Paulette's walk in Overijse on 31st January 2011

Our walk today took us through new routes. We left the car park on Welriekende Dreef following our favourite path through the forest. At the Ring, however, we followed a route through an area of stables and counted at least 4 maneges along the way. Then we followed a path on the edge of a wood, across open fields, to the old village of Hoeilaart past a series of little houses overlooking the valley. We finally entered a residential area with elegant surroundings around the Barbizon restaurant and back to our car park but since most of us were enjoying the brisk walk, we entered the forest again down to the tunnel under the E411 to the Prinsendreef and our favourite tavern, Istas. The cold has come roaring back, with smog warnings everywhere, but everybody was well wrapped up and happy to get some exercise for almost two hours.

Joan's Walk on Friday 28th January

Only the hardiest twelve ladies met at the lake in Tervuren on a bitterly cold day, even although the sun was shining. We set off a brisk pace and soon everyone warmed up as the trees shielded us from the icy breeze. There are so many trails through the forest between Tervuren and Jesus Eik that it is always a delight to be there. We walked for exactly two hours and were glad to have a warm drink in Mont Blanc.

some people just couldn't resist something sweet with the coffee

S

Paulette's walk in the Bois de la Cambre on January 24th 2011

Today was a lovely day. Although the weather was not bright and it was drizzling most of the time, our little group of 11 was very happy to get on the move and do our traditional tour of the Bois de la Cambre, a pleasure in any season. Then we discovered or rediscovered with much pleasure the abbaye de la Cambre, a little oasis of peace not far from the hustle and bustle of avenue Louise. This abbey was established by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages and its charming church, a pleasing blend of classical and gothic styles, blends perfectly with the 18th century main buildings.

We were lucky enough to admire a remarkable painting entitled ‘The Mocking of Christ’ by Albert Bouts. After the walk, Mary welcomed us most charmingly to her beautiful house. 4 ladies arrived a little later to take tea with us.

Mary spoiled us with coffee, tea, home made cakes and all kinds of delicacies. Thank you so much Mary. As you can see, all the ladies thoroughly enjoyed this very nice afternoon tea.

Deborah's walk in Woluwe on 21st January 2011

The group had a good walk today. Only six walkers turned up and Deborah took them along the old tram line to Stockel. They came back through the streets past the little church and then down to Paul Hymans where they had coffee at Cook and Book. A very pleasant afternoon, a bit cold but warmed up a bit during the duration of the walk. Thank you to Deborah for taking over the walk at such short notice and to Anna for her photographs.

Paulette's walk in Genval on January 17th 2011

Twenty ladies turned up on a remarkably mild day for January, given the recent cold snap, for a walk around the lake at Genval.

The sky was rather overcast but everyone was determined to walk off some of the calories we inherited from the holiday period.

The mood was bright and cheery.

Thanks to Janet for taking the photographs with her telephone. Paulette's camera battery had decided to stay at home! This trompe-l'oeil mural was on the entrance to a house along the way.

After a couple of circuits we stepped off for a bit more exercise through the woods at a very sustained pace. Then back to finish off the circuit for the third time, and for a refreshment at the Brasserie du Lac.

Janet's City Walk

Starting at Parc Station we posed by the Falon statue (dedicated to lost children) and walked through the Royal Parc (the design of which is said to be linked to masonic symbols) and along Rue Royale until diverting into the Rue de Six Jeunes Hommes and then on to Petit Sablon.



We walked through the Parc d'Egmont and along to Avenue Louise, which we crossed and walked behind the Law Courts and down to the Marolle district.

Here we are posing by the statue of Peter Pan - which can also be found more famously in Kensington Gardens, London.



On reaching Rue Haute we turned left, and then did a right to admire some truly beautiful Art Nouveau social housing, then we walked along Rue Blaes until we turned left into Rue Saint-Ghislain. Here we saw a nursery school (still used as such) designed by Horta. Taking the first right we admired 2 more beautiful art nouveau houses, then retraced our steps, did another right and passed a beautifully restored wine warehouse and shop selling knitted meat!



We then went under the railway tracks between Midi and Gare Centrale stations, through an 'open air art gallery'. We turned right on to Avenue du Stalingrad and considered taking tea in Comme Chez Soi!



We continued along the main road, passed Madame Chapeau, and then turned left, opposite the road leading up to the Mannekin Pis, and took a brief look at the Bon-Secours Church (traditional starting point of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela) before joining Blvd Anspach via an interesting paved road.

From here we crossed and were soon at the Halles St. Gery where we helped the lone waiter sort out our drinks! An interesting if not efficient stopping point!



After coffee some of us went on to Place St. Catherine where we were sorry not to be able to admire the City's oldest urinals (currently shrouded in plastic), but passing the electric tree of Rue des Chartreux and the Zinnekenpis (a very cute dog doing what dogs have to do).

Paulette's walk in Jesus Eik on 10th January 2011

Eighteen of us were very happy to meet again under the sun. It is always nice to walk in the forest in the Jesus Eik neighbourhood and we really needed some exercice after all the holiday goodies.

In the Arboretum area, the alleys were dry and sunny,

In other places, the frost was still visible.

Our map was very useful when we decided to explore a new area in order to make the walk a little bit longer but as always we found our way back all right. Afterwards we all met at Istas for a nice cup (or was it gluhwein?) and a well deserved break, a nice opportunity to exchange the latest news.

Friday 7 January 2011 - Meester Crapswandeling in Sterrebeek

Once again today's walk had to be changed due to weather conditions. We should have been walking in the forest in Auderghem but Margaret, today's leader, changed it to Sterrebeek instead as conditions underfoot were not ideal. We did the Meester Crapswandeling (no jokes please), a circular walk around Sterrebeek and the exercise, no doubt, did us good.

As we say in Scotland it was a 'fel dreich day (translation; really drab and grey). It was raining a little and the melted snow + rain have caused the fields to reach saturation point. Nevertheless 11 of us turned out for the walk and the garden with the little gnomes dressed for Christmas caused a bit of a giggle.

After a quick change of shoes, it was off to the Yearling to enjoy a really warm drink. The Christmas decorations were still up and the place had a really nice atmosphere to it. No one seemed to be in a hurry to leave. There was no "easy walk" again to day as Sheila is suffering from the flu - get well soon.

3 January2011 - First walk of the new year in Tervuren

It was great to get out walking today. As you all know several of the walks were cancelled in December because of snow and ice but the snow is clearing slowly so we are getting back to normal. Nevertheless, the walk had to be changed today as Anne, today's leader, had gone out in the morning to check things out and thought it a bit hazardous to walk in Tervuren woods.

We walked around the residential part of Tervuren, as you can see there are still a lot of wintery conditions around but looking on the bright side - we wouldn't have met Frosty otherwise. You can tell it is just after the New Year celebrations as they were out emptying the bottle banks!! I had to include a photo of this beautiful cross - perhaps someone knows what it is commemorating??

No walk in Tervuren would be complete without a visit to the "Mont Blanc" cafe but no cakes today - time to put my new year's resolution into practice (wonder how long it will last??)

Greetings from Sandy

Holiday greetings from Sandy and Bruce ... I also wanted to send many thanks to all of the WIC Walkers for the lovely signed group holiday meeting card that recently arrived. It was such fun to receive and so nice to be remembered. My best holiday wishes to you all, also! Sandy.

I am attaching this time a few photos to prove that it did SNOW in Sandy Springs, GA on Christmas afternoon.