Tobias

To my best friend.

I'll miss you.

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

Last night my mother and I visited the royal gardens. I had seen some photos of other people who had went and it looked so beautiful! It has been sunny now for about a month and every year I fall in love with new flowers & plants and I just want to walk around in gardens all day.

This one especially was a big garden. Royally big.

There was a path leading through different greenhouses filled with flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours. The gardens are only open to the public a few days a year and I remember going there when I was very little, but it had definitely been a few years. Walking along, so many memories came back to me that seemed long lost of eating vanilla ice cream and running around in the sun.

It took us almost two hours to walk our way through, of course sometimes stopping to take pictures and taking in the beautiful sight. My favourite bits were outside, where the plants were growing next and onto the buildings and the falling night was creating a beautiful light.

Although I must admit peeking through windows and the last bit of daylight complimenting the shape and colour of plants wandering off was a close second. I always find it so beautiful how they grow to the light of the sun to bloom freely. I'm always happiest in the sun, too.

All buildings surrounding the grounds had crowns on top of them. This one building pictured above was home to all kinds of tropical plants such as palm trees and cacti, but by the time we got there (which was by the end of the tour), the night had already fallen and the photos just didn't come out as well as I had hoped.

I had a lovely end of the day and am definitely planning on going back next year a little earlier on the day, so I can enjoy the sun, the flowers and the walk even more. This time I didn't get my vanilla ice cream, but we did stop for a hot chocolate and some postcards at the gift shop.

When visiting new (or old) places that sell postcards, I always get some to hang on my wall. That way it's easier to remember the beautiful days I've had on days when I don't feel like doing anything at all. It reminds me of how wonderful life can be and what treasures can be found just around the corner.

Instagram

Speak to you soon,
Lize

Forest Exploring Shenanigans

Robert Louis Stevenson

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit."
 

Disney Sandcastles

Since we own an apartment by the sea and we are seen as official residents of Ostend, we always get mail from certain events that are happening around town. The latest one that we got a city pass price for was the Disneyland Paris Sand Magic on the beach (which translated means fancy sandcastles).

Pictured above is Walt Disney with his favourite mouse, Mickey. On the right you can also spot an ever so graceful Pocahontas with hair blowing in the wind, John Smith and Meeko. 

These were two of my favourites, because of the amazing detail, nearly perfect resemblance and of course because one of them is the queen of hearts and is a character from my second favourite Disney movie. My favourite Disney movie is The Aristocats, but they were sadly not represented on the beach.

 After visiting the Disneyland Paris Sand Magic, I went for a (very windy) walk on the pier, which left me smelling like the sea for another few hours. Above and below are a few snaps I took (whilst trying not to be blown away, hooray!)

I do love the sea.

Speak to you soon,

Lize

Begijnhof Diest

The nunnery in Diest is a place always open to the public. A lot of people who practice old crafts came together here to create a very beautiful and tranquil environment. There are no more nuns, but the collection of little houses, all protected by their own patron saint, are inhabited by the elderly.

I find this place really suited for the same kind of music you would listen to driving down route 66. You know, the sort of cowboy songs that talk about the younger days...

"Did you write the book of love

and do you have faith in God above,

if the Bible tells you so?

Now do you believe in rock and roll?

Can music save your mortal soul?

And can you teach me how to dance real slow?"

It was a bit of a gloomy day and wandering around this community of little houses (some of them clearly decorated by older people), I felt kind of nostalgic for a time and place I never even was part of or alive during. Strange how these kind of places can make you feel that way.

Is there a song that makes you feel nostalgic?

Speak to you soon,

Lize

 

Schotland

West Highland Way

Distance: 96 miles // 152 kilometres

Durance: 6 days

Extra: Ben Nevis climb

Height: 4,409 ft // 1, 344m

Speak to you soon,

Lize

Kasteel van Horst: Second Attempt

You may remember I was at the castle already a few weeks ago. 

I couldn't get inside then, but I could get inside now and this is what it looked like.

There was a nice man who was sitting on that chair when we arrived, who told us how to go around the castle. That red door to the left, was not the main entrance, but the way to the kitchen (for me that would be the main entrance, but you know). 

There were nice ceilings.

There were narrow stairs.

Since the building was still being renovated, a lot of the rooms were looking more rough than they normally do. There were quite a few constructions going on, which took away from the magic of the castle. I remember the cellars used to also be open to the public, but those were now closed. Since not every room was accessible, we got some reduction.

These pillows were laying on the floor in the grand hall and they had cute knights and dragons on them. I assume they are being used by kids on their school trips who gather around to listen to their guide telling beautiful stories about the people who used to live there.

Some of the windows had great views on the grounds surrounding the castle. 

If you want to read about those and view some photos, you can have a look at my previous post.

What's a place that has a lot of stories to it where you live?

Speak to you soon,

Lize