJnT7v-sngARAwtJlfCj2tImvnHZGRB3hN/w400-h400/Dec2-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This navy fit and flare dress with its green and sky blue abstract motifs - I've never been able to determine what they are supposed to be exactly - hadn't been worn for far too long and was shouting the loudest when I opened my wardrobe's doors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At my waist I added a green fabric belt which used to belong to another dress, and threw a green Dralon and wool blend cardigan on top, to which I pinned an elaborate blue flower corsage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Obviously, I was wearing a pair of matching opaques, while further accessories included a green wooden Les Cordes necklace (charity shopped) and a lime green Miracle brooch (flea market find).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlTjesY5r9wwmh5jZV36dzJFSy-EVHe49R4t06KBTQqsNb3u3vkUeRL-Yv0Jc_U3EAG2JXka0wtWVDRWwX0IwQevftMc9Xye4u0EWnyOz-aj_7CLNs_g9Z6w6g1RNHOnq90tkbRo-J_779zh60_3NCwwWgKZg8NYpC9aF1NQ5KcKlIsnTyBJH1CO4/s4030/Dec2-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlTjesY5r9wwmh5jZV36dzJFSy-EVHe49R4t06KBTQqsNb3u3vkUeRL-Yv0Jc_U3EAG2JXka0wtWVDRWwX0IwQevftMc9Xye4u0EWnyOz-aj_7CLNs_g9Z6w6g1RNHOnq90tkbRo-J_779zh60_3NCwwWgKZg8NYpC9aF1NQ5KcKlIsnTyBJH1CO4/w301-h400/Dec2-q.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We weren't in the mood to hit the charity shops, so it was to be a day of gentle pottering and starting a new book which had been languishing in my TBR pile since Summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bought in a Shrewsbury bookshop back in June, Gone To Earth was written by local author Mary Webb and published in 1917. Its protagonist, Hazel Woodus, is the daughter of a Welsh gypsy and a crazy bee-keeper, and is happiest living in her forest cottage in the remote Shropshire hills. Its prose is very atmospheric and lyrical and its subject a magical yet chilling story of fear, desire, love and violence, both spiritual and physical, and inevitably ending in tragedy. I loved it although it was by no means an easy read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogENbrh9adVvu2JN7BbY064aAINKdy-sw_UTR7zgTgz-swyaobVLamSvyy3l_AuILZkNPMIfvCVKWoVoyZrIXUbKhnMeShJPJOr_hM5G1nuEh7aMMSG54ug5Rw8f6S9ZZM94CWYsJ4-b-mmInlB6mWZc9bYkEjHtnCzmk1pd84y6s22OcxHajqiye/s4032/Dec2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogENbrh9adVvu2JN7BbY064aAINKdy-sw_UTR7zgTgz-swyaobVLamSvyy3l_AuILZkNPMIfvCVKWoVoyZrIXUbKhnMeShJPJOr_hM5G1nuEh7aMMSG54ug5Rw8f6S9ZZM94CWYsJ4-b-mmInlB6mWZc9bYkEjHtnCzmk1pd84y6s22OcxHajqiye/w301-h400/Dec2-c.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At first glance, the weather gods seemed to be on their best behaviour on Sunday, the sun having done away with the eternal gloom when we drew the curtains. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were up early-ish as we had plans. But first, let's get dressed for the day ahead. Helped by Bess, of course, who was basking in the rays of the low December sun streaming in through our spare room - a.k.a. the blue room and doubling as dressing room and study - windows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMgBh_UEyPieq0Q7NN7nY9AmPinWMpVHomwkeN_WsVjYkbhPAmDOc7zt-FcWa7PPUNnnnd1fwE5jxtvx2F0ads_h1UpUu5LWeglea96G2Qdeu7hqDczlIgngUrSRWNlCmEHpITAbchj_GF_Gb2w_l3e8V6uOARP-2omzcaENS33FSJcFMFWM6sm15/s4030/Dec2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMgBh_UEyPieq0Q7NN7nY9AmPinWMpVHomwkeN_WsVjYkbhPAmDOc7zt-FcWa7PPUNnnnd1fwE5jxtvx2F0ads_h1UpUu5LWeglea96G2Qdeu7hqDczlIgngUrSRWNlCmEHpITAbchj_GF_Gb2w_l3e8V6uOARP-2omzcaENS33FSJcFMFWM6sm15/w428-h640/Dec2-d.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First outing for the greyish brown and orange Trevira dress I found at Think Twice back in September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a tiny bit of green in its pattern too, which I took as the lead for my accessories. Both the beaded necklace and the semi-elastic belt with its gold-tone lion's head buckle were charity shopped, the latter only a couple of months ago. The swallows-in-flight brooch is modern, bought in Cardigan during one of our Pembrokeshire holidays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmJnFjjus41HfwE0gMen5JfJGLmIy63kThyo4M5G1aaiXOKRFxsBB8MiPgKWfURtctH9bn-d0oNvPNYgM1OiLBebVHDkffl4ozj7QfhibJhSd3NR0-rszdvJhy5KHz6sjaX3nvI2ZE7KMoggH9n3s8YXys8E5dWhyqHhjJcceMy8D0F6NKQMWlt2G/s2000/Dec2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmJnFjjus41HfwE0gMen5JfJGLmIy63kThyo4M5G1aaiXOKRFxsBB8MiPgKWfURtctH9bn-d0oNvPNYgM1OiLBebVHDkffl4ozj7QfhibJhSd3NR0-rszdvJhy5KHz6sjaX3nvI2ZE7KMoggH9n3s8YXys8E5dWhyqHhjJcceMy8D0F6NKQMWlt2G/w400-h400/Dec2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Marigold yellow cardigan is one of my charity shopped Zoë Loveborns and, if I remember correctly, the tan leaf brooch I pinned to it was a flea market find. On my feet, my comfortable tan No Stress lace-up ankle boots!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then we were off, picking up our friend Inez along the way, the sun still very much in evidence and adding sparkle to the raindrops which were lingering on our car's side mirrors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU_Ma6puW31TgGczfsvr1I1GzZ7ggp-78bUN-Z6jBN3JGV21LDt_1hOzCNgUEUJujahxz2wiCHUwUbAv3K30CY6QkZ6SqFZJgdMFILL2nSOkaNKFIhEHMXBoT7V6EjIjxaXwU4Ka1xjqI1pIiPJaF016kf3EEzeyozZg_EMFZ1j4Cr1dYDqypodFc/s4028/Dec2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU_Ma6puW31TgGczfsvr1I1GzZ7ggp-78bUN-Z6jBN3JGV21LDt_1hOzCNgUEUJujahxz2wiCHUwUbAv3K30CY6QkZ6SqFZJgdMFILL2nSOkaNKFIhEHMXBoT7V6EjIjxaXwU4Ka1xjqI1pIiPJaF016kf3EEzeyozZg_EMFZ1j4Cr1dYDqypodFc/w301-h400/Dec2-f.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our destination for the day: the December edition of our beloved indoor flea market in Mechelen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Admittedly, we hadn't been there since early Spring, and for various reasons had missed the first two editions of the new season which started in October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC_KezV2AJNsN7NEMs0bmk_87meyUgap-tUWmZPqvr1Wfo_-oInq6TbIhL1LbX88JKwYUqnwI3BJfLvzg4BaGw0udB5fkwyQVoHBwF1RUvRT51WdWEbOfpSQy9UP7ssmJTd2vSLlHnISZ0zgjOZw8Ezr-2LA8-PsxDOnWF_xLbXI4NMtouKsojhU6/s2000/Dec2-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC_KezV2AJNsN7NEMs0bmk_87meyUgap-tUWmZPqvr1Wfo_-oInq6TbIhL1LbX88JKwYUqnwI3BJfLvzg4BaGw0udB5fkwyQVoHBwF1RUvRT51WdWEbOfpSQy9UP7ssmJTd2vSLlHnISZ0zgjOZw8Ezr-2LA8-PsxDOnWF_xLbXI4NMtouKsojhU6/w400-h400/Dec2-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were delighted to see that there was a good mix of stalls, which we browsed to our heart's content, exclaiming over the wonderful and often curious items on offer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If in need of a hot water bottle, there was a choice between a rubber heart-shaped one or an old-fashioned ceramic bed warmer ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZb-k8jCTHjXUnVrLIyKhfqVIURtz-EmxPCM5t31UbbWvnYMTji92MWufhfGKXNqupWXWr3mM3EtovYsNqopA8BLtd37Mk7VFbPDqr7V8eTiXRGxKzjGXcAH8FsrpkIrc2e-G_zRMtkWBydfGfdRU056BvQRkHHBmyKYvDD_Yi7Bu_U93RgtLf7x7/s2000/Dec2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZb-k8jCTHjXUnVrLIyKhfqVIURtz-EmxPCM5t31UbbWvnYMTji92MWufhfGKXNqupWXWr3mM3EtovYsNqopA8BLtd37Mk7VFbPDqr7V8eTiXRGxKzjGXcAH8FsrpkIrc2e-G_zRMtkWBydfGfdRU056BvQRkHHBmyKYvDD_Yi7Bu_U93RgtLf7x7/w400-h400/Dec2-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I swooned over the feathered green hat and marvelled at the collection of eye-wateringly expensive ammonites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The box of diminutive pink bathroom furniture and choice of tiles had sisters in many different colour options and must have been a travelling salesman's samples. If money and space hadn't been an issue, I might have been tempted to buy them all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1A-D_PyLV4I-qlW4gtKXNb3tx6mgiSm1qKTna06KtGBOxcduAbRlYZnAMEyWTr3Ely40NTVdOdmW9pcMC77W8gKOlU72GM7txGdXi9GrlW5aQ7Fz6ktRp4k4cTbL0jldjh2m2im1_8LlTqIhpLXAjVvhgoa3UrpLrrSGllC8O9pAfNn7cwYqwYIB/s2000/Dec2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1A-D_PyLV4I-qlW4gtKXNb3tx6mgiSm1qKTna06KtGBOxcduAbRlYZnAMEyWTr3Ely40NTVdOdmW9pcMC77W8gKOlU72GM7txGdXi9GrlW5aQ7Fz6ktRp4k4cTbL0jldjh2m2im1_8LlTqIhpLXAjVvhgoa3UrpLrrSGllC8O9pAfNn7cwYqwYIB/w640-h640/Dec2-i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was briefly considering to buy the poor guy in the centre as a companion for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lNvwmwt8fdi3uxol24ru4RDbJsy0fSIdMG1PW1oFYqs9WIjjdTatpWVLOPoieUBTti7tPGL-tO3xgNiXk58WfNYLxzfvHz6x2ayJou4iBoLwXcFuArBNC3xCI-hNH6c9yDqMwFHy/s1600/Okt5-n.jpg" target="_blank">Idina</a>, but I think she might have turned up her nose at him ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With so many aisles of stalls to browse, we interrupted the serious business of rummaging for a round of rolls washed down with old-fashioned filter coffees!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doesn't Inez look gorgeous in her turquoise dress! It came from a charity shop in Welshpool, but as I was never wearing it, I gifted it to her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AiwTV9nGYVCSwF90znE1j9Aar1XG7tWus1einaHVLf14G3D0puaCegFmknvUR8a0c583FcDWWHJUt2kbiQUMtYOoBRMGtSgQaZ58e1rMwStHEr1STLglNzUH9XiUvt2ZyQnzJjfkU_z0Ws_U1-5kE9Zn0t0uwWdSXfBGQZ3vhWHptJKN3E32b5c8/s2000/Dec2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AiwTV9nGYVCSwF90znE1j9Aar1XG7tWus1einaHVLf14G3D0puaCegFmknvUR8a0c583FcDWWHJUt2kbiQUMtYOoBRMGtSgQaZ58e1rMwStHEr1STLglNzUH9XiUvt2ZyQnzJjfkU_z0Ws_U1-5kE9Zn0t0uwWdSXfBGQZ3vhWHptJKN3E32b5c8/w400-h400/Dec2-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now, without further ado, let's have a look at the things which <i>did</i> come home with us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The small hanging kitchen cabinet - it only measures 50 x 30 x 15 centimeters - needs a good clean and a bit of TLC but will fit a little corner in our kitchen perfectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The small black lady's head and the wooden and papier-maché shop dummy both came from Rita's pitch, while the 1930s German ceramic biscuit jar came from a random stall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8MXLQZy9z_A3UXRzCd9EmvbbxAqCdNTOrmW-fZVdyq6sQ36GUbzRiUjsjQzS5YxelOw6AVogL3CtnHGebJjpTaSBPy9NXjblqScNWXIHyq3vZ7Zcep0AdDkkBAkkZu3GoCM0xWkheJnD2ZNQZ-WqPosJpgUH9oahhNy_H9U6HxjvozW5y_DKCuAx/s2348/Dec2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2348" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8MXLQZy9z_A3UXRzCd9EmvbbxAqCdNTOrmW-fZVdyq6sQ36GUbzRiUjsjQzS5YxelOw6AVogL3CtnHGebJjpTaSBPy9NXjblqScNWXIHyq3vZ7Zcep0AdDkkBAkkZu3GoCM0xWkheJnD2ZNQZ-WqPosJpgUH9oahhNy_H9U6HxjvozW5y_DKCuAx/w400-h316/Dec2-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd spotted the head plaque on the left on Tanja's Facebook page last month and was delighted when she told me it hadn't sold yet and that she would put it aside for me. Both she and the lady with the polka-dot headscarf picked up from a random stall will be joining the wall of heads above the mantelpiece in the blue room!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAm952zx-VKuvZYz26PiQv-eSiE_OrEm38d9SCGAwv0XgyQaa-o3UQiZeagmplCIQs0PAvv4-YL04kzIi3xXxIZy6YhH-UbMwKxknF7maDC2G57ke18kYIFv_DUWGRgc0pGxd9MTM00uZ3vv4VGk8z279iswn2rldWb7B5LexEzLgBCWEoLwY6rQh/s2632/Dec2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2632" data-original-width="2438" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAm952zx-VKuvZYz26PiQv-eSiE_OrEm38d9SCGAwv0XgyQaa-o3UQiZeagmplCIQs0PAvv4-YL04kzIi3xXxIZy6YhH-UbMwKxknF7maDC2G57ke18kYIFv_DUWGRgc0pGxd9MTM00uZ3vv4VGk8z279iswn2rldWb7B5LexEzLgBCWEoLwY6rQh/w370-h400/Dec2-l.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The end of year madness at the office continued in the year's penultimate working week. When my boss asked me whether I thought a certain order would still be shipped out before the Christmas holidays, I told him I needed a crystal ball to reply to his question. Having a great sense of humour, he sent me a fortune teller cartoon in return, which in my turn prompted me to stage this photo with the <i>office crystal ball</i>. Because, yes, we do have one of those: it is in fact one of a pair of massive glass door knobs which used to be in my colleague's 1960s apartment when she bought it. Apparently, she didn't like them or the doors they were on, and donated them both to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWPIttoARBbwUza_olFQwpaNKr1Hy2xodTaZqjrquqZTmCBsEitxyEIK4WY8ROiqc6rcra0JqU-DpJhtV9TjXnT0l2EmjUIruYQ_BzQUhxdZL0dNolLcvZMxOK1jL6LYKRUdZfFtTgefAfGFp9xnsxfpToDKovmNSgntR-cytccVDx_IhqsMawKs3/s2259/Dec2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2259" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWPIttoARBbwUza_olFQwpaNKr1Hy2xodTaZqjrquqZTmCBsEitxyEIK4WY8ROiqc6rcra0JqU-DpJhtV9TjXnT0l2EmjUIruYQ_BzQUhxdZL0dNolLcvZMxOK1jL6LYKRUdZfFtTgefAfGFp9xnsxfpToDKovmNSgntR-cytccVDx_IhqsMawKs3/w400-h329/Dec2-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While Inez and me were having our usual mid-week cappuccino catch-up at the Think Twice coffee shop, we were surprised to see that one of their sales was in full swing. What's more, prices were down to € 4 already, so that we decided to have a quick peek. Well, what can I say? We both made purchases, mine being a groovilicious velour blouse and a funky jumper!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKCMMsAU5aGAA7PsXIONTEA-7Bn-ADLUK2YMyb0OqwPzRtwvcLlYfzB77hjzNH8oIiVUenBBj9Tuf7zdi9_3wDKxMtp53qLcKqUoRqz3BENxEsW3Zuxl57uu5opaIeiP36c_J9cHBBlkBzMlV3UxUWKeelZNmtkCjjEh16IL6sLTfhuNmLYpT4IXz/s2000/Dec2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKCMMsAU5aGAA7PsXIONTEA-7Bn-ADLUK2YMyb0OqwPzRtwvcLlYfzB77hjzNH8oIiVUenBBj9Tuf7zdi9_3wDKxMtp53qLcKqUoRqz3BENxEsW3Zuxl57uu5opaIeiP36c_J9cHBBlkBzMlV3UxUWKeelZNmtkCjjEh16IL6sLTfhuNmLYpT4IXz/w400-h400/Dec2-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then Friday the 15th of December rolled along. It was a cloudy day but dry for once, the mercury still flitting around the 10°C mark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to go in to work, but thankfully only for half a day, the afternoon presenting the perfect opportunity to put up our tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After 20+ years, assembling our faithful faux fir has become a doddle, particularly when you've got a feline helper. Remembering last year's shenanigans, we weren't all that much surprised when she climbed into it less than a minute after we'd put in the lights! Can you spot her among the branches in the photo on the bottom right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rLZxI46Lp9BU7lFR8toDf2ZbxFKinG55dITMBG5TCCSpNznYfyiqBsIaXNBJp7aELk7FJHbYrvizJB778sC7ExgQduLNwzMag-WKgyLQf3xkxh7alAZmneQBWNYAMv5NEyGqwrp-BGyRhjN5hIgs1gT7qfsqkY8ooeWvFkI7k-Z8B_3PVNrliZLP/s4028/Dec2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rLZxI46Lp9BU7lFR8toDf2ZbxFKinG55dITMBG5TCCSpNznYfyiqBsIaXNBJp7aELk7FJHbYrvizJB778sC7ExgQduLNwzMag-WKgyLQf3xkxh7alAZmneQBWNYAMv5NEyGqwrp-BGyRhjN5hIgs1gT7qfsqkY8ooeWvFkI7k-Z8B_3PVNrliZLP/w301-h400/Dec2-o.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later that week, I shared the above photo with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064852715983" target="_blank">Unco-Jerry</a>, the animal shelter we adopted her from, who promptly put it on their Facebook page. Wouldn't you know that the little minx got well over 140 likes?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmv6LIYiksjUqY5d04P-CXWsuK9OWxU_55iyUEL98sesptwON3PK0ORF0pTDuDcNuCx54PikoGmt-sjw3q0FzNiAQ6s72b83DizOaRpNLprqJmNWQoavBQkTiBRfL1dT4QK_y7w3kO8VpL40dDhWED3hTcfMxZbQLMT8SjFrsYcMqhwJYRumY54oK/s3264/Dec2-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmv6LIYiksjUqY5d04P-CXWsuK9OWxU_55iyUEL98sesptwON3PK0ORF0pTDuDcNuCx54PikoGmt-sjw3q0FzNiAQ6s72b83DizOaRpNLprqJmNWQoavBQkTiBRfL1dT4QK_y7w3kO8VpL40dDhWED3hTcfMxZbQLMT8SjFrsYcMqhwJYRumY54oK/w400-h400/Dec2-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fast forward 12 days later, and she has only climbed into the lower reaches of the tree two more times and accidentally dislodged only one ornament. We are keeping our fingers crossed that one of these years we might be able to use our vintage and heirloom ornaments again, but for now we are limiting ourselves to mainly wooden and fabric ones. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I might or might not publish another post before the year is up but in case of the latter, Jos and I already wish you all a happy and healthy 2024. May all - or at least some - of your wishes come true!</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-7087382067649359582023-12-21T19:55:00.000+01:002023-12-21T19:55:11.408+01:00Humdrum weeks<p>Back in April 2020, just a couple of weeks into Belgium's first lockdown, I decided to put down my thoughts, feelings and fears into a journal. Something which I hadn't done since my teenage years. Fast forward to today, and my journal is still going strong. Well, perhaps the latter is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is still alive, even if at times all I'm jotting down at the end of the day is a quick recap of what I've been up to.</p><p>Nevertheless, my journal has been a lifesaver when it comes to blogging. My working weeks tend to be a bit humdrum, particularly when the darkest days are upon us, with one week segueing into the next without much to distinguish one from the other. Without my daily journal entries they would all become a bit of a blur.</p><p>My entry for November's final Monday mentions that it was dark and rainy all day, the atrocious weather making it feel quite a bit colder than the 7°C the mercury had insisted on climbing to.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETSQMOCRmul4nXpcZbID-J0H_IP3alzi4-qdcczpQ9wZgZvyRV8ePcsiXwN305rDzDSLUIzHS-i7Q9BxU6z6fq8bB5LpShqlzArZiC5YkjmUHgHDI9j3Tu1Km5FOchc2MbiQ_Gwo-lJYGsc_ycqfEnimJokpv2eGwWGBZbg9bdnhfkQJY8AY8Vjxx/s4028/Dec1-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="4028" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETSQMOCRmul4nXpcZbID-J0H_IP3alzi4-qdcczpQ9wZgZvyRV8ePcsiXwN305rDzDSLUIzHS-i7Q9BxU6z6fq8bB5LpShqlzArZiC5YkjmUHgHDI9j3Tu1Km5FOchc2MbiQ_Gwo-lJYGsc_ycqfEnimJokpv2eGwWGBZbg9bdnhfkQJY8AY8Vjxx/w400-h301/Dec1-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On my way home, the windows of the tram had misted up, the condensation conspiring with the rivulets of raindrops which kept streaming down them in blurring the view. I had to keep wiping them so that I wouldn't miss my stop, and then made a run for it to the car park where Jos was waiting for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once inside the car, I dried my glasses and removed the beret I was wearing, putting it in my lap. It was only the next morning that I noticed my beret - a lovely purple mohair one - was missing and realized that it must have dropped from my lap when I got out of the car. To cut a long story short, thankfully I got it back, although the poor thing was soaking wet and looking more than just a little dishevelled after having had to spend the night out on the street. