Tuesday 6 July 2021

The shackles of time

As from this week, I'm back to working full-time which, after 15 months of reduced hours, only working 2 days a week at first and switching to 3 days in March, is quite a blow to the system!  And while I have to admit that part of me is glad to be going back to some kind of normal, as the on-off working weeks were doing my head in, I am mourning the loss of my temporary freedom from the shackles of time. 

Nevertheless, there is one silver lining that keeps me from being too down in the dumps about it all. As I've still got a lot of vacation days left over from last year, my boss and I have agreed that I'll be taking Fridays off and work only 4-day weeks until they've all been consumed. By then, we'll be well into Autumn, but God knows I'll need that time to once again adjust to a more hectic pace of life. 



Taking advantage of my penultimate free Thursday on the 24th of June, we decided to combine a charity shopping trip with a walk and a picnic in the park. 

At 20° Celsius and mainly dry, it was forecasted to be the best day of the week. The sun was rumoured to make an appearance, but if she did, it must have been only briefly, and I might have blinked my eyes and missed it. Whatever the case, I thought it was the perfect occasion to give my recently charity shopped brick red denim Zara skirt its first outing.



After our visit to an out-of-the way charity shop we hadn't been to for at least 18 months, we braved weekday traffic complete with road diversions and stopped for a breather at the park in Boom.

On one of our last visits, almost exactly a year ago to the day, we wanted to explore the town end of the park with its series of ornamental ponds decorated with bronze sculptures. However, disappointingly, we found our access barred as restoration works were in progress.



It was therefore with some trepidation that we once again made our way up, finding much to our delight that restoration of the sculpture garden had by now been completed.

The park itself was laid out in 1928, a green lung for the town which at that time was the centre of the area's flourishing brick-making industry. Three years later, the modernist water garden with its bronze sculptures by well-known Flemish artists such as George Minne and Rik Wouters, was added as its crowning glory. 



Apart from two young women enjoying their lunch break on one of the incorporated brick benches, the garden was empty, so that we and our camera had it mostly to ourselves.

Unfortunately, I had to make do with the limitation of my phone's camera, as we'd forgotten to bring along our DSLR, but I have to say that I'm rather pleased with the results!



The restored gardens were re-opened to the public in September 2020, but sadly this Spring, the three sculptures on their brick plinth, which are guarding the park's main entrance, were defaced by graffiti.

 Horrified, the local residents took matters into their own hands, organizing a group of ten people (the maximum allowed number at the time) to clean off the offending things.



The moody sky was the perfect framework for the water garden's stark and streamlined shapes, which were softened by the wildflowers allowed to run free in the grassy beds, where waterfowl were taking their afternoon naps.

The Art-Deco building glimpsed in the far distance on the bottom left is Jos's old school, which was built between 1926 and 1930 and which, together with the park and the adjacent garden district, was part of the same post-war urban planning project.

The details captured on the top left and bottom right were taken on last year's visit.



Speaking of details, here's a closer look at my outfit, minus the jacket, which was last worn here.

The ruffled, abstract floral cotton blouse was a charity shop find back in April 2019. It's from Gigue, and was an absolute bargain at € 4 as the original retail price must have been in excess of € 100. The red in its print almost but not quite matches the skirt. As it plunged too deeply for my liking, I pinned it with one of my Miracle brooches. 

Further accessories were a mottled blue beaded necklace and one of my stretchy belts, the blue and red in its round multicoloured buckle tying in with the rest of my outfit.



Oh, and before I forget, here are the things I found at the charity shop that morning. 

The shop has always been a bit hit or miss, and this time once again pickings were rather meagre. Nevertheless I was quite pleased with these super comfortable leather block-heeled T-bar shoes from the French Westerly label.



The crepe like fabric of this button-less jacket initially made me suspect it was vintage, but then I spotted the Zoë Loveborn label, a retro brand which used to be sold in a Belgian high street shop. Quite a few of their garments - the vast majority charity shopped - are gracing my wardrobe.

As the quality and condition were superb, and the fit perfect, it goes without saying that I didn't hesitate in taking it to the checkout. I got Angelica to do the honours, and here she is wearing it with my first ever King Louie dress, bought in the sales while on holiday in Ypres in September 2012. One which is  long overdue an outing!



Swiftly skipping a nondescript Friday office day, we've now arrived on June's final Saturday. 

The day's 23°C were strangely at odds with the cloudy sky, which kept us company until late afternoon. That morning, I'd jolted awake in the middle of one of those strangely distorted dreams, which left me with a slight headache and feeling a bit out of sorts.

Scanning my wardrobe's rails my eye was caught by one of my favourite maxi skirts, which nevertheless I was shocked to find I hadn't worn since our last UK holiday in 2019. Here I'm wearing it on a glorious day out with Vix and Jon, and here one week later, for a shopping trip to Shrewsbury.



