Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

It was a long line of us who took off from Rue Nisard this afternoon under overcast skies for today's circuit walk. We had about 20 on the walk as well as 3 more join us at our cafe stop afterwards.

Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

It was great to welcome back two of our former really loyal WIC walkers today which accounts for the crowd we experienced! Marie Jo in the beige coat (in the front) with Linda to the left of her were still able to keep up with us! We also had 3 doggies ... Truffles, Spartacus and Milky. They seemed to enjoy the outing also!

Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

A "goodie break" was provided by Sarah at just the right time during our walk today. Spartacus says ... where's mine, Mum?

Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Soon it was back to the walk! We are glad that Marie Jo and Linda (2nd and 3rd left) were able to return to experience real Belgian weather ... which we are sure they have missed by being away!!!

Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

We are well into our return now with Milky coming in at the end. He did get his exercise this afternoon as the route took us nearly 2 hours. Sandy was attempting to stay off of the muddy sentier paths as much as possible. Although it was rather dreary weather it never did really rain ... just heavy mist which was acceptable and it got up to 10C by the end of the afternoon. That's progress!!!

Fri., Feb. 27th Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Our cafe stop was taken at Au Repos des Chasseurs this afternoon! We had planned to stop at Au Diable Vauvert but considering the road repairs in their neighborhood and lack of parking spaces we opted for the change. With 23-24 of us we took over 2 tables. This must be a record number for a Friday walk due we are sure to the return of our former walkers Marie Jo (2nd from right) and Linda (who unfortunately had to leave early).

Fri., Feb. 27 Sandy's Auderghem Walk

Unfortunately we were not able to get a photo of the entire 2nd table but here is a partial view. It has been a while since we stopped at this cafe restaurant but today's experience with them was a positive one which means we may try them again when better weather comes (when ever that will be) ... as they have a very nice terrace to enjoy!

Feb., 27th and March WIC Walks - Updated

Hi Walkers,
This month Sheila will be conducting her "Philosophers' walks" (or PW) when she can for those who would prefer to walk at a slower pace and shorter distance. Please email her directly if you want to join her that day. Her walks will start at 1:45 so that you can join the rest of the group at the cafe stop later. More details on the walks are sent to you by email. This is a summary!

Below is the upcoming schedule. Please remember to contact the walk leader by email in advance or by phone the morning of the walk if you plan to participate. Keep walking ... Paulette and Sandy

Fri., Feb. 27th - Sandy's walk #3 (Auderghem) from Rue Nisard (gps = Rue Nisard #63 1170 Watermael Boitsfort). Refreshments will follow at Au Diable Vauvert.

March Walks:
Mon., 2nd - Isobel will lead #7 walk in the Bois de la Cambre. Meet in parking lot between 2 restaurants.
Fri., 6th - Sandy will lead #15 walk in Jezus Eik. Sheila will lead PW, too. Refreshments will follow at Istar

Mon., 9th - Margosha will lead a new walk in Vilvoorde off Exit 6 of the ring. - Meet in the parking lot of restaurant De 3 Fonteinen - (gps = Beneluxlaan 32 - 1800 Vilvoorde). This is a schedule change.
Wed., 11th - Monthly WIC Walkers coffee morning - 10:30am -12 at La Terrace at Merode metro. RSVP to Sandy
Fri., 13th - Sandy will lead walk #29 in Tervuren. Sheila will lead PW, too. Meet down by the lake.

Mon., 16th - Isobel will lead a walk in Alsemberg, Sheila may lead a PW, too. Details sent by email. Refreshments will follow at cafe t'Plenjte.
Fri., 20th - Sandy to lead at #12 back of the Chateau de la Hulpe and Sheila may do a PW walk, too. Refreshments will follow at cafe l'Homme Bleu between 2:45 - 3pm.

Mon., 23rd - Paulette's walk to be determined. Details to follow. Sheila may lead a PW, too.
Fri., 27th - Anne F. will lead a walk from # 29 (the lake behind the African History Museum in Tervuren. Refreshments will follow at the Mont Blanc.

Sun., 29th - Daylight Savings - Change Clocks!
Mon., 30th - Paulette's walk in Ohain #18. Sheila may lead a PW, too. Meet at the bandstand. Refreshments will follow at the home of Christa H nearby. "Thanks, Christa"... we all look forward to meeting "Halka", too!

Future Planning: BLUE BELL walk in the Bois de Halle in late April or early May ... to be determined. Fri., May 15th will be the WIC Walkers Walk and Buffet lunch for the WIC Charities. In addition, please keep in mind the upcoming Charity Garden Tour - Tues., May 26th. Details to follow.

Greetings from Halka!!!

Okay here I am at the Haberers residence! I have been told I am beautiful, charming, intelligent and headstrong and a bundle of energy. My family seems a little tired right now, because I like to know where they go in the night!
A little yelping helps to bring them back 3 times in the night. If I am fed I love to tumble and play and run. The garden sure is interesting, but they always check what I am chewing especially if it has to do with poisonous plants and bird's stuff, quite annoying! But I have just started to train them, so a little patience may help. They already threatened me with puppy school, if I don't stop chewing on them and their stupid shoes. At the weekend the Vet daughter was here, to get to know me. She is great fun to play with, but as she started to train me not to put my paws on the sofa table, I had to put my paws down!
But she showed her elderly and slow parents how to run and play with me in the garden and tried to give them some advice how to handle a headstrong puppy. HI, HI!
She said I desperately need other Puppies to play with because I am so intelligent, but I don't have my injections yet and so I have to make do with this humans, who always make funny noises if I chew a little on them! So maybe it is time to get to know you? So come and visit me, but please do not wear your best finery, as I said I love to jump and chew!
Yours future WIC walking group member,
Halka Noroy du Plessy (but Haberer will do, this is where I get my food from - very important!)

