Wednesday 10 November 2021

Forces of nature

As we're heading further into this second pandemic Autumn, I'm trying to keep dark thoughts and a heavy heart at bay. Sometimes, it's like walking a tightrope and it's taking my assembled willpower not to look into the abyss. On days like these, weather permitting, the best thing to do is to go outside and let one's soul be soothed by nature.


At a balmy 15°C and with brilliant sunshine, the weather definitely permitted on Sunday the 24th of October when, after a morning of catching up on chores, we found ourselves at a bit of a loose end. 

As the forecast had once again been indecisive, the weather deities apparently having a hard time to make up their minds, we had left it far too late to make any firm plans for the day. Fortunately, we are blessed with a handful of local parks allowing for spur of the moment, grab-your-coat and go decisions.




Solhof park, in the neighbouring village of Aartselaar, is the perfect size for an hour's head-clearing stroll. 

With scintillating Autumn scents tickling one's nostrils and a carpet of leaves thick enough to indulge in a spot of leaf-kicking, it suddenly felt great to be alive again.



The sun was shadow-playing with the filigree branches and their turning leaves, while - careful, watch your step! - tiny toadstools were hiding among the carpet at our feet. 

The jacket I'd grabbed in my haste to flee the house was this multi-hued tartan Gigue one picked up in a charity shop just over a year ago. This was accompanied by my orange beret and one of my crushed velvet scarves, in a luxurious shade of burgundy.



Burgundy appeared again underneath my jacket, in the form of my cardigan, another charity shopped King Louie. This was worn on top of my orange-red 1970s blouse, the colour of which tied in with some of the flowers in the pattern of my flower and foliage scattered skirt. The latter was a recent charity shop find I actually forgot to show you at the time.

To my blouse, I pinned two vintage Autumn leaf brooches, in green and brown. Other accessories included a green beaded necklace, a silvertone ring with a mottled green stone - barely visible in the photos - and a black, round-buckled stretchy belt. 



Part of the pleasure grounds of a manor house now much modernized and turned into a hotel, the park has a semi-hidden treasure in the form of an ice house. Not much to look at, its bolted door having long since sprouted graffiti, the real treasure is the spiral, yew-hedged path climbing to the top of the knoll it was built in. 

Here, a gazebo resting on strangely gnarled pillars awaits, offering - yew hedge permitting - a bird's eye view across the park. Yew hedge did not permit, particularly for tiny me, who could barely see a thing even when standing on tiptoes!


Back on safe ground - that spiral path can be a bit treacherous - we finished our circuit of the park, once more delighting in its Autumnal splendour and passing in front of a bank of pale lavender Michaelmas Daisies buzzing with the last of this year's bumblebees.



October's final week was another mild one with highs between 15 and 17°C, although there was a distinct lack of sunshine on most days.

On Tuesday, our government announced the anticipated new rules, such as the return of the mask mandate inside shops and public buildings and the introduction of the Covid Safe Pass for entering cafés, restaurants, entertainment areas and sports facilities.  We fervently hope these will bring down the number of cases and thus stricter rules or - god forbid! - another lockdown can be avoided.



Thursday, my final working day of the week, was a gorgeous Autumn day, with lots of sunshine and a generous 17°C.

Having to work in advance for the 4-day weekend ahead, it was quite a hectic one. In addition to my usual Friday off, there was Monday the 1st of November, All Saints' Day, which is a public holiday here in Belgium.

I still managed to go for a wee little rummage at Think Twice during lunch break, finding two skirts and a dress. I love the Autumnal hues of the latter, although with its lighter weight fabric, it will need sufficient layering if I want to wear it any time soon.



Sadly, the weather forecast for our long weekend was looking pretty dire, with rain supposedly on the menu from Friday afternoon onwards.

As we woke up to a bright blue sky and sunshine working overtime on Friday, we decided to forgo our usual charity shopping trip and go for a ramble instead.

Our destination of choice was Walenhoek, a nature reserve a mere 20-minute drive from Dove Cottage.





