Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

It was an "elite" group of us who made the trip out to Grand Leez and then the circuit around that pretty part of Belgium this November afternoon. Our "many thanks" go to Sarah and Rasta who were kind enough to invite the walkers out to their stomping grounds today. It was an overcast sort of day day with temperatures in the 3-4C range but no rain. After our walk of more than 2 hours we returned to Sarah's cozy farm home for refreshments. What a nice way to pass a November afternoon!

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

Eventually we found ourselves heading up hill to the site of the old windmill that can be seen from many directions in the countryside.

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

And, of course, we had to pause to see the picturesque, ancient Moulin De Frenne and take a photo there before heading on....

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

We stopped in the grounds of the Dieleman Chateau to take this photo. Now that the leaves are gone from the trees it is easy to see the outlines of the chateau itself. This was just one of the interesting sites that we passed by on our walk around Sarah's area.

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

We stopped to admire some of the "wild life" en route back to Sarah's house. These seemed to have fallen in love with Moira's chocolates and followed us to the end of their field and then up the side road!

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

At the conclusion of our 2+ hour walk around Grand Leez we were more than happy to settle into Sarah's warm kitchen and gather at her table. She had prepared a fine chocolate cake for us in which she included raisons soaked in rum ... yum! It was indeed a treat for us to be given such splendid hospitality this afternoon in addition to the walk.

Fri., Nov. 28th Sarah's Grand Leez Walk

We couldn't seem to get enough of Sarah's delicious cake and so we sat for another cup of coffee (or tea) to enjoy it at her kitchen table! After such a good exercise afternoon we thought we deserved it ... n'est pas? We look forward to another walk in her area in the springtime.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Eight of us gathered before 9am at Gare Centrale to purchase our tickets for the 9:27 train to Knokke. Here Paulette (red jacket) took charge of us and was able to get discount rates for most of the ladies. She filled out the forms prior to our boarding the train which was delayed slighly. It was a cold morning though the snow that we had over the weekend had begun to melt making it easier to get to the station on time.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

It was a nice, new, modern train that we took to the coast and we chose seats upstairs. The time past quickly and some of us read or took the time to catch a quick nap in preparation for the efforts to come.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Cecile and Georges met us at the Heist station when our train arrived. Georges took our extra "gear" in the car trunk and then Cecile escorted us into the nature preserve not far away. We stopped for an explanation of what was to come on the information board. It was windy but not raining at this point but that was not to last.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Posed on the new bridge against the wind and the rain we gave up on our umbrellas but enjoyed this bit of adventure as we made our way to the coast.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Braced against the wind and steady rain in our faces we did not reach the beach but clung to the sidewalks as we made our way parallel to the coast on our walk to Cecile's apartment. She also took us through some side streets and then the park on route to our destination.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Arriving at Cecile's apartment we shed our wet jackets, hats, umbrellas, boots etc. outside their door and soon warmed up with Cecile and Georges hospitality! Though the weather outside was "frightful" inside it was all delightful (does that sound familiar?). We were given nibbles and sparkling wine by our hosts and relaxed a bit before moving to the lunch table.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Gathered around the luncheon table while Cecile (right) gave a brief explanation of her delicious "fish soup". It was followed by hearty offerings of selected cheeses, meats, Grimbergen breads (remember last Monday ladies?) then salad with wines as well. For dessert we were presented with several delicious dessert offerings as well as coffee and tea. We had worked up good appetites with our morning excursions so I hope we all did justice to the entire meal???

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Geroges acted as our official photographer for this shot of one half of the table ... just as we were beginning to start our meal.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Thanks to Georges for this photo of the other half of the table. We were about to discover Cecile's famous "fish soup"... and although she will not share her receipe we enjoyed every spoonful of it and then ... most of us had even more!

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

"Our many, many thanks" go to our hosts ... Cecile and Georges who took such good care of us this afternoon in their comfortable 6th floor apartment at the coast. Cecile was aided also by Cousin Ghislene (center) in presenting the luncheon today. We were all so pleased with it all the delicious offerings and the very fine attention to all the details by all of them. It was wonderful!!!

Mon., Nov. 24th - Cecile's Heist Walk

Heading toward the "white caps", the "sea horses" or the "sea sheep"... how ever your language presented it was one of our great pleasures of the afternoon as it was indeed a changed sea shore from this morning. We were anxious to explore it and go touch the water ourselves just to make sure it was real!

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

Here is our bevy of "November beach beauties" celebrating the change of weather for the afternoon when we were indeed able to get down to the beach for an up close and personal experience with it.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

As the shawdows grew longer reluctantly it was time for us to leave the beach and head back through town under Cecile's guidance to the train station for our trip back to Brussels.

Mon., Nov. 24th Cecile's Heist Walk

And, here is where we started and ended our coast trip today ... at the Heist station. We caught the 16:11 train back to Brussels and were back in town around 5:30pm. Sandy's camera battery gave out here and if any of the other ladies send on their photos there were several more that might depict the return train trip for us. Janette worked with some of us on an explanation of Soduko among other pursuits! It was a fun day all in all in spite of the challenging weather start this morning. We want to thank Paulette who worked the Brussels end of the arrangements as well as Cecile and Georges for all of today's adventures!

Fri., Nov. 21st Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

Well, here's our group gathered for today's walk from the back of the Chateau de la Hulpe ... Unfortunately we did not get Sheila in the photo before she headed off for her own walk but we all ended up together at the cafe along with two other walkers who joined us for that.

Fri., Nov. 21st Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

Making good time this afternoon ... the ladies paused briefly on our return route for this shot. The weather cooperated for us at 4C and here and there a gust of pretty strong wind. You could feel something in the air to come though. Thank heavens we were through before it kicked in.

Fri., Nov. 21st Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

Here is the advance team ... almost back to the Chateau which we are always delighted to see at the end of our walk. Soon we were to meet up with Sheila who did a different route for todays outing which was also picturesque but a little less intense ...

Fri., Nov. 21st Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

Today's walk concluded at the cafe l'Homme Bleu across from the Folon Musee on the grounds of the Chateau de la Hulpe. And, we caught up with several other WIC walkers who joined us late this afternoon ... but were able to share refreshments with us. So, we ended up with a cozy group of 10! The waitress to this photo for us from the front of the restaurant.