Mon., Feb. 23rd Jennifer's Map of the Walk

Jennifer was not able to complete the entire walk yesterday but she did provide this Google map of the areas we covered while she was with us. If you look to the right where the lines cross that is the area of the parking lot from which we started and ended the walk. You can see where we headed north and then crossed under the ring on the left and eventually back under the ring at another location on our return. The cafe Istas where we made our stop is off to the right of the E411.

Mon., Feb. 23rd Paulette's Foret de Soignes Walk

We gathered in the parking lot across from Eikenlaan on the Welriekende Dreef in Overijse while waiting for the rest of the walkers to arrive. It was another grey and drizzly February afternoon and the weather did not improve as we made our way around Paulette's walk.

Mon., Feb. 23rd Paulette's Foret de Soignes Walk

We should really have called this the tunnel walk as we passed through so many of them this afternoon as we crisscrossed under the ring and the E411. It was all for a good cause to get to the other side of the Foret de Soignes. Once in the forest it is always glorious to walk under the trees and along the many paths. Of course some times of the year are better than others but seeing the forest in winter makes us appreciate what will be coming in a month or so.

Mon., Feb. 23rd Paulette's Foret de Soignes Walk

Here we posed dwarfed by a huge tree that we came upon along the Ch. des Faisans in the forest. Considering the continuing dreary Februaru weather conditions we thought it amazing and wonderful to have 17 of us take part in today's outing under Paulette's guidance. "Thanks for a great walk, Paulette!"

Mon., Feb. 23rd Paulette's Foret de Soignes Walk

And, here we are on the approach to yet another tunnel. This one took us under the E411 to the forest on the other side as we made our way to our cafe stop at Istas in Jezus Eik.

Mon., Feb. 23rd Paulette's Foret de Soignes Walk

I'm only posting one photo from our refreshment stop at Istas yesterday and I belive the ladies will thank me for that! In the crowded space it was not easy to get the right perspective and the flash can be annoying to non walkers ... so, we did our best under the circumstances. Some of the ladies chose to have crepes with their drinks and said they were quite good. We welcomed new walker, Marita, (2nd left) back for her 2nd walk with us we hope to see her again soon!

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

We were hoping for some sunshine on this Friday, February afternoon but it was not to be ... The skies did lighten up a bit and we decided to make the most of it with our walking and talking. With little but a week plus to go before the end of the month we were already looking ahead to spring under the leaden Belgian grey skies. You have to keep positive ...

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

The walkers kept up a good pace this afternoon and we didn't get into much mud ... which was a plus for us!

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe

The 10 of us who walked this afternoon posed for this timed shot for the blog during a stop we made on our way around Sandy's route. Even though the skies were grey we were smiling because the rain that accompanied us at the beginning of the walk stopped which made the rest of the walk much more enjoyable.

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

The end is in sight ... and, we're almost there ....

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

We finally arrived at the beautiful Chateau de la Hulpe ... the end of our hour, 45 minute walk and we are always pleased to get rewarded with this view and know that we will soon be in the warm cafe nearby, too!

Fri., Feb. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

We were all ready to settle into the nice long center table at the Cafe l'Homme Bleu at the end of our walk and order our refreshments after today's walk. For some of us it was also a challenge to accept Charlotte (right) back from her 6 weeks in the Florida sun with her terrific tan, too! Whew ... we're not jealous .... much!!!

Fri., Feb.,. 20th Sandy's La Hulpe Walk

And, ... we were happy to have 2 others, Yuko (with Milky) and Jacqueline join us while we relaxed and enjoyed our refreshments. The fresh mint tea was hot and warming for those who ordered it and it was a nice afternoon to just sit for awhile ... so, we did!

Mon., Feb. 16th Paulette's Tervuren Walk

The Google map that Jennifer provided for us of yesterday's walk came with the following statistics ... Distance: 6.9 km's (except for the group who took a slightly longer route back), Time: 1 hour 28 minutes and Calories: 382 ... "Thanks, Jennifer". You can see where we started on the far left down by the lake ... and, returned to it at the end.

Mon., Feb. 16th Paulette's Tervuren Walk

There were 15 of us who particpated in the walk and Paulette (left) set a fairly brisk pace around Tervuren yesterday afternoon under grey Belgian skies. We all had a good work out and a good time together ... This is the way to make grey February days pass much more quickly!

Mon., Feb. 16th Paulette's Tervuren Walk

And ... here we are going around the far end of the second Tervuren lake. We seemed to have aquired a few spouses for today's walk which occasionally happens. They kept up with us so they were fine company!

Mon., Feb. 16th Paulette's Tervuren Walk

Our "thanks" to Paulette (far right) for leading today's walk for us around the Tervuren lakes and beyond. Little did we know after seeing the rain and grey skies this morning that it would warm up to 8C and stop raining! Most of us were prepared for foul weather and overdressed but I guess we should be thankful instead ...