This time, it got the company of a vintage blouse I charity shopped last Summer, but hadn't yet worn. It turned out it matches the blue flowers in my skirt exactly. 

To tie in with the yellows of the skirt, I pinned a pale yellow cat brooch to the blouse, and accented my waist with a marigold belt. The belt, wicker bangles and necklace were all charity shop finds.



Looking through the kitchen window, my heart made a little leap of joy when I spotted the Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica, top left), which seemed to have furtively popped up overnight. Although at the time of writing its one and only flower has come and gone, and there isn't any sign of additional buds, further inspection revealed at least four other Welsh poppies in various places in the garden. Good news, as they've been conspicuous in their absence for a couple of years!



There's no stopping the Nasturtiums once they've started blooming, and it's lovely to see all the different colours, ranging from the palest yellow to a deep, fiery red. 

Apart from these, which were grown from seed this Spring, self-seeded ones from last Summer's climbing variety keep popping up with alarming regularity, and as their leaves tend to become as big as saucers they do need to be kept in check to prevent them from smothering their fellow plants.



Look at those two Nasties who have made it their mission to grow through the slats of our bench!

I do love this little corner where, apart from the omnipresent Nasturtiums, Salvias nemerosa  'Caradonna' and microphylla 'Hot Lips' and Achillea ptarmica 'The Pearl' are living happily side by side.

I'm loving how lush the garden is but I'm fully aware of the fact that it's a thin line between this and the jungle it usually turns into over the Summer months. 


It really is a matter of not letting the heart rule the mind and thus to wield the secateurs on a regular basis. That's if the weather doesn't throw a spanner in the works and turns it into a swamp rather than a jungle.

As I was having a bad case of the jitters and feeling a bit down in the dumps, we started talking about going away for a couple of days once the two-week waiting period after my second jab has passed. As we would be in the middle of high season by then, we decided to take the bull by the horns and grabbed the last available room at our favourite B&B near Bruges in the first week of August. 



It'll be a wrench to leave this one on her own for the first time, though!

Until next time, do stay safe everyone.

 


38 comments:

  1. So many fab outfits! I love that red skirt, and you really scored a great pair of shoes.
    That garden of yours is like a mini paradise. I don't know how you drag yourself away from it.
    A holiday sounds so, so, lovely.

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    1. Thank you Goody! I'm champing at the bit to go on that mini holiday ... xxx

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  2. You look amazing in these colourful outfits Ann. Great find at the charity shop.
    Isn't it crazy how long we don't wear clothes even though we like them? I also wonder sometimes. But that's probably due to the large selection we have.😉
    with a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina, and you're spot on on the large selection being the culprit here :-) xxx

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  3. Wow..lovely outfits and that garden looks so beautiful :-)
    Beauty and Fashion/Rampdiary/Glamansion

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  4. I really like both skirts - but I think that maxi skirt is my favourite! It's exciting you'll be back at work full time now - and that you have the opportunity to do a 4 day week for a bit. Hope things go smoothly for you as you return back to work more, I'm sure having that holiday in mind will ease the transition!

    Hope your week is going well :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! I'm hoping to make 4-day weeks a permanent fixture. Sort of semi-retirement! xxx

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  5. will you zoom-call with bess every evening of your vacation? ;-D
    but don´t feel bad about this - even after so many years its hard for me to leave lisbeth behind, even for only a few days....
    4 workdays a week sounds good!
    you created a very cool oufit with the zara-skirt - but i really miss a vintage handbag in the mix! meagre pickings?? it would be like eastern & x.mas at one day if i ever find such pretty and pristine shoes in a 2.hand-shop here......... the jacket is chic too.
    total love the water park - we call this "klinker-expressionismus" - which is one of our fav architecture styles (often seen in hamburg or bremen).
    hugsies! xxxxx

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    1. Now that's a thought :-) I guess it'll get easier after the first time, though.
      You're so right about the vintage handbag, I seem to be carrying the same two bags all the time. Blame you know what! xxx

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  6. The new skirt looks fab and I loved the maxi skirt with the blue top. Great buys in the charity shop and how well the jacket went with the King Louie dress. They were made for each other!

    The sculptures look great especially being in or near water always makes them look other worldly, I think.

    I'm so sorry you have to return to full time hours but make the most of your forthcoming 4 day weeks. Is there a possibility at all of working from home? Lots of people here are opting for a mix of office and home working and many companies have switched to home working only. There are disadvantages and advantages to both.