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqIs6GXCtgev68lrkLSKTSqEtGEy-LnafMnlLP2S8i3AbUKQxOBzlhKr9sXUiEuKXDrb-U5hh6MoSYd7EjpT3frDbgSoqYhybmQwa7qZUslG4chPuWuBXxhKcxaRrLc2lanvev1m9jxeEKGEiAQRNlimA87TB1e0wpXTwsokWyl8b6ZTS5-s-xr5I/s3866/Dec1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3866" data-original-width="3014" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqIs6GXCtgev68lrkLSKTSqEtGEy-LnafMnlLP2S8i3AbUKQxOBzlhKr9sXUiEuKXDrb-U5hh6MoSYd7EjpT3frDbgSoqYhybmQwa7qZUslG4chPuWuBXxhKcxaRrLc2lanvev1m9jxeEKGEiAQRNlimA87TB1e0wpXTwsokWyl8b6ZTS5-s-xr5I/w311-h400/Dec1-b.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tuesday's weather was in total contrast to Monday's, deliciously sunny but cold, with highs of about 4°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Disaster struck at the office though, as we had to contend with techie problems - a major hiccup at the cloud service we are using - which lasted all day. While we could only guess at the amount of work which must have been piling up, we couldn't do a damn thing, and as we had no Internet or even Wi-Fi, I couldn't even catch up with blogland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the end, I took a longer than usual lunch break and went for a walk, during which I somehow ended up at one of the Think Twice shops where I found this gorgeous Diolen C&A blouse!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ph0VOJynd5yEjBDbGa6EFdJPLrzdvnRcpxQyx9uoRn_Y208JuUZd7NtnRMPNKrKeh5cSDqf0YlDEBI6C2x4htXytJM4GIo1LONul9cWhINlbk7v5Ov6Fn0XZdO9NqZlw1KJF1JRgFGlg8gpzFASCR9vRXFXola5PrakMh7UuF0025B-c3Owa-UO/s4028/Dec1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="3028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ph0VOJynd5yEjBDbGa6EFdJPLrzdvnRcpxQyx9uoRn_Y208JuUZd7NtnRMPNKrKeh5cSDqf0YlDEBI6C2x4htXytJM4GIo1LONul9cWhINlbk7v5Ov6Fn0XZdO9NqZlw1KJF1JRgFGlg8gpzFASCR9vRXFXola5PrakMh7UuF0025B-c3Owa-UO/w301-h400/Dec1-d.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On my way back to the office, I wandered into this tranquil courtyard complete with beautiful organic ponds in which sculptures are floating. Lying at the back of a renovated historic building with a couple of upmarket shops and five luxury lofts, they are part of a posh residential estate combining historical and contemporary architecture. It's alright for some!</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiel-LFyowJtKcU6-OZrSCkDif6Wu5ua6q2vrJE38oT0fxxmJUWPnPE6XZ-qGEtqgT7NevHljw6mPODal0le-YEopn8tDi97FpsgPXmnEBVKCSq7hW71aNGGnKVGi1ndP0fR6LyZPFyIAnv2G10gVhpzc2D3obQgFPQQPVYjeL5hBdWVfsgoznFnn/s2000/Dec1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiel-LFyowJtKcU6-OZrSCkDif6Wu5ua6q2vrJE38oT0fxxmJUWPnPE6XZ-qGEtqgT7NevHljw6mPODal0le-YEopn8tDi97FpsgPXmnEBVKCSq7hW71aNGGnKVGi1ndP0fR6LyZPFyIAnv2G10gVhpzc2D3obQgFPQQPVYjeL5hBdWVfsgoznFnn/w400-h400/Dec1-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wednesday brought us a mixture of sunshine and showers, with the temperature stuck at Tuesday's 4°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But while at the office the techie problems had finally been resolved, I'd woken up with a sticky throat and hyperactive sinuses. Thankfully, apart from a runny nose and raspy voice I wasn't feeling too bad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My lunchbreak walk took me to yet another Think Twice shop where a Nordic style jumper and an embroidered Kangol beret were waiting for me.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the menu for Thursday 30 November: temperatures diving towards freezing point, a pea-souper fog, what would have been my Mum's 88th birthday and the news of the passing of Shane MacGowan. I got my favourite Pogues song, A Rainy Night in Soho, playing on repeat in my head ever since.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcI9kHqXBQ8RSR64UDViLBTjY2ACLij5sdtvWk1Dz_lT-_cyMgZLMwkGn8m5zOwQHE7FVcPiEGQ1cTauUCo-f30l5PapLi1mOvM0PnIJYmQzjShZpAYHeL7z2cZ17PheZr2X03aJRhVTzjdMvnghoU0FeVmlFQ62HEqaizS7nJCRpHLb_wEtpr2K9/s3876/Dec1-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2593" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcI9kHqXBQ8RSR64UDViLBTjY2ACLij5sdtvWk1Dz_lT-_cyMgZLMwkGn8m5zOwQHE7FVcPiEGQ1cTauUCo-f30l5PapLi1mOvM0PnIJYmQzjShZpAYHeL7z2cZ17PheZr2X03aJRhVTzjdMvnghoU0FeVmlFQ62HEqaizS7nJCRpHLb_wEtpr2K9/w428-h640/Dec1-e.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fatigue had caught up with me on Friday - we were the First of December by now - but unfortunately I had to go into the office, even if it was only for half a day. Joined by Bess, I spent most of the afternoon reading and napping on the sofa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This must have done the trick as I felt completely rejuvenated on Saturday, when the weather gods had sunshine and freezing temperatures in store for us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Time to dress in some Winter finery, which included a burnt orange faux suede skirt with generous pockets - last year's retail buy - and a charity shopped purple and silver C&A jumper. My faux fur gilet and burnt orange beret were charity shop finds as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseuD9V-3UNWwXcvTziYo8tsZqvCOQwj1wxnBWtf5qpebUwSzT5WJz30DH_DMFpDNFLVr5M2uNsRKQsYglpbI3QUlmBj0vJskFacn7iQInBQ1ElXose9qGOauvOIm2AUy1FbjwB05iNd_NkwYEngZkbRCGdCW3-gZTeY7TJ2HwNirpNLH66QGTcNjq/s3264/Dec1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseuD9V-3UNWwXcvTziYo8tsZqvCOQwj1wxnBWtf5qpebUwSzT5WJz30DH_DMFpDNFLVr5M2uNsRKQsYglpbI3QUlmBj0vJskFacn7iQInBQ1ElXose9qGOauvOIm2AUy1FbjwB05iNd_NkwYEngZkbRCGdCW3-gZTeY7TJ2HwNirpNLH66QGTcNjq/w400-h400/Dec1-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The jumper's asymmetrical collar always invites the wearing of an extra brooch, so I pinned an orange and brown beaded one to it in addition to the fluffy orange one on the jumper itself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Making the most of the sunny day, we walked into town to run a couple of errands, while the rest of the day was spent reading and doing some gentle pottering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, in search of a burgundy faux fur gilet which has been missing since last Winter, I had the brainwave of having a look in the suitcase on top of my wardrobe. It wasn't there but, much to my surprise, it was full of vintage clothes, presumably meant for selling on my flea market stall in July 2020. As that market obviously never happened, I apparently forgot all about them. There's more, but for now the dress, jumper and blouse below have ended up where they belong, which is back in my wardrobe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8XSy7t1LNtSeRBnfFy-EHY7OA7C3Kgq_CcSsZzBefLfhDmAWmNStpQ6gLE8jeosCR_dBBfY1vU1tGNf1RbdGNk8f0F2VwuzCQ-rRX9NHCdivAcq7z1mEWNEXsNvJiStSC0XCH514rv3pOCYH4-C408Fh-nRnyrkEgpkKsq7nNIFMGrPgpKbKaouM/s4024/Dec1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8XSy7t1LNtSeRBnfFy-EHY7OA7C3Kgq_CcSsZzBefLfhDmAWmNStpQ6gLE8jeosCR_dBBfY1vU1tGNf1RbdGNk8f0F2VwuzCQ-rRX9NHCdivAcq7z1mEWNEXsNvJiStSC0XCH514rv3pOCYH4-C408Fh-nRnyrkEgpkKsq7nNIFMGrPgpKbKaouM/w400-h300/Dec1-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunday was gloomy, with sub-zero temperatures and snow in afternoon.We only briefly braved the elements for outfit photos in the passageway: the things one does for blogging!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure you'll recognize the green and off-white striped polyester knit vintage dress I found at Think Twice the other week, but let me take you through the rest of my outfit.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9yYNy7rEifYoxZ29InATDKIArtYDnOBNdGO18LXELAsaLtnvWnErAg7Xa89Rat9QVSofXBk4iATv1tZCh9Rxovf9kzQBhaxbS1v117qG4H7K7YIOZy8POyerLpKQ5eB1zEiCuOXXaQxgyHRS4sBk2q-gTO2GHxTfy9Q0OqfgWjs-wbb24uSLKnB3/s4034/Dec1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4034" data-original-width="2700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9yYNy7rEifYoxZ29InATDKIArtYDnOBNdGO18LXELAsaLtnvWnErAg7Xa89Rat9QVSofXBk4iATv1tZCh9Rxovf9kzQBhaxbS1v117qG4H7K7YIOZy8POyerLpKQ5eB1zEiCuOXXaQxgyHRS4sBk2q-gTO2GHxTfy9Q0OqfgWjs-wbb24uSLKnB3/w429-h640/Dec1-g.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a much neglected bottle green suede jacket, a tan belt with rectangular self-buckle, my orange tiled necklace, a yellow beret and a pair of green suede lace up ankle boots, which were all charity shopped over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My orange perspex ring was last year's flea market find, while the orange opaques are the only retail buy in my outfit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last but not least, the hand painted vintage brooch came from Rosie's vintage and antiques shop in Bishop's Castle, snapped up on the first day of our Shropshire holiday last June.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiSShiIixd67Sh8hshOnnbuSDxbtaP1BI7tNXH_iT5NeQByPCh10Q7X6gQSqcJLXwLbWCktNaQa886QFmtt7WjSAvlX9buNxt-9sBv6rZ4-r5k4Pb4Nbe_U6Q5w6RpXm5U01BIx1ZwVqwkcH2PpNNKqtADFTtGILAT5zTv2bKMFy09NqBTmBdtrID/s2000/Dec1-h2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiSShiIixd67Sh8hshOnnbuSDxbtaP1BI7tNXH_iT5NeQByPCh10Q7X6gQSqcJLXwLbWCktNaQa886QFmtt7WjSAvlX9buNxt-9sBv6rZ4-r5k4Pb4Nbe_U6Q5w6RpXm5U01BIx1ZwVqwkcH2PpNNKqtADFTtGILAT5zTv2bKMFy09NqBTmBdtrID/w400-h400/Dec1-h2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weather was its usual mixed and mainly wet bag in the first week of December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By Monday, we were back above freezing point, and any snow which had the dignity to lie down in the first place had disappeared completely overnight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On my way to the office that morning, I stopped to take a photo of the Xmas light display on the façade of Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini's shop. The dark tower looming in the background is where I am heading: it's the Art Deco skyscraper opposite my office, whose ongoing renovations have been the bane of my office days for well over two years now.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuG0KXcjK4d9tVrD0XiwUNIQJ737p1K81jXDDrBvkecrYE3n0WTWD_ONR4sP-TufhhBvDTXtisTLAQTkEMd0ecrYTf529cgSR150_2XhThmc7AS508UBKJitNsDbRUNaqPy_1xAIrdPQd38h81MAIsxLp7fBooyTT5KRc46PQOXYR9SfPVeU-D0SS/s4032/Dec1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuG0KXcjK4d9tVrD0XiwUNIQJ737p1K81jXDDrBvkecrYE3n0WTWD_ONR4sP-TufhhBvDTXtisTLAQTkEMd0ecrYTf529cgSR150_2XhThmc7AS508UBKJitNsDbRUNaqPy_1xAIrdPQd38h81MAIsxLp7fBooyTT5KRc46PQOXYR9SfPVeU-D0SS/w301-h400/Dec1-k.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm whizzing through the week before my proof-reader, Jos, tells me my post is a bit too long and winding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Suffice it to say that it was start of the usual end of year madness at work. Oh, and I had a hairdresser's appointment during Wednesday's lunch break, hence my freshly cut short fringe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, let's skip the rest and go straight to Friday the 8th of December, my final Friday off of the year.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg8wefcnqEMer5dOGMCodAXbRpVHoq3fXbUiAxU1irViQLZvwp0_ps_B7eh7AG18DYBLnk75A_xAODjokxUV5iFYLOA3we4yuKMjr6wAt_mXIYVDQr2dGHn-CPihrN4BKc0VskLp7PLeiazx_4wHFqgBZJkGYRfGV-TdiV4d25txHOKLfku508eNX/s4030/Dec1-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg8wefcnqEMer5dOGMCodAXbRpVHoq3fXbUiAxU1irViQLZvwp0_ps_B7eh7AG18DYBLnk75A_xAODjokxUV5iFYLOA3we4yuKMjr6wAt_mXIYVDQr2dGHn-CPihrN4BKc0VskLp7PLeiazx_4wHFqgBZJkGYRfGV-TdiV4d25txHOKLfku508eNX/w428-h640/Dec1-l.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It might have been grey and rainy, but it was a good mail day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You'll be pleased to know that I finally got the confirmation that I can start my 4-day weeks in April with an end of career time credit allowance from the government. I knew I was entitled to this but it's good to have it officially in writing! </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMocKmMGuQNbhakEj1KMtXyqzb7ZFYs3ne9zJzmDp0tE5AiFRF3yrTlyMzzeWVR2qCrBisl830HKSJ8dnfg-Lujk7i2Daa8Zxz2t5uUstSZDeOj0NKsTkuzX7yjEhlapQTtog-So7jVSSP2x5rBsmUimmLXDvinoeSY0qrtsMtt9SGRdzFPU2gVxKT/s3264/Dec1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMocKmMGuQNbhakEj1KMtXyqzb7ZFYs3ne9zJzmDp0tE5AiFRF3yrTlyMzzeWVR2qCrBisl830HKSJ8dnfg-Lujk7i2Daa8Zxz2t5uUstSZDeOj0NKsTkuzX7yjEhlapQTtog-So7jVSSP2x5rBsmUimmLXDvinoeSY0qrtsMtt9SGRdzFPU2gVxKT/w400-h400/Dec1-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was wearing some posh labels in celebration, all charity shopped obviously:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Bottle green and off-white checked River Woods skirt, with pockets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Tan pleated leather belt by the Spanish Massimo Dutti label</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Orange waffle knit cardigan by Belgian label Pauline B.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">- Tan lace-up ankle boots by No Stress</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The dotty aubergine blouse is from Think Twice and my accessories are a mix of charity shop and flea market finds.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68IF_HpZkhayoOTuIwCTxFWtMWoSRfF0sGVuNsyddU17oIc-K2dLB53g_GXrhMQtEJjaSoyFtsXp9zLwZk0tQeS-_8e08U0nZW6hs36fOD824IZJpMI1kSEZoHITxGrFR0Z4EzGNXmHyjTlDGVrbPGQQ4SggOycKBrHgORkT3312KMOg1HDXxfNJt/s2147/Dec1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2147" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68IF_HpZkhayoOTuIwCTxFWtMWoSRfF0sGVuNsyddU17oIc-K2dLB53g_GXrhMQtEJjaSoyFtsXp9zLwZk0tQeS-_8e08U0nZW6hs36fOD824IZJpMI1kSEZoHITxGrFR0Z4EzGNXmHyjTlDGVrbPGQQ4SggOycKBrHgORkT3312KMOg1HDXxfNJt/w640-h596/Dec1-n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow will be my last day at work before we close down for Christmas, and I'll be breathing a huge sigh of relief upon closing the office door behind me. Just the thought of not having to get up at the crack of dawn or share my commute with a horde of Xmas shopping zombies after work is pure bliss!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, before I sign off, here's what I found on that Friday's charity shopping spree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pinkish Tweed skirt is originally from Zara and a perfect companion for all three of the tops. The orange broderie anglaise blouse with its ruffled yoke is from Next, the maroon long-sleeved knit containing a generous touch of Lurex is by Only and, finally, the short-sleeved pink, green, grey and white striped jumper is from Vero Moda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsf5UqUbvF2lUCLlDU5m4croS4wYSovOjfotVFar9QhitlXn6h3OBrWPMtVHNU8WN90XNzEPUt5rVrtqH0z4OOpq8oxQK_34UgkZZIpocPRy5BxogI9osMW-4H2aEy2ZG8XRhE1qyXYI3Nr-im3pke7MzqHGE-ze-GIEglddS7W3K4-yHh9lGi_K4/s2413/Dec1-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2413" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsf5UqUbvF2lUCLlDU5m4croS4wYSovOjfotVFar9QhitlXn6h3OBrWPMtVHNU8WN90XNzEPUt5rVrtqH0z4OOpq8oxQK_34UgkZZIpocPRy5BxogI9osMW-4H2aEy2ZG8XRhE1qyXYI3Nr-im3pke7MzqHGE-ze-GIEglddS7W3K4-yHh9lGi_K4/w640-h326/Dec1-o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Would you believe I found two more handbags? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was impossible to pass up the tweed shoulder bag from the Scottish fair trade label Earth Squared for the ridiculous price of € 3,90. Similar bags are priced at £45.99 on their website. The mock croc bag with its tapestry panels came home with me as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My final buy was the sage green fringed scarf, a colour which was still lacking from my collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm wishing all my friends and readers a wonderful Christmas, whichever way you choose to celebrate it (or not). See you on the other side!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-56641144263263955722023-12-15T18:34:00.000+01:002023-12-15T18:34:37.271+01:00Never cared much for November <p style="text-align: left;">Sadly, our little getaway wasn't nearly enough to sufficiently top up my batteries, especially since their charger wasn't solar powered. Having to return to the drudgery of the office the very next day wasn't any help either, nor was the murky and grey day we woke up to on Monday. </p><p style="text-align: left;">On the upside, catching up on work was a doddle, as things had been rather slow during my absence. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The monotony of my working week was briefly interrupted by a cappuccino fuelled catch-up with my friend Inez on Wednesday and a rummage at Think Twice on Thursday, when this glorious green and off-white striped polyester knit vintage dress insisted on coming home with me.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztZ-Ht0NfmJxI0gPK0T7GNLkvgoVQGSftTMdLQKmI7g-ALLjggm3Nz-aMyYg0XHmMFHp3_eMB7nADf5msrmxTeD0HX5lH_U9pU6MHcUlDNkolhTtJ6XLZxTK4hKFYXWOt2l7uCvwj4B1Djm2Wl5Ia_SF3DI5JnW1FoP7EREg5iVU4Xb26FOXqv8gW/s4032/Nov3-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztZ-Ht0NfmJxI0gPK0T7GNLkvgoVQGSftTMdLQKmI7g-ALLjggm3Nz-aMyYg0XHmMFHp3_eMB7nADf5msrmxTeD0HX5lH_U9pU6MHcUlDNkolhTtJ6XLZxTK4hKFYXWOt2l7uCvwj4B1Djm2Wl5Ia_SF3DI5JnW1FoP7EREg5iVU4Xb26FOXqv8gW/w268-h400/Nov3-d.jpg" width="268" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In spite of it having been a bit of a slow week, I wasn't at all ready to face a regular five-day one, so I once again dipped into my rapidly diminishing holiday allowance and took Friday 24 November off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am so counting down the days until the official start of my four-day weeks on the 1st of April - and that's no joke - by which time, we'll have said our goodbyes to Winter and enjoyed the first in a long string of Spring days. Well, one can only hope ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For now, we were faced with yet another dark and dismal day in which rain played the main part.