Monday 29 January 2018

Water under the bridge

Rather unexpectedly, the sun was out in full force on Sunday before last.

With no flea market on the cards and uncertain weather being forecasted, we hadn't made any plans but, knowing a good opportunity when we see one, we dropped everything, made a couple of sandwiches, and stepped outside.



Having both in abundance, I'm making an effort to wear more skirts and blouses.
I admit that, given the choice, I usually opt for frocks: you just pick one, add a belt and some accessories, add a cardigan or jacket if the weather's colder, and you're ready, which is quite convenient when you're forever strapped for time.



Planning an outfit around separates requires a little bit more thought, and I often play it safe, by combining a plain skirt with a patterned blouse, or vice versa.

Ever since I started blogging, though, I've been encouraged to be more adventurous and try some pattern mixing, with rather, err, mixed results!



The skirt is an old favourite. In the past, I wore it with a plain orange-red blouse. Now, I wanted to try something different for a change and I must say that I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

While exploring different possibilities, I noticed a resemblance in the stylized flowers appearing in both the skirt and the blouse, tying the outfit together.


The  lilac pussy-bow blouse, with its pattern of purple and orange flowers, and tiny black pearly buttons, isn't an obvious choice for this time of year. As the fabric is quite thin, I wore a long-sleeved tee underneath. The blouse's label was hiding a second label underneath, and look: it's Diolen!

I added an orange belt and topped it with my long orange cardigan, which I've been wearing rather a lot. It's quite surprising how many outfits it goes with!


We decided to walk along the river. Or rather, rivers!

About 15 kilometers downstream from Lier, the little town we recently visited, the river Nete arrives in Rumst where it joins the river Dijle arriving from Mechelen, giving birth to the river Rupel, the only river in Belgium which isn't born from a source.

This watery beauty spot is part of so-called Riverland (Rivierenland), a water-rich region in the southwest of the province of Antwerp, where no less than five rivers are determining the landscape.

Their freshwater tidal action also ensures a unique fauna and flora.



The scenic point in Rumst, where the three aforementioned rivers meet, is the perfect starting place for walking and cycling, and the rivers' dykes and towpaths form the backbone of a footpath and cycle network.

As getting across the rivers meant a detour of many kilometers, two foot and cycle bridges were created here in 2002, one across the river Nete and one across the river Dijle, nicknamed the "Blue Bridges" for obvious reasons.




The dykes and towpaths give access to various nature reserves, providing diversity and the possibility of shorter and longer, circular and linear walks.

You can easily put together your own walk with the help of a handy and comprehensive map of walks.

Unfortunately, the towpaths and the bridges are regularly being terrorized by groups of cyclists, identically dressed in typical cycling attire, who look down their noses at ordinary walkers and people riding their bikes.They are a real plague and when out walking one must be prepared to jump out of their way or be mown off the path.


One such group arrived with screeching brakes just after we'd crossed the second bridge. They'd stopped for a drink and I could hear them sniggering at the sight of my hat when we walked past.

Not that I care. The thought of being dressed in one of those silly monkey suits they were wearing fills me with horror.


We have often visited this area in the past, just walking the towpaths in either direction or veering off them to explore the sometimes muddy byways. Once, on a particularly balmy day in December, we did a full day's circular walk.

The above photo collages (which before blogging I posted on my Facebook page), are dating from 2013 to 2015.

I couldn't quite believe it's been that long since we've been there and that I've therefore never blogged about the area before ...



This time, we crossed both bridges and walked in a westerly direction, along the river Rupel, with its rich history of brick-making on the right bank.

Then we veered away from the river onto a path to the left,winding through gently undulating fields and meadows, with far-reaching views and a backdrop of great big skies.


Upon reaching a bench we'd spotted from a distance, we sat down to eat our sandwiches, the sun warming our backs.


Afterwards, with the sun regularly dipping behind the clouds, we walked back towards the bridges, admiring their clever construction, somehow fitting seamlessly into the landscape.



