Sunday 19 July 2020

Reflections of Summer

Just like the weather these days, my mood is like a yo-yo, up one minute and down the next. My mind keeps scrambling around for bite-sized chunks of positivity to hold on to, little nuggets of gold to obscure the black thoughts hiding in its dusty corners.

I had been doing so well, congratulating myself with how I was dealing with the stress caused by the pandemic and its implications. After the initial weeks, I seemed to be taking it all in my stride, relishing the unprecedented amount of time on my hands. Keeping my news intake to the bare necessities and avoiding negativity like the plague. Or, more aptly, the virus!

And then, oh joy, we reached a plateau here in Belgium. Infections were going down day by day, and rules were relaxed left, right and centre. If initially I was skeptical about the latter, after a few weeks I was more than ready to admit I'd been wrong to have my doubts. Lately though, it seems I was right after all. For the past two weeks or so, cases in Belgium have been steadily going up again, and while my I-told-you so's are neither here nor there, I do despair at some people's selfishness and stupidity.


My overall mood on Friday before last matched the greyness of the morning, and it was clear that some serious colour therapy was in order to get the day off to a reasonable start.

At first sight, you might be forgiven for thinking that I'm wearing one of my trademark flower infused dresses, but looking closely you will notice it is actually a short-sleeved skirt suit. Another one of my Diolen delights, it was a last chance buy at Vintage Styling before they closed down. It had become a tiny bit too tight over the years, so I was delighted to find that both the A-line skirt and the jacket with its little peplum were once again a perfect fit.

I wore an orange long-sleeved t-shirt underneath and accessorized with a tan belt, a multi-coloured and textured beaded necklace and a green squirrel brooch.



Although it remained mercifully dry all day, the sun only managed to put in an appearance by early evening, just in time for my daily watering session. 

The plants on the new tables are a joy to behold and include Coreopsis 'Baby Gold', which is the one with the single yellow flower. Rescued from the plant nursery the day before, it seems to be feeling quite at home, as many more of its flower buds have burst into bloom at the time of writing.


After breakfast that morning, we decided to try out another one of the charity shops which we deemed safe to visit. Again, social distancing was generally adhered to, although there were quite a few people not wearing a mask. Oh well, this would be a thing of the past from the next day onwards, when masks would become compulsory in shops.


I found a green lined woollen jacket with my name on it. From posh French brand 1-2-3, it would have retailed at well over € 150, so its € 6 price tag wasn't too bad.

I'd been craving a Breton style top, so I was happy to come across this bright blue one. And I've always got space for a funky print shirt in my wardrobe.



We woke up to sunshine for a change on Saturday. Sunshine and clouds kept playing a game throughout the day, however, with the odd bit of rain thrown in, while the mercury climbed to a warmish 21° Celsius.

The dress had its lining peeking out from under the hem, so I shortened it back at the tail end of May in readiness for imminent wear. But then the weather changed, and the days turned into weeks, and in the end I hung it back in my wardrobe.


It was a charity shop find in the depths of Winter a couple of years ago, and has been making regular Summer appearances ever since. In cheerful yellow, I picked the bright blue from its print for my cardigan and necklace. To the cardigan, I pinned a gold-tone leaf with a row of tiny turquoise beads.

The blue skinny belt came with the vintage Trevira skirt I charity shopped last week, and which I will be wearing later in this post.




After a breakfast of omelettes with bacon and mushrooms, we went into the garden to plant out everything we'd bought on Thursday, adding several plants to the Clematis border and elsewhere.


Clockwise from top left are some of our new arrivals, including Sea Holly (Eryngium), Stokesia, Malva and a peach coloured Achillea. A week on, and all are doing well, even though the Achillea has some slight slug damage.  


I also planted Potentilla 'Miss Willmott' in the rock garden, next to the abundantly flowering Gaillardia. It is the plant in front of the stone sun ornament and will have saucer-like pink flowers in late Summer.


In the meantime, Jos picked a whole colander (just under 1 kg) of white currants and made another batch of jam. It started clouding over and drizzling while he was sitting outside painstakingly removing the stalks and had only just finished in time before the precipitation developed into a full-blown shower.


A bout of cabin fever made us venture outside Dove Cottage's confines on Sunday morning. 

It was sunny with the odd patch of puffy clouds and forecasted highs in the low twenties. The perfect weather, in fact, for a stroll through one of Antwerp's most enchanting parks, which effortlessly combines art and nature: Middelheim.

If you ever find yourself in Antwerp, this certainly is a must-visit, as it is not just your run-of-the-mill park, but incorporates an open air museum of sculpture.