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f2COTlEmELacVGjSdNw1e4eyWSksfVhlsxorZ8fEJGXs_WXKWNHXayRj0GtL16aUf6ox_6IqTkipX3xsZ0QHR6JrU3r0wrnLlMGmiMObeAMTSnUcgOYfMszafHJ1wpGDZeCldKOE5OE-VvvoLZDA3cK34GzFvplCSAk4Mc1-c0unNlk4IFKnBU8r/s2000/Nov3-b2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f2COTlEmELacVGjSdNw1e4eyWSksfVhlsxorZ8fEJGXs_WXKWNHXayRj0GtL16aUf6ox_6IqTkipX3xsZ0QHR6JrU3r0wrnLlMGmiMObeAMTSnUcgOYfMszafHJ1wpGDZeCldKOE5OE-VvvoLZDA3cK34GzFvplCSAk4Mc1-c0unNlk4IFKnBU8r/w400-h400/Nov3-b2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My outfit was put together in an effort to steal its limelight, and what better way to boost one's mood on a rainy day than by wearing a favourite frock?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my dark floral Diolens, this cowl-necked and bishop-sleeved beauty has been gracing my wardrobe for many years. To add even more pizzazz, I picked up the orange in its pattern with my opaques, belt, necklace, ring and fluffy brooch. I found the latter lurking among my flower corsages but I haven't got the faintest idea of its origins. Whatever the case, I thought it did its job of standing out among the blowsy flower print perfectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkopG21Nb1XVm_QRVtHBcMF3Ff6yrFvAPiNsh52rFpzTmhlE0hmydIgEZBxQ24p4rPx899kEb_duC8q8lTptgenjB0Es5zrJ3Uy_Uq2WOzTRdDAXUF1comu9j8TS6Z5hCQfobsYkrXg1n_Q9-GGnTdKUZ4tTtir5O4qtpHqAjuGUpHyS9niqKAbH/s4032/Nov3-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkopG21Nb1XVm_QRVtHBcMF3Ff6yrFvAPiNsh52rFpzTmhlE0hmydIgEZBxQ24p4rPx899kEb_duC8q8lTptgenjB0Es5zrJ3Uy_Uq2WOzTRdDAXUF1comu9j8TS6Z5hCQfobsYkrXg1n_Q9-GGnTdKUZ4tTtir5O4qtpHqAjuGUpHyS9niqKAbH/w428-h640/Nov3-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The chunky orange short-sleeved cardigan is by the Belgian Terre Bleue label and was a charity shop find in December 2021. The brooch I pinned to its shawl collar - a posy of pale pink flowers - is modern and came from <a href="https://www.akotee.be/" target="_blank">Akotee</a>, a shop selling an array of quirky things just a stone's throw from my office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My fake snake ankle boots were a retail buy as well. They were a sales bargain from New Look when they closed down their Belgian shops at the end of 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we were making the most of the briefest of dry spells between showers to take outfit photos in the passageway, we were supervised by Bess from her perch on the kitchen table! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kIur3HeK6qXHbC7TWOur5K0j9xISC93coXGT6UUVkS-FbjD_Y3CR1pHH9TsaxdLfouQKVxfSHSWhBqbn0Kls6MkfFvn8VC8QSfE0Ot9KG3-g2xaSsF2mdJWJ7wNBvCPsMHw_nOvurfP0nLXGt0ZGNwYt_SqdweWYmagJFcMFfDMX6lZoW0cSJTm8/s2222/Nov3-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2222" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kIur3HeK6qXHbC7TWOur5K0j9xISC93coXGT6UUVkS-FbjD_Y3CR1pHH9TsaxdLfouQKVxfSHSWhBqbn0Kls6MkfFvn8VC8QSfE0Ot9KG3-g2xaSsF2mdJWJ7wNBvCPsMHw_nOvurfP0nLXGt0ZGNwYt_SqdweWYmagJFcMFfDMX6lZoW0cSJTm8/w400-h334/Nov3-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's only so much pottering and ticking off lists of chores you can do on days like these so, after lunch, we hopped into our car for a trip to the charity shops. Or rather shop, singular: we only visited the three-floored one in the neighbouring town of Duffel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After negotiating the preparations for the Christmas market which would be taking place on Saturday, I descended the stairs to the clothing and textiles department in the basement.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKwNd1-L1Kgo4R06PZpzP3os-cToZXqQBLFrnniPlDuNzSd2qHkVCFbHc967kVo8n3wK25OSAZ1QhOTzU2adCOZL3WmBZiWG7AngXKUw7QhNtJVJqNnPqZlgMMEODg3YYFbCUHknxLyAZtbucIlM2DSl7GEiGiVVroTlX8ivy5uYiXU7hLnBNcK3b/s2000/Nov3-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKwNd1-L1Kgo4R06PZpzP3os-cToZXqQBLFrnniPlDuNzSd2qHkVCFbHc967kVo8n3wK25OSAZ1QhOTzU2adCOZL3WmBZiWG7AngXKUw7QhNtJVJqNnPqZlgMMEODg3YYFbCUHknxLyAZtbucIlM2DSl7GEiGiVVroTlX8ivy5uYiXU7hLnBNcK3b/w400-h400/Nov3-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It had been ages since I last found any covetable handbags and had been dutifully averting my eyes from any possible contenders due to my self-imposed handbags ban. However, I'm prepared to make an exception for tapestry ones, so the vinyl bag with its tapestry panel (top) and the modern tote bag with its Art Deco style pattern were swiftly added to my cart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-2jChLEFK6B0zO77Pef05gs9zvKWCGszggju3YiPWWbYaN6nI6Rm32Im7vmSChEcn7XoMp5PxN2Ifczu-zMbGG5bUNmvrYmgKNfoufIyFNCGS8FVKFTRxTaVEX9de6xopqX-k_ymfmPEvZZipiUACCr-FvpNwomfZuF4vNZXRpWgbqnKx59-augx/s2000/Nov3-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-2jChLEFK6B0zO77Pef05gs9zvKWCGszggju3YiPWWbYaN6nI6Rm32Im7vmSChEcn7XoMp5PxN2Ifczu-zMbGG5bUNmvrYmgKNfoufIyFNCGS8FVKFTRxTaVEX9de6xopqX-k_ymfmPEvZZipiUACCr-FvpNwomfZuF4vNZXRpWgbqnKx59-augx/w400-h400/Nov3-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other finds included a green Summer top with ice cream cone print by Only, a vintage orange and brown striped Dralon long-sleeved top, a handful of necklaces, a cute wooden rabbit brooch and a yellow and navy patterned Zoë Loveborn cardigan.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ewf6gH5Qmqimt2reS86pA_ow_dPUiF1tKaJ6v3GLJ2ZcMsfwT3q6AfZZjOZky43UsSufeaGvzx9F0pbcH3V84VCxeuvWtpUOWD7Q4K72cTumB0Vk2VEkfXC4-qWzMEWhCWVod0rYPKJLaoepHGDLmi85yNDRWjh40qeQ8c65pfjuVGRdDCELWuQk/s2404/Nov3-e%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2404" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ewf6gH5Qmqimt2reS86pA_ow_dPUiF1tKaJ6v3GLJ2ZcMsfwT3q6AfZZjOZky43UsSufeaGvzx9F0pbcH3V84VCxeuvWtpUOWD7Q4K72cTumB0Vk2VEkfXC4-qWzMEWhCWVod0rYPKJLaoepHGDLmi85yNDRWjh40qeQ8c65pfjuVGRdDCELWuQk/w400-h333/Nov3-e%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My star find was lurking among a rail of boring and lacklustre outerwear but its zingy colours were calling me from afar. How fabulous is this vintage Ben Nevis mohair cape? Its price: a mere € 8,99. I later spotted its twin on Etsy for over € 80.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWtl6RyGuJdTH7lfjI-5WotQzv-TsNVHW3hfpSKJDuixBHCl0Nqx1KZV6jvBXBCn0OOYF7qu_pgA1s_h7iRkYJ_OQ0Rjx3nr7EeojqRYnARixOmPv7cmo858HWf0OQzDXsNF4njcg12uzbzi9iF6GXM1RgYM7nVGLvvi319thpvkGPkM2PwFy0Bn0/s4030/Nov3-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWtl6RyGuJdTH7lfjI-5WotQzv-TsNVHW3hfpSKJDuixBHCl0Nqx1KZV6jvBXBCn0OOYF7qu_pgA1s_h7iRkYJ_OQ0Rjx3nr7EeojqRYnARixOmPv7cmo858HWf0OQzDXsNF4njcg12uzbzi9iF6GXM1RgYM7nVGLvvi319thpvkGPkM2PwFy0Bn0/w301-h400/Nov3-h.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back at Dove Cottage, Bess joined me and my current read on the sofa. She loves nothing better than making herself comfortable on our laps, which she does when getting half a chance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weather was marginally better on Saturday, when there were a handful of sunny spells mixed in with the inevitable showers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And no, we did not sneak off to Shropshire overnight. With next year's Summer holiday just over six months away, it was time to book our Shropshire cottage for next June before it was snapped up by someone else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNgjzceSz7GQfxZC0dUZ5bP9O5H9PkPinoprSPjg3YibxWXa_D4c_9KcHyCQkS-zS2vl8p3sOLdcrWLQv_VNjCtvljDn1w5MRIW2rk3lpV_NRQTrcSPD9O476aPqvU5qdALbBAWlI3vfaiVjVp7ko_gXuNQlWg7T2XOGi7haEyPRGxH9BMD4PO4UH/s2000/Nov3-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNgjzceSz7GQfxZC0dUZ5bP9O5H9PkPinoprSPjg3YibxWXa_D4c_9KcHyCQkS-zS2vl8p3sOLdcrWLQv_VNjCtvljDn1w5MRIW2rk3lpV_NRQTrcSPD9O476aPqvU5qdALbBAWlI3vfaiVjVp7ko_gXuNQlWg7T2XOGi7haEyPRGxH9BMD4PO4UH/w400-h400/Nov3-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While Jos ran an errand, I photographed Friday's finds and then swept the sitting room, hallway, stairs and dining room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, after lunching on Jos's delicious homemade soup, we went on yet another charity shopping trip, this time visiting two. On our way home from the two-floored charity shop in Mechelen, we stopped for a quick rummage at the small shop in the village of Reet.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukXQsriM1-OWmhAuY5fIT7i4S4Ff_3omrBPZG14sA2hEnTYNJ51le9LoS8OLnpKD9_gawgPDQrPRmVGf3rZ6tDeJEzua_IziPKrfLJk-iMBYtRWdFiwGVHLnFVs-FvkkqsReN_DpMAfVkhu5Na9w-JKnwUTVP54PmxUGO3Iu6rdR8r0D9VEbfjQ7c/s4032/Nov3-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukXQsriM1-OWmhAuY5fIT7i4S4Ff_3omrBPZG14sA2hEnTYNJ51le9LoS8OLnpKD9_gawgPDQrPRmVGf3rZ6tDeJEzua_IziPKrfLJk-iMBYtRWdFiwGVHLnFVs-FvkkqsReN_DpMAfVkhu5Na9w-JKnwUTVP54PmxUGO3Iu6rdR8r0D9VEbfjQ7c/w428-h640/Nov3-j.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first, let me show you what I was wearing that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the temperature back into the single digits, I dug out the vintage grey, white and black plaid, 100% wool skirt. The diamond patterned blouse has some grey in it as well, and with its pattern echoing that of the skirt, it couldn't have been a better match. It was my first purchase from Antwerp's latest Think Twice shop back in February.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q432DuXjciLWaDDcB2OSi60bv4QPjnv6Hq3pSQXT5I0v3wEck7S6fx0JpC3SiX9zQZlgpN6QKd_d0xFFKU5iviaDdTG7mHUraNES_ZWo8b___2BvfSXAvHCA2aKDN4Vou_7wKW3z0ytp2eahQ2Ppv0JZGFuju0tuOu2TOM57GeHL-CM1UHqz_Bmx/s3264/Nov3-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q432DuXjciLWaDDcB2OSi60bv4QPjnv6Hq3pSQXT5I0v3wEck7S6fx0JpC3SiX9zQZlgpN6QKd_d0xFFKU5iviaDdTG7mHUraNES_ZWo8b___2BvfSXAvHCA2aKDN4Vou_7wKW3z0ytp2eahQ2Ppv0JZGFuju0tuOu2TOM57GeHL-CM1UHqz_Bmx/w400-h400/Nov3-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More diamonds feature in the vintage red and white marled wool waistcoat, which was another Think Twice find. Both my necklace and stretchy belt were charity shopped, while the brown celluloid mushroom brooch was picked up at the indoor flea market in April 2022.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcI1J_9Ja26oNW3Tz_o3eIZ05Eo4Tkxm5YPhIKqG4xm1Nm-ybJ03km1PafP_i38wh3jUU3Qzl8W7WYIr24QiedTcXLo9qNZs1vYrbz7TeiDwEK4cdJiCBUWZrRTGzHuUJICsdVbRrRGRixa9ACcjtQlHaYNJONBZNAfBqinX10Uu2D5mN6WTG0mai/s2000/Nov3-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcI1J_9Ja26oNW3Tz_o3eIZ05Eo4Tkxm5YPhIKqG4xm1Nm-ybJ03km1PafP_i38wh3jUU3Qzl8W7WYIr24QiedTcXLo9qNZs1vYrbz7TeiDwEK4cdJiCBUWZrRTGzHuUJICsdVbRrRGRixa9ACcjtQlHaYNJONBZNAfBqinX10Uu2D5mN6WTG0mai/w400-h400/Nov3-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now, without further ado, let me introduce you to the catch of the day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">First up are two dresses, which both happened to be in shades of blue. Shop # 1 provided the vintage long-sleeved textured polyester one, while the short-sleeved dress with its green flower pattern and front zip found in shop # 2 is from the Belgian retro label Who's That Girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTyI8QiR1DjT5pRlVJp16x_LCMXpHkY3OX9pcfInVBKEF5An1aytt1eCULDot_1afNG-Eb4uEARc7X-B7EnkzOjKoE_vvf5gYOM3jjwVRvP3Dywxyi_qETYqhUxF-ad9X0JABU6Fsyr7COrnk1rs7bmTFEZKXzAY8Ep72AbRWsK17ujb3mL6-Cxs2/s1631/Nov3-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1631" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTyI8QiR1DjT5pRlVJp16x_LCMXpHkY3OX9pcfInVBKEF5An1aytt1eCULDot_1afNG-Eb4uEARc7X-B7EnkzOjKoE_vvf5gYOM3jjwVRvP3Dywxyi_qETYqhUxF-ad9X0JABU6Fsyr7COrnk1rs7bmTFEZKXzAY8Ep72AbRWsK17ujb3mL6-Cxs2/w400-h245/Nov3-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The two knits came from the first shop as well: the dotty grey jumper is from Mango and the chunky orange and off-white cardigan is by Who's That Girl's sister label Wow To Go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fUzbsJ4xX2h59D3Gh-HBQuXA9pRMVhS0lvPwnOAASOZOL4f9-YQok6BEbi92AUz6H7fFgG4vI82Y3kSq_iS0O5WV47ckOYL5yl7_BxlGFWDw_4LFEejMDX4UGLX-hc5om5g7gTEVB6-ihUpXPhhfFcMo8Ib_W9Jttnog9n2E3UAN8zU7GlCLbhXl/s4032/Nov3-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fUzbsJ4xX2h59D3Gh-HBQuXA9pRMVhS0lvPwnOAASOZOL4f9-YQok6BEbi92AUz6H7fFgG4vI82Y3kSq_iS0O5WV47ckOYL5yl7_BxlGFWDw_4LFEejMDX4UGLX-hc5om5g7gTEVB6-ihUpXPhhfFcMo8Ib_W9Jttnog9n2E3UAN8zU7GlCLbhXl/w428-h640/Nov3-n.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I completely forgot to make a journal entry on Sunday, I haven't got the faintest idea on how I spent the day. One thing is certain, though: I must have done a spot of ironing, as the vintage Lapidus of Sweden dress I'd set my heart on wearing that day was quite wrinkled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up its tan flower pattern with my belt - a naughty retail buy a couple of years ago - and a vintage leaf brooch. My necklace and ring, with their zebra-esque stripes, were flea market finds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcZHSrWMxc8e7OwtywA8Rh6jofgFWxhvrR5valsVxmNUNLDK9Ob75Db89p5SqNguZYhzyYce_eol9zNujifEJnnX-ldsCoV2Uf_TcJF3UWLJ3hseDlgP2DDAam9j7He6XdaMT6DRY57jy4IW7rhnNduY_5ndqhhc0hllNW3H32EeRLkYQcXXiHjaV/s2000/Nov3-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcZHSrWMxc8e7OwtywA8Rh6jofgFWxhvrR5valsVxmNUNLDK9Ob75Db89p5SqNguZYhzyYce_eol9zNujifEJnnX-ldsCoV2Uf_TcJF3UWLJ3hseDlgP2DDAam9j7He6XdaMT6DRY57jy4IW7rhnNduY_5ndqhhc0hllNW3H32EeRLkYQcXXiHjaV/w400-h400/Nov3-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the temperature set to plummet towards freezing point in the days ahead, I dug out the fluffy orange cardigan I charity shopped back in October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've nearly made it to the end of November now, only a couple of days to go. But that, I'm afraid, will be for my next post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>See you soon!<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-86688704604088264762023-12-09T19:13:00.000+01:002023-12-09T19:13:22.146+01:00A Bruges deluge<p style="text-align: left;">The weather forecast for our second day in Bruges was looking quite horrendous. Indeed, when we woke up on Saturday the 18th of November and tentatively lifted a corner of our bedroom curtains, our view of the rain-soaked meadow didn't exactly spur us into action. It was, in fact, all we could do to drag ourselves from the cozy confines of our bed and get ready for breakfast.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl187LDeNeGJjmRbJ2KJWc3IeZe6a4rHdDX8Peb_9puTwL1jmi6wQ-duo1CU30m1GvetQcJzWTSAGWtEuk60wjb6atz8oWUjvBFeWtzTA3LLzeQYsAN2YBIPWByEVxmtDe96mTbdCYNgfwbQJfIhKhL4a7xi6fatebhxLlgCI8AzePSA2Tmtx73rGd/s4032/Brug2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl187LDeNeGJjmRbJ2KJWc3IeZe6a4rHdDX8Peb_9puTwL1jmi6wQ-duo1CU30m1GvetQcJzWTSAGWtEuk60wjb6atz8oWUjvBFeWtzTA3LLzeQYsAN2YBIPWByEVxmtDe96mTbdCYNgfwbQJfIhKhL4a7xi6fatebhxLlgCI8AzePSA2Tmtx73rGd/w268-h400/Brug2-a.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our room being in an annex meant that we had to brave the rain which kept falling from the canopy of grey sky without any let-up. That's when we realized that our umbrellas were in the car! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, the breakfast room, in the main part of the B&B, is just a hop, skip and a jump away, so that we got there without getting completely drenched.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDwRkQBy2ginwcnnIVnbPaVfn6bwWcWUPc1DphlMJp_jDbpY4-K0fqCxnZrV7FPRO5XrVVmQygNSrs3pbrxTgfX7IbhWekEVOW3zhTkghSJHbML2-xmRVFeo-aHi9Gsdmyxr7nD3H34b1Q9nQ-yEZ4qBIAqcLscBHjCMO4XlGZO0l0MFPo97wTZYI/s2000/Brug2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDwRkQBy2ginwcnnIVnbPaVfn6bwWcWUPc1DphlMJp_jDbpY4-K0fqCxnZrV7FPRO5XrVVmQygNSrs3pbrxTgfX7IbhWekEVOW3zhTkghSJHbML2-xmRVFeo-aHi9Gsdmyxr7nD3H34b1Q9nQ-yEZ4qBIAqcLscBHjCMO4XlGZO0l0MFPo97wTZYI/w400-h400/Brug2-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mouthwatering aromas had lured us past the kitchen and into the breakfast room proper, where all kinds of delicacies were on offer as always. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from the usual choice of breads and croissants, to be savoured with cheese, charcuterie, smoked salmon or a selection of homemade jams, there were some freshly baked mini apple turnovers and a plate of utterly moreish vanilla pancakes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we started with a healthy dose of fruit and yoghurt and glasses of homemade apple and pear juice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv27QWN2Zc4xV0-q31CDoOfyvTOa6v0n_lbRgUYNqeHNX7eCGTV_7gOiW4kv3CYVM_T92tGQ2Le9Oq-87v4RrT6CSI2wvjg-tDb6FQ2o1DcBkrXw-Vu7_Yw8_C71X-2qjh3ccJIdhVwr1Xk7ZuiePutyG8hyphenhyphenJez2pVcc8okwyS7ORKYUBX2-Vq2-r/s2000/Brug2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv27QWN2Zc4xV0-q31CDoOfyvTOa6v0n_lbRgUYNqeHNX7eCGTV_7gOiW4kv3CYVM_T92tGQ2Le9Oq-87v4RrT6CSI2wvjg-tDb6FQ2o1DcBkrXw-Vu7_Yw8_C71X-2qjh3ccJIdhVwr1Xk7ZuiePutyG8hyphenhyphenJez2pVcc8okwyS7ORKYUBX2-Vq2-r/w400-h400/Brug2-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We lingered a long time over breakfast, discussing our options. At Veronique's suggestion, we were all set to (re)visit nearby <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9A2H7aJbbT5sRNspeawpzmJZ7eJg8eVdBjLUsHLvAoFth6ikclJRz90imsryk5G-3urYrA6VwQj9oxfVM0HZOxlUXyWtGkxpCjfLpf87pZSyqrePaSfoel84gM9LisRKq2i8USeW/s1920/Aug4-l.jpg" target="_blank">Loppem Castle</a>, our previous one dating back to August 2021. It was a good thing I had the presence of mind to google the property, only to find that it had closed for the Winter season on the 13th.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Never mind, there's always Bruges, which obviously has plenty of bad weather options!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iVprH7_b6T58xUIGjPlBw1ewFYnNFbCNlUKq8snsu-WkgZAvyYmTqLp5UPu5f5Qi-MLEq86Bd9JweHiMenu68QKSkix8IaHSNdx6dGtsQYXTTqTbIJ4G7ME2O8NB9X2Ai9vZI6I7v6mRULd7iUNwNiX1CmrRW63r5TXImr30YOtMLIE-hbtsbKn/s4030/Brug2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6iVprH7_b6T58xUIGjPlBw1ewFYnNFbCNlUKq8snsu-WkgZAvyYmTqLp5UPu5f5Qi-MLEq86Bd9JweHiMenu68QKSkix8IaHSNdx6dGtsQYXTTqTbIJ4G7ME2O8NB9X2Ai9vZI6I7v6mRULd7iUNwNiX1CmrRW63r5TXImr30YOtMLIE-hbtsbKn/w482-h640/Brug2-d.