Mon., Mar. 31st - Sheila's Tervuren Walk

We did encounter a bit of mud here and there on today's walk but it was just great to see the sunshine back again after a rather gloomy weather week. With 16 in attendance we were pleased to stretch our legs and make the most of the spring afternoon.

Mon., Mar. 31st - Sheila's Tervuren Walk

Here we are on the final "leg" of the walk (so to speak) ... It was a great weather day at about 14C which meant some of us were even able to shed our jackets.

Mon., Mar. 31st - Sheila's Tervuren Walk

Almost blinded by the sun ... but, we are not complaining ... we paused for this group shot to document the 16 of us who took part in today's outing. With Sheila's announcement of her desire to "retire" from leading the Monday walks we are savoring each one that she still does for us! "Thanks, Sheila" ... this was a great one!!!

Mon., Mar. 31st - Sheila's Tervuren Walk

With so many of us this afternoon we had to gather a few tables together at the Mont Blanc in order to accomodate the whole group. It was great to have Antoinette (5th from left) one of our former regular walkers back for a visit from Switzerland! We love to see her any time she can make it back to Brussels.

Mon., Mar. 31st - Sheila's Tervuren Walk

It was Inge's turn to do the final accounting this afternoon and, as usual, we came out fine with a bit extra for the service.

Fri., Mar. 28th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik Walk

A walk through the arboretum is a treat any time of the year and even under grey skies this afternoon it was worth a visit. A little sunshine would have been a nice addition ... perhaps we will see it next week???

Fri., Mar. 28th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik Walk

Sandy was pleased to have some help with the group photo today ... our thanks for getting us all recorded. The sun never appeared but even with an overcast sky we had a good outing and lots of chat. Only a few sprinkles appeared until we were well through the walk.

Fri., Mar. 28th - Sandy's Jezus-Eik Walk

Eleven of us were able to take our refreshments at the Chalet de la Foret where we enjoyed some hot drinks to warm us up. The mint tea was especially good...

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

For the first day of spring it was certainly a wild weather day in Brussels! We managed to miss most of it during our hour and 50 minute excursion. It was great to have Jane back with us looking tan and fit after her winter months in Spain and we welcomed a new walker, Sherry, when she finally caught up with us!

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

We posed for this group photo at the famous rail line statue along the route ... which was before Sherry caught up with us ... having gotten caught in the traffic on the ring road. Sorry, Sherry!!!

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

The sun tried to come out as we headed back to our starting point ... but then it decided to rain/snow ... we were very fortunate with the weather for 99% of the walk!!!

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

"Thanks, Sarah" - for taking such good care of us today with your American style (Betty Crocker) Brownies, and the Lemon Almond Cake and Dream Bars from Nigella ... They were all scrumptious!!!

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

Our hostess, Sarah, (3rd left) provided piping hot coffee and tea which was very welcome indeed after our outing in the first day of "Spring" weather!

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

We were able to relax in Sarah's comfortable living room while we enjoyed the refreshments.

Fri., Mar. 21st - Sandy's Woluwe Walk

 

The "goodies" that Sarah prepared for us were so delicious we asked her to share her recipe secrets with us ... so, she pulled out some of her favorite Nigella Lawson trusty cookbooks!!! Thanks Sarah and Nigella ...

MONDAY WALKS ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Walkers,

As you can see from Monday, the 17th’s report on the blog, I feel that after 10 years in the leadership position of the Monday Walks it is time for me to step back. I am not, however, expecting to disappear from the scene myself. On the contrary, I would like to continue to walk, perhaps with what my husband calls the Philosophers rather than the Athletes. I would be very happy to lead the occasional (Monday or Friday) walk, those over the summer holidays when I am here, help with the special occasions which we enjoy so much and give advice or help out generally.

I must have something like a hundred local walks on my shelves – some not suitable i.e. no café! I would be very happy to share with you any of these and go along with a perspective leader to try them out. If no one person steps forward to take over my position Sandy and I are suggesting a leadership of possibly three ladies to work together so that the organisation does not always fall on one person and sincerely hope that most members will learn at least ONE walk that they can offer to lead for the group!.

