Wednesday 13 January 2021

Any way the wind blows

What a difference a day makes!  If on Christmas Day, a bright blue sky and dazzling sunshine had provided balm for body and soul, Boxing Day's weather plunged us back into the bleak mid-winter. 

There was no change in temperature, the thermometer still stuck at around 5°C, but the absence of the sun and the overnight appearance of a blustery wind made it feel decidedly colder. The wind would steadily increase in force over the day as it was gearing up for stormy weather. 

We kept a close eye on the weather forecast as Storm Bella was expected to sweep over Belgium on Sunday, but as it looked set to remain dry until the early evening on Saturday, we thought we'd better get out of the house and go for another walk while it lasted.



The chill in the air called for the wearing of a jumper and, as we were still in festive mode, I dug out this vintage diamond knit white acrylic one, which is enhanced with a bit of sparkle. It was a charity shop find back in December 2019.

You won't often find me wearing black and white, but I did that day. I thought this black heavy-weight crepey wool skirt - vintage, made in Germany and picked up at Think Twice in February 2018 - would be the jumper's ideal companion.



Unfortunately, as it was quite a dark day, it was a nightmare to properly catch it on camera. Therefore, I  included some close-ups so that its fabulousness can be fully grasped.

Strips of leather and folksy embroidered flowers are sewn in a chevron pattern near the hem and there are two elaborate fabric flowers with black sequinned hearts on the front.

My only accessories that day were a cerise triple string of beads, a vinyl belt in the same colour and a vintage celluloid brooch with delicately carved flowers, bought from the Brooch Lady in April 2017.



While we were having lunch, consisting of one of Jos's homemade soups, we brainstormed on where to go that afternoon. Over the last three years or so, we'd unwittingly started the tradition of going for a stroll around the sculpture park on Boxing Day. However, as we'd made plans to meet up with friends for a walk and a long overdue catch-up in the park on New Year's Eve, this kind of ruled it out.

Then I hit upon the idea of going to the so-called blue bridges, a scenic spot in the nearby town of  Rumst, which lies at the confluence of three rivers. In 2002, two very popular foot and cycle bridges were created here. I didn't take photos of them this time but you can find a collage I made after a previous visit here.



The dykes and towpaths on the riverbanks give access to several nature reserves and offer the opportunity for a plethora of walks. 

On weekends and holidays, however, it can be quite busy here, the bridges and towpaths often  terrorized by groups of cyclists, which are a real plague for walkers, who must be prepared to jump out of their way at all times.

At first sight, there weren't too many of these about that day, but we still wanted to walk somewhere we were guaranteed of some peace and quiet.



Then we remembered the "Oude Netearm", which is a small nature reserve established around an obsolete part of the River Nete. This was formed when the river was partly diverted in the 1970s for the construction of the E19 motorway, when a number of the river's meanders were separated from the main river, creating an elongated marshland.

Our attempts to walk the paths which criss-cross the reserve were regularly thwarted by patches so muddy that we had to give up and retrace our steps. 



To combat the by now stinging wind, which was deceptively benign in the woods and grasslands of the flood plain but reared its head whenever we were on higher ground, I was wearing  a fur collared and cuffed Tweed jacket, accompanied by a frilly red woollen scarf. To my two-tone brown knitted turban hat - an old charity shop find - I'd pinned a green faux-leather flower corsage.



Peeking out from my jacket cuffs are the sleeves of the floral knit cardigan I was wearing underneath. Even if I only wore it for the walk and basically it wouldn't be seen, I still made sure I wore something which matched the rest of my outfit. I am, in fact, a fully paid-up member of the Secret Society of Secret Matching, a phrase coined by fellow member and lovely Instagram friend @jessiejessyg!

In the colder months, for instance, the t-shirts I wear underneath my dress or top usually match at least one of the colours of my outfit. Now don't tell me that Jessie and I are the only ones!



After walking along the towpath for a stretch, we came across a bridleway leading once again into the nature reserve. As the path looked mercifully free of muddy patches as far as the eye could see, we decided to throw caution to the wind and make one final attempt to enter the reserve.