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all that dithering and lingering, it was late morning before we set off, making use of one of the B&B's umbrellas to get to our car which was parked just beyond the gate in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I selected the Sunweb umbrella (not linking because they're not my thing) especially to hit home the irony of the situation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had decided upon the award-winning Gruuthuse Museum, which we knew would keep us occupied for a couple of hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zo03npRZ0XVVwlbdOs03f29nOTlkm6DNBPmWY7hAI-7xyqOzBtuNPjMSVOdQyFyK6jxdkWKFz2_otB54F_AODt_Qj6bgs8oODQyfebLC7fM7vNODLo6cskVOD3KRR8iaF56t08mHLyazRvmduP1nKqUMUZBRJa4nAHkOsW0lZQTii6e4S2jbO7zh/s2000/Brug2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zo03npRZ0XVVwlbdOs03f29nOTlkm6DNBPmWY7hAI-7xyqOzBtuNPjMSVOdQyFyK6jxdkWKFz2_otB54F_AODt_Qj6bgs8oODQyfebLC7fM7vNODLo6cskVOD3KRR8iaF56t08mHLyazRvmduP1nKqUMUZBRJa4nAHkOsW0lZQTii6e4S2jbO7zh/w400-h400/Brug2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had worked out the shortest way to get there from the 't Zand car park as the rain had brought its friend the wind, which tugged at our umbrellas, which we had to hold on to fast to keep them from being blown inside out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some reason, however, we almost instantly missed a turn. Well, it would have been unheard of if we hadn't got even a little bit lost, wouldn't it? Our mishap was soon redeemed by the fact that I spotted a familiar sight beyond a parking lot belonging to a meeting centre. Dodging a couple of puddles, we made our way across it, which turned out to be even more of a shortcut!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The presence of the wind also made it feel quite a bit chillier than the 8°C insisted by the thermometer, so that it was quite a relief to get into the shelter of the museum's ticket office. Being a Saturday, we were surprised there weren't any queues, so that soon our tickets were purchased, after which we made our way across the courtyard to the museum's entrance (above, top right).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLevxrYPhVJ9jaMFX9Iloh_XuHp4hnPrF9MtYUvlU0E968Bw_eNbE_27JAmoGmNw_Cf5CVOGGbK-NMtk6no5mxAWEGHh5wxhrvB0aAW6Mh5aZhMFpkJlDbAsLtLqd7iDqMLxzMT16Cb-W5yu0mAParQHuakf0XdgB0mk9IFHegQQoChIFFqaWudaeY/s3288/Brug2-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3288" data-original-width="2741" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLevxrYPhVJ9jaMFX9Iloh_XuHp4hnPrF9MtYUvlU0E968Bw_eNbE_27JAmoGmNw_Cf5CVOGGbK-NMtk6no5mxAWEGHh5wxhrvB0aAW6Mh5aZhMFpkJlDbAsLtLqd7iDqMLxzMT16Cb-W5yu0mAParQHuakf0XdgB0mk9IFHegQQoChIFFqaWudaeY/w334-h400/Brug2-q.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was by no means our first visit here - which was on our 25th Wedding Anniversary in February 2020 - but there's so much to see here that I'm sure it won't be our last. In fact, our visit may already have been on the cards when we found the museum guide in a charity shop earlier this year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for award-winning: at the annual European Museum of the Year Awards ceremony, the Gruuthuse Museum was awarded the "Portimão Museum Prize – Europe’s Most Welcoming Museum" in 2021. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stepping into the majestic entrance hall (below, top left), we were directed to a room of lockers big enough to hang up our coats and leave behind our soggy umbrellas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsATgDzPXusnLzliuMGCvowxGIO9bIhe1LzItqdIZyIWaYj-oZpwbT3KaXfeI2pVaoy68tCtXBDJkCnVGuTrxABrZBaL0KZS_SgUvkNpkgN5hScgNQGVvl-eEXHtnrgCTP0TIJ7tQ-3xWXPx9tTHFmOd0butuIIHSuuSPedKO3anYV8cCSEhlFnm9d/s2000/Brug2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsATgDzPXusnLzliuMGCvowxGIO9bIhe1LzItqdIZyIWaYj-oZpwbT3KaXfeI2pVaoy68tCtXBDJkCnVGuTrxABrZBaL0KZS_SgUvkNpkgN5hScgNQGVvl-eEXHtnrgCTP0TIJ7tQ-3xWXPx9tTHFmOd0butuIIHSuuSPedKO3anYV8cCSEhlFnm9d/w400-h400/Brug2-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The museum is housed in the former Gruuthuse Palace, a city palace whose origins date back to 1425.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was restored at the end of the 19th century by the Bruges city architect, Louis Delacenserie, who created a completely new interior in neo-Gothic style. For example, he designed several lavishly decorated fireplaces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fireplace in the room with its fabulous tiled floor room (above, bottom left and top and bottom right) is replete with elements referencing to Louis (or Lodewijk) de Gruuthuse (1427-1492), the palace's most famous owner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although it appears to be made from stone, appearances can be deceptive: parts of it are made of wood, which has been plastered and painted so that the whole structure has the look of stone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xjhkhpn3Ad3KxHNR8zjH9w536zUmIqjKOFS0eQ6fiKvLYhcwGQQscoM1olJK2sxIhG5S5setnvGLB2bltJLXinxMK9PwStUrQ-Idg8Zwbs15_ICDe39i8XphK-J1EKlKfAxZDrRYUaJeTmsI3sll-Q5RRe4hf4LAJRcknemo2nISDHCeuYUaSH_a/s2000/Brug2-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xjhkhpn3Ad3KxHNR8zjH9w536zUmIqjKOFS0eQ6fiKvLYhcwGQQscoM1olJK2sxIhG5S5setnvGLB2bltJLXinxMK9PwStUrQ-Idg8Zwbs15_ICDe39i8XphK-J1EKlKfAxZDrRYUaJeTmsI3sll-Q5RRe4hf4LAJRcknemo2nISDHCeuYUaSH_a/w400-h400/Brug2-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Plus est en vous" or "There is more in you." It was the life motto of Louis de Gruuthuse, the man who endowed this city palace with its grandeur. That's him in the portrait on the top right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But who was he? Also known as Lodewijk van Brugge (Louis of Bruges), lord of Gruuthuse, prince of Steenhuize, lord of Avelgem, Haamstede, Oostkamp, Beveren, Tielt-ten-Hove and Spiere and Earl of Winchester! If that isn't enough of a mouthful, he was a Knight of the Golden Fleece too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Via inheritance and acquisition, Louis of Gruuthuse came to possess various estates with which he earned his living. A major source of income was the tax which he was allowed to levy on (almost) every imported or locally brewed tonne of beer, known as the "Gruut tax".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOXNUvFwmjIQyzBc8aWA08nHoXszMdwzTQzpcKpiGF6aTGGIeaDwpJmPMp0gZarWl6p22dvJa7EvhAuhVphjIw5P9SgVB8QQQwFX8kZm6dBHotXyd2OFWf-cNN8oO2cDoXQofxFQd8hVeNcYo6B0n2IX6guVSLJhF1UwtN8iT6wK20oewrWeNSdLR/s2000/Brug2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOXNUvFwmjIQyzBc8aWA08nHoXszMdwzTQzpcKpiGF6aTGGIeaDwpJmPMp0gZarWl6p22dvJa7EvhAuhVphjIw5P9SgVB8QQQwFX8kZm6dBHotXyd2OFWf-cNN8oO2cDoXQofxFQd8hVeNcYo6B0n2IX6guVSLJhF1UwtN8iT6wK20oewrWeNSdLR/w400-h400/Brug2-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It didn't end well for Louis, though. Being one of the executors of Mary of Burgundy’s will when she died at a young age, he came into conflict with Mary’s widower, Maximilian of Austria. In 1485, his possessions were confiscated and he was even imprisoned in Mechelen for three years. Louis was released when the political situation changed but, when Maximilian returned to power in 1489, it put a definitive end to Louis’ career. In 1491, he was accused of treason at a chapter meeting of the Order of the Golden Fleece and fell out of favour. He passed away in his palace in Bruges before a court ruling was issued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39fnLTJe9pbhLaV1IR1nthtCKd-dNZIzWEJ6b3kjtMoUYjkpGDUmAGXxqL8FFUg637aQc7IV5SADEGjLe7nuIxuynRL5PiSJ4B_mlReCq0UJHx0ec3Rmw-jgrmtzUYDa6PrbDES7PR_wszx104Oinpoe2G6qEQSkORlY-H2Zn3cydSKgdKslfxDOw/s2000/Brug2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39fnLTJe9pbhLaV1IR1nthtCKd-dNZIzWEJ6b3kjtMoUYjkpGDUmAGXxqL8FFUg637aQc7IV5SADEGjLe7nuIxuynRL5PiSJ4B_mlReCq0UJHx0ec3Rmw-jgrmtzUYDa6PrbDES7PR_wszx104Oinpoe2G6qEQSkORlY-H2Zn3cydSKgdKslfxDOw/w640-h640/Brug2-i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the museum one can journey through three crucial periods in the history of Bruges. First of all, there is the city’s Burgundian heyday, followed by the previously underexposed period during the 17th and 18th Centuries, before finishing with the "rediscovery’" of Bruges in the 19th Century neo-Gothic style that is so typical of the city today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvbiZeYrqQLT5KhPbomdZbDLRlZMoGB7vfxzKhJw5XVXU6UobBGU7T5_u659m58pl2wplvW8wtutVIObUTgPUqEJqLC1G-h8mI66ZtK28n_lZFgIuZOjgzHH3pUoM76xXp26UVhytYtJXf6chf2Ifc2cvIyTM4h9lpL4ssQWSNOOwPpCkSqHeQlkK/s2000/Brug2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvbiZeYrqQLT5KhPbomdZbDLRlZMoGB7vfxzKhJw5XVXU6UobBGU7T5_u659m58pl2wplvW8wtutVIObUTgPUqEJqLC1G-h8mI66ZtK28n_lZFgIuZOjgzHH3pUoM76xXp26UVhytYtJXf6chf2Ifc2cvIyTM4h9lpL4ssQWSNOOwPpCkSqHeQlkK/w400-h400/Brug2-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These three periods are brought to life by more than 600 exhibits, each of which has its own story to tell. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From majestic tapestries to Gothic stained glass, from elegant wooden sculptures to refined historical lace, from the paintings of different periods to a 17th and 18th Century dinner table, set with silver cutlery and luxurious Chinese porcelain. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnPwVv7wogES1FVMYROSV1jV5WWaxhPCV4dLWJxMC0f-ujIu0oiloP8CvupwEU1aBQ23vwhOSOMr1WfxCedcWtjFkpE99rMxLzKNFuWUvOcywi3lb49RCjoeS78_BZEDbH6G1YJeM3MF6IXhtEkB12c-gwHEz8AV3a671P8MIvFrJHw_eD3givKnT/s2000/Brug2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnPwVv7wogES1FVMYROSV1jV5WWaxhPCV4dLWJxMC0f-ujIu0oiloP8CvupwEU1aBQ23vwhOSOMr1WfxCedcWtjFkpE99rMxLzKNFuWUvOcywi3lb49RCjoeS78_BZEDbH6G1YJeM3MF6IXhtEkB12c-gwHEz8AV3a671P8MIvFrJHw_eD3givKnT/w640-h640/Brug2-k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If we were surprised at the lack of queues in the ticket office, we were even more - and pleasantly - surprised at having most of the museum's rooms practically to ourselves. No dodging the crowds here which, judging from our glances through the leaded windows, seemed to insist on being gluttons for punishment by walking around rain and windswept Bruges wielding an assortment of umbrellas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1VIfwgHTNp-Z-SXIqdhsFJ1Z7gN5W4K2kz0KoHZFUegWxxQpf6CiLy2vdqFflD9MY3lFWX9fV7APLIISzrYI_ciIOUhx4cyRmGF9lOeLq0ZVmql10CCZrEisK6tVdS5YYbkJWV7LFcBMNUXP3OiLD7He7qNQd5WRXh2H2zD2n0UimOjQKbr6DywL/s2000/Brug2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1VIfwgHTNp-Z-SXIqdhsFJ1Z7gN5W4K2kz0KoHZFUegWxxQpf6CiLy2vdqFflD9MY3lFWX9fV7APLIISzrYI_ciIOUhx4cyRmGF9lOeLq0ZVmql10CCZrEisK6tVdS5YYbkJWV7LFcBMNUXP3OiLD7He7qNQd5WRXh2H2zD2n0UimOjQKbr6DywL/w400-h400/Brug2-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're outside and look up at the Gruuthuse palace's façade from the the courtyard at the back, you might be able to spot this tiny stained-glass window (above, top left), which is known as the smallest Gothic window in Bruges. It is said that the Lords and Ladies of Gruuthuse used the small window to see who arrived by boat on the canal below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A contemporary stained glass design was installed during the extensive five year renovations of the museum, which took place between 2014 and 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I enjoyed playing around with my camera, making a series of distorted snapshots of the courtyard and the umbrella wielding crowds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaPX8frATt5XE6-8KNuJVsZOnlYqe6Yqi-UHn3BVipCUE6cLSlRU5J9Kg5T8PX-2ss5FnE2CSHVjWI-t2AOxCvwJCaZAdDJtBIFtGh4PSFQoMYKRPzXRvt2cL2CC3AXb9lSnlJVyx2qKd5bm9PxzDwDtf__frYA57ycbMFpqijQTq3B-mddd1W4qY/s2000/Brug2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaPX8frATt5XE6-8KNuJVsZOnlYqe6Yqi-UHn3BVipCUE6cLSlRU5J9Kg5T8PX-2ss5FnE2CSHVjWI-t2AOxCvwJCaZAdDJtBIFtGh4PSFQoMYKRPzXRvt2cL2CC3AXb9lSnlJVyx2qKd5bm9PxzDwDtf__frYA57ycbMFpqijQTq3B-mddd1W4qY/w400-h400/Brug2-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The highlight is undoubtedly the authentic late 15th Century oratory which forms the link between the Gruuthuse Palace and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) next door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Louis de Gruuthuse had this unique late Medieval jewel built in the 1470s. From here, looking down on the church choir, he and his wife were able to follow the services conducted in the Church of Our Lady from the privacy of their home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The chapel is finished with panelling made from the very best oak from the Baltic region, the vaulted ceiling richly decorated. Don't forget to look for the little angels that support the vaulted ceiling: almost all of them are still original, and each one has a different face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBBQbgjY0xYi61CG1BErBxhy_L4cNvNcmRVLAqNUnZIPTyqpIh3K0BpxiJ9JKXMvPgMKZTKTAlhiMtiTFeUvCl_F51YvWUX6cYzBx4bwV3e8y05wYbpEMfkh4tHOHE16iHxmcYPCheIV4wNsVwhx8-BoueSFXmdB5eFC1auIk5ekDbbScXfgbvFl2/s2000/Brug2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBBQbgjY0xYi61CG1BErBxhy_L4cNvNcmRVLAqNUnZIPTyqpIh3K0BpxiJ9JKXMvPgMKZTKTAlhiMtiTFeUvCl_F51YvWUX6cYzBx4bwV3e8y05wYbpEMfkh4tHOHE16iHxmcYPCheIV4wNsVwhx8-BoueSFXmdB5eFC1auIk5ekDbbScXfgbvFl2/w400-h400/Brug2-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another must-see is the loggia or balcony on the second floor which offers one of the most iconic views in Bruges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tiny humpbacked Bonifacius bridge must be one of the most photogenic bridges in Bruges. It is perpetually crowded and even on this most inclement of days there was a queue of people patiently waiting to cross it and make selfies. I wonder how many of them realize that this is actually one of Bruges' youngest bridges, built in 1910? But then again, it does blend in with its historic surroundings extremely well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was well past midday when we emerged from the museum onto the rainy streets of Bruges. We crossed the street to have a look at the menu of the restaurant opposite, but were horrified to see that a humble Croque Monsieur (toasted sandwich) would set us back € 18. We therefore decided to return to 't Zand and the many restaurants lining the square. Here, we had lunch at a much more reasonable price, after which we returned to our car and drove back to the B&B, picking up a baguette to have with the rest of our tapas board along the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3Nu3rOLEJVH2aafsaxIv0ARVhXhQAra_OTW_aZEb_QToKKrcQNlVkSGILQTyNwgv5myD4D0JNzhyphenhyphenfbiDv7iGsESqPuZMzGrh76F628B_xaMmx1KK9A4GjWGigtuM0jHX_1PrLCfC1JV1-7QPK0Sd2hs2bXwsHh672AGMml5WAF_I4i-PmvqbUAZm/s2000/Brug2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3Nu3rOLEJVH2aafsaxIv0ARVhXhQAra_OTW_aZEb_QToKKrcQNlVkSGILQTyNwgv5myD4D0JNzhyphenhyphenfbiDv7iGsESqPuZMzGrh76F628B_xaMmx1KK9A4GjWGigtuM0jHX_1PrLCfC1JV1-7QPK0Sd2hs2bXwsHh672AGMml5WAF_I4i-PmvqbUAZm/w400-h400/Brug2-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sun briefly rejoined us on Sunday morning, which made us toy with the idea of going for a walk before setting off on our journey home. However, we hadn't even made it through breakfast before the heavens opened again. Oh well, there is always next time. After all, this is only an hour away from home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco_ON4CahsGI4uI80kH3E-oi1ZGDceWqFikb5UbluCTiGpOxGJF39bF3s_1sd9ZQe3lQ3b6JdRFZ-DCXS6_DijJxxMDIqAwRtBi3Uq6LVrFyJ8Bw95R_e04lSLV-eWXSvGIayzUuOye9wHwpUCGC4sOkZ-4YGSKm4zd_Y8AL6q9X5ZdVBlIosUCHq/s3264/Brug2-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco_ON4CahsGI4uI80kH3E-oi1ZGDceWqFikb5UbluCTiGpOxGJF39bF3s_1sd9ZQe3lQ3b6JdRFZ-DCXS6_DijJxxMDIqAwRtBi3Uq6LVrFyJ8Bw95R_e04lSLV-eWXSvGIayzUuOye9wHwpUCGC4sOkZ-4YGSKm4zd_Y8AL6q9X5ZdVBlIosUCHq/w400-h400/Brug2-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm leaving you now with my outfit of that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You've already caught a glimpse of my blue cord midi skirt, which was a naughty lunch break retail buy earlier that month. I wore it with another recent acquisition, a wide navy elasticated belt with Celtic knot style buckle. My Zoë Loveborn blouse is a favourite, picked up for next to nothing from the indoor flea market, while the chunky yellow cardigan and the orange beads were charity shop finds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Red cat brooch from the delightful <a href="https://www.katsign.be/katshop/" target="_blank">Katshop</a>, which recently had an unwanted visitor who smashed his bike through their window one night. All ended well, as the nasty specimen who did this thankfully got nicked, but I'm sure you can imagine the amount of work involved in clearing all the glass from the shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be resuming my usual schedule in my next post. See you again then!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-46910157559277200012023-12-03T19:34:00.000+01:002023-12-03T19:34:35.836+01:00Blue sky Bruges<p style="text-align: left;">As our little getaway was fastly approaching, we were keeping a close watch on the weather forecast. Surely, after all those weeks of endless rain, a change for the better must have been on the horizon? </p><p style="text-align: left;">By then, the Westhoek region in Flanders - where we've been spending our September holidays since 2012 - had been tormented by heavy rain for 10 days, causing unprecedented floods, so that we could only thank our lucky stars that wasn't where we were going.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Instead we would be staying even closer to home, at our favourite B&B Het Soetewater in Beernem near Bruges, involving a drive of roughly one hour. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Still, there were one or two hiccups in the week leading up to our long weekend away, with Jos having a case of the sniffles the previous weekend and me pulling a muscle in my back while putting on my boots on Wednesday morning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Aso4zrOeE5MGcBWsrTa_x4XYvNnyJWannsJsEddQdmyHuZ_imjXWsv95Fc6rZCDCnO5R5qz8JZ0ytFKkj2Tkpg6bARFk6QSb3_1oBlVydW3Fs2wdG0IjiUfzzOiVallN2jHqYoOCcXep-MtD-aenyBdS3ZaHctDsiuKK6VIoZx2HRLuUo3EbviSx/s2000/Brug1-a2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Aso4zrOeE5MGcBWsrTa_x4XYvNnyJWannsJsEddQdmyHuZ_imjXWsv95Fc6rZCDCnO5R5qz8JZ0ytFKkj2Tkpg6bARFk6QSb3_1oBlVydW3Fs2wdG0IjiUfzzOiVallN2jHqYoOCcXep-MtD-aenyBdS3ZaHctDsiuKK6VIoZx2HRLuUo3EbviSx/w400-h400/Brug1-a2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd taken Thursday afternoon off to pack and get into holiday mode, and it was nothing short of a relief that we were both virtually free of symptoms by Friday morning. Not to mention the fact that the sun had decided to keep us company for a change. According to the weather forecast it wouldn't last, but why not make the most of it while it did?