Sandy is still leading the Friday walkers and we have our WIC Walks founder, Paulette, who will be moving back to Brussels soon. Next year we will celebrate the 20th year of WIC Walking so we have much to look forward to. We still feel that the Walking Group is one of the best activities that WIC offers here in Brussels. Sandy and I are hoping that the enthusiasm of what is now a larger and quite active group with a wide range of ages will mean that the walks will continue with help from many of you … both long time and new members!!! We get to see the beautiful countryside, get some fresh air, sometimes a little rain, have a sociable afternoon and if we have any problems that need solutions there is usually someone with an answer to it. We think that this it is well worthwhile to try to keep both days active!

We will be working on these plans over the coming café stops!
Best wishes to all Walkers,
Sheila

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Abbeye Aywiers Walk

We can all "thank" Jennifer for this Google map view of our walk today! We started at the top right where she has indicated "Abbeye Aywiers". She also provided the following information ... the walk was 8.65 k's, and we took 2 hours and 3 minutes to complete it ... expending 474 calories in the process. That should mean at least a taste of Miam's chocolate fondant!!!

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Abbeye Aywier's Walk

Off we went from the parking area through the archway at Abbeye Ayweirs ... we had a few sprinkles but it was pretty much a grey afternoon with a temperature of about 9C!

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Abbey Aywiers Walk

With Sheila in the lead we made our way around the route. Sheila intended to do a shorter walk but it turned out that the shortcut became a bit longer than expected. We all got a good work out this afternoon ...

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Abbeye Aywier's Walk

and, finally on the home stretch ... we made our way back to the cars under grey skies and thanks to Jennifer we have the statistics on today's outing!

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Abbeye Aywiers Walk

We finished up today's walk at Miam where some of us indulged in one of their fabulous chocolat fondants! We welcomed 2 new walkers this afternoon ... Mitre and Sherry who were able to get a good workout with the group through the fields and byways of Lasne ...

Mon., Mar. 17th - Sheila's Golden Boot Award

It was a shock to all of us when Sheila announced her desire to "retire" from the position of Monday Walks Leader!!! Oh no ... we protested ... but, we have been through it before when our Friday Walks leader left in '98 and after conducting the walks for over 10 years ... Sheila thinks it is time to work out an alternative plan for new leadership over the next several months. She has many maps and walks information to share with those who can help "step in" (so to speak) and learn a walk or two so that we can keep the Monday walks going. Our many "thanks" go to Sheila along with this Golden Boot award for her 10 years of outstanding dedicated walks for all of us. We only hope we can do half as well on our own! With her encouragement and help we should be able to succeed...

Fri., Mar. 14th - Sandy's Auderghem Walk

We all gathered for this group shot before taking off on our treks through the forest. We are trying a new option with several ladies doing their own variation of the walk at a bit slower pace and perhaps a shorter distance. We all agreed to meet up at the end for our refreshments. This way everyone can set her own pace and enjoy the walking experience!

Fri., Mar. 14th - Sandy's Auderghem Walk

The walkers did a good job of following the trail markings as we made our way around the route!

Fri., Mar. 14th - Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Well, lets see who is in the lead this afternoon ??? ... I guess it is Sandy as she took the photo ... Actually, it looks like Anne and Linda with our other Anne not far behind. By this time in our walk many of us were able to shed our jackets with the sunshine out casting shadows and a temperature of 11C It was a great improvement on the weather earlier in the week!

Fri., Mar. 14th - Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Au Diable Vauvert was the gathering spot for all of us this afternoon after our outings around and about the forest. As in the past we were well taken care of and enjoyed our time together. We were very happy to hear that our friend, Paulette, who started the walking group for WIC almost 20 years ago will be moving back to Brussels from the US at the end of next month! We look forward to catching up with her again.