The path meandered through hazy woods, passing the victims of earlier storms, often adorned with lichens, and lush meadows spongy with mosses.




We stepped out of the way so that a man walking his dog could pass us by. Issuing a greeting, his brows furrowed when he spotted our non-welly-clad feet, informing us that the path would soon become flooded and that our feet were inadequately equipped to deal with it.

So, back to square one, or rather, the towpath, once more.



Chased by an ever stronger wind, its icy sting making our eyes water when we walked against it, the rain-pregnant clouds scudded across the sky, huddling together and knitting themselves into a granite grey blanket which would eventually block out the remaining daylight.



So, not just back to square one, but back to our car too, where we were especially thankful for the seat warmers which are an unsolicited bonus feature of our car.

Storm Bella started regaling us with a gale force wind overnight, which lasted until late afternoon on Sunday, and came accompanied by lots of rain.  Consequently, we didn’t venture outside all day, as it was far too dark and miserable. 

Luckily, Dove Cottage and its garden sustained no bigger damages than two pots which were blown off the little table next to the bench at the bottom of the garden.



No outfit photos were taken either, but you're still getting to see what I was wearing as I wore it again in its entirety on Monday.  

I was Queen of Patterns, wearing stripes, chevrons and plaids!

The plaids were provided by my vintage Gor-Ray skirt, with its single front and back pleat, which was a lucky charity shop find just over two years ago. You'll probably recognize the chevron patterned belt which joined my collection quite recently and which I've already been wearing a number of times.



The stripes came in a multitude of colours and were supplied by a jumper from New Look, which was an old sales bargain.

My outfit was completed with a black and white beaded necklace and a vintage green ceramic big-eyed Bambi brooch. I was wearing my beloved burgundy boots and if I remember correctly my opaques were the same shade of blue as the stripe in my jumper.  



Storm Bella had left a grey drizzly day in her wake, with temperatures dropping towards freezing point.

After breakfast, and while Jos went to the newsagent's, I washed my hair, and then we hopped into the car for a rummage at one of our approved charity shops.

There, a trawl of the clothing aisles produced three very tactile and strokable finds!



First up is a vintage chocolate brown velvet midi skirt sporting diagonal trails of cream lacy flowers.

You'll get to see me wearing it in one of my next posts. My only gripe with it is that it doesn't have a large enough slit at the back, so that I was a bit hindered when walking in my usual striding gait.



A burgundy furry Monster Vest (Sheila's term) was up next. Originally from Zara, if I remember correctly, but I have removed its scratchy label in the meantime.

My final find was this dusky pink furry hat. There's no label to identify its origins, but I like it that it is lined, which helps in giving it a bit of structure.



The year was swiftly striding towards its end, but we still managed a couple of walks and a final charity shop rummage before it was over.

But that, as well as the outfits I wore, will be for a next post.

Stay safe, sane and fabulous, everyone!



40 comments:

  1. The black and white outfit is probably my favourite of all your outfits, ever. I just adore the skirt and the jumper too.
    Glad the storm wasn't too damaging.

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    1. Thank you Goody. I'll remind myself to wear them both more! xxx

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  2. Yay for secret matching!
    I love your blog posts, like a mini novella, such fun to read every time.
    That extravagantly embellished skirt at the top is really special indeed, and you already know I love your 70s-ish rainbow-stripes-&-plaid outfit.
    Great charity shop finds, too. The brown velvet skirt with lace is just amazing, and I really like that fur vest too - such a good colour!
    Thank you for mentioning me, dear Ann xx

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment, Jessie! It seems we have quite a few new members :-) xxx

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  3. This is @jessiejessyg, by the way! - I’d forgotten how my account name appeared here!

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    1. Ah now it makes sense! I remember that you used to comment on my blog in the past. I just never realized it was you :-) xxx

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  4. HAHAHAA, we are all being influenced by Sheila! I saw Vix taking close up pics of her stuff earlier !!!
    Your black and white outfit is beautiful- that skirt is actually a masterpiece it is so ornate!
    I enjoyed coming along on your walks with you! Gggrrrr, I HATE cyclists on forest paths!
    Love the idea of the Society of Secret Matching! Can I join?
    That stripy top is so cheerful!