When we were last there, in early June, blood-thirsty insects made a meal of my arms and legs, resulting in itchy bites which plagued me for days. Not wanting a repeat performance, we'd avoided the place over the Summer months, so that a return visit was now long overdue! 

I'm sure that any surviving insects would have had a hard time with the multiple layers I was wearing that day! 



With a choice of paths criss-crossing the reserve, it is perfect for any length of walk depending on mood and stamina. For some reason, however, we always seem to end up doing the same longer circuit, perhaps with a short diversion or two if we're so inclined.



Established on the site of former clay pits, and dotted with the remnants of the area's brickmaking past, there's a plethora of ponds thriving with wildlife.

At this time of year, fascinating fungi are plentiful. It was when I was trying to take a close-up of a particularly delightful Fly Agaric with my phone that I inadvertently pushed the selfie button and ended up making the one on the top right ...




I was in a pink and purple mood that day, selecting this pink dress with lashings of purple and off-white flowers and leaves from my wardrobe. I was wearing a purple cardigan on top, which I removed for these photos. You can see it peeking out from under my coatsleeves if you scroll back to the outerwear photo.



Accessories included a tan leather belt, purple and silvertone beaded necklace and one of my vintage lady brooches.

After leaving the first series of ponds behind us, we continued our walk along a path meandering through the woods towards the domain's perimeter.

Here I was mesmerized by the rays of the sun which had managed to make their way through the canopy, casting the forest floor in a magical golden glow.




Soon we reached a second series of ponds, which might well be my favourites. 

The forces of nature have been at work here, snapping trees as if they were mere matchsticks. 

Below, on the top left, is one of the ruined buildings of the former brickmaking factory: an old electricity cabin with a rusty and peeling red door.



We stopped for a picnic, although we couldn't make use of our usual bench with a view due to the invasion of a group of chattering schoolchildren and their teachers. One of the latter later apologized for the disruption when the group passed the bench we were sitting on.

Other than that, we seemed to have the place almost completely to ourselves. We were even able to sit and stare for a while on the domain's most popular bench on the edge of a sandy peninsula jutting into the largest of the lakes, eating the waffles we'd packed as a dessert.




Our batteries sufficiently recharged and our heads cleared of pandemic woes, we returned to our car.

The rest of the weekend would have a considerably less sunny outlook, but that will be for my next post.

Until then, let's all make sure to stay safe!


40 comments:

  1. I really love that pink and purple dress on you and the blue autumnal one you thrifted is cute! :)
    It's so good that you are able to get out into nature so much although concerning that there is the possibility of another lockdown for you!
    We are still Covid 0 here but they are putting restrictions back in place soon as we will be opening our borders to everyone before the end of the year - so kinda welcoming covid in, ha! At the moment we dropped the mask requirement but I think I'll still wear them in crowded places, and once the borders open to covid cases then you can't visit restaurants and libraries and things unless you're vaccinated so hopefully that helps keep us safe!

    Hope that you are having a good week :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Thank you Mica! I'm glad to hear you're still having zero cases. We can only dream about that! xxx

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  2. Sorry to hear about your new restrictions. That's what Ireland was like when we were there in September and it seems to have worked so hopefully the same will happen in Belgium.

    Fab outfits and I loved the first jacket in particular. Great skirt finds. too.

    What ever happens at least being able to get out into nature is a blessing.
    xxx

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    1. Thank you Vronni! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll work for us too. I'd hate to be in lockdown again. xxx

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  3. plaid jacket and floral skirt are a match in heaven!!
    i´m glad you had some sunny walks in the great nature - and brought us beautiful photos of mushrooms, ducks and colourful foliage.....
    our hospitals are bursting at the seams with heavy covid cases again but half of the population still refuses vaccination. sigh.
    wishing you more sunny days for nature walks!! xxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate! Those antivaxxers are doing my head in. And if you dare express your opinion, they're saying they're being discriminated. Things like that just make me scream! xxx

