Thursday 15 November 2018

A haunted castle

If all goes well, I'll be enjoying a short holiday by the time you are reading this. Since I still had a post up my sleeve, I thought I'd give scheduled posting a try. So, if you are reading this, it has worked! Yay!

I don't know about where you are, but here in Belgium we've had yet another batch of gorgeously warm and sunny weather in the week and weekend before last.

Admittedly the mornings were a bit chilly and once or twice there was a flimsy layer of hoarfrost greeting us upon drawing the curtains, but the warmth of the sun soon did away with that, and by midday it had warmed up sufficiently to start shedding layers.



We went charity shopping on Saturday before last and took a picnic, which we could easily have eaten outside if there had been any benches to sit on.

So, a car picnic it was then, but one with a view!

The rather murky water I'm looking out over belongs to the moat of one of the double ring of defensive forts around the city and port of Antwerp. This one, dating from 1878, is in Walem near Mechelen and is now a nature reserve which can only be visited with a guide.



Afterwards, we briefly walked along the water's edge and took some photos.

I was wearing a long sleeved frock, black but sprinkled with poppy-like flowers. It was, after all, that time of the year again when we wear poppies as a symbol of remembrance of those who died in war. I thought that this year the occasion of the centenary of the WW1 Armistice warranted the wearing of more than just that single poppy pinned to my jacket.

I took the lead from the pink flowers to add a pink cardigan and pink tweed jacket, but opted for green for the rest of my accessories, including green opaques and a green beret to tie in with the flowers' stems. I chose a white vinyl belt to please the white flowers.



Next stop was the charity shop near the park.

I'd come across a delightful green tweed jacket in the first shop we visited and, even if I'd told myself to stop buying more jackets, I just had to make an exception for this one. I mean: it's green! How could I not buy it?

I changed into it immediately and have in fact been wearing it for most of last week.



We spotted a heron at the other side of the pond and tried to get a little closer to take its picture, but unfortunately it had spotted us too and flew off. Oh well.


After a short circuit of the park, which was veiled in the light of the Autumn afternoon sunshine, it was time to continue our charity shopping.


The usually rather disappointing jewellery display came up with a marbled orange beaded necklace and a plastic ring in the shape of an apple, complete with diamanté leaf.

Anything velvet always grabs my attention and when I saw a black midi skirt with the most gorgeous metallic print, I knew resistance was futile. I'm promising to wear it on the blog soon, but until then you can admire a close-up of its amazing print.



When I left the fitting room and came across a rail full of coats, my eyes zoomed in on a gorgeous brown textured wool coat. Taking out its hanger for closer inspection, I was delighted to see a flash of orange floral lining. Then my eyes clocked the label. Now, I don't need another coat, but it was my size, and it would be quite foolish to leave this Dolce & Gabbana coat behind for € 32.


The next day, Sunday, we had to be up bright and early for our second trip of the year to Castle de Renesse in Oostmalle, just over half an hour's drive away.

There's a twice-yearly antiques market, held in April and November, when stalls selling all manner of brocante fill the castle's public rooms and corridors.


We were dismayed not to see the Brooch Lady presiding over her folders of brooches as usual, but on the plus side this seriously limited our spending!

Still, it's always a pleasure to be there and browse the many treasures, oddities and curiosities on display in this magnificent setting.


They were obviously expecting me as, climbing the spiral staircase in the castle's keep tower, there was this ornate silver and turquoise throne waiting for me. 

There have always been rumours that the castle is haunted, but this has now been officially confirmed. Apparently, an organization called Paranormal Research Europe, has done some investigations and has registered "entities".

During WWI, a German officer committed murder and then suicide, and legend has it that he is the notorious castle ghost, but whether he was one of the "entities" remains to be seen.



Our browsing finished, it was time for lunch, and as usual we'd brought a picnic, which I am delighted to say we were able to have outside.

There is only one picnic table, next to a path leading into the domain, and with a view to the castle across the lake. Funnily enough we seem to be the only ones making use of it. 

With our picnic hamper and checked tablecloth spread out on the table, we caught quite a bit of attention from the people walking or cycling past.


As a rule, and weather permitting, our picnics here are followed by a walk around the domain, and it was such an exceptionally gorgeous Autumn day that we picked up our walking sticks from the car and opted for a longer than usual walk.

But let me show you what I was wearing first.

You've already caught a glimpse of my outer wear: my new-to-me green tweed jacket, a fluffy pink charity shopped scarf and a dusty blue vintage beret.


What you haven't seen is my dress, in brown with a print featuring a profusion of flowers in pink, coral, lavender and green. It is handmade and lined and has the most unusual leg-of-mutton  sleeves. Can you believe I unearthed it from the reduced bin at one of Antwerp's vintage-per-kilo shops? 

I added a lavender vinyl belt, wore my rose beaded necklace, pinned a gold tone brooch with a red and white mottled stone on the dress's collar, and chose a pair of purple opaques.

And I just had to wear this ring, its colours echoing the dress's print almost exactly.



The sun was beaming dazzling rays of sunlight though the trees, creating a magically enchanting atmosphere.

The earthy aroma of the leaf-layered woods mingled with a nostalgia inducing pine tree smell, providing a ticket for time travelling back to my childhood.

On our way back, we passed the spot where a frame has been erected, perfectly catching the castle surrounded by Autumnal splendour.


We concluded the afternoon with coffee and cake, which we had outside in the castle courtyard.

Finally, here are the things we found. And no, we didn't set out to colour coordinate them!



Our first purchase, mere minutes after we walked in, was the fabulous head plaque. She has joined our wall of heads by now.

The turquoise leather gloves and large brooch with the turbaned lady both came from the same stall.