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    1. Yes, we are indeed :-) And yes, of course you can join! The more the merrier! xxx

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  5. You are brave souls venturing out in the cold, windy conditions. Of course I adore your black and white outfit. The skirt with its embellishments is simply wonderful. I too am a secret matcher, you are certainly not alone. Hope you are coping with your Winter days. xx

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    1. Thank you Jill! We're trying to venture out whenever we can, which isn't often this time of year! xxx

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  6. I love your colourful sweater! We've had a noisy and windy night. And now I have to go and face the children .... Where is my energy? I wish you sunny days. Regula

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    1. Thank you Regula! I'm hearing you, and I'm often wondering where my energy went too! xxx

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  7. Ahh this furry monster vest is der Hammer! 😁👍🏻 This colour is amazing. The weather here was the same. Now it‘s cold and grey. Aarghhh I am waiting for spring.
    with a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! I know, the furry monster vest was a great find! xxx

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  8. i adore that black skirt - thanks for the close-ups!
    i´m in the secret matching society too - i even match the color of my panties to the outherwear despite they are covered with several extra layers (leggings, underskirt) in winter..... :-D
    here we have plenty of snow now - everything looks wonderful in soft white!
    hugsies! xxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! Yes, I know, that skirt is very you, isn't it? And welcome to the Secret Matching Society! xxx

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  9. How is it that you can wear black and white and still look colourful!?
    Haha, I am a member of the Secret Society of Secret Matching too! :)
    What is it about cyclists that make them so selfish, they're a real pain on country roads, refusing to pull over and let traffic passed when they can, it's so annoying!! But I won't rant any further because I could go on for hours.
    I'm glad Storm Bella didn't cause too much damage.
    What wonderful charity shops finds, I'll look forward to seeing these in outfit posts soon. And what a spectacular stripe jumper!
    Take care
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel! I'm pleased to hear you're a member too! Aren't those selfish cyclists horrible? xxx

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  10. How fabulous is that black wool skirt? I love it on you. The grey skirt is a lovely piece too, the rainbow jumper elevates the colour!
    Your walk looks bracing, I bet Jos was glad of his C&A duffel coat.
    Charity shopping! I vaguely remember it. That skirt is fabulous! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! Jos just loves that coat! Yes, I know, charity shopping must feel like an alien concept for you now :-( xxx

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  11. I'm glad there was no damage from the storm and the secret society of secret matching sounds like fun! I do like to match my outfit but usually don't match hidden pieces! I like the little touches of colour with the black and white outfit too, it's good you were able to get out for a stroll even if it was windy!

    Hope that you are having a great week! :) We are looking forward to having a picnic today, making the most of the warm weather :)

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! I'm looking forward to picnic weather here! xxx

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  12. There often pops up a song in my head reading the title of your post. What a fabulous finds!! That skirt is amazing and can't wait to see how you will wear it. And in not a fan of vests, but I do love this one. And i love your turban hat. I loved them when I was a little girl and stil do. Perhaps this weekend we get snow. We are planning to go out very early on tomorrow morning when is not that busy yet. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. I know, and it is often quite intentional, too :-) We did have snow last weekend too. It started mid afternoon on Saturday and was gone by Sunday morning. No chance to go out in it, except for the garden! xxx

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  13. I love the combination of white and black. The black skirt with floral details is so pretty. The mixed print outfit is also fabulous.

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    1. Thank you Ivana! I do hope you'll start feeling better soon! xxx

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  14. I am so envious you went for a rummage! Loved the skirt but isn't it annoying when it hinders walking? The Monster vest and furry hat are great finds and they look matchy to me. I think I may well be an unknowing member of 'The Secret Society of Secret Matching'!

    I loved your outfits; the first skirt was truly fabulous and looked lovely with the light jumper. The black and white skirt with the stripey jumper reminded me so much of clothe si had in the 1970s.

    You seem to blessed with nature reserves in your area and they do make for lovely walks - but not when its wet, windy and muddy.