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  4. Lovely parks and lovely photos in the golden glow, with the autumnal colours around. It makes a difference in my mood too.
    Looking lovely in your beautiful dark florals and burgundy shades, you rock these mixed patterns.
    Sorry that you're turning back to masks indoors, this restriction was never lifted here. At least, we have not to show a certificate to go into cafés, as more than 90% adults have been vaccinated. But the cases are increasing here too!.
    I always admire your finds!, love the 'leaves print' dress.
    And you rock in pink (and purple!), a gloriously joyful colour to cheer up any day!. So beautiful photos in the park, love particularly that 'accidental selfie' of both you.
    besos

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    1. In the Flemish part of Belgium where we live there's a 90% vaccination rate as well, but cases are increasing nevertheless. Kind of scary ... xxx

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear of your pandemic woes. I hope the mask mandate does the trick.
    Being outside really does wonders for the spirits, doesn't it? You certainly have some glorious places on your doorstep. How fabulous sre the reflections in the water and the weird fungi?
    Great outfits, the jacket looks great with the new-to-you skirt and the colours in your dress would cheer anyone up. Great finds, too.
    I went in Accesorize yesterday and thought of you, they've got an amazing array of berets and nobody wears them as well as you do. xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix! I do hope so too ... still too many antivaxxers, though. I'm all for it being compulsory, but no, they'd rather lock everybody down again, it seems.
      I've got berets in every colour under the sun by now. I just love wearing them! xxx

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  6. That selfie is so good! I love how Jos stands behind you, checking what you are doing. We get new rules tomorrow, probably a 2 week lockdown. I feel always a bit jealous of the fabulous finds at Think Twice. That skirt on the right is so beautiful. About insects, I see so many insects, even now when it's so cold. A lot of ladybirds even. Enjoy your evening!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! I do hope your new rules do the trick, although I don't really see how closing restaurants at 20.00 hrs would make a difference ... xxx

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  7. I love strolling around with you! 🌸 You look amazing in this pink dress, and I am in love with your broches. The weather was very nice, but now it‘s foggy all day long. 🙄
    Best weather to sit and drink tea and watch TV. With a very huge hug Tina

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    1. You're welcome to join me Tina! We've had some grey and foggy days too. Even if it's not raining, it's not very tempting to go outside on days like these, is it? XXX

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  8. Hi dear! I love how you paired that burgundy cardigan with the orange shirt. The floral skirt is gorgeous too. Great to see you among autumn leaves, your outfit colours match with nature so well.

    Walenhoek seems like a great destination of choice and I can see why you'd ditch something you enjoy (charity shopping) to visit this nature reserve. Nature is often the best cure when we're feeling down or stressed and besides it is good for our health to spend time outdoors. It's great this little natural oasis is only 20 minute drive from your home. We have some places that are only a short drive away here and we love visiting them. I love your layered outfit that protected you from the insects- it also looks very stylish. That pink dress is so beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Ivana! We've got quite a few nature reserves nearby, lots of them reclaimed from the brickmaking industry which used to be thriving here! xxx

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  9. Lovely post Ann. Nature is therapy is it not? Even doctors over here are cottoning on and prescribing time in nature to help improve people’s mental health. So lovely that you have such beauty spots on your doorstep, although it’s always sad to see trees damaged by storms. Your outfits are perfectly complimenting this season. I hope you avoid a lockdown, but regardless of that, I can thoroughly recommend the book “Making Winter” by Emma Mitchell to get you through the dark months. xxx

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    1. Thank you Claire, I will have a lookout for that book. I think I saw it mentioned by fellow bloggers before. Spending time in nature still is the best therapy ever and helps me to put things into perspective. xxx

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  10. I hope the restrictions help. I really wish we had something similar, but they'd rather die in droves.
    Nature is good, isn't it? Sunny autumn days are the best, and it looks like you had a beautiful one.
    You always have the best outfits, accessories, and hats.
    I hope things get better.