    The garden is a delight as is Bess - those eyes could melt stone!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I wouldn't be able to work from home, apart from the odd couple of hours. It's not practical, especially as there's not really room for it here at tiny Dove Cottage. I'm thinking of making 4-day weeks a permanent fixture, though. xxx

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  7. I can imagine it takes some adjustment to be working fulltime again. But it's good that you booked a b&b. It's good to be away for a few days sometimes. That King Louie dress is stunning. I have been looking for that print those colors for a long time in second hand sites. I have a wrap dress with that print in different colours. Love that maxi skirt too!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! That KL dress's print is amazing isn't it? I bought it brand new at the time, which as you know is very unusual for me. xxx

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  8. I fully understand how you’re feeling about going back to work full time. So many people are saying the same thing. Im glad you’ve booked the b&b break it’s something to look forward to and planning what you’ll wear will take your mind off more negative things.
    So nice to see so much colour in the garden and im including you in that Ann xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn! Can't wait to go on our little break, although it'll be a wrench to leave Bess behind for the first time! xxx

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  9. What a fun post. And, honestly, I'm always super-impressed by writers who use "penultimate" correctly. :)

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  10. I remembered that lovely maxi skirt immediately!
    That's going to be odd going back to work full-time, very clever of you to use your accrued holidays to create a shorter week though and an excellent idea to treat yourselves to a break as a reward. You'll have a promise Bess a massive treat when you get back. Look at that face!
    Boom looks fabulous and you both look wonderful exploring it. Your red skirt is perfect with that snazzy blazer. Angelica looks like a groovy air stewardess in that blazer and dress combo! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I've been loving my Fridays off so far, and I can't believe we'll be going on that break in less than two weeks now! xxx

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  11. There are a million things I would like to do but haven't got the time to do ... Working full-time makes a week very short. ;-)Gladly, today is my last work day before summer vacation. I do'nt have a clue what to do with all the free time. It's threatening ...

    Have a nice weekend!

    Regula

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    1. I am slightly envious ... do enjoy your free time, Regula xxx

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  12. You look great in that red skirt, and I love your charity shop finds!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  13. Oh gosh, you're back to full-time, Ann! I'm so glad you arranged to take your Fridays off until you use up your extra vacation. I'm going to have to work full-time for at least an extra year longer than I'd planned, due to the financial shortfall my part-time work has caused. Then, I plan to go down to 4 days a week, as I slide into retirement when I'm in my early 60s (that's the plan - only about 8 years to go).

    I love your first outfit - you don't do the pencil style of skirt too often, and I really like it on you! Your outing looks lovely - shame about the vandalized statues. We've been having incidents here around statues from colonial settlement, as well as violence against churches, all from the Indian Residential School graves that have been found across Canada. So sad.

    Love your new t-strap shoes! I see a lot of Zoe at local shop Dots.

    LOVE your maxi skirt and the blue top is so perfect with it. My mom calls them "nasty nasturtiums", lol.

    So excited that you've planned a getaway! We are hoping to do something similar in August.

    Happy weekend, my dear friend!

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    1. Oh, what a rotten thing having to work full-time for longer. I'm sure it won't be to my advantage financially, but I'm adamant to make 4-days weeks a permanent fixture. I simply can't see myself working full-time again.
      I loved wearing that - stretchy - pencil skirt. I hadn't worn one in a very long time! xxx

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  14. That park looks like a wonderful place to visit.

    Loving your outfits.

    I bet the cat won't be too happy at being left on her own. I know my two aren't!

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    1. Thank you Nikki! I can't imagine how Bess will react. She's so devoted to us, the only humans she doesn't run a mile from ... xxx

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  15. I imagine that coming back to regular workinh hours will take some getting used to. 4 day work week sounds like a good way to take advantage of your left over vacation days...and it should ease your transition to regular working days.

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    1. Thank you Ivana, the thought of going back full-time really scares me. I don't think I'll ever want to do that again ... xxx

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  16. You look fab in that Zara denim skirt paired with that beautiful floral shirt. Lovely accessories as well.

    The park you visited with Jos is wonderful. I loved reading about its history. Great pics with the cellphone.

    The blue printed maxi skirt looks fantastic with the blue blouse. Such a great styling.

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    1. Thank you again, that maxi skirt outfit was a winner in my eyes too! xxx

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  17. Another fabulous looking garden! I can't even imagine going back to working in the office I've been working at home since last March. I had to go in for a meeting a few weeks back and it was SO strange. Like the first day in a new job.

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    1. Thank you Gisela! I can imagine it felt strange going back to the office after all that time! xxx

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  18. Hooray for being able to get away to Bruges - I'm sure it'll do you a power of good. Going back into the office full time does sound like a shock to the system.

    You have some beautiful parks near you - it's nice to hear that there are lots of people prepared to outdo the vandals.

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    1. Can't wait to go on our little break. I'm praying for nice weather so that we can do some outdoorsy things, as I can't imagine walking the streets of busy Bruges! xxx

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  19. What a smart, awesome way to utilize your vacation days and reduce the duration of your work weeks for a while.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you Autumn! I honestly can't see myself going back to full time employment, so perhaps I'll be officially working reduced hours when I've used up all my vacation days! xxx

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