As it's only a 15-minute or so drive for us, we visit it regularly throughout the year, so those of you who have been following my blog for a while might remember some of my previous posts about this amazing park.


This time, we approached the park from the eastern entrance, where one of the first sights that greet you, after the iconic entrance itself (see here), is what looks like a building under construction, but is actually another work of art, The Passage of the Hours, by Portuguese artist Pedro Cabrita Reis.

One of its unfinished brick walls was perfect for showing you my outfit, which was built around the vintage Trevira skirt I found at a charity shop earlier that week.



Except for the shoes - my trusted Clarks Cloudsteppers - the belt, and perhaps the flower corsage pinned to my jacket, all other elements of my outfit were second hand, and either charity shop or flea market finds.

Strange as it may sound, no sooner had we entered the park itself than we started walking into the direction of the exit. Not because we'd changed our minds, I'll have you know, we just wanted to explore a part of the park which lies on the other side of the road. 




This area is called Middelheim-Laag (or Low) and constitutes the northern part of the park.

Exiting via the main entrance we crossed the leafy lane separating the two halves and entered alongside of the charming little kiosk on the top left, which goes under the romantic name of Aubette.

From there, we followed a winding lane towards and around a glimmering pool, into a part of the park where works of art seem to play tricks with your mind.



We sat down on a bench near the formal Hortiflora garden, which used to be part of the neighbouring Nachtegalen Park (Nightingale Park) and was incorporated into the Middelheim museum in 2012.

Note to self: bring trowel on your next visit and come at a quiet time to dig up one of the elusive Kniphofias!



While we were having a breather on that bench, we could hear strange sounds emanating from the open-plan exhibition pavillion to our left. 

Closer investigation revealed that this was a work of art called Birdcalls by artist Louise Lawler. In this work, the names of twenty-nine well-known artists have been sounded out into bird calls. Using her own voice, Lawler has transformed each artist’s first and last name into nuanced bird calls, ranging from a shrill squawk to a manic chatter. Very disconcerting, especially when you were standing inside the pavillion.


From here, we walked back to the other side of the park which we crossed once again to rejoin our car. 

There were several of these benches (top right), each requiring a different number of steps to take. Jos tried one out, and it's certainly not as easy as it looks.

But then again, hardly anything is what it seems these days.


42 comments:

  1. I kg of white currants! I'm in awe! I bet Jos's jam is delicious!
    I'm loving the two piece and the orange dress and the jumbo checked midi skirt is wonderful.
    Your garden is a joy. We haven't had many slugs this year just hundreds of snails that seem to sneak up in the night and chomp huge holes in everything, evil beasts. I'm glad you managed to get yourself a sea holly, aren't they fab?
    The sculpture park is fantastic, what a lovely escape.
    I still haven't been to a charity shop, I don't even know if there's any open - they certainly weren't in Walsall. Thank goodness for eBay!
    Stay safe! xxx

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    1. That 1 kg was only the bit Jos picked for his jam. We'd been picking handfuls to add to our breakfast fruit for weeks, plus the wood pigeons easily got away with another 1 kg! We do, by the way, have both slugs and snails. Horrid beasts indeed! xxx

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  2. If you haven't pointed it out, I probably wouldn't have noticed that it is a short-sleeved skirt suit- I would assume it was another of your fabulous printed dresses. Not saying that this suit isn't fabulous for it absolutely is. I love matching suits. The best thing about them is that they can be worn both as separates and together. I like how you styled the orange long sleeved top underneath it.
    The dress in cheerful yellow us fantastic as well and well paired with a blue cardigan and necklace. Another great outfit.
    Isn't weather crazy? No matter our mood is subject to change. Everything has been so crazy and uncertain. The weather perhaps isn't a great factor, but here we like to complain about it. I've been forced to layer as well. It has been cold, windy and/or rainy since I got to Mostar and I've got a fever and a cold to show for it. Fortunately my only plan for my annual leave is to read books and I can do that with fever so my plans aren't changed.
    Your garden looks wonderful. I see you and Jos are keeping busy. I love your blue checkered midi skirt!

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I do love matching suits as well, and have quite a few in my wardrobe. Although I must admit I often wear them as separates rather than suits! xxx

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  3. Hello Ann. I feel for you, our numbers are spiking up here too, mostly because of careless people! I've been really feeling imprisoned in my own home lately, as we're glut in another round of extended lockdown!

    I'm so envious that you have been able to do a spot of treasure hunting. I didn't miss op-shops initially, but I'm now having withdrawal symptoms. Your recent finds are beautiful. The green woolen jacket is sublime! Both the Breton top and print shirt should give you years of options.