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We said our goodbyes to a by then quite suspicious Bess, loaded our car and were off just after 10.30 am. After meeting a succession of sunshine and showers along the way as well as a lengthy queue due to roadworks about half-way, we arrived at our home away from home for two nights around noon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It would be our seventh stay at Het Soetewater - and our second one this year! - although we'd never been here at this time of year. It looked every bit as inviting as always, though, perhaps even more so surrounded by the last of the Autumnal splendour. But look at that angry sky!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z9kRdxIIL3Ac6JR8l69apgrsZgsi6rtoX7x5Bpstn0ao_VEO_zMJn0xE4N2a87dXYh4wXKPq8Jr7nj7jjbAw9ImYETTKIvp_auEQgpvdIEwcEVwGKHsKEn9-X6Rcd99cvjZPPQNbX8XntW28MqnQSVIhZ2HoPPzLi94mwCG18omp43V0r8JF1DgC/s2000/Brug1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z9kRdxIIL3Ac6JR8l69apgrsZgsi6rtoX7x5Bpstn0ao_VEO_zMJn0xE4N2a87dXYh4wXKPq8Jr7nj7jjbAw9ImYETTKIvp_auEQgpvdIEwcEVwGKHsKEn9-X6Rcd99cvjZPPQNbX8XntW28MqnQSVIhZ2HoPPzLi94mwCG18omp43V0r8JF1DgC/w400-h400/Brug1-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were welcomed by our lovely host, Veronique, with cappuccinos, mini brownies and chocolates printed with the B&B's name, and then made our way to our room in the annex.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After unpacking and reacquainting ourselves with our room - noting that Veronique had made a couple of changes to the layout - we made ourselves cups of coffee and tea and lunched on the sandwiches we'd brought with us, while dolefully watching the rain which had inevitably started falling from that angry sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_Xu0f_LCcn1WpHzq09gH5OlKjCqN365t-wOgCoRi1nAxZ0IXxYDzuEJJRQ-2el4OMUOOzdv4QwWb9o6CDnSWEHMCAf65Uhy9xCR9Z1ufyIgeIsjNmXtuuJO9CkLy5xrY3OlpSli7dEzhllffv95cdb8j_m-gzwcSN5b6clrN-UAVAtYFYBsgI__g/s2000/Brug1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_Xu0f_LCcn1WpHzq09gH5OlKjCqN365t-wOgCoRi1nAxZ0IXxYDzuEJJRQ-2el4OMUOOzdv4QwWb9o6CDnSWEHMCAf65Uhy9xCR9Z1ufyIgeIsjNmXtuuJO9CkLy5xrY3OlpSli7dEzhllffv95cdb8j_m-gzwcSN5b6clrN-UAVAtYFYBsgI__g/w400-h400/Brug1-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At that moment, it would have been tempting to stay put and make ourselves comfortable in those easy chairs, reading the papers or a book, with one eye longingly on that whirlpool bath we had been daydreaming about for weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRItrxlqmqoWulhQTnmnXYQAyZo3Hbqpnh9O5Anu4kMJZbfWXcypFm8XXcdgSVnF3lmDv9mN8XOSflFQ4CxReU5for6iHNHFjsGJ94AFKgrgyOK9UXnIrYGoCYegUvuBC51qnWhLX7H0Fqej3EogMtavrVijhyphenhyphen2gkghlbORV_uqIHw7gY-ZG_4Ao2D/s2000/Brug1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRItrxlqmqoWulhQTnmnXYQAyZo3Hbqpnh9O5Anu4kMJZbfWXcypFm8XXcdgSVnF3lmDv9mN8XOSflFQ4CxReU5for6iHNHFjsGJ94AFKgrgyOK9UXnIrYGoCYegUvuBC51qnWhLX7H0Fqej3EogMtavrVijhyphenhyphen2gkghlbORV_uqIHw7gY-ZG_4Ao2D/w400-h400/Brug1-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But soon the angry sky departed elsewhere and we could even spot a patch or two of blue and the odd ray of sunshine piercing the grey. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, off we went, making sure to dress warmly and instructing our Satnav to take us to Bruges via secondary roads. If left to her own devices, she would surely have made us drive along the motorway we'd only just gladly left behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz30sTl4PMPOwGUP1I9-EpWQYdY6oDMqNbmTUmjMxFERAMPzqmHoQj6oMRWArcrbkT0YoiOaWPnVL26L-yYASstaeQIcoZI4mBcepBnF5fjD8X9_Gm4xeb95vvm6wH-X1PvGtAIAhcKsPLQt1B-MW3y15HTAzPZsC-1GqBK0sgsDAeSGm0cWw4Dwt/s4032/Brug1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz30sTl4PMPOwGUP1I9-EpWQYdY6oDMqNbmTUmjMxFERAMPzqmHoQj6oMRWArcrbkT0YoiOaWPnVL26L-yYASstaeQIcoZI4mBcepBnF5fjD8X9_Gm4xeb95vvm6wH-X1PvGtAIAhcKsPLQt1B-MW3y15HTAzPZsC-1GqBK0sgsDAeSGm0cWw4Dwt/w428-h640/Brug1-f.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But not before having a quick peek at my outfit, which that day consisted of a mix of retail, vintage and new-to-me finds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked up the cord midi skirt - which is from the Belgian Green Ice label - in an outlet shop back in September. The blue flower-pattered jumper is vintage and an old Think Twice find, while my burgundy cardigan is one of my charity shopped King Louies. My belt, necklace and ring were all charity shop finds too, while the faux-Lea Stein cat brooch followed me home from a flea market in December 2018.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArGzmHcAELo-TJvMT6uNyxeGDeJdWfRdge440x4BzHed4kZNjtLzDa3npAkwOtAC38J6EFRK51xXuTVgBbhCEOqJHTkF3FrCBSrCXFPIDLfrqq3yTyjN4_JSEg7x23dm9DCdKG-2GRottiFlGD7tYmZgWZdYEzfpzFMbKas8dbXQzCoj7pU9B1DIN/s2000/Brug1-e2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArGzmHcAELo-TJvMT6uNyxeGDeJdWfRdge440x4BzHed4kZNjtLzDa3npAkwOtAC38J6EFRK51xXuTVgBbhCEOqJHTkF3FrCBSrCXFPIDLfrqq3yTyjN4_JSEg7x23dm9DCdKG-2GRottiFlGD7tYmZgWZdYEzfpzFMbKas8dbXQzCoj7pU9B1DIN/w400-h400/Brug1-e2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yet another short-lived shower materialized just minutes after we'd driven off, its interplay with the sun leaving a rainbow in its wake. We were able to stop the car and take a photo of it just before it faded away completely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD9LLvdp6BS_XuDXO3W5Sp79Lyomi1dhR8SDzBu33D89E3f8AS51QgGXR-QNzOpoip1FmO74lkm1eM9DXN6FloiPMupVCa1Mh1oOrNR59DMGXJsAmP5x_AQ98uEYDRm8MPsp6a9FJFv4mh8daDagvvkJNLrHNuk7a5M4iRY_1935Vcccq0i4-JK16/s4030/Brug1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2696" data-original-width="4030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD9LLvdp6BS_XuDXO3W5Sp79Lyomi1dhR8SDzBu33D89E3f8AS51QgGXR-QNzOpoip1FmO74lkm1eM9DXN6FloiPMupVCa1Mh1oOrNR59DMGXJsAmP5x_AQ98uEYDRm8MPsp6a9FJFv4mh8daDagvvkJNLrHNuk7a5M4iRY_1935Vcccq0i4-JK16/w400-h268/Brug1-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was only when I uploaded the photos back at home that I noticed the location. We'd driven past the wooded knoll with its tower many times before, but so far I hadn't been able to find out its identity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time I decided to dig a bit further, so that I can now reveal this is the <i>Galgetoren</i> (Gallows tower) in the village of Hertsberge. The knoll it stands on, and which is about 15 metres high, was built around 800 AD by the Normans as a lookout. The tower itself was added many centuries later, and served as a gallows during the Spanish Occupation. Apparently, it is possible to visit the tower, which we will definitely attempt to do some time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0FP5S4i0Ehw_KW6TYHVt1CP0ImDp8Be4WF0S11uVoAvs3X_78S_sU4kAVgq5DaouFDS8jl-s2FTx567CDot21u30I-5VUbk6sfP2xn0u0Wgpvy6fkBWS7mVeVPEn4owykcMQzJ9Uezg6R90Qert0CLcKy6Nv85Rd6MI3hUOFyuW-5uy5btejwd5y/s2000/Brug1-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0FP5S4i0Ehw_KW6TYHVt1CP0ImDp8Be4WF0S11uVoAvs3X_78S_sU4kAVgq5DaouFDS8jl-s2FTx567CDot21u30I-5VUbk6sfP2xn0u0Wgpvy6fkBWS7mVeVPEn4owykcMQzJ9Uezg6R90Qert0CLcKy6Nv85Rd6MI3hUOFyuW-5uy5btejwd5y/w400-h400/Brug1-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon, our Satnav was trying to misdirect us to the large multi-storey car park under the 't Zand Square, wanting us to keep to the right instead of entering the tunnel which gives access to the entrance. It's a good thing that after all those years we know our way around a bit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We emerged from the minus 4 depths onto the square, which is dominated by the Concert Hall (above, top left), completed in 2002. We then walked the length of the square, opting to walk to Bruges' beating heart, the Market Square, via the Noordzandstraat, the poshest and lesser of the two evils being Bruges' main shopping thoroughfares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were both craving waffles, and had already passed a recommended tearoom but, finding it a bit too early after our late lunch, we decided to walk to the Market Square first and return later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNJGK3BcXouv9FxGwIDjze39K97q0HljJOy2HJURDRkOmKL8qVUELvrpYdEXfid7L6YfuTguf5FZB1YH_r6mgevZVLVTcfEXWqEPPy64NJ8y0A777E8941fPLgBAPgpNyqWZ_-TlAaiPpi8QstkPYkwZ-FXtJTpRMqG4DRxDKzqWO3aPaqr83CJpI/s2000/Brug1-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNJGK3BcXouv9FxGwIDjze39K97q0HljJOy2HJURDRkOmKL8qVUELvrpYdEXfid7L6YfuTguf5FZB1YH_r6mgevZVLVTcfEXWqEPPy64NJ8y0A777E8941fPLgBAPgpNyqWZ_-TlAaiPpi8QstkPYkwZ-FXtJTpRMqG4DRxDKzqWO3aPaqr83CJpI/w640-h640/Brug1-i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The square has long been dominated by the Belfry, at 83 metres high one of the city’s most prominent buildings. Those who climb to the top are rewarded with a breath-taking panorama, but there's always a queue, and its € 15 ticket price rather puts us off. Particularly because I can never be sure whether my vertigo will allow me to continue all the way up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winter Glow, Bruges' Christmas market, was still under construction at the time of our visit, but was already greatly marring the view of the square, with the imposing Provincial Court (above, top centre) peeking out between the branches of the ubiquitous Christmas trees. The sky, by then, was on its best behaviour, coloured a striking, brilliant blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the weather forecast for Saturday was looking pretty dire, we checked out the possibilities of the Historium (above, bottom left, centre and right), a popular museum in which fictional characters tell the story of medieval Bruges enhance by virtual reality. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_uhwb9oL1K1CCsrZcFLdg7_3OqV3sla6jZqCBNdG18d77LD9S3GozGZSmPio5ya_F9NPyoYeBvgzvS8pMQi7bVRlnJqeOGxfSl79Lw3A_Wwghyphenhyphen4J6ZuZxLpjLZDMj7rBV4VL3v_NGz6-Corqaq_Y0xZ8EzWDlQHaAl3oK48xjLdw8DMLH6QBVVL5/s2000/Brug1-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_uhwb9oL1K1CCsrZcFLdg7_3OqV3sla6jZqCBNdG18d77LD9S3GozGZSmPio5ya_F9NPyoYeBvgzvS8pMQi7bVRlnJqeOGxfSl79Lw3A_Wwghyphenhyphen4J6ZuZxLpjLZDMj7rBV4VL3v_NGz6-Corqaq_Y0xZ8EzWDlQHaAl3oK48xjLdw8DMLH6QBVVL5/w400-h400/Brug1-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The thought of those waffles lured us back into the direction of the tearoom, Café au Lait, who'd celebrated their 25th anniversary earlier that week. We passed the recently opened new Think Twice (T2) shop along the way and I went in for a quick browse but left empty-handed. Those waffles were clearly calling my name!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we continued with our plans for the afternoon, which was visiting Bladelin Court, a medieval city palace in nearby Naaldenstraat. We'd passed the palace on our wanderings back in February but, as it is only open on Monday and Friday afternoons, we hadn't been able to go inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituze4hn7GPqblOeW0Lw4j55yPAFsbayVIhZ8dd8EFpRNHqSLzImDscjc5lZdQ6-j_QrNSiumRVEmJZ3cyRlBaLAp1qFvYhUCF1s3IokO3Q-20_uB7MZr6tgNDSOAm_ioMeimXAGfMw-H-L-FRSKARAycOBfLP7Tk8QonVUXBGmfb-sVLe0LEyiksV/s2000/Brug1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituze4hn7GPqblOeW0Lw4j55yPAFsbayVIhZ8dd8EFpRNHqSLzImDscjc5lZdQ6-j_QrNSiumRVEmJZ3cyRlBaLAp1qFvYhUCF1s3IokO3Q-20_uB7MZr6tgNDSOAm_ioMeimXAGfMw-H-L-FRSKARAycOBfLP7Tk8QonVUXBGmfb-sVLe0LEyiksV/w400-h400/Brug1-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The palace was built by Pieter Bladelin, treasurer of the order of the Golden Fleece, around 1440, during the Burgundian Golden Age of Duke Philip the Good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After paying for our - at € 10 quite overpriced - tickets, we were told by the lady at the till that we might be able to tag along with a guide and two other visitors in the chapel. However, at that moment, the small group was just exiting the chapel and walking towards the final room, where we briefly joined them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwAlnedG_cd0u02qg_3WlNz1Bn28WYzgEQDkHiabRDRrvEv14QHEWhW9QiL2OCmKwL8ssw2cg9JT2mGiqrmk2HkawvuBr8NQrGoI2xmxcB01613jrCov3KCElcaIRPFmbYx_LZL8MZ-t1zQNZ8-8ZQ-CEwEdcALBgZc8Ftsen20CFvouHJuaBfHKP/s2000/Brug1-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwAlnedG_cd0u02qg_3WlNz1Bn28WYzgEQDkHiabRDRrvEv14QHEWhW9QiL2OCmKwL8ssw2cg9JT2mGiqrmk2HkawvuBr8NQrGoI2xmxcB01613jrCov3KCElcaIRPFmbYx_LZL8MZ-t1zQNZ8-8ZQ-CEwEdcALBgZc8Ftsen20CFvouHJuaBfHKP/w640-h640/Brug1-l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the early 19th century, the Reverend Leon de Foere established his lace-making school here and it was he who added the neo-Classical chapel we would be visiting - with great difficulty - later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the final room we were now in, he installed giant replica paintings of frescoes created by Raphael for the papal reception rooms in the Vatican, which the elderly guide waxed quite lyrical about (above, top left). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We then returned to the first room, which was the beginning of the tour, where we admired - amongst other things - the 17th Century Descent from the Cross from the art collection of Leon de Foere, an extremely fine and elaborated miniaturistic marble sculpture (above, bottom left).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7_caGhhi_kvUybs6qVyifT_ancx6hyxg9nO0LSWCCWkzrDqRkrrJZGEo0mpdPg4QaQuzO9cE_2ygKQosfcLhaRvB0f3Gr3Jirb_MQRLLq_6x9tXFqMlqOTr7BqXhtiQyuPpe5nCo_5UxsFFxVxtgIGqmekt26ClcgqfqmHJRSDJvX2fc4-0Lkkmm/s2000/Brug1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7_caGhhi_kvUybs6qVyifT_ancx6hyxg9nO0LSWCCWkzrDqRkrrJZGEo0mpdPg4QaQuzO9cE_2ygKQosfcLhaRvB0f3Gr3Jirb_MQRLLq_6x9tXFqMlqOTr7BqXhtiQyuPpe5nCo_5UxsFFxVxtgIGqmekt26ClcgqfqmHJRSDJvX2fc4-0Lkkmm/w400-h400/Brug1-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As directed, we opened the door which we thought would lead us to the next room, only to find ourselves in a beautifully enclosed cobbled courtyard with geometric boxwood hedges under a stately tower. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the late 15th century, a branch of the Florentine de Medici Bank was housed here, which the property still bears witness to today with its early Renaissance medallion sculptures of Lorenzo de Medici and his wife, Clarice Orsini, who look down on the Italian-inspired garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kGlk8BbQMDgo8kXzjCHr8xJOaq_HJ-0uyJh637l-iqMoycbRkbYK76qZHoH_p8pAaRbTjFIKRUARd9ZJgMFJa_lJb5rvfdzGO6IVNjbhRH2kN6_zGpFtd2ZUJDKD3KNewWc5SNUznFAPQiX_fPmeKIQI0bhYMb3DXpWzk547o0yUjYBiGa4DQU24/s2000/Brug1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kGlk8BbQMDgo8kXzjCHr8xJOaq_HJ-0uyJh637l-iqMoycbRkbYK76qZHoH_p8pAaRbTjFIKRUARd9ZJgMFJa_lJb5rvfdzGO6IVNjbhRH2kN6_zGpFtd2ZUJDKD3KNewWc5SNUznFAPQiX_fPmeKIQI0bhYMb3DXpWzk547o0yUjYBiGa4DQU24/w400-h400/Brug1-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Several rooms seemed to be leading off from the courtyard, all of them apparently locked. As there was no indication where we should go next, we kept wandering around, wondering what to do until, finally, we we found an open door, beyond which lay a staircase with an arrow pointing upstairs to the chapel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We breathed sighs of relief, only to find our way barred again at the end of the gallery from which we could therefore only look down into the darkened chapel and return the way we'd come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircDvYRLoceW2OLo5vU4J6OW3Hgnyj49oCddXszoT16hSO_3F4EOwpa2xSHgXz8CuwsIYVCTZ_mUeh_lLC2PzUqHOegLfar1xFOeHUnB4PJdjn6AAqFyzRabTE435bU7fCYZyL59yXGMaG7V3I-H0nSUqRDdCSsPtnGs74CyF_kLyPyfc0ugFPOFW2/s3264/Brug1-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircDvYRLoceW2OLo5vU4J6OW3Hgnyj49oCddXszoT16hSO_3F4EOwpa2xSHgXz8CuwsIYVCTZ_mUeh_lLC2PzUqHOegLfar1xFOeHUnB4PJdjn6AAqFyzRabTE435bU7fCYZyL59yXGMaG7V3I-H0nSUqRDdCSsPtnGs74CyF_kLyPyfc0ugFPOFW2/w400-h400/Brug1-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Grumbling, we made our way back inside, where we found ourselves back in the final room with its replica Raphael frescoes. But then Jos noticed the small door the guide and visitors had emerged from earlier. We ignored its no-entry sign and had a sneaky peek, finding ourselves in the chapel proper which, after locating a light switch, we proceeded to have a mooch around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Leon de Foere's neo-Classical chapel is said to be a copy of Sant'Agnese Fuori le Mura in Rome, built outside the Roman Aurelian city walls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In hindsight, we would have been better off giving Bladelin Court a miss, roaming the streets of picturesque Bruges instead. We were fully aware that only a handful of rooms of the complex, which has belonged to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows since 1964, were open to the public, but we were quite disappointed with the confusing layout and lack of proper information. Perhaps it would have been an altogether more enjoyable experience if we'd booked a guide ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3q-uP64FfxtdEWbEZFk-8Klofn7UB2vnuzEddFDh1FByquhsIpApB_ZY0AlePpy213yurOazpXQyAVniXEK9dgA_M209fTJnHDR-VCOajBdttw0R6bK7bOk2sJBj1mtMI1xKehGvicLf2jkxOEx9O2RH51yIOzvTAVs2x1wEZXSDj6MoqN_M0yU/s2000/Brug1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3q-uP64FfxtdEWbEZFk-8Klofn7UB2vnuzEddFDh1FByquhsIpApB_ZY0AlePpy213yurOazpXQyAVniXEK9dgA_M209fTJnHDR-VCOajBdttw0R6bK7bOk2sJBj1mtMI1xKehGvicLf2jkxOEx9O2RH51yIOzvTAVs2x1wEZXSDj6MoqN_M0yU/w400-h400/Brug1-p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we were back on the streets, the light was starting to fade, the setting sun providing a grand finale for this unexpectedly sunny November afternoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We took our time returning to 't Zand and our car, then drove back to our B&B, where one of Veronique's delicious tapas boards was waiting for us in the fridge! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwbHydVRzycZy1OxWI6IEt9oxz2ywtaTkXAZwWFSoLQAWRuzla8hH6UxFFercHepEea8ML6Pru2tJo2Aw-rmyRj8tzMWd_XY3YYky96KfQn4_BXN1DgNFYiZBcuR4GNY5B-xDLGkK8CFMtDmu1gmC-mb9GL7YI5dexUok6PpXHBjqbq4RSRh2uyWG/s4030/Brug1-q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwbHydVRzycZy1OxWI6IEt9oxz2ywtaTkXAZwWFSoLQAWRuzla8hH6UxFFercHepEea8ML6Pru2tJo2Aw-rmyRj8tzMWd_XY3YYky96KfQn4_BXN1DgNFYiZBcuR4GNY5B-xDLGkK8CFMtDmu1gmC-mb9GL7YI5dexUok6PpXHBjqbq4RSRh2uyWG/w400-h301/Brug1-q.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended our day with a relaxing soak in the whirlpool bath before letting our heads hit the pillows in our most comfortable yet far too large King Size bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please do join me again for the second and final installment of my mini travelogue, which I'm hoping to regale you with soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-85094565196654127532023-11-27T19:26:00.000+01:002023-11-27T19:26:52.349+01:00Life is better when you're laughing!<p style="text-align: left;">Here I was, at the end of my previous post, hoping - perhaps somewhat against hope - to be back before the week was over. Well, what can I say but that I'm glad I didn't actually make a solemn promise which it turned out I couldn't keep! </p><p style="text-align: left;">Let's just say that I was otherwise occupied. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Firstly, last week was quite an exhausting one at the office, which left me with barely enough energy to read and comment on your blog posts. Then, when the weekend finally rolled along, we caught up on some sleep, booked our Shropshire cottage for next June and answered the siren call of the charity shops. And finally, there was my latest read, Sarah Waters' Fingersmith which, being quite unputdownable, has made whole chunks of time disappear into thin air!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZXbci_aws5_xnVr7Xnf0wZ8dGewUP2n-bni-vFxlrK81AM65XBBGSLDn67GpNYGEe8gyzyYxiCg8jcAdV8olV49y0HJzl3VWhEeo8dWT2CiPJG_CNZ-IKBvJVCoO7qHofWdCS2biK022GfpUBbNNyHV3uGLNqPQ6Ruqe1ZiRLFwUa3FOLd7y3Yvl/s4030/Nov2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZXbci_aws5_xnVr7Xnf0wZ8dGewUP2n-bni-vFxlrK81AM65XBBGSLDn67GpNYGEe8gyzyYxiCg8jcAdV8olV49y0HJzl3VWhEeo8dWT2CiPJG_CNZ-IKBvJVCoO7qHofWdCS2biK022GfpUBbNNyHV3uGLNqPQ6Ruqe1ZiRLFwUa3FOLd7y3Yvl/w301-h400/Nov2-o.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">But time and tide wait for no man - or in my case, woman - as they say, so let's cast our minds back to November's second weekend, starting with what I was wearing on Friday the 10th.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The weather gods had a mix of dry spells and showers in store for us and the day's highs would remain stuck just under the double-figure mark at 9°C.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Apart from my boots, long-sleeved t-shirt used for layering and my hidden yet matching opaques, everything I was wearing was obtained second-hand from various sources.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKLtFrRH32k0aw5r7fNH8R3gzHBVBDevkwGnAOLBPoQIHiRVhhRmiD0LvgkvX86QAEhAjwxl7XfFRM_smG1zeaIM5iLAKwjryCQsDAaDTWAmijHg-GKwSOTfsxioArr1XyMgt6HP_OfDb4r3x7kSPYB3Wj7coMJgZIOg5yVXUYXAio8GrXV39amAM/s4032/Nov2-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKLtFrRH32k0aw5r7fNH8R3gzHBVBDevkwGnAOLBPoQIHiRVhhRmiD0LvgkvX86QAEhAjwxl7XfFRM_smG1zeaIM5iLAKwjryCQsDAaDTWAmijHg-GKwSOTfsxioArr1XyMgt6HP_OfDb4r3x7kSPYB3Wj7coMJgZIOg5yVXUYXAio8GrXV39amAM/w428-h640/Nov2-d.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My vintage chevron patterned skirt, in grey, black, white and shades of brown, was a Think Twice find back in October 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both the blouse and the tank top were supplied by the charity shops, but while the King Louie blouse was snapped up in Poperinge while on our September holiday in 2021, the cable-knit chocolate brown tank top was a lunch-time find last December. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWGwLywt9Clx1b5K8klym9iIp11IS-ftFjfsTSHT0IAI8Ur9xsMZWZQHTkypL_UfEESyN0KR8kp80KWQY7AQDLSnyX9rXRyXJtWrHG0LQEHHJ8yWnDGLXQ6AiyPwMcCTLwq3e3Rt__C0jcRx1K5nrkC88mx5xV2UheDuuGvouQWSWRfzxgYS00Kbv/s2000/Nov2-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWGwLywt9Clx1b5K8klym9iIp11IS-ftFjfsTSHT0IAI8Ur9xsMZWZQHTkypL_UfEESyN0KR8kp80KWQY7AQDLSnyX9rXRyXJtWrHG0LQEHHJ8yWnDGLXQ6AiyPwMcCTLwq3e3Rt__C0jcRx1K5nrkC88mx5xV2UheDuuGvouQWSWRfzxgYS00Kbv/w400-h400/Nov2-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added a touch of orange with my accessories in the form of a beaded necklace from New Road Antiques in Newcastle Emlyn, Wales, and a chunky plastic ring and cameo brooch, both of which were flea market finds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Armed with two bags of donations to woo the charity shop goddesses, we drove down to the charity shop in the nearby town of Mortsel. The contents of the bags, which included the cardigans I recently weeded out, as well as Jos's old Winter coat, amongst other things, must have greatly pleased them, as we were more than rewarded for our generosity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeb7-91tOZNaK9MDUG1lSV0Q4BaWVBsignxufiIjX2Rp9s4N2GElaRHlswhclqrikVm1aHaLn-MijjHfDLAvykXXobHHz5BthDIvjAWjVDkzRT2XOdGBMe442jPK8dNdUVphqlZh9uamkNStA_Jjs90k5qFcYcv7IsusbIVu8ENSoQI7-Xi6bLG-T/s2000/Nov2-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeb7-91tOZNaK9MDUG1lSV0Q4BaWVBsignxufiIjX2Rp9s4N2GElaRHlswhclqrikVm1aHaLn-MijjHfDLAvykXXobHHz5BthDIvjAWjVDkzRT2XOdGBMe442jPK8dNdUVphqlZh9uamkNStA_Jjs90k5qFcYcv7IsusbIVu8ENSoQI7-Xi6bLG-T/w400-h371/Nov2-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I show you what I ended up taking home, here's a € 4 sales bargain from Think Twice snapped up earlier that week. I'd dithered over this multi-coloured dress with its side bow and shoulder buttons on Wednesday, but couldn't face the queues at the fitting rooms. When, oh miracle of miracles, it was still on the rails on Thursday when I went for a quick rummage with my friend Inez, I took it as a sign that it was meant to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, without further ado, let's have a look at Friday's charity shop finds! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd been on the lookout for a (faux) leather skirt for absolutely ages, but so far my search had been fruitless. If there was anything at all on the charity shop rails, it was the wrong size, length or model, and often all three at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFr9gIKs4RNKiI4JrPSuzKIlfmC8m3-Twc9drDH4wTb3AEly0lcqitwL60JiOm5oFAKo2HnWt9qLd9qOb4e8Eps9kZogUeH-hXW4YqyUayTjV4YVzftYOXOQJQ7SMB5HkfJNBOJozxTmF1tgIlEL6jpBDyG5llpdhpIGqPhRPJ7OqgaDKWabMEIBO/s3264/Nov2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFr9gIKs4RNKiI4JrPSuzKIlfmC8m3-Twc9drDH4wTb3AEly0lcqitwL60JiOm5oFAKo2HnWt9qLd9qOb4e8Eps9kZogUeH-hXW4YqyUayTjV4YVzftYOXOQJQ7SMB5HkfJNBOJozxTmF1tgIlEL6jpBDyG5llpdhpIGqPhRPJ7OqgaDKWabMEIBO/w400-h400/Nov2-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I spotted this snake patterned faux leather midi one! I mean, it's even got pockets! Admittedly, it was a size too large, but nothing even my limited sewing skills couldn't fix. From the posh Belgian Caroline Biss label, it must have retailed in the region of € 189. As luck would have it, it wasn't on the posh labels rail, so that it was mine for just € 5,90!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The green needlecord blouse is from yet another Belgian designer label, Gigue. The label's roots are in Antwerp, and its designer, Jo Wyckmans, was one of the first graduates from the world-renowned Antwerp fashion academy. He founded the Gigue brand in 1991. According to their website, the style of the label is characterized by pure silhouettes with a sporty and androgynous twist in a mix of Anglo-Saxon influences and French flair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG2yrtnIbhLLxpuVq-BhuySk6EHJtBscj-Ujd-HjpQsyRnBFmxTJBUICLAr2KY8bQFS9_gpzMop0WXjBOSqp_Z4dEgtgpnnDper-E8DaxWXpD8LQx4vpC6yjgk0HaYoaR0vQW5obB2e9Uxa3dXLMLjCTnNLvj5Hd2n_kJFB-OGcet0i2vO2XG46z-/s3264/Nov2-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG2yrtnIbhLLxpuVq-BhuySk6EHJtBscj-Ujd-HjpQsyRnBFmxTJBUICLAr2KY8bQFS9_gpzMop0WXjBOSqp_Z4dEgtgpnnDper-E8DaxWXpD8LQx4vpC6yjgk0HaYoaR0vQW5obB2e9Uxa3dXLMLjCTnNLvj5Hd2n_kJFB-OGcet0i2vO2XG46z-/w400-h400/Nov2-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You might remember me mentioning the Belgian designer Nathalie Vleeschouwer before. Her eponymous high end label, which was launched in 2011, has its headquarters in Antwerp too. This funkily patterned frock wasn't my first charity shopped item from the label, and once more one that had escaped the attention of the shop's employees. Plucked from the regular rail of dresses instead of the posh label one, it cost me all of € 6,90. I must add that the quality isn't that great and doesn't justify its astronomical retail price of around € 150.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0cEE76M2mD4P8ZFUoLHL6AeBu5izj1YjjP1LDrql61_9gG-wp5tEEfgLPK7pM4CK6ictm0VANU56U3u4mGFklq1UkNCTFF-zqPOUELN_D0r7HwPtQXuL_nm9keaDuV9ouaS2jwkwzFKBaqYzxrjRJCAlSrZF7G3IlUGpaZy5E452_MVzOqWG5nUL/s4032/Nov2-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0cEE76M2mD4P8ZFUoLHL6AeBu5izj1YjjP1LDrql61_9gG-wp5tEEfgLPK7pM4CK6ictm0VANU56U3u4mGFklq1UkNCTFF-zqPOUELN_D0r7HwPtQXuL_nm9keaDuV9ouaS2jwkwzFKBaqYzxrjRJCAlSrZF7G3IlUGpaZy5E452_MVzOqWG5nUL/w428-h640/Nov2-f.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No charity shopping on Saturday! It was the 11th of November, and Armistice Day, which is a public holiday here in Belgium, so that most shops remained firmly closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather, which was another dismal grey-skied one accompanied by a fine drizzle, ruled out going for a walk, so that ticking off a couple of tasks off my to-do list were the only things on the menu that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night, we were invited for a family dinner at a local restaurant by Jos's son Kris, who celebrated his 50th birthday back in October. No photos were taken, but let's just say that the star of the evening was grandson Cas, at not yet two and a half years old the best behaved toddler in a restaurant ever!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqovEV8klrBketn6CViqFaLay9NSDrqtO6zAtZsYp_PqtyiQO1YtDOCS3IsnXmiMjmgcxFudEUu10jcBNeCAuVkFGtj0johc_Fy2Fit6jW5Ejjk6O7LgiUNgQUUhrJMZWv0v6PgAWW9cKCWAQmnEGaEasJiKIm18qWzOhH9jGW04Sz99S3Djr3IvD8/s2000/Nov2-g2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqovEV8klrBketn6CViqFaLay9NSDrqtO6zAtZsYp_PqtyiQO1YtDOCS3IsnXmiMjmgcxFudEUu10jcBNeCAuVkFGtj0johc_Fy2Fit6jW5Ejjk6O7LgiUNgQUUhrJMZWv0v6PgAWW9cKCWAQmnEGaEasJiKIm18qWzOhH9jGW04Sz99S3Djr3IvD8/w400-h400/Nov2-g2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was wearing one of my Diolen delights that day, a faux-patchwork patterned brown on black button through dress. Yet again from Think Twice, it seems to have been in my wardrobe forever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As usual, I combined it with blue, this time adding a cardigan with diamond ajour pattern by Sweet Soda and a wide leather belt with self buckle, both of which were charity shopped. My marbled blue and white beaded necklace came from a long-gone vintage shop and, if I remember correctly, both brooches were flea market finds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSA1eBquv2QdLOZLy8a_7glTjszBd7lpTaUvLBMQNqEQTjKA4Sk9Na_UOMiwqOztIbNZ-XeqX5FCwpRSHKF4fJOTuJ_aNSs3gNRS4QF-NNXyQG3lx-xIWCv-Ebe7km7KydW5SxhC3gDOm5UUfeGcmLLzIbsiZFrxpW5shMINLZSGyW4BHG0hipInZ/s2000/Nov2-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSA1eBquv2QdLOZLy8a_7glTjszBd7lpTaUvLBMQNqEQTjKA4Sk9Na_UOMiwqOztIbNZ-XeqX5FCwpRSHKF4fJOTuJ_aNSs3gNRS4QF-NNXyQG3lx-xIWCv-Ebe7km7KydW5SxhC3gDOm5UUfeGcmLLzIbsiZFrxpW5shMINLZSGyW4BHG0hipInZ/w400-h400/Nov2-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday was mainly dry, but quite chilly at 8°C. I actually wore a woollen jumper for the first time this season, which you'll get to see at the end of this post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wanting to make the most of the frankly speaking exceptional weather conditions, we wasted no time in getting ourselves ready and go for a walk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As by now we'd lost all faith in the weather forecast, we didn't want to venture too far and drove down to the park in Boom again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyqOQZe2mZDwQ-4utIlM2xnQFujFSL-00v2poNsDCsnl6baTjwINsvXGY_lSZkQiPYcLHtU8H5_wvliBbJZ2ZGYw40h6u53TvL1DYea0TPpNpzPz3slrzIqrprRF5Cd7XnGGv640gs8n9uUw4EWuXknFlB0-Ma1O4cBIdg5ElQygrHHuobMes4tPd/s2000/Nov2-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyqOQZe2mZDwQ-4utIlM2xnQFujFSL-00v2poNsDCsnl6baTjwINsvXGY_lSZkQiPYcLHtU8H5_wvliBbJZ2ZGYw40h6u53TvL1DYea0TPpNpzPz3slrzIqrprRF5Cd7XnGGv640gs8n9uUw4EWuXknFlB0-Ma1O4cBIdg5ElQygrHHuobMes4tPd/w400-h400/Nov2-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time, we parked further along the main road skirting the park, as we wanted to walk to the modernist water gardens at its tapered end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made a shortcut through a carpet piled high with russet leaves among which a colony of fungi had settled around the remains of an ancient fallen tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we followed a muddy track which lead us into what could very well have been the heart of a forest if it weren't for the occasional glimpses of the houses lining the adjacent street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySeeMMrqFtAWxDQC3l7qWgzLAWTjjLKxN_pk6BsY77SvjZCUNRPSJ5CrBlyEO9q5AX7qjN2axYIunvm-mYPxYJ_cC4Uhvd1ey2RUcjgsXbPdlOeTk1Nt4VuldX7pRyBYRE32q6y7aA3j5AjRxrb8NCi3zd-_rg-f7stl0Tjfc4iOlVOLxUATcbnFB/s4030/Nov2-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySeeMMrqFtAWxDQC3l7qWgzLAWTjjLKxN_pk6BsY77SvjZCUNRPSJ5CrBlyEO9q5AX7qjN2axYIunvm-mYPxYJ_cC4Uhvd1ey2RUcjgsXbPdlOeTk1Nt4VuldX7pRyBYRE32q6y7aA3j5AjRxrb8NCi3zd-_rg-f7stl0Tjfc4iOlVOLxUATcbnFB/w482-h640/Nov2-l.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In spite of the weather, there weren't too many people, apart from the odd dog walker, about, so that it wasn't hard to imagine being somewhere away from humanity, with only the trees in their Autumnal splendour, and a pair of bickering ducks for company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then the spell was broken by the cheering and shouting emanating from one of the sports grounds which have their homes in the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yoXe_WTTsFzTRav45vVJgB_wN7bZeEyIVEWwbwNJF9TH17LLFfmDAaauavEvPwJH2LlutqFpZaaV1X-odOgtd7a6hfKRKaYl62F_91KZRV7HmZe62zcpEgq3YDFPd4hL4gGE87wGDd2Xn7hBIPlwD9v_e4GRjAx9PbOGDyJ5YihsmhvKgw7cdtPg/s2000/Nov2-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yoXe_WTTsFzTRav45vVJgB_wN7bZeEyIVEWwbwNJF9TH17LLFfmDAaauavEvPwJH2LlutqFpZaaV1X-odOgtd7a6hfKRKaYl62F_91KZRV7HmZe62zcpEgq3YDFPd4hL4gGE87wGDd2Xn7hBIPlwD9v_e4GRjAx9PbOGDyJ5YihsmhvKgw7cdtPg/w400-h400/Nov2-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A splash of colours of a different kind was supplied by a graffiti covered building next to a set of steps climbing out of the park. There was some excellent advice among them: I guess they've got a point that life is better when you're laughing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Art-Deco tower glimpsed between the trees belongs to Jos's old school, which was built between 1926 and 1930. Together with the park and the adjacent garden district, it was part of the same post-war urban planning project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh5ENMwvH1_sCR1PZVRsI2kElH9c7y6924aaWoc2NsGwyGhHdoK-dvulVyR4QerFHz7qgQ9SpQRE1T61-cQ4JcjiOr-CGa3V5BA-jEfZOlXwef77FWwPonQhZvk4f9KRANdUR139SaSXJBaLoH8am0xsjv1tquoOzeu-pcJtBoKQgqImbikorQDWl/s2000/Nov2-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh5ENMwvH1_sCR1PZVRsI2kElH9c7y6924aaWoc2NsGwyGhHdoK-dvulVyR4QerFHz7qgQ9SpQRE1T61-cQ4JcjiOr-CGa3V5BA-jEfZOlXwef77FWwPonQhZvk4f9KRANdUR139SaSXJBaLoH8am0xsjv1tquoOzeu-pcJtBoKQgqImbikorQDWl/w400-h400/Nov2-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The water garden is enhanced by several bronze sculptures, the most prominent being Solidarity (above) by the Belgian sculptor, draughtsman and graphic designer George Minne (1866-1941), famous for his idealized depictions of man's inner spiritual conflicts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like all the sculptures here, they were cleaned and restored as recently as 2020, although it seems that the local populations of pigeons couldn't care less. A contemporary of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, Minne's work shows many similarities in both form and subject matter to the Viennese Secessionists, considered to be the fathers of Art Nouveau.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbgzYEby1kXhLBDFwQZ4tJOQ0XX5glWo0Nk6RkplJmZN9na7HfP60_04StfEFQGqG3w8e1fmxAz9KKyjV4bUHrzIpKnSCK7fsHcAZFecwMxn253HQSrzgxjQYqSTntYeh2cxN40CeeTzGnSTGyuAutcvN322JsXfg0_yoCDGThuKfXW2KVOWEXqZA/s2000/Nov2-o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbgzYEby1kXhLBDFwQZ4tJOQ0XX5glWo0Nk6RkplJmZN9na7HfP60_04StfEFQGqG3w8e1fmxAz9KKyjV4bUHrzIpKnSCK7fsHcAZFecwMxn253HQSrzgxjQYqSTntYeh2cxN40CeeTzGnSTGyuAutcvN322JsXfg0_yoCDGThuKfXW2KVOWEXqZA/w400-h400/Nov2-o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The water garden's main entrance is guarded by three winged sculptures on a brick plinth (see <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpQo13_B6hJyUl0GUjgEmgqNxKr4JzkKD2Y-APC7THKDr_aeWyGoURT_MltW3Y3gaZZ0kE9DXc76aZJZwqjjjbrTdJ4Z4X7StpHSHIEaCX1xe6TcWi_Jf0ZK4oN7brMW_xPqlaHT/s2000/Jul2-d.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Called Victory (above, bottom left and right), Advancement (above, top left and right) and Reflection, they are by the sculptor and painter Ernest Wijnants (1878-1964). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNJ1txu34AW7Z47LtZ94Z8OMkwKHzPad0DFRxY8y8yHS7eDCQlwFcunabkUsQxS7qY1nQUZdfoYaNpFgtyIDIEKHzStNoxCe8Qkhem-qOvsoBf76CNQKLp0J4Qwtx6jLCHcYXFXDzN8ZMRi0yRHDzH-Dj6GVjuocbC2bC0IBRt8TskekX0uYKX8BN/s4032/Nov2-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNJ1txu34AW7Z47LtZ94Z8OMkwKHzPad0DFRxY8y8yHS7eDCQlwFcunabkUsQxS7qY1nQUZdfoYaNpFgtyIDIEKHzStNoxCe8Qkhem-qOvsoBf76CNQKLp0J4Qwtx6jLCHcYXFXDzN8ZMRi0yRHDzH-Dj6GVjuocbC2bC0IBRt8TskekX0uYKX8BN/w428-h640/Nov2-h.