Crossing once more to our starting point, the sun had admitted defeat, giving free reign to the eternal blanket of clouds. But never mind, we'd had our Vitamin D fix!

At a chalet belonging to a fishing club, frequented by locals who were playing cards and watching sports (cycling, of all things!) on television, we had a Belgian cappucino, topped with a snowy mountain peak of whipped cream!



I'm taking my outfit, including crazy hat, to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!


40 comments:

  1. People can be so rude, your hat is lovely. You would have really liked the clothes my nan had in the seventies, which she wore into the eighties. She had a fab a-line dress, white with primary colour stripes.

    That looks a lovely place for a walk, rude cyclists aside. We haven't watched any road cycling yet this year, all things considered. We'll start up when the Spring classics start.

    xxx

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    1. I would have loved to see your nan's wardrobe, Melanie. Oh, and ever since we "met", road cycling makes me think of you ;-) xxx

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  2. I know just the sort of cyclists you mean Ann. We have them on the local windy country roads in droves at the weekends...I've been stuck behind them for ages as the roads are narrow, then the air turns blue!
    Talking of blue, those bridges are lovely. Xxx

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    1. Judging from all the comments, I'm guessing this sort of cyclists are a general nuisance ... xxx

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  3. Glad you got a day of sunshine! What a pretty spot for a stroll. I find coordinating skirts hard sometimes too. Dresses are speedier! X

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    1. I'm really trying to make an effort and wear more skirts now, but dresses will always remain my favourite! xxx

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  4. Ohhh sunshine... yeah! Wonderful pictures, I love these from you on this bridge :)
    Huge hug Tina

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  5. People can be so rude. Our cyclists are generally well behaved but all it takes is a few to ruin it for everyone. How hard is it to ring a bell or announce "On your left (or right)? Anyway, your hat is marvelous and no, I wouldn't like to be head to toe in Lycra (though I have been known to layer it when running in severe cold).

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    1. It's gotten so bad that they put up signs saying the towpaths are for everybody's use, not just for cyclists. The Lycra-clad brigade can be a real nuisance ... xxx

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  6. I just LOVE the photo of you on the bridge - beautiful, fun, joyful and FREE! Free to be Yourself! Those bikers could learn from you and just mind their own business.

    Riverland is gorgeous - especially on such a glorious day. I so understand what you mean by dropping everything off and go outside! We did it this past Sunday too, it wasn't sunny, but at least the rain stopped for a few hours. I love estuary, such a unique nature phenomena. Your photography is amazing! I feel like I walked there with you.

    And of course your outfit is divine, with pattern mixing and gorgeous colors! I love this skirt, and the way you combined it with the lilac blouse is just inspired!

    Lots of love! <3

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    1. Thank you Natalia! I love estuaries too. There's another one a short distance away from where we were which is even better. Will take you there one day! xxx

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  7. our river elbe has a bike path from the north see to the riesengebirge - so i know all about this people dressed in plastic like a cheap sausage........
    ;-D
    but it looks like a gorgeous walk in the sunshine, well dressed in fab pattern mixed garb and cool hat and coat!
    i like to wear skirts & blouses for the washing - can wear a skirt a week - a dress only one day. little blouse is washed easily.
    want a belgian capuccino now!
    xxxxxx

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    1. Exactly, that's what they look like: cheap sausages! And you're absolutely right: wearing skirts and blouses saves quite a bit of washing!xxx

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  8. Love your pattern-mixing, Ann, and of course that cappuccino has me craving now! Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti. Belgian cappucinos certainly aren't for the faint hearted. Or those on a diet! xxx

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  9. This is another fantastic outfit, Ann! The blouse and skirt look great together: such fab pattern-mixing! It's so fun to try different combinations, isn't it?! I love that orange ring too! The scenery in your photos is just so beautiful: glad you got your Vitamin D fix! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you, Sasha! I've got that ring in blue as well! xxx

