...and it wasn't even a full moon last night

Frasnes-lez-Anvaing

The story goes that here in the woods of Martimont a lot of small ‘creatures of the night’ hide along the path, under dead leaves, in a hollow tree stumps ... you have to watch for them carefully and beware!




Before you enter this world you should better know a magic formula to keep you away from bad luck and to protect you against the evil eye of those mysterious fellows.




Walking through the woods over the snowy meadows, the falling snow just added to the fairy tale atmosphere.





Te snow started to fall slowly but picked up as the weather worsened and swirled in the fierce merciless wind hurting our faces.
The fun seemed to be over soon.





Luckily the friendly witch led us away from those bare windy fields back into the pleasant woods.

Papa belt vanuit Spanje

Enne... papa, wat zie je daar allemaal?

Zie je daar de bakker van Sinterklaas?

Je moet een keer naar Sinterklaas bellen en je moet hem iets goeds over mij vertellen!

Can a day hike make your week?

Zulzeke

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.

Pekař Maarten

Years ago, when I left my home country I swore that I will never cook traditional Czech food.
I've always considered it too much hassle.

So what went wrong?

Since Maarten is here we even bake the Christmas sweets together!

And lucky for me he is a big help in the kitchen really showing interest in baking.

However, working together in the kitchen may not always be a complete harmony but who can resist help from someone so enthusiastic?

Na koberečku u Mikuláše

Too bad Sinterklaas isn't accompanied by the 'real' Devil (and his dreaded sack) like Mikuláš.

The locals usually react quite surprised hearing about the Czech tradition with Devils threatening to put naughty children in the sack and take them along to hell.


During the Middle Ages, in the Netherlands they referred to the Devil as to Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).
Enslaved Zwarte Piet was also put in chains same way like the Devil who accompanies Mikuláš.

Same servant, different coat or... fur!

A tree full of memories

This pine tree in my hometown, Valcha, was chosen as the 2010 City of Pilsen Christmas Tree and will be decorated and lit in the Republic Square this holiday season.

“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summer’s hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something I’ve found?"
"I have no money," said the tree, "Just apples, twigs and leaves."
"But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,
"I’m now a man and I must have a house that’s all my home."
"I can’t give you a house" he said, "The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
"My life has turned so cold," he says, "and I need sunny days."
"I’ve nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And after years the boy came back, both of them were old.
"I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift."
"I’m nothing but an old stump now. I’m sorry but I’ve nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile.
"Well", said the tree, "An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the trees was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.


PS: pics courtesy of Daniel Beran, MF DNES

Mastbos

Sinterklaas is in the country which means sleepless nights for us!
I was determined to keep His presence in the Low Lands secret as long as possible. How naïve!
The children (and adults) are talking about nothing else!
Last night Maarten traditionally put his shoe with a carrot close to the fireplace encouraging me to put mine as well.

After a busy Saturday I needed both of us to get a good night sleep for the planned Sunday trip to Holland but it wasn’t until 4 a.m. he finally fell asleep!





When the alarm went off at 7 o'clock I was exhausted but Maarten, as fresh as a daisy(?), ran downstairs to check his shoe.
Sinterklaas must have gone crazy! Another musical instrument!
He ought to fulfill a child’s wish I know...

Despite the broken night it was great to get together with my sister and my cute little nephews. The cold foggy forest couldn’t spoil the fun but next time we shall look for less doggy-friendly surroundings.



Not sure if the poop bags are known to the Dutch but they definitely don’t use them!






PS: our Mastbos trip through Maarten's eyes:

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.