Kyung-Sook's walk at Jesus Eik

On a very wet day, just a small band of intrepid walkers turned out to walk off the excesses of the festive season (so far...).  We all felt the better for it, and were rewarded with - delicious home-made Christmas cake!  Thanks for the walk and the cake, Kyung-Sook, and compliments to the baker!

Yuko's walk at Rouge Cloître

The weather may have been dull and grey, but we had a lovely walk.  Rouge Cloître was all decked out for Christmas