Trips into the countryside

That's what keeps me going!

Veselé velikonoční svátky, bohatou pomlázku a hodně jarního sluníčka

"Hody, hody, doprovody,
dejte vejce malovaný.
Nedáte-li, malovaný,
dejte aspoň bílý,
slepička Vám snese jiný."

First snow

After days of frost the first snow fall has arrived!
Nothing much, but still.
I wish for more and I would like it to last until at least February!
Being unrealistic?
Well, I would be most happy if it stays at least until this afternoon so Maarten can build a snowman.

After the rain stopped

We have just been through some bad rainy weather with flooding near our home.
This is the swollen river Leie just down the road.

Hunting and fishing

Maarten caught a baby toad in the backyard. It might be the offspring of the big toad living in our cellar.
Maarten was about to hold the little guy hostage in an old glass jar. We reminded him that the toad’s mommy was probably looking for her baby and convinced him to free the poor creature immediately.
In a dignified manner and somehow provocative the released toad took all her time before it disappeared into the bushes.


Too bad that this hunting luck left Maarten when he went fishing later that morning. But I don’t think to catch a fish was the real target. To do things like that with daddy is already a big deal.
You know, manly things!


PS: Despite the heat, the school party was quite a success with a lot of games, races and a of course a lot of ice cream.

Leiestreekroute

Our first family bike ride went quite well. Not that I didn’t have confidence in Maarten’s biking ability rather I don’t really trust his road and traffic awareness.
Luckily all went just fine and we spent an agreeable car-free afternoon here in the village.


Only too bad Maarten got often annoyed by his playful dad who repeatedly challenged him to race even when the hot weather and biked kilometers were already noticeable in Maarten’s behavior.

“You two just don’t understand any humor!”

Social Interpreter

Just started my first class today and must say I’m happy it’s behind me.
It must have been as hot as 30 °C in the classroom and since the course was far from interesting we all seemed to have quite a hard time to stay awake the whole day.

Add a freeway trip to Bruges and I wonder how many of us will show up again next time.


PS: Thanks for the nice Sunday afternoon, guys!
Het was gezellig!

Ooidonkroute 2

According to our optimistic Erwin Krol, today will be the nicest day of the week. Or was it of this spring?!


Rob is in Spain and Maarten is at the Dino camp digging into the past and investigating ancient creatures.

There is still no job for me in sight but should I mind?


What a wonderful day!
And I'm even more greateful for my good old bike!

Hospicebossen

Our Wednesday trip to the Hospicebossen was a real bummer!

The traffic noise of the nearby freeway was completely unbearable. And regarding the "forest" itself, we have more trees here in the village.

Maarten even didn't want to get out of the car.

Is this an adventure, mom?

Maybe we should stick to our municipal forest of Deurle.

Albijn Van Den Abeele walking route

Well, I didn't walk it but went on my MTB. I was too "lazy" to drive to the trail head, and moreover, by bike I can get even further in a short time.


I didn't exactly follow the route all the way but rather went exploring around the Leie river and the Latemse Meersen.
Actually there is not much to explore since most of the paths would end up with a sign "Keep off" or "Private Property".


It still surprises me that here in Flanders they would protect every tiny meadow or swamp as a nature reserve.

However, in such a fully developed area one cannot blame them.

Ooidonkroute

Today’s weather forecast was wrong and we were lucky.
It hasn't been raining all day and we could finally get out for a warm-up stroll. Even the sun peeked out from around the dark clouds now and then.


Through the picturesque Ooidonkdreef and along the nearby castle, farm yards and wintry empty fields we reached the old side branch of the Leie river.






The river is teeming with bird life of all kinds.





Who knows where the winding path along the river bank will lead, but what a beautiful view along the way!

I saw a fox this morning. Here in the village just around the corner from our house.

Not sure if this is a usual sight. We live here near a river and the area has a truly rural character, with farmer fields, meadows and woods.

Thanks to the unusual cold and snowy weather the animals are probably very hungry
and therefore they are venturing into the human settlements in search for food.

According to recent investigations there are foxes present in the outskirts of Ghent.
There is no reason to worry; they are more scared of us than we realize. And we don't even have to fear rabies. The disease has already been eradicated from Belgium.
To us the fox tapeworm is probably the only risk. (demorgen.be)

But the chickens scurrying around on the streets and in the unfenced yards should better watch out.
We might not be woken up by the neighbor's rooster tomorrow.

PS: I received following answer from Natuurpunt Deinze plus, the local Society for Nature Conservation:
Foxes are not as rare as is often thought. Here in Flanders their numbers are increasing in recent decades. They are not hunted by the dread of rabies after the disappearance of this disease in our region.
However, daytime sight of a fox is rather unique because it’s a nocturnal animal.
In Deurle the foxes find an ideal habitat with woods and sandy hills suitable for their burrows.
You can find more info about the fox in Flanders HERE. (in Dutch)

Good intentions for the new year

Exploring the Western Slovakia was what we planned for the last week of this year. But due to the weather and our car condition we had to postpone this trip.
Unfortunately this also means that Maarten has to miss his babi and děda a little longer.

Short trips to the Ardennes would fulfill my longing to be in the mountains and forests again. Yet during our daily wandering through the Deurle's picturesque streets and forest paths we came across many signs marking the local network of hiking trails.

Don't worry; I'm not going to compare the bare flat plains of East Flanders with the wilderness of the American West.

Still, we've probably been very lucky to find a house in this charming village with such beautiful surroundings.

There is a good reason why Deurle is called the village of castles and domains. Our house is just across the street from The Castle de Spoelberch and The Castle of Ooidonk is located one kilometer further west.
Only if there was a bridge over the winding Lys river then.





On the foggy and rainy Wednesday morning I finally got on my bike and made a short trip across the river.




Despite the cold it was truly great and I'm intending to continue exploring the area on my bike.
Just my outfit urgently needs a little 'warm' update, such as a pair of neoprene booties to start with.

Snow in Flanders

The snow has started to fall yesterday afternoon just before we left for our first play date with local Anglophone kids. No need to say how difficult it was to get Maarten in the car.
He was pretty excited to hear 'Miss Ruth's language' again but the homemade cookies were most definitely the highlight of the party!
Except of the pastry-and-pies discussion I enjoyed myself as well.
You know, I’m not the playgroup’s biggest fan. Yet, I believe, engaging Maarten in social interaction with English speaking children may be important for developing and maintaining this language. We'll see.

Wondering how our settling down in Belgium continues?
It is, actually, my true intention to forget the last couple of weeks. I would sum it up as a sad and stressful experience in a house full of chaos and boxes; however it can always be worse...
And being busy trying to unpack and set up the new household is the best way I keep my mind off missing California.


We will surely not be unpacked and settled before Christmas but looking out of the window into the snow-covered garden and seeing Maarten so happy going to his new school makes everything good.