Floralia Brussels

Spring has "sprung" here in Belgium, and what better way to enjoy all the colours that this season has to offer then to make a visit to one of the most spectaular gardens I've ever seen.  No, we didn't go to the Nederlands to see the tulips in bloom at the "Kuekenhof Gardens" like thousands of other people do.  Instead, this past Saturday we took the train just about 5 miles to the outskirts of Brussels to a place called "Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden". 

 First built in the XIIth century, it is surrounded by a broad moat, its deep waters reflecting the centuries-old beech trees. A five-arch bridge,  crosses over to the drawbridge leading to the fortified entrance dating back to the XIVth century. The castle itself, built in the XVIIth century, is a wonderful example of the Flemish Renaissance.

There are over one million bulbs of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and others, planted on over 35 acres.  Oh My! 

So a little warning.  I took over 200 pictures and no, I won't post them all.  Just some of my very favorites.  Enjoy!

This was my absolute favorite tulip!

I don't have the names of all the different varities, so just enjoy the show!

The picture below is Stijn standing at the top of the heart that you see in the picture above.

There were also azalea's throughout the gardens

  

And these hyacinths smelled soooo sweet!

I know, I know, how pictures can one take of flowers?

I just love this daffodil!

Thank you for taking the time to "Stop and enjoy the beauty of Spring"

There are many more pictures and you can see them by visiting "Where's Debbie" in the album "Floralia Brussels"

Watery Wednesday - Reflections of Rumbeke

We had a nice day here in Belgium a few days ago and decided to take a walk and get some excercise.

We drove about only 10 minutes from Stijn's family home, parked the car, and this is what I saw!

Rumbeke Castle (Dutch: Kasteel van Rumbeke), in Rumbeke in West Flanders, is one of the oldest Renaissance architecture castles of Belgium.

Castle Rumbeke was built in 1538 and for centuries was owned by the count, Thomas de Thiennes and his wife Margareta d'Harméricourt.  The castle of Rumbeke suffered damage during the invasion of Flanders by French king Louis XIV, as well as during the French Revolution and in both world wars more than a century later. In fact, during World War I, it was taken over by the Germans and became for a short period of time, the home of Baron Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, who was credited with shooting down 80 enemy aircraft in his brightly painted red airplane.

Although most of the building was built during the Renaissance period, on the site of a very much older fortress, it gained some slightly Neoclassical features after its renovation during the 18th century.

During those renovations, the adjacent forest, the Sterrebos or the Star Forest, was added to its grounds. The forest was modelled after the Prater park in Vienna.

Did you ever see the movie "That Lucky Touch"?  I haven't but maybe now I will.  It's a comedy which was partially shot in Rumbeke in 1975, starring Roger Moore and Shelley Winters.

I'm particapating in Watery Wednesday.  So please be sure to see some other fascinating watery pictures over at "Watery Wednesday" 

Tavira Portugal

On January 27 (2011) we decided to drive about 1 hour to the east of Ferragudo and enjoy the sites of "Tavira". 

Tavira along with Lagos is one of the most architecturally attractive towns in the Algarve and its origin dates back to around 2,000 BC.

Like most of the Algarve its buildings were all virtually destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. The town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th Century buildings

There are about 37 churches here, and we were able to see a few as we ejoyed our walk.

I think you have a good idea by now, (if you've been following my blog that is) that I love the water.  So of course we made our way to the river front where an old Roman bridge links the two parts of the town across the River Gilão.

The buildings along the river have access to the water but on this day I don't think anyone was planning a boat trip.

There is a nice "square" in the historic centre with park benchs, beautiful cobblestone and a small gazebo that seems to sit in a small pond.

Oh wait, I see a castle up there!

.The Castle of Tavira (locally known as Castelo de Tavira) is smack dab in the town historic centre.  Apparetly there is a local road train that runs every hour if you don't want to take the walk.  But you know me, so up we go, on foot!

All that remains of Tavira Castle pretty much consists of the remains of two square towers, one octagonal tower and walls on three sides.

None of the towers possess the characteristics of a keep although there surely must have been one. There are some pretty steep stairs you can climb to most of the walls and towers.

We choose to just walk around the garden that is in the interior of the Castle.

And look at this, wild Pointsettia!

All this and it's free!  Pretty nice huh?

And it gets better!  There was this great restaurant right next to the Castle walls.  We had "A Ver Tavira" all to our selves and had a great corner table with a spectacular view across the town.

I cheated and zoomed in on this while seating at our table

  I had the octopus risotto while Stijn enjoyed a curried chicken, yum!

Well this is where I apologize for not having any beach pictures.  We did make an honest effort but the rain started and we decided to head back to Ferragudo.  Hope you enjoyed our day as much as we did!

To see more pictures of Tavira, take a peek here "Where's Debbie" and then click on the album "Tavira"