    Another blog of beautiful outfits. Your skirt suit is fabulous, I didn't spot that it was a two piece. Also, the yellow floral dress is perfect for a grey, winter's day.

    Good on Jos for his jam making skills. And lastly, thank you for the tour of your beautiful local park. Have a great week.

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    1. I hope I'm wrong but I have a feeling we're heading for another lockdown too. At this moment, I am beyond angry at all those careless people spoiling it for everybody else! xxx

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  4. You look as wonderful as always, dear Ann! I can relate to your yo-yo mood lately and offer you a big hug! Lovely photography, it's great that we still can go and enjoy nature and - in your case - art!
    Lots of love!

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    1. Thank you so much Natalia! Nature, including that in my garden, has been a great solace in these trying times. Hugging you right back xxx

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  5. Wow this parc is great. And you were alone? No other people?
    I love your colourful outfits so much. I can't decide which I love first of all. Your finds are great. Very good price for the blazer and so amazing this blue breton striped shirt 😄
    I wish you a wonderful monday, the weather is very summery here.
    With a huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina. It almost looks as if we were alone, doesn't it? We weren't, although it was reasonably quiet, but I'm very patient and take my take until people have rounded a corner before taking photographs! xxx

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  6. Wow what a beautiful park, I love sculpture parks as there is always something different to see. I love the thrift shop finds you picked up. You certainly have an eye for style .
    I love clarks shoes we can get them here in Tokyo but they are very expensive. Take care and keep safe

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    1. Thank you Allie Jane! I have quite a few pairs of Clarks shoes, most of them picked up in charity shops, or in the UK sales when we're over there. I think they are generally very expensive. xxx

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  7. You are not alone Ann in your mood swings. I worry about my mum. The town she lives and shops in has been listed as the third highest for covid and my sister is struggling with the isolation from friends and family even though she is still working. I’m sure we would all be more cheerful if we got some decent weather.
    Anyway enough of that, on a brighter note the vintage check skirt is lovely and goes so well with the jacket. You cheer us all up with your outfits. I like the green jacket as well. Is it crepe ?
    I’m in need of a bit of a culture boost myself so I’m going to have a look round for what’s open. If you ever came up north you must be sure to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, it’s one that’s on my to do lists.
    Oh and I must tell you Miss Willmott is one of my mum’s favourites
    Stay safe you two and our love to you both xxx

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    1. Oh, I would worry about my Mum too if she lived where yours does. In a way, I am glad my parents did not have to go through this. The jacket's label says 92% wool! It does look rather like crepe doesn't it? Cheerful weather and some positive news would do us the world of good! xxx

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  8. The green jacket has a 40's look, what a find. I also love the yellow dress and the blue checked skirt - both really suit you.
    I love seeing art in natural settings, it's nice to revisit Middelheim with you. It looks like a fascinating place and a perfect day out in these socially distanced times.
    Whenever I hear Belgium in the news, I think of you. I heard about cases rising again, it does nothing for your confidence does it?
    Wishing you a happy week. xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I was surprised to see that the jacket wasn't actual vintage! There's been more bad news about rising cases here, and my confidence has indeed rather plummeted. xxx

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  9. love your walk the park outfit!!
    but the summer suit is a stunner on you - so much your colors and cut! and the 2. look - again - is matching your garden furniture :-D
    you´r lucky that you found green jacket before me - its totally my cup of tea - thought it was vintage at first sight.......
    i was sure the cases would rise again after the openings - so no surprise. and after holiday season it will rise even more. be prepared.
    have a quiet, sunny week! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! I'm not intentionally trying to match the garden furniture, though :-) I wasn't surprised either, and I live in fear of what'll happen after the holiday season, too. xxx

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  10. That's a LOT of currants!
    I would never have known that first outfit was a two-piece set. It looks lovely, and those colours are good in any season.

    The Covidiots here are still fighting about masks as people are dying in droves.

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    1. I know, and that wasn't even all of them! I despair about those Covidiots :-( xxx

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  11. I've been all over the place, mood-wise too, Ann. Everything seems like a bigger deal without people around - I need to bounce things/ideas off people, and without that outlet, I find that things grow until they feel like Too Much.

    Love your outfits in this post! That suit is amazing, and I love the pattern on the yellow dress. Your separates are perfect for your outing to the sculpture park. That birdsong area would drive me insane.

    Wow, Jos has a lot of patience to de-stem all those wee berries.

    Hang in there, my dear.