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. I'm so glad we're still able to go for a rummage, even if it isn't charity shopping as we used to know it yet! Thank you for joining our Secret Society! I can't believe there are so many of us :-) xxx

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  15. You're normally so colorful (more than anyone else I know) that to see you in black-and-white is bizarre. Almost as if you'd been abducted by aliens and your body was inhabited by the member of another planet. Before I got too excited, though, I saw the other pictures of you in colors and calmed down. :)

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    1. Haha, well, that's what I get when I'm dressing out of my comfort zone. Not sure being abducted by aliens is such a bad idea ... xxx

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  16. Yep, I'm a fully paid up member of the secret society of secret matchers! The flower embroidered skirt is lovely.
    You walk sounds like it was quite a challenge, I loathe walking through mud, so slippy and such a mess when you get home. Nice photos though and it's good to get some fresh air isn't it.xxx

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    1. Welcome to the Secret Society, Sally! I loathe walking in mud as well. That makes so many of our usual walking places off-limits, though ... xxx

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  17. Totally into the Secret Society of Secret Matching, I can't avoid to match even the pieces that nobody will see, and this makes me secretly happy!. ;DD
    Love your black& white ensemble, the embroideries and textures of your skirt counts totally as a pattern!. Lovely tweed jacket and knitted turban (and cute corsage, those details make a difference!), looking fab even in the muddy paths!
    And this last outfit is one of my favourite ones!, I love the mixed patterns and the amazing ensemble of colours with black&white plaid. You Rock It!
    Totally agree about cyclist pesting walkers everywhere we go. Do they have a superiority complex or something?.
    besos

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    1. I somehow knew you were a member, Monica! Oh yes, that skirt's embroidery definitely counts as a pattern. I don't think I'd wear a plain black skirt unless it had an interesting texture or other embellishment! xxx

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  18. Gads, I am behind! Sorry, honey - I took some time off from the blog last week, and am finally catching up! And you even gave me a shout-out for your Monster Vest. What a bad blog-friend I am. ;-P

    Thank you for said shout-out - and I am pretty sure that your Monster Vest is the same as my previous one (which was Zara) - mine had large hooks/loops for doing it up at the front (my new one does not).

    I love your Boxing Day outfit and your walk outfit - so unusual for you to be in black and white, but I love how you've done all this pattern-mixing! Your outfit with you standing with your cane and turban is a wonderful portrait of you! And it's inspired me to try my hand at crocheting a turban! I might pull apart my turquoise scarf for it.

    I'm sure it will come as ZERO surprise to you that I am also a (secret) member of the Secret Society of Secret Matching (hee!). I also match my layers to my outfits - I try to match nearly everything, even if it's not seen, including my make-up!

    Your striped sweater with the black and white skirt is wonderful. It reminds me of my high school art class, when we learned colour theory. Your purchases are amazing. That skirt is very cool, and your fuzzy hat reminds me that I've not yet worn my mom's fuzzy hat that she gave me ages ago. Must do that.

    And now...off to your next post! :)

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    1. No problem, Sheila, especially since you got there in the end! You aren't a bad blog friend at all!
      Just found the label of monster vest, and it's not Zara after all. It does have hook closures, though. xxx

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  19. Firstly, I adore the use of a lyric from Bohemian Rhapsody as the title of this lovely post.

    I also absolutely adore your timelessly beautiful black wool skirt. What an elegant, versatile garment (with the most charming elements of tracht styling to it). I suspect that it would be in heavy rotation I had one just like it - especially given the many months of bone chilling Canadian winter weather.

    Thank goodness that the storm didn't wreck havoc on your property. Hopefully the skies will remain calm for the rest of the season (and beyond!).

    Thank you for taking us on this engaging, lovely nature walk. I so adore trekking through your beautiful corner of Europe vicariously through your posts, dear Ann.

    Many hugs & wishes for a serene, safe, wonderful second half of January.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! I told Jos it was from Bohemian Rhapsody and then started singing that part of the song to him. Now I cannot get it out of my head :-) xxx

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  20. That detailed wool skirt is really lovely. And I'm with you and Jessie in the matchy club. After all, you never know when things *might* be seen!

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    1. Thank you Mim, and welcome to the matchy club :-) xx

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