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's me in my jumper! The yellow textured knit is an old sales bargain, while the white, blue and yellow tartan skirt came from Think Twice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the peacock feather brooch in a charity shop on a whirlwind visit to Llangollen, Wales, in June 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4akyEqyWFzgkqhwLJMdAvQ0SqlGoVzSZMTwB8pkz2WMVO00LyWzvmyRrUhpoU_xkZ7Bussfv03Pz01qSqHra13uy49xii0YrO5idDVZusmeQsmySJdBx9pDWIfngEq3BqcP_fqwjgZMEBsnG9BZ7tIFJ8-HGoTE5Ue9FE9WaDAyBKeLtcRzi5UW4/s3264/Nov2-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4akyEqyWFzgkqhwLJMdAvQ0SqlGoVzSZMTwB8pkz2WMVO00LyWzvmyRrUhpoU_xkZ7Bussfv03Pz01qSqHra13uy49xii0YrO5idDVZusmeQsmySJdBx9pDWIfngEq3BqcP_fqwjgZMEBsnG9BZ7tIFJ8-HGoTE5Ue9FE9WaDAyBKeLtcRzi5UW4/w400-h400/Nov2-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The translucent faceted navy beads were charity shopped locally, and both the ring and the stretchy belt with its Celtic knot style buckle were found on the high street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My boots are the tan ones I was seduced into buying by Jos back in October and, echoing my jumper, I was wearing a pair of yellow opaques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I won't be making any promises but I'll be back soon-ish with tales of our wet weekend away!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-48893542677221122212023-11-22T19:33:00.001+01:002023-11-22T20:20:53.641+01:00Down in the park<p>Hello friends and readers! </p><p>We've been back from our very short - and very wet! - weekend break since Sunday. However, before I can make a start with the pleasurable task of telling you all about it, there's yet more catching up to do!</p><p>You'll be relieved to read that my blog has finally reached November, so why not begin at the month's very beginning? </p><p>The First of November, All Saints' Day, is a public holiday here in Belgium. This year, it was on a Wednesday, splitting the working week neatly into two halves. What's more, a bright and sunny morning was hiding behind our bedroom curtains when we got up that morning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa_tkj5p9T0V-dwn_ft_wlEGBzR-qrl_V_0ut-gXcU29QHHCeWheDMp1ACpV0WeImUrEUQa6AJ1KeNJXksj090kHfXkVq680C_1SX4qE5gXay6ZfsQ3vIz5CybBuiSkcX_GRBRiNwTGse5vT3UIixWpF4n2DYFOPQ__4vCaH3JQRAWJvKwql9_mvv/s2000/Nov1-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa_tkj5p9T0V-dwn_ft_wlEGBzR-qrl_V_0ut-gXcU29QHHCeWheDMp1ACpV0WeImUrEUQa6AJ1KeNJXksj090kHfXkVq680C_1SX4qE5gXay6ZfsQ3vIz5CybBuiSkcX_GRBRiNwTGse5vT3UIixWpF4n2DYFOPQ__4vCaH3JQRAWJvKwql9_mvv/w400-h400/Nov1-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If the weather forecast was to be believed - and funnily enough they are usually spot on when bad weather is in the offing - the sun would soon be hiding behind a layer of grey again, and a smattering of showers was expected from mid-afternoon onwards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In anticipation of Storm Ciarán, which would be reaching our shores overnight, there was the proverbial calm before the storm which offered the perfect conditions for a walk in the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG02c5PX9zB4iL5JYTpKP5GW9q4DsKWF173jS96_XdZpTeJjGP7jbgld9zO6zS3-tkSGub0neVp7wmJjfn38wdqoqPeUDg3-Q8XsVw3p_PH_j1uFhnsBvp72HcoYgv5eOoE4CeWGKiLnJH0M37cXZZLbHRIOHTv2DdF7f5qFlqHJW3gvD362qH12Jt/s2000/Nov1-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG02c5PX9zB4iL5JYTpKP5GW9q4DsKWF173jS96_XdZpTeJjGP7jbgld9zO6zS3-tkSGub0neVp7wmJjfn38wdqoqPeUDg3-Q8XsVw3p_PH_j1uFhnsBvp72HcoYgv5eOoE4CeWGKiLnJH0M37cXZZLbHRIOHTv2DdF7f5qFlqHJW3gvD362qH12Jt/w400-h400/Nov1-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, we opted for the park on the edge of the nearby town of Boom, which is only a 15-minute drive from Dove Cottage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather was in total contrast to our last visit here a couple of weeks ago, when we sheltered from the rain under the awning of the visitor centre, so that we were able to enjoy the scintillating sights and scents of Autumn to the full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The non-stop rain of the last couple of weeks had filled the brooks and ponds to the brim and plenty of water - rather than the usual tiny trickle - was cascading down the weirs into the brook. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITFIBLVHPmb70PpSoiNuzJWilD1zllcdb7JJU1Tl1bSSg1yy8mlqotQTNwXPjKtzi5PU0Zec96qbukmPjDVZcAIAhR1wZuvZSyAPKIDkboSaeHZPh3grAJ-eZ5PledCpInH-kcsIE9GXRtZwIPK3oUdx206NAwBS0bryK_uTkYYe7xCPRJWOFHq_A/s2000/Nov1-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITFIBLVHPmb70PpSoiNuzJWilD1zllcdb7JJU1Tl1bSSg1yy8mlqotQTNwXPjKtzi5PU0Zec96qbukmPjDVZcAIAhR1wZuvZSyAPKIDkboSaeHZPh3grAJ-eZ5PledCpInH-kcsIE9GXRtZwIPK3oUdx206NAwBS0bryK_uTkYYe7xCPRJWOFHq_A/s320/Nov1-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At 15°C, it was mild enough to wear my burgundy vintage Tweed jacket with knitted sleeves and yoke, supplied by the goddesses of the charity shops in October 2019. My tan beret is from Burberry, found at Think Twice back in the mists of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihs_qnZiaHpYX7yYYFReJnCSRYiihM8zAgcePOPCtNLun1oOuXL8BeVeryEJ3uj0RkHCxVgwltfGKDMJMfyWNAg8pHTzxabovmpmoHUk8PNA-hCvCP-KThTcRUBJfuJkKD6GhnAz1yevXE6-cp9b5dsp_1gOSJSK2BBYrmdST_Xt2ZhX8_nGzSyJJ/s4032/Nov1-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="4032" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihs_qnZiaHpYX7yYYFReJnCSRYiihM8zAgcePOPCtNLun1oOuXL8BeVeryEJ3uj0RkHCxVgwltfGKDMJMfyWNAg8pHTzxabovmpmoHUk8PNA-hCvCP-KThTcRUBJfuJkKD6GhnAz1yevXE6-cp9b5dsp_1gOSJSK2BBYrmdST_Xt2ZhX8_nGzSyJJ/w400-h268/Nov1-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The triangular and elongated park, which covers all of 27 hectares, used to be part of a larger wood. The leafy area was turned into a park in 1925, established along the banks of the brook which meanders through it and which ends in a series of pools. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the not all too distant past, the water used to be quite murky and green with algae, particularly in the brook where it was almost opaque at times, giving off an unpleasant musty smell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In recent years, however, there has been an overhaul of the park, which involved cleaning the ponds and restoring them to their former glory.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEU9XY4vHkLxkZ96VAvqiDIhi5dFXb4XETA7jX4pwRiLb2wMEskhWmfrWQqCaB3u0kYtbK0LWzm8U_sBBiLgGNFDKFrJur-ZCfI2rLCBuis4wN2K2l7LMMbvy3MbCwMUVNp2Mv0e0rSwlC61kkVkBOqGfKl-WSq2t9mPZ9RDK7kojXqObnLPBUlH-/s4032/Nov1-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEU9XY4vHkLxkZ96VAvqiDIhi5dFXb4XETA7jX4pwRiLb2wMEskhWmfrWQqCaB3u0kYtbK0LWzm8U_sBBiLgGNFDKFrJur-ZCfI2rLCBuis4wN2K2l7LMMbvy3MbCwMUVNp2Mv0e0rSwlC61kkVkBOqGfKl-WSq2t9mPZ9RDK7kojXqObnLPBUlH-/w428-h640/Nov1-e.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The temperatures we were blessed with that day allowed me to remove my jacket and introduce you to one of the latest additions to my Winter wardrobe. In fact, it was a tad too warm for this wool and polyester mix vintage dress. Picked up at Think Twice a couple of days previously, when another one of their sales campaigns had kicked off at minus 30%, I was nevertheless adamant to give it its first outing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdehiQ36T1DcheBvnaSs0BonW6eDPF1Yg4RmLQDYCG1TtKz28istUUzxjB0oMI_gzFRktX3OY8BLe-IKv19d5E2bdpDlmNyoS49Tgso5TMf8IWBl5-ME4WQZ-9M49BuIfjRzQY_cMQ49sZBq6mL9gPrK9vPXEu4C_jqOnvYt7nUeSETNbFzwHrwM5/s2000/Nov1-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdehiQ36T1DcheBvnaSs0BonW6eDPF1Yg4RmLQDYCG1TtKz28istUUzxjB0oMI_gzFRktX3OY8BLe-IKv19d5E2bdpDlmNyoS49Tgso5TMf8IWBl5-ME4WQZ-9M49BuIfjRzQY_cMQ49sZBq6mL9gPrK9vPXEu4C_jqOnvYt7nUeSETNbFzwHrwM5/w400-h400/Nov1-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picked up the burgundy squiggles in its pattern with one of my King Louie cardigans and the tiny ruby dots with my opaques, while my big vintage poodle brooch echoed the off-white buttons and belt buckle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My outfit was bookended with my beret and a pair of tan boots which might have seen better days but are just perfect for muddy walks. More tan was added with my scarf of many colours, an old favourite from H&M, which has been going strong for well over 10 years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAxxl7RGMnwrfSAEMgctWGW9C6LqmFuB1Qv6C-5DkX2SQcLWHts3nC9gvBguQHksHwKnLcYrKJHuwx8Y3lSYzDk3Wjum-1TD-0tYohUWKdiYVXoSIpczNBUxw_i8ItSGv1BEOFSzESEFHxbAtJ-Mtu_ejcRkmwoVnVmG9WRU2ILgWNlHaP67UcIax/s2000/Nov1-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAxxl7RGMnwrfSAEMgctWGW9C6LqmFuB1Qv6C-5DkX2SQcLWHts3nC9gvBguQHksHwKnLcYrKJHuwx8Y3lSYzDk3Wjum-1TD-0tYohUWKdiYVXoSIpczNBUxw_i8ItSGv1BEOFSzESEFHxbAtJ-Mtu_ejcRkmwoVnVmG9WRU2ILgWNlHaP67UcIax/w400-h400/Nov1-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jos was showcasing his new C&A coat again, which he wore combined with a blue flat cap, also from C&A. He shopped his wardrobe, as they say, opting for a yellow cord shirt, blue zip-up cardigan and dark blue jeans. His shoes are Clarks, obviously, bought in the sales during our Shropshire holiday back in June. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHarieVGpQS3ylGfL8jWoM_8mcwuaxpjbf1yd9ZYBRv4C1a4gX4uPDn_mCooA2FyZSORgsow_2-OgGXzfypNI4P3lhp-A5fJpu3vsEuQK_uxjhajN7IoEQ8TpHJWlO-NnQHA9EDAlI2tagiiuQms5qKSYkmwNikgI6qqM6cnMHjt6Pw3XYBOD8VrGc/s2000/Nov1-h%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHarieVGpQS3ylGfL8jWoM_8mcwuaxpjbf1yd9ZYBRv4C1a4gX4uPDn_mCooA2FyZSORgsow_2-OgGXzfypNI4P3lhp-A5fJpu3vsEuQK_uxjhajN7IoEQ8TpHJWlO-NnQHA9EDAlI2tagiiuQms5qKSYkmwNikgI6qqM6cnMHjt6Pw3XYBOD8VrGc/w400-h400/Nov1-h%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was back to work on Thursday the 2nd of November, which brought us Storm Ciarán with hurricane-force winds accompanied by an incongruous 15°C. As I had to brave the elements to go to my hairdresser during lunch break, I was glad I'd had the forethought to bring my special storm umbrella. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No damages were sustained, apart from my coiffure being a bit skew-whiff by the time I arrived back at the office. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I noted in my journal that I was asked by a guy on the tram whether I was English. Being an Anglophile, I was quite chuffed to be asked that question, but when I asked him why he'd got the impression, he told me it was the checked coat I was wearing (<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tC4HzEUV5MZSwwXwaJXS_HWwRpaHBoRHZ52y-LNEh79T1OBQw9ERFvVL4FNfdhIjXshkyD0JWkHtuA4MDditkAz7b6nI-Mdfx6XGX7rt3GZdyoyE-FRQJ8UaAysSLke47SKkQazr0fuzOkgTbq7K8AqubRsv3HXgaIAlp-uaTe3rrktziSZf1w/s4030/Nov4-a.jpg" target="_blank">this one</a>).</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWqqpWWakjIUcJmqf8KvFozjD4Yh9iGZ12R4PNDCMc5GLMs3jRXPXZieR0kbPV8yZ9ujYn-fTWjObZ1ERNfIxgkcsXa1Zlsj9hLHm2-FALoB6bIvdn4v_P20KsOtdyltn3sSt64E6t-3EaUnLUNSIIPYYim8Vi-70bIj9xPAMMl44lB8TU188YAto/s2000/Nov1-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWqqpWWakjIUcJmqf8KvFozjD4Yh9iGZ12R4PNDCMc5GLMs3jRXPXZieR0kbPV8yZ9ujYn-fTWjObZ1ERNfIxgkcsXa1Zlsj9hLHm2-FALoB6bIvdn4v_P20KsOtdyltn3sSt64E6t-3EaUnLUNSIIPYYim8Vi-70bIj9xPAMMl44lB8TU188YAto/w400-h400/Nov1-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although the storm had upped and left by Friday, it was still windy and quite chilly, with a drop in temperature to 10°C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Due to our mid-week holiday, I'd decided to forgo my usual Friday off, although I did feel the need to indulge in some second-hand shopping therapy to tide me over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With sales prices at Think Twice down to € 6 per item, I snapped up a rose-patterned needlecord skirt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and a vintage light green Courtelle dress with top-stitched placket, collar and pockets.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy468MCQg0nEBlR7Zdc1R0BmqtM8_YAydh9LHhNVXPRZh9oQkBbn5fhrmSHGJODfijFuJf3hN_CtHcJP7Vf-90eq2cLumYaJyNtlAPb4xDgX4JXQqzTF9oRkbEpZzstLKBmjakajxQhwoOTkovQzv_0lLIefptV5gkrfbzNX-_DpDtzcc24-vTA-JB/s4030/Nov1-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy468MCQg0nEBlR7Zdc1R0BmqtM8_YAydh9LHhNVXPRZh9oQkBbn5fhrmSHGJODfijFuJf3hN_CtHcJP7Vf-90eq2cLumYaJyNtlAPb4xDgX4JXQqzTF9oRkbEpZzstLKBmjakajxQhwoOTkovQzv_0lLIefptV5gkrfbzNX-_DpDtzcc24-vTA-JB/w428-h640/Nov1-j.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saturday saw a return of the rain and highs of 12°C. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'd woken up during the night feeling a bit nauseous and although I seemed to be back to normal by morning, we decided to stay at home instead of going gallivanting around the charity shops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That didn't mean I was completely idle though: I'm glad to report that I finally finished my seasonal wardrobe exchange and tackled a couple of small sewing jobs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bvAe8ILF_0qYJy3nhsrpLhTUXqlvo88oI_GEMLnDw9_Hfp2S5Zu-gnvyCG5juG_cpacv0lbS0I32b5oQqE_h6hWf7PP6o4_Pgrpc0Nhujj0FKyKT9mPoMJnsTwEIBan_LsAB7pPEB3UY3QuM3TxBYF3ijIsso97EDNHrE51yfnfwuDx9gUmQ1NYf/s2000/Nov1-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bvAe8ILF_0qYJy3nhsrpLhTUXqlvo88oI_GEMLnDw9_Hfp2S5Zu-gnvyCG5juG_cpacv0lbS0I32b5oQqE_h6hWf7PP6o4_Pgrpc0Nhujj0FKyKT9mPoMJnsTwEIBan_LsAB7pPEB3UY3QuM3TxBYF3ijIsso97EDNHrE51yfnfwuDx9gUmQ1NYf/w400-h400/Nov1-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My outfit was built around another one of my wool-blend dresses, a dark green vintage Trevira one patterned with orange and sage green swirls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although I was in socks and slippers for most of the day, I changed into a pair of matching green suede boots bought brand new from an actual shop last Winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A sage green long-sleeved t-shirt was layered underneath my dress, which I accessorized with my recently charity shopped Massimo Dutti belt and an enamelled orange flower brooch, which was a gift from the lovely <a href="https://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kezzie</a> when we met up earlier this year. A brown fused glass ring (retail buy) and orange beaded necklace (vintage shop find) completed my outfit.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrWq50zNxjCefLYPWLxlenxzbJJgJBYKluVFi3qdBGausy0EX_JdSYse1wgo0Af5MFwSa1gB9ApDRH_j0y0-UiRFXeqD1T6V_mX40QSEwC0wgW1SjQmTbWKPIGRM_ixXnEz4nXWUEIMG5Vysgdc7EK4t_s32WzzOthxH90jWKxAtaNyqGZ2f1sbE/s2000/Nov1-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmrWq50zNxjCefLYPWLxlenxzbJJgJBYKluVFi3qdBGausy0EX_JdSYse1wgo0Af5MFwSa1gB9ApDRH_j0y0-UiRFXeqD1T6V_mX40QSEwC0wgW1SjQmTbWKPIGRM_ixXnEz4nXWUEIMG5Vysgdc7EK4t_s32WzzOthxH90jWKxAtaNyqGZ2f1sbE/w400-h400/Nov1-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunday the 5th of November was yet another rainy day, this time brightened by a midday rendez-vous with Inneke and Maurice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We'd invited them for lunch at 't Kasteeltje (transl. <i>Little Castle</i>) in nearby Boechout as a thank you for looking after Bess during our week away in September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Only a handful of photos were taken, as obviously we were far too busy chatting. And eating, of course! While the boys opted for a seasonal special - pheasant with chicory, quince and some fancy potatoes called "pomme Anna" - the girls both enjoyed fettuccini with marinated chicken, spinach, mushrooms and candied tomatoes in a mild curry sauce. Yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5JT9YMMcdZFtlUCT3xsCxKidrLk0rqR4N3udnCA_S1lug3c3Bc1FRweL5Uh8IuVJysjAix9tWvI-AY3JjlHFodD3v6QQhqdDvtbMvB1CclTFTv4u0ORz7_NwzD96lorZjT4pZm9sFoQinh-9zBE7TPs84FRP5udR-DCXiXzvoV0bW_zC5NKIH9uC/s4036/Nov1-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4036" data-original-width="2702" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5JT9YMMcdZFtlUCT3xsCxKidrLk0rqR4N3udnCA_S1lug3c3Bc1FRweL5Uh8IuVJysjAix9tWvI-AY3JjlHFodD3v6QQhqdDvtbMvB1CclTFTv4u0ORz7_NwzD96lorZjT4pZm9sFoQinh-9zBE7TPs84FRP5udR-DCXiXzvoV0bW_zC5NKIH9uC/w428-h640/Nov1-m.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pinkish-red skirt I was wearing, in a deliciously strokable blend of polyester and mohair, must be one of my favourite Winter skirts ever. It was an old Think Twice find, as was the blouse with its little shawl collar and sprinkling of red, pink, orange and tan flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It boggles my mind that I hadn't worn the blouse since January 2018. According to my blog, that is. Too many clothes, too little time! I'm the first to admit that even some maximalists might have a fit at the sight of my wardrobes. And yes, that's plural!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhsUdJ4BeCSsk-XrPoGyg5YBdVrZyKBZJmQmJA9DjT048apu-OVmvAeKPjpBPvj5_XC9MoxnnVElb95nDfF6Q-zJe4BvoyES1K_zMUPh6h3CPvxgMOtC3T67aUn1zpNDsvP1CQtVZ7lZisK5z4Kh094BhLQVk_dLgrzJxdCkhv3S-QTg5ReYqga3P/s2000/Nov1-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhsUdJ4BeCSsk-XrPoGyg5YBdVrZyKBZJmQmJA9DjT048apu-OVmvAeKPjpBPvj5_XC9MoxnnVElb95nDfF6Q-zJe4BvoyES1K_zMUPh6h3CPvxgMOtC3T67aUn1zpNDsvP1CQtVZ7lZisK5z4Kh094BhLQVk_dLgrzJxdCkhv3S-QTg5ReYqga3P/w400-h400/Nov1-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both my ring - which had been lost for a while - and the brooch were picked up at the indoor flea market, while the necklace and belt were among my recent charity shop hauls. The watch with its leopard strap was a cheapo from a high street shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT1QUcia16iEjV4YjqhIRV6tlB0SlyQrVHf2vS-NfJ9dMbZIBXEO83qdEwN1zugCJ-brSreIQsUMn0sriq1ON_149yO7_nDkgmXlZOGtf3nbDD2nZd-9NbdZRPWyDZe0o7oqnR9MVKxLR1j_lohP4ZuFZaEJn62nlJK_uDhNQA5liSwQjqASQfuqB/s4030/Nov1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="3030" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT1QUcia16iEjV4YjqhIRV6tlB0SlyQrVHf2vS-NfJ9dMbZIBXEO83qdEwN1zugCJ-brSreIQsUMn0sriq1ON_149yO7_nDkgmXlZOGtf3nbDD2nZd-9NbdZRPWyDZe0o7oqnR9MVKxLR1j_lohP4ZuFZaEJn62nlJK_uDhNQA5liSwQjqASQfuqB/w301-h400/Nov1-p.