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    1. Thank you Goody, and I do hope it'll make a difference. I'm surprised nothing more is done over there! xxx

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  11. Great look! I like your blog, Dear ♥

    I invite you to take a look at my blog
    Shkvo Space | Instagram

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  12. I love your accidental selfie, Ann! That made me laugh, even before I saw that it was by accident. :)

    I love seeing all your wonderful outfits and I'm so happy that Nature has been therapeutic for you. I've been challenged by ever-increasing workloads at the office, not to mention the extra day/week, which feels like SO MUCH. Your Colour Therapy is working on me - your pink/purple outfit resonates with me strongly. Big hugs to you, my friend!

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    1. Thank you Sheila, that selfie was too good not to share! I totally get why you are overwhelmed at work. For some reason it's taking me a lot of time to get used to the change. Perhaps the fact that things are not quite the same as in the Before Times has a lot to answer for! xxx

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  13. Hello Ann, I had been thinking of you after hearing of the changing Covid situation in Europe. I hope the restrictions are the answer.
    I always enjoy seeing your local area through your nature walks, being outdoors is so good for the soul. As always I loved your beautifully composed outfits. Take care.

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    1. Thank you Jill! It's a bit sour having to go back to square one, I must admit. Trying to see the positive, which isn't always easy. xxx

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  14. Beautiful autumn photos and walks and outfit Ann. I love autumn colours and the changes nature brings no matter what’s going on in the world.
    I hope all is well with you both.
    We are both fully vaccinated now but are staying cautious. Couldn’t bring myself to attend a concert where I know over 700 will be there so I sold our tickets. Then last night I watched a memorial concert at the royal Albert hall in London. It was packed to the rafters with folk and no masks, so maybe I’m over cautious. Who knows ! Xxx

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    1. I can't imagine going to a concert either. We even declined going to our indoor flea market today, in spite of the Covid Safe Passport and masking wearing. xxx

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  15. Ah, I feel replenished by your walk! So beautiful and of course, I have mushroom envy! The ice house is exciting. We have seen a few and I love them- such a good idea!
    Your outfits are so pretty!!
    I'm sorry to hear about the increasing cases and the worries of what will happen.x

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    1. Thank you, and you're welcome Kezzie. I think it's the constant worry that is making us so tired! xxx

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  16. You look fabulous in the pink and purple outfit and your new skirt finds are beautiful!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  17. It must be wonderful to be surrounded by so much nature.
    Love all your outfits.. so many beautiful colors, to surely brighten up a gray winter day.

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    1. Thank you Hena! I guess we are lucky in that way! xxx

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  18. Sweet Ann, how soulfully and elegantly you describe the powerful challenges of a second pandemic filled fall. Very nearly, really, given that it technically started in late 2019, a third. I can sincerely relate, both in terms of the pandemic and otherwise, to your tightrope analogy and hope that you're always able to keep your footing, my dear friend.

    I am always just an email away if there's anything you want or need someone to talk to about privately.

    Many hugs & wishes for a cozy, happiness filled second half of November.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Aww Autumn, you are so kind. You really are a kindred spirit and I'd definitely take up your invitation to contact you by email if I need to talk! xxx

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  19. Ah, the soothing balm of nature, wonderful stuff. Your red toadstools are magical - they are the type I seek out but never seem to find. Fab outfits as usual - especially the vibrant fucsia pink dress.

    The UK infection rates seem to be bouncing up and down, but I always air on the side of caution. I notice Austria is locking down. Stay safe. Lulu xXx

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    1. Thank you Lulu. Those toadstools are my favourites, but quite hard to find undamaged this year, it seems. I try to err on the side of caution too. We've even declined going to the monthly flea market today. xxx

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  20. I hope the new mask mandates have the desired effect - your government is being much more sensible than ours. Keep staring ahead - you'll get across that tightrope.

    You've found some brilliant fungi on your walks - they're such fascinating things.

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    1. Thank you Mim, I'll definitely keep your advice in mind! xxx

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