We visited my brother and his missus and were treated to a delicious pizza baked on their outdoor wood-fired Ofyr cooking stove. We also received our Xmas card. They had all their cards returned to them (half a year after Xmas) because of insufficient postage on them apparently.
The violets om the kitchen window sill have stopped flowering so they're parked away til next year. These violet-coloured Cape Daisies have taken heir place.
This is a Chilean Guava. I brought it along from a nursery where I bought a paw-paw tree for my brother's birthday. I wonder if it will bear fruit, still being this small.
These purple flowers are supposed to be edible with a spicy flavour. We got them at my brother's place where his missus organises a yearly seed and sapling swap.
cape daisy - marguerite du cap - kaaps madeliefje
guava - goyave - guave
The last couple of days there's been strong winds and some rain, so the garden's sprinkled with leaves and long stringy blossoms from the neighbours' chestnut trees. The ones shown here caught my eye.
The missus got the mower out to 'vacuum' the leaves away, as she calls it.
We're having breakfast outside and the first wasp of the year has appeared. Caught under a glass it's no nuisance and we'll let it go after clearing the dishes.
wasp - guèpe - wesp
After a lie-in and a visit to the barber I return to a sun-baked garden. It's hot today.
The missus has provided shade for the goldfish, also enjoyed by the neighbours' cat which probably came round for a drink from the basin.
The missus took an old camping gas burner outside (from our first camping trip to Normandy in the late eighties) and baked up some potatoes and hamburger patties which tasted delicious.
A lovely sunset seen from the garden over after-dinner drinks.
I'm surprised by movement on the floor next to me while working at home. Then recognise a neighbour's cat that's sneaked in. It jumps out through the open window and sits on the sill.
Today is father's day in the Netherlands and I was treated to a trip on a steam train by my eldest. Up early to pick him up and in time for the morning trip.
A big black tank loco took us up one station, ran round the train to take us three stops down and changed again to bring us back.
We snapped and filmed the afternoon train as it came past and then went for a better look at the depot after the train had taken the crowds away.
Details at stoomtrein.org for those interested.
Working from home today at the cool side of the house is far better than the stifling atmosphere at the office (with a clunky airco and the hot sun coming in through large windows). The missus has shorter hours so can unwind early on our terrace at the front.
During lunch a Small White butterfly flew by to settle on the flowering lavender.
small white - piéride du chou - koolwitje
lavender - lavande - lavendel
New flowers have appeared, which I also still need to identify. Like these lovely little pink ones. The yellow flowers grow on some copious plants that started out very small, being a gift from a friend of the missus. The yellow flowers quickly turn into bright red berries which adds to the colourful display.
The purple Clematis I do know. A thin strand bought in a discount supermarket is bravely growing several large flowers.
clematis - clématite - clematis
While I filled out our tax return this morning, the missus collected enough strawberries from our garden to quickly make two and a half jars of jam. Yum!
strawberry - fraise - aardbei
The auberge near the Chateay Solvay was closed for the evening so we decided to treat ourselves to pizza. These come from Carlotta (formerly Tutti) in Jezus-Eik and are freshly made with generous amounts of topping. Ring up to order and arrive five minutes early to get them fresh out of the oven.
With our youngsters at home due to yesterday's birthdays, the missus decided we should take a walk in the park around the Chateau Solvay. Built by the wealthy Belgian industrialists of that name, the grounds are extensive and well-maintained with lawns and woods and lakes with the castle peeping through on the horizon when we arrived.
Weather was good for a walk; mostly dry and not too hot and the sun peeking through the clouds while a good breeze increased the sensation of breathing fresh air.
Close by are the old stables; mostly closed and a bit run-down even though still in use.
Around the corner the chateau was also closed, though a column of rental vans arrived with what appeared to be equipment for a sizeable event.
We continued our walk across the immense lawn towards a solar ornament on a tall mast at the other end.
Back through the woods and around the lake to the auberge terrace for refreshing drinks in the sunshine and that was an afternoon well-spent!
The large rhododendron in front has started to flower - always a bit late due to being on the shadow side of the hill. It has less flowers this year but they do look lovely. Our youngest caught this one.
Saturday morning was very nice - sleeping in for a bit before taking off to the militaria meet in Wavre (see previous post) where I sold some badges and had a very good chat with my fellow-map collector friend there.
In the afternoon the in-laws had a barbecue for two family birthdays, where we could also see the lambs in the field next door had grown well. One is a very dark grey and two others have spots, which I never knew sheep could have.
Their mothers stayed in the background until some bread was fed. The in-laws' dog also came to the fence to greet its neighbours.
The bluebells along the driveway are in decline, but their remains are overshadowed by a fresh growth of peonies which now greet us when we come home.
peony - pivoine - pioenroos
These Bleeding Hearts have just appeared on a plant next to the house along the stairs to the kitchen.
This pink foxglove sprung up underneath our lilac bush, now butting its head against the branches. We used to have quite a few in the garden in previous years and this one has naturally sprouted from their seed.
This is one of several bushes of honysuckle we have growing around the rear garden. They have a wonderful aroma in the evening so the missus has cut a few branches for a vase in our living room.
bleeding hart - coeur saignant - gebroken hartje
foxglove - digitale pourpre - vingerhoedskruid
lilac - lilas - sering
honeysuckle - chèvrefeuille - kamperfoelie