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    1. What with Jos being in the risk bracket age-wise, we do not see too many people, just his children and two friends. We went to dinner with the latter yesterday, and it was great indeed to bounce things off them. I felt a whole lot better afterwards. xxx

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  12. What a wonderful outing.. I love a sculpture park.
    I also love you garden.. what a beautiful oasis.

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  13. I am certain that we will have a peek too. I almost hate , well that's a bit harsh, people for being so stupid and selfish.Ah what can I say, we are only human.... I lobe your Sunday outfit and the skirt suit. Especially the skirt suit, so elegant! And what about the green jacket! What a bargain! I love to write bargain as it reminds me of Bargain Hunt, love it... And that amazing piece of art, those Birdcalls!

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    1. I do not think that is harsh at all, Nancy. People who are stupid and selfish really do not deserve any better! Yes, we are only human, but I expect humanity to act in a sensible way! Ah yes, I love watching Bargain Hunt as well! xxx

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  14. Have you checked how many tests they made? In Switzerland there are no more cases in relation to the tests. In fact very few. The are making a lot A LOT of tests (double as much as in the high times). Of course, they don't write it in the newspaper ...

    There might be no worry at all.

    Keep your ears stiff!

    Regula

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    1. My mind knows that you are right, but my heart still keeps on being afraid. Quite possibly because the last couple of months I've been losing my faith in humanity! xxx

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  15. Like your garden especially the Clematis border.
    Must make a trip to Antwerp one day.

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    1. Thank you so much. Antwerp is definitely worth a visit when all this is over! xxx

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  16. Oh I have serious green jacket envy! What a treasure you have found. Look forward to seeing you wearing it in the autumn.

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    1. Thank you so much Julia, I can't wait to wear that jacket either! xxx

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  17. Sweet Ann, I'm deeply sorry that the curve is rising again in Belgium. :( While our numbers (mercifully) are not as high as in many parts of the world thus far, here in British Columbia, we've seen a spike again in recent weeks as well - including quite a few cases in a city that's only about an hour south of our small town.

    It's amply clear, IMO, that this pandemic is in for the long haul (and quite possibly until a safe, effective vaccine is found for it) and that when all is finally said and done, the curve will like look more like a roller coaster track, than an angular line.

    On a more upbeat note, your white currant jam looks and sounds sublime! Currants are oddly hard to come by in many parts of this country and I can count on one hand the number of times we've found them in our corner of BC over the past several years. Jam made from them sounds extra luxurious to me then, and my mind is already dreaming up an array of recipes that it would work splendidly in.

    Here's to hoping (massively!) that the curve starts to flatten again in your country before the summer is over.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! I do realize we're in this for the long haul, but I think if people act responsibly, we will see the end of the tunnel quite a bit sooner. Now we have to start flattening the curve all over again, which is utterly disheartening. xxx

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  18. I'm sorry to hear your mood's been up and down. These are trying times. I'm still on my meds full-time, though I keep forgetting to take them! Here's hoping Belgium's covid cases are only having a brief resurgence and they'll be trending downwards again soon.

    It must be lovely fitting into a favourite outfit once again though - that skirt suit is such a nice one.

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    1. Thank you Mim. I know I am not alone. So far, I have coped rather well, but now I'm thinking of getting some medical help as well. xxx

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  19. I am glad that masks have now been made compulsory in shops here too. It does seem that people have forgotten that the virus is still out there, even though restrictions have been eased. I think I feel more uncertain about coming out of lockdown than I did going in. I completely understand your feelings.
    I adore that green jacket! And of course I applaud the addition of a Breton top in anyone’s wardrobe, I love mine and wear them a lot. That and the jacket will go so well together… ;)
    I really like the floral dress with the lines on the pattern too, it’s really interesting and makes for a lovely visual effect.
    I always enjoy catching a glimpse of Middelheim. Thanks for taking me along.
    xx

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    1. It took our authorities a long time to make masks compulsory in shops here. Now they've made a complete U-turn, making them compulsory everywhere in public. They did want to make us come out of lockdown far to fast for my liking, and now we are having to take several steps backwards! I can't wait to wear the Breton top and the green jacket! xxx

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  20. Love your two pieces set, its magnificent color and print, and totally agree that some color therapy is needed these days!. Lovely yellow and blue combo too, it's such a delightful ensemble!
    Your garden is looking more and more lush!
    And your Trevira skirt is such a beautiful piece, its texture and color are amazing!. You look fab posing in the park, such an interesting walk!.
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much Monica! I do need my daily dose of colour :-) Finding that Trevira skirt was a stroke of luck. I never expected to find vintage in one of the first charity shops I visited! xxx

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