Mon., Jul. 30th Isobel's Auderghem Walk

What a beautiful afternoon we had for our walk in the Foret de Soignes. "Thanks" to Isobel for filling in so nicely for Sheila. It was so much fun ... we might as well do it again next Monday? N'est pas???

Mon., Jul 30th Isobel's Auderghem Walk

Just to record the group today on such a great afternoon for walking. It was almost like fall with nice breezes and a comfortable temperature for our route around the foret de soignes.

Mon., Jul. 30th Isobel's Auderghem Walk

Kathleen and Plume were able to join us for their last WIC Walk (sob) and get in their exercises before tomorrow's long flights to their new home in the states. We will miss them both!

Mon., Jul. 30th - Isobel's Auderghem Walk

Our many "thanks" go to Yuko who entertained us all so nicely in her comfortable home nearby after our walk. She offered us hot tea and coffee as well as homemade peach tarts! YUM ... It was great to relax, enjoy her excellent hospitality and carry on our conversations as well as having a chance to say our final goodbyes to Kathleen and Plume!

Fri., Jul. 27th - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

It is always a special walking day when Paulette (2nd left) is able to join us when she is in town from her home in Oakland, CA. as she started this walking group in 1989! She is happy to see it is still going well in her absence.

Fri., Jul. 27th Sandy's Woluwe Walk

It was time for a doggie water break as Kathleen took care of Plume with her handy doggie water bottle thirst quencher. We will miss both of them when they depart next week for a new life in Oregon, USA! Keep in touch Kathleen ...

Fri., Jul. 27th - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

Our route along the Woluwe to Stockel footpath formerly the railroad line took us past this very memorable sculpture using the metal from the old railroad tracks. It is really quite remarkable and fun to see.

Fri., Jul. 27th - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

After a brief consult with the Maitre d' we had much better attention and service from the staff during our stop at the Brasserie des Etangs than the experience on the last visit! We had a great situation out on their back terrace under the umbrellas and enjoyed our refreshments and infact some of us even had crepes!!!

Photos by Dolphine From 16 July Ittre Walk!

After much struggle I direct you all to the following link to find the photos that Dolphine took on Monday!
Click for Photos

Fri., Jul. 20th - Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Well, believe it or not ... some of us actually DID walk today! And, believe it or not ... the sun DID actually appear for awhile. So, here is the documented evidence. There were some sprinkles and a downpour which happened as we were taking our refreshments under the awning on the terrace of Au Repos des Chasseurs but we were fairly lucky with our 2 hour window for the walk.

Thurs., Jul. 19th Summer WIC Tea

Many walkers showed up this morning for one of the two joint summer teas between the WIC group and the British Women's Club at their clubhouse in Woluwe Saint Pierre. The weather cooperated so that many of us could enjoy sitting out on their pleasant patio while we enjoyed our conversations and refreshments. The next one will be held at the same location on Thurs., Aug. 9th from 10:15 - 12:15 for any of you who can participate. Please RSVP to Jacqueline Rizkallah at (jrizkallah@skynet,be).

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

Well, it was hot, hot, hot ... about 28C with little breeze even along the heights of Ittre as we made our way along the route. The eleven of us still managed to make it around and back to the cars in spite of the heat for our 2 hour walk. We were fortunate later to enjoy our refreshments this afternoon at the home of Penny who lived nearby in the pretty village of Virginale.

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

Looking a bit bedraggled but still smiling we paused for this photo as we made our way back to the lower level of Ittre. The umbrellas helped to keep the sun off several of us.

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

We actually did eventually find some shade en-route back ...

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

Um ... Yum ... plums anyone??? Dolphine saved us from our immediate thirst when we arrived back at the parking lot after the walk with her large bucket of fresh, ripe plums from her own tree.... Last fall it was walnuts from her tree ... what's next??? Our "thanks" to Dolphine ... they were indeed delicious.

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

Here are our host and hostess, Phillipe and Penny, who provided us with all the cool drinks and refreshments that we could possibly have wanted when we arrived unsually hot and dehydrated from the two hour walk around the heights and depts of Ittre! Many, many thanks to you both for taking care of us so nicely!!!

Mon., Jul. 16th - Sheila's Ittre Walk

We all felt so much better after refreshing ourselves with Penny and Phillipe's splendid assortment of drinks and nibbles which they prepared for us. We were also able to relax in their comfortable family room while finishing our food and drink as we enjoyed the breezes from their lovely yard and garden. What a treat!

Monday, July 16

We have had a sunny but heavy week-end and the weather may deteriorate slowly tomorrow. However we have a treat.

We meet at Ittre # 14 . We shall not go along the canal this time. We shall go in the other direction on the ridge and return by the side of the stream. . Penny will walk with us and then we shall drive the few minutes to her house for a drink.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the Neerijse walk so we will do two more in the same area in August. I shall check out directions etc on Tuesday and give them to Sandy early next week.

I still need someone to offer to lead a walk on August 6 – any offers ?

Sheila

Fri., Jul. 13th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik walk!

Sandy tried a walk through the forest at Jezus-Eik from a map she printed off from Google Earth this afternoon! There were pluses and minuses ... but, the idea was a good one and worth further explorations.

Fri., Jul. 13th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik Walk

We were pleased to add Nell, Kathleen's daughter, who is now out of school to our walking group today! She helped Kathleen entertain Plume as we made our way around the forest. Occasionally a piggy back ride was in order for her to complete the circuit. It is always a beautiful spot in which to walk no matter what time of year it is.

Fri., Jul. 13th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik Walk

By the time we stopped for our refreshments the temperature had risen about 10 degrees. While sitting in the sun, therefore, we got quite warm. It was very nice to take the break though and we enjoyed the chance to sit and continue to catch up on our conversations.

Mon., Jul. 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

And ... we're off through the verdent growth and ancient walking trails ...

Mon., Jul. 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

We managed to elude several of the black rain clouds this afternoon but we still heard the thunder and saw some lightening in the distance. We did get a few rain drops here and there and so our umbrellas were necessary, too. Here is a shot taken at the highest point of Neerijse. There was quite a nice view from there.

Mon., Jul. 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

The eleven of us really enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the route and took a few moments amid the sprinkles to pause for this group shot.

Mon., Jul. 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

Time for a conference to check Denzil's maps eh ... Jennifer and Sheila? With a bit of reverse we were able to double back and find the nature duck blind.

Mon., Jul 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

We finally found the "duck blind" or observation shack from which we could view the wildlife on the lake in the nature preserve. It was quite a find!

Mon., Jul. 9th - Sheila's Neerijse Walk

We were able to take our refreshments at La Vignette in Tervuren after our walk as we were not able to find a cafe open near Neerijse. The waiter took very good care of us ... including taking several photos of us!