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  10. woww, so lovely mixed prints, all those floral motives work together so nicely, and the orange-red cardi makes them look brighter! That blouse is a fabulous piece indeed! You look gorgeous!
    And such an awesome place to go for a walk, or ride a bike (in a civilised way!). We have also had problems with those cyclist which believe themselves morally superior. They are Not!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I can't believe I never thought of wearing the blouse and skirt together. They're a match made in heaven! xxx

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  11. What a lovely sunny day you had and perfectly topped off with a yummy drink. I love matching stripes with florals, I think they always go lovely together. As long as you have the same colour featured in both, generally they will go together. You look very bright and sunny as usual in your ensemble. xx

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    1. Thank you Cate and indeed, stripes and flowers are lovely together! xxx

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  12. Cyclists in lycra have absolutely no right to laugh at anything other people wear! I would definitely rather dress like you.

    Separates are really tricky. I can't do pattern matching for toffee; you're really good at it. You're right, though, frocks are easier.

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    1. Thank you Mim. Pattern mixing didn't come natural to me, either, but I think I'm getting there. I've certainly learned to be more adventurous. xxx

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  13. Bravo to your wonderful and talented pattern mixing! I loved it right away but you knew I'd say that : )

    Cyclists always behave like they are a superior race. No matter where you are in the world it seems their egos are too large for their helmets.

    Another lovely area. You were lucky to catch the sun.

    We had a brilliant week last week, all of the snow melted and I managed to take the pug on three 5 km walks. Yesterday it snowed all day and is so depressing. At least it is sunny, despite the bitterly cold temps.

    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you Suzanne, but you're too kind, surely. Anyway, indeed I did know that you would love it! Egos too large for their helmets: I couldn't have put it better! xxx

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  14. Living in the cycling capital of the UK, the roads are clogged with pelotons of cyclists every weekend, each to his own I suppose but how rude to laugh at your hat. You look great and I love the separates look with pattern mixing too.
    As ever Ann, you have taken wonderful photos. xxx

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    1. That's exactly how it's here, Sally, but then again Belgium is famous for its cycling. No excuse to laugh at my hat, indeed. Some people, eh? xxx

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  15. Yes, I've met that type of cyclist, too! Twats!

    I loved your separates together; the hat is fabulous and I loved the scarf and accessories. You looked warm and cozy but very colourful and stylish.

    I enjoyed your river and bridges walk and especially enjoyed that coffee and whipped cream!

    Hope your week is going well.

    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! I loved putting together that outfit and I certainly loved wearing it. Much, much better than tight fitting Lycra! And with a Belgian cappucino waiting, you can go the extra mile ;-) xxx

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  16. I love that fuzzy red hat - it reminds me of the band Devo! What a gorgeous area you live in! We have tidal flats and other wetlands around here, very similar to this, I'd imagine. Your orange cardigan is wonderful, and good work on noting the similarities in your florals! I love the pattern mix!

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    1. You've hit the nail on the head, Sheila. Or rather, hat, hahaha. I'd completely forgotten about Devo! xxx

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  17. I love these little glimpses into the countryside around you! I think I would love those walks by the river. Your outfit looks gorgeous, lovely and colourful as always XXX

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  18. You put the separates together beautifully Ann. I like to mash patterns together and often will do a selfie on the phone, it helps me check if an outfit works or not and it’s a good reminder if I lm looking for ideas of what to wear
    Lynn xxx

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    1. It's surprising which patterns will work together, isn't it? I love experimenting! xxx

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  19. Oh god I hate those cyclists who bomb along bellowing at people to get out of the way thinking they own the world, I think you should be allowed to put a stick through there spokes!
    I wish we could have a bit of sun here as ever it is hammering down *sigh*

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    1. Your comment made me laugh so much, Gisela. How I'd love to put a stick through their spokes! Especially when they are laughing with my hat ;-) xxx

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  20. What a lovely walk, shame about the cyclists. They cause havoc on the roads around us, always holding up traffic and being inconsiderate to drivers.
    I love the pattern mixing, it works really well.
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel. I guess those cyclists are the same everywhere ... xxx

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