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div>The rest of the day was spent finishing the epic 700+ page blockbuster called Atlas, and selecting Emma Donoghue's The Wonder from my reading pile for my next read. Set in 1859 in the Irish Midlands, it tells the story of a young girl who has supposedly lived without food for months, claiming that she is living off "manna from heaven", and an English nurse who has been sent over to watch her to make sure the girl's claim is valid. I've finished it while we were away and it is one of the best novels I have read so far this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's another catch-up done and dusted. I'm hoping to be back with more before the week is over.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you soon!</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833738977646898455.post-81254639801810573192023-11-16T19:03:00.000+01:002023-11-16T19:03:35.921+01:00Forsaken fortress<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">What with the never-ending rain card we have been dealt of late, throwing a spanner or two in the works on most weekends, there really hasn't been a lot going on in my life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">So, our hearts were making little leaps of joy when, quite unexpectedly, it was mostly dry on Saturday the 28th of October. The sun even got the odd look-in throughout the day and the mercury climbed to a more than reasonable 15°C. Never mind that, as a rehearsal for Storm Ciarán which would pay us an unwanted visit later that week, we had to contend with gusts of blustery wind from mid-afternoon onwards.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9IXLNazdjZ7BDkkwLtJNP5U_fQrauj2pcJtDSenHatbn4CMDQbPLj9o2zpL8MITs0xvdBQo1WzE8Tcn9e74uSX8WgviAnLytCPmjGPRXNDSsx7nvGv0rb2et4IUbG-XU9GDe0vpLTJ0IOfFswd_sfX82ppHIwmjFRA2jRoE_Sav3ZoiVtbfRCx7_/s4032/Oct5-a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9IXLNazdjZ7BDkkwLtJNP5U_fQrauj2pcJtDSenHatbn4CMDQbPLj9o2zpL8MITs0xvdBQo1WzE8Tcn9e74uSX8WgviAnLytCPmjGPRXNDSsx7nvGv0rb2et4IUbG-XU9GDe0vpLTJ0IOfFswd_sfX82ppHIwmjFRA2jRoE_Sav3ZoiVtbfRCx7_/w428-h640/Oct5-a.jpg" width="428" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But whatever the weather, it's always a joy to play dress-up, and especially so during the weekend, when I've got time on my hands to play around with my wardrobe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had been looking forward to wearing this green zig-zaggy<i> </i>acrylic and polyester blend skirt, which was a present from <a href="https://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vix</a> when we met up back in June. It's vintage St. Michael, the label narrowing it down to the 1970s according to this recently discovered and very helpful <a href="https://www.thecollectorscompanion.co.uk/features/vintage-clothing/dating-st-michael/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsNg5tBOhrBtlP2fDH-B98pzf8FU9aMqbWAtEzI56mRaR87UnQ9CzN8JoNBVyxj_JW78LOcoguVMAqxl3iWt-5WRFwJhgbpJDrCkTSTHIPpnnMjE5kts-AUe34IElAjZbosHk59ghziieGUSNUZO6kVD4Nh51H2W6bnIkfRgnbbc3-tnYfRtq9Mlo/s3264/Oct5-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsNg5tBOhrBtlP2fDH-B98pzf8FU9aMqbWAtEzI56mRaR87UnQ9CzN8JoNBVyxj_JW78LOcoguVMAqxl3iWt-5WRFwJhgbpJDrCkTSTHIPpnnMjE5kts-AUe34IElAjZbosHk59ghziieGUSNUZO6kVD4Nh51H2W6bnIkfRgnbbc3-tnYfRtq9Mlo/w400-h400/Oct5-b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The skirt is the only vintage item in this outfit, which does, however, include another gift: the chunky green ring, which I got from <a href="https://winterpeachphotography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Claire</a> during the same meet-up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My necklace with its mix of wooden and raffia beads was a charity shop find, as were the dark green textured leather belt and the red ankle boots. The green beaded brooch was picked up from the indoor flea market in Mechelen in January.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, my blouse was a bargainous retail buy from an outlet shop in November 2022. It's from the funky Belgian Who's That Girl label. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeMK4_NJWDRXM3WSeu7DMzv3UTaVV0KHcI8EdRgFqCZjcxxoohyphenhyphen2ouwd02vIguxexF3ETvH-KnCI81mNSEjhN3Jj5cSQbsP3r39P8mssBu5Tu10dn4osV52SVIy3yS82_-j9vuFIfTesaNGuM9pATU3LZJ8UnYdSnoY_N-TYdrAo5p3fgIzP7Me6v/s2000/Oct5-f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="2000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeMK4_NJWDRXM3WSeu7DMzv3UTaVV0KHcI8EdRgFqCZjcxxoohyphenhyphen2ouwd02vIguxexF3ETvH-KnCI81mNSEjhN3Jj5cSQbsP3r39P8mssBu5Tu10dn4osV52SVIy3yS82_-j9vuFIfTesaNGuM9pATU3LZJ8UnYdSnoY_N-TYdrAo5p3fgIzP7Me6v/w400-h371/Oct5-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our usual fruit & yoghurt breakfast, I culled my collection of cardigans, only leaving the King Louie, Zoë Loveborn and any other similar quality ones, which I then reorganized by colour so that I can see what I've got at a glance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then, after lunch, we drove to the local branch of C&A as Jos was in need of a Winter coat. Keeping an open mind, his only requirement had been a decent number of inside pockets. As luck would have it, we soon found the perfect one: a black knee-length wool coat, which you'll get to see him wearing soon. While we were there, I also talked him into buying two pairs of slim fit trousers and a belt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Afterwards, we continued to the edge-of-town charity shop for my rummaging fix. Here, my first find was a blue, psychedelically patterned, handmade cotton midi skirt, which is currently hibernating until Spring.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGoN_lJWRvUNvVVpa_8j2R65ir2uddmyRpxmktCQxJUqTsXAHKE28X5Ww5Te-8343PPNX97z7W271pb5uht9WuOwt2XoH__pCNnBvD5xQ4dmXP1UN5bAc2-9ZRffMzKi06ky4acwGgimbgtL7nZXf9BrihWU1iLRbIVvyANXnZeyFh3dmnpAIjcnj/s4030/Oct5-g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3030" data-original-width="4030" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGoN_lJWRvUNvVVpa_8j2R65ir2uddmyRpxmktCQxJUqTsXAHKE28X5Ww5Te-8343PPNX97z7W271pb5uht9WuOwt2XoH__pCNnBvD5xQ4dmXP1UN5bAc2-9ZRffMzKi06ky4acwGgimbgtL7nZXf9BrihWU1iLRbIVvyANXnZeyFh3dmnpAIjcnj/w400-h301/Oct5-g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also added to my burgeoning collection of belts with a brown pleated leather one, which turned out to be by Spanish label Massimo Dutti, and which originally retailed at just under € 50. Another stretchy belt, with a rectangular wooden buckle, ended up in my basket as well. I paid the fixed price for belts - which is € 2,50 in this particular chain of shops - for both!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I caught sight of this gorgeous cobalt blue cotton maxi dress with crocheted insets, which was among the rail of leftovers from the infamous Day of the Charity Shops which had taken place the previous week. I did a double-take when I saw <i>lingerie </i>mentioned on the label. Surely this is too good to be a used as a nightdress?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdxNKcmzUyOMz7HWpASW6oxZgaePl8ji2t5Ei4ZM0QAHg-p5w82hrJ9S0pg_xfOJN_jBRzJXvDxihVCCs4DIm374k6nH1x7kszstFgMtU-oLK-CEKNu3cNyqx0-WWGW0lzW2wefDS6MTO1MUDfog7fDeaKLJgav_DCARNKiwfQfZfcikeJYtUUhJB/s3264/Oct5-e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="3264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdxNKcmzUyOMz7HWpASW6oxZgaePl8ji2t5Ei4ZM0QAHg-p5w82hrJ9S0pg_xfOJN_jBRzJXvDxihVCCs4DIm374k6nH1x7kszstFgMtU-oLK-CEKNu3cNyqx0-WWGW0lzW2wefDS6MTO1MUDfog7fDeaKLJgav_DCARNKiwfQfZfcikeJYtUUhJB/w400-h400/Oct5-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a night of torrential rain accompanied by another round of blustery wind, we woke up to a dry, bright and sunny morning on Sunday. Again, highs of about 15°C had been forecasted, but yet more rain was expected in the afternoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Layering weather! My wardrobe contains a handful or two of short-sleeved knit dresses which come into their own at this time of year, so out came this bottle green one sprinkled with hundreds-and-thousands in a multitude of colours.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBA5QvwbAXdqasEDfMR78xo6QOJiqzZ99ua4_2uZTVgiThAZFLqCjPYLtcQ904aBZ8gdjQ2A5DgmbeZS3Y7lFgY9I7F_Kc8iUGXsy9yDIW_yRRVMA2TuncYgXyt1Wk-NRwVdTo0IRw59zNSw8x7JOtSX5Hnq3t_xvSueBisc2EuEShjGMwCp4Oj2p/s4032/Oct5-c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBA5QvwbAXdqasEDfMR78xo6QOJiqzZ99ua4_2uZTVgiThAZFLqCjPYLtcQ904aBZ8gdjQ2A5DgmbeZS3Y7lFgY9I7F_Kc8iUGXsy9yDIW_yRRVMA2TuncYgXyt1Wk-NRwVdTo0IRw59zNSw8x7JOtSX5Hnq3t_xvSueBisc2EuEShjGMwCp4Oj2p/w428-h640/Oct5-c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm in two minds about whether it was a charity shop or Think Twice find, but whatever the case, it came without a label, so that I had no idea of its origins. That is, until I came across the exact same dress a couple of years later, this time bearing a Wow To Go label. Wow To Go, by the way, is owned by the same company as the previously mentioned Who's That Girl, supposedly aimed at a slightly older audience. Not that I care one jot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5oGU9i0W3WBGEqHLioqv6Xn8HoU9gsQJn6VaMnVwxnHNwE65XQ2sEodAOu1kEhTnzdSFoWcePffWkOicj8LI0Grc5bC5mY1HQTpPMM475UuXXFzAFxrgH4y9l0F_LgHiTlpInnUJVTuCVbJkjGJjeLiUgosTXCGWVNTbZxuyXpPe68LVo4CitoIU/s2000/Oct5-d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5oGU9i0W3WBGEqHLioqv6Xn8HoU9gsQJn6VaMnVwxnHNwE65XQ2sEodAOu1kEhTnzdSFoWcePffWkOicj8LI0Grc5bC5mY1HQTpPMM475UuXXFzAFxrgH4y9l0F_LgHiTlpInnUJVTuCVbJkjGJjeLiUgosTXCGWVNTbZxuyXpPe68LVo4CitoIU/w400-h400/Oct5-d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Its companions that day were a teal long-sleeved t-shirt and ditto opaques, while I piled on fuchsia accessories in the form of a chunky leather belt (retail), perspex ring (flea market) and recently charity shopped necklace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My embroidered brooch was part of a haul from an antiques emporium in Carmarthen, found on a rainy June day in 2017. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The burgundy boots are vintage and came from Think Twice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We'd changed to Winter Time overnight, which had made us feel a bit out of sorts that day. What we needed was a good old head-clearing walk so, with one eye on our phone's weather app, we drove down to Fort 5 in the neighbouring village of Edegem for an Autumnal ramble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f_Sbr8sycA36LA2ogoEx3fZchWXHrqsjCiUb-Yq6tQhn2c-SpdPHRlT0qZRL84Lojw4Bd2Gxg9hMH3lChNxm959w2970ngtzxZqjPFNqJTPpWk32PxUI2cBUJrWoy7SQjovLTXsfMNBMNTWeQAdiTNbMd7jwoH9nH-bQuEsoDdk-TP9nTx4N_02u/s2000/Oct5-h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f_Sbr8sycA36LA2ogoEx3fZchWXHrqsjCiUb-Yq6tQhn2c-SpdPHRlT0qZRL84Lojw4Bd2Gxg9hMH3lChNxm959w2970ngtzxZqjPFNqJTPpWk32PxUI2cBUJrWoy7SQjovLTXsfMNBMNTWeQAdiTNbMd7jwoH9nH-bQuEsoDdk-TP9nTx4N_02u/w400-h400/Oct5-h.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fort 5 is part of a ring of 8 almost identical forts surrounding the city of Antwerp, built in the 1860s to protect the city from enemy fire. These forts, given the unimaginative names of Fort 1 up until Fort 8, were built about 2,5 km outside the city and about 2 km apart. Each of these was about 30 hectares and consisted of a central reduit, caponiers, platforms and earthen walls for artillery, all surrounded by a wide moat. Most of these have long ago been converted into nature reserves and recreational spaces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not all that far from a busy road, it is a haven of peace and quiet - that is, if you disregard the playground, which on this late October Sunday was deserted - and a habitat for plenty of wildlife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A blanket of green algae was covering the moat as far as the eye could see, but it didn't seem to bother the heron perched on a branch which had toppled into the water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpDpjFf8QX_G07vbtExzsrfvwr3yTtG92O49DmWpCTTT-DI9TaTpivT6ok14FHTdHttKeYrbtBAlOFp0kbVW92c9OHEeBFmKd0c2ut3suM-9tEc5d77zGHnocQmVxqlGGsLd9DkX6wyVOQPDXI6jbjQGjWqo4c8Q3XSW-M7K9hhB6qBjQLKyY9-8b/s2000/Oct5-i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpDpjFf8QX_G07vbtExzsrfvwr3yTtG92O49DmWpCTTT-DI9TaTpivT6ok14FHTdHttKeYrbtBAlOFp0kbVW92c9OHEeBFmKd0c2ut3suM-9tEc5d77zGHnocQmVxqlGGsLd9DkX6wyVOQPDXI6jbjQGjWqo4c8Q3XSW-M7K9hhB6qBjQLKyY9-8b/w400-h400/Oct5-i.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a narrow footpath which circumnavigates the moat, but we veered off to the left instead, walking past the playground where we briefly stopped to show you my outerwear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This consisted of the rather fabulous Desigual coat I found at Oxfam last Winter, my pink beret and a frilly pink scarf charity shopped in October 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjftC66yHgnt3taM7Ss3MMWeU1b1lLzbWpZw__3FqWLSyn8-ntLF4Laf1lCRVSR9D8iv_fplBtyGwAoeiuLIUX7ZGrfwdtCJ9KkKJl8cYD1VjEN3OrcMZR19T-Ee4zI5HfcEE0MyN9WBIY-jUbiwsBAG4YlIeTqEeKB3xplyAsp7yBdTFFIRlGy3/s2000/Oct5-j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjftC66yHgnt3taM7Ss3MMWeU1b1lLzbWpZw__3FqWLSyn8-ntLF4Laf1lCRVSR9D8iv_fplBtyGwAoeiuLIUX7ZGrfwdtCJ9KkKJl8cYD1VjEN3OrcMZR19T-Ee4zI5HfcEE0MyN9WBIY-jUbiwsBAG4YlIeTqEeKB3xplyAsp7yBdTFFIRlGy3/w400-h400/Oct5-j.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Continuing our walk, we soon came across a part of the old fort: a long row of low brick and sandstone buildings half-hidden among the undergrowth, its woodwork in various stages of dereliction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We passed but ignored the fort's main entrance which leads you inside its creepily atmospheric inner sanctum, opting for a slightly longer walk instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbx3rYZcSaq6aBxESq2UrkrkD2AjjEJpnhJH5nmpXGkXUW9mqSYsVElcbjyuFfcpp3JSxqLtYUh_vOAm1ou-FWHGE4g8V7o8s3M04lECgIR6D5AvRLvG_293rvJaRU5gi7OpOJFanTg2lpvPQe29FmpOm7uiO-ka_MxXFE9_2cxcO4P_hopuk6csm/s2000/Oct5-k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbx3rYZcSaq6aBxESq2UrkrkD2AjjEJpnhJH5nmpXGkXUW9mqSYsVElcbjyuFfcpp3JSxqLtYUh_vOAm1ou-FWHGE4g8V7o8s3M04lECgIR6D5AvRLvG_293rvJaRU5gi7OpOJFanTg2lpvPQe29FmpOm7uiO-ka_MxXFE9_2cxcO4P_hopuk6csm/w400-h400/Oct5-k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking past the row of buildings and rounding a corner, we eventually re-joined the path running along the moat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The water was clearer here, with just the odd patch of green, and it seemed to be the place to be for the resident waterbirds of various plumage, including several prehistoric-looking cormorants and a magnificent blue heron.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNnca8O7C7LNToOlORSJOReOF9C36v2PKBfJXbB4kn8wXczk6s3Mx_IxOKyibvZ8SMkMaBmfP4sPhkJ58IFgPdGeGpHk82AGnH50V5BwTz4QqvJvHiAWn03xTCCHGSaQnFJBs28FYyE0keM9THrDn7DvGank4je3FLMYAAGslGquZ9RKR6kchllfx/s2000/Oct5-l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNnca8O7C7LNToOlORSJOReOF9C36v2PKBfJXbB4kn8wXczk6s3Mx_IxOKyibvZ8SMkMaBmfP4sPhkJ58IFgPdGeGpHk82AGnH50V5BwTz4QqvJvHiAWn03xTCCHGSaQnFJBs28FYyE0keM9THrDn7DvGank4je3FLMYAAGslGquZ9RKR6kchllfx/w400-h400/Oct5-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The narrow winding path eventually takes you through a low tunnel where the fort bridges the moat. Here, even vertically challenged yours truly had to duck her head at one point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTuOw9Cbmo8IYAoMXAsjtBmGCAdyc4cQo63cYYrUH6TmFAhQnRHNHs-T8QHcUbE-VXQTpKZuZ0jAWE8Cu2PaJsVuu611q0YE6JhyphenhyphenrQKX-5yqomVULh-0MKg85C4I4ZA3E6xVutRwT2W3Ht2Tt67aP2OEq9bDxgup5AE9VC4gajN4V1uwJzh0RA1P0/s2000/Oct5-m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTuOw9Cbmo8IYAoMXAsjtBmGCAdyc4cQo63cYYrUH6TmFAhQnRHNHs-T8QHcUbE-VXQTpKZuZ0jAWE8Cu2PaJsVuu611q0YE6JhyphenhyphenrQKX-5yqomVULh-0MKg85C4I4ZA3E6xVutRwT2W3Ht2Tt67aP2OEq9bDxgup5AE9VC4gajN4V1uwJzh0RA1P0/w400-h400/Oct5-m.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the end of the tunnel lies a series of heavily graffitied rooms where daylight slants through paneless windows, some of them still holding on to their weathered wooden frames or shutters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are the remains of a fireplace in some of them, and time-battered electrical fittings. The eerie light in the room on the bottom left was courtesy of some translucent green foil which had been fixed to the ancient fluorescent tube. Would this be the scene of a spooky party, I wonder. We were, after all, just a couple of days short of Hallowe'en ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Haphazard heaps of wind-blown leaves were gathered in corners and a not entirely unpleasant smell of dampness and decay was lingering in the air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another tunnel, with light at its end, leads off from the final room, emerging onto the moat side path once more.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjRK57sDTomgU4Cx_ewmSGABfd-xtosuAvsTJgRhh6Gvg9f_WHY6ISbsG5G4vVFDj683ulVfJEJ6DbdrjDHwshz7b3mBN0gfLeObA1_skBfzVtzSmN1tNf3X9ya51tn1Tr5uxOuxyCTZr1T26A0T7f4t5LMtocPqC2dV_mv3BkZgZI8d4aWA62jic/s2000/Oct5-n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjRK57sDTomgU4Cx_ewmSGABfd-xtosuAvsTJgRhh6Gvg9f_WHY6ISbsG5G4vVFDj683ulVfJEJ6DbdrjDHwshz7b3mBN0gfLeObA1_skBfzVtzSmN1tNf3X9ya51tn1Tr5uxOuxyCTZr1T26A0T7f4t5LMtocPqC2dV_mv3BkZgZI8d4aWA62jic/w400-h400/Oct5-n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As always when we walk here, my thoughts go out to my Dad, part of whose playground this was when he grew up in the village. It's also where his ashes have been laid to rest seven years ago on All Saints' Day, the First of November 2016.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had come full circle by now, and about time too, as the sky was turning granite grey and it looked as if yet more showers were waiting in the wings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And now, friends and readers, I'll be off the radar for a couple of days, as we are preparing for a long weekend away. I'm not holding out too much hope that it'll be a dry one, but who knows, once in a while miracles do happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See you on the other side!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Polyester Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com37