Upstairs is a stall selling - amongst other things - brooches at every reasonable prices. The choice wasn't as extensive as before, but I still managed to find this charming little bird brooch.

Lastly, a small book full of drool-worthy jewellery, edited by Judith Miller. I already have similar books on shoes and handbags.


I am leaving you now with a selfie. I am notoriously bad a taking selfies, and usually I can't push the delete button fast enough. Still, perseverance must have paid off as I was quite taken with this rather spooky one!

See you next week!



34 comments:

  1. I want every dang thing you bought! Especially the head plaque and the turbaned lady. And the lining of the D&G coat is worth the gobsmackingly low price alone. Sterling swag!

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    1. Thank you Fig! And it was the lining which caught my eye in the first place. I expect to flash it a lot ;-) xxx

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  2. Sounds like a fab day. How gorgeous is that chair?

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  3. Oh you bought the D& G coat? This price is low. Thank you for wonderful castle and autumn pictures. I love your Selfie ;)
    Enjoy your holiday! A very huge hug Tina

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    1. I know, Tina, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price of that coat! xxx

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  4. pretty selfie!!
    it looks like a wonderful weekend - nice weather, autumnal parks, fab finds and you wearing gorgeous flower frocks and chic tweed jackets!
    did you never bevor schedule your posts??? i do this all the time, if i have enough material 2-3 in a row :-D
    want to see the D&G coat on you!
    big hugs! xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! Indeed, I never scheduled my posts before, they're usually only finished minutes before publishing ... xxx

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  5. What a lovely place to go to for shopping! Your autumn photos are stunning. I love the green tweed jacket and the little bird brooch. And how lucky to find the DandG coat!

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    1. Thank you Linda! It's indeed a lovely place to go browsing, and we usually have great weather too, so that we combine our visit with a walk. xxx

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  6. Well done to doing a scheduled post and succeeding in taking a great selfie!
    Your walk looks absolutely lovely as does the picnic and you and Jos's great style.
    How vintage looking is that D&G coat? It's going to look amazing on you. xx

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    1. Thank you! I'm always chuffed when I succeed at something technical, which is not my forte ;-) Oh, and my first thought was that the coat was vintage ... until I saw the label. xxx

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  7. That selfie turned out great! I need a step by step tutorial.

    That D&G coat and the bright floral dress you found in a bin were really great scores. One never knows what surprises await at vintage sales or secondhand shops. That is 99% of the fun.

    Hope you have a great holiday. We were hit with our first snow of the year yesterday and it is depressing.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. I always make a beeline for that bin and have a good rummage! No snow here yet, and it can stay away for a little while yet! xxx

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  8. I absolutely love that first outfit, Ann! That dress is gorgeous and I love that pink jacket. Those tights are fabulous too! What a beautiful colour! Hope you're having a great trip! XXX

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    1. Those tights are one of my oldest pairs, and unfortunately they're getting a bit tatty. That should teach me not to buy several when I see tights in a great colour! xxx

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  9. Hope you have a great holiday. Love that dress with the puffy sleeves. It reminds me of Laura Ashley.

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    1. Thank you Goody! I never made the link with Laura Ashley, but I guess you're right! xxx

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  10. What a beautiful autumnal walk, thank you for sharing. I LOVE the bird brooch so sweet.

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  11. What a fab chazza bargain Ann, D&G for €32! The weather gods were smiling on you for your recent visit to Castle de Renesse, the weather hasn't been too bad here either! I love that darling little bird brooch and I too am crap at selfies, why do you think I never post photos of myself! xxx

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    1. Thank you Fiona, and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's crap at selfies. Well, I guess many people are judging from the photos I see on social media ... xxx

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  12. I love the colourful opaques. I treated myself to several in different jewel colours this autumn, they are so cheery aren't they!
    The picnic looks fun, it's been such a good autumn hasn't it, amazing still being able to eat outside at this time of year.
    Hope you're having a good getaway. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I was lucky enough to buy lots of colourful opaques in last Winter's sales. xxx

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  13. Loving the poppy scattered frock with the green tights! Fabulous and fun, I love your playful eclectic style. How wonderful to enjoy these sunny days and being outdoors. What an amazing bargain that Dolce coat is, yes you had to buy it.
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle
    https://theellediaries.com/

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    1. Thank you Elle! I couldn't believe my luck when it turned out that Dolce coat was my size and all! xxx

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  14. Oh, and your selfie is so artistic, love the light leak !!!
    ❤️❤️❤️
    Elle

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    1. Oh, thank you Elle. I bought the CBD oil, by the way. xxx

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  15. lovely walk and lovely purchases!. I love the green and pink color combo, but also love your green tweed jacket. I totally understand that you couldn't resist it! and it also looks fab with purple!
    You look absolutely fantastic sitting on the turquoise chair! regal!!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! I was sure you'd understand why I couldn't resist that tweed jacket. I didn't have a green one yet ;-) xxx

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  16. I'm loving both colour combinations in your outfits, Ann - they are bright and cheery, yet still autumnal. We've been having similar gorgeous weather here - isn't it lovely? We're going to be so shocked when it finally and eventually turns!

    Wonderful velvet, and I am in love with that D&G coat - what a score!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! It turned cold here in the meantime, and it was indeed a shock. In spite of many warm layers, I was still shivering that first day! xxx

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  17. What fabulous jackets! Both the pink and the green one...I loved both your outfits and I would so love a green beret. I'll keep on looking...


    Your D&G coat was a marvellous find and the velvet skirt looks wonderful.

    I thought at first your head plaque was a brooch! The brooches you did buy are gorgeous and a very useful book by the sounds of it.

    Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are - it's bloody freezing here!

    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! I'd been looking for a green beret for a long time. Sadly, I lost it yesterday. At least, I couldn't find it this morning. I'm still hoping it just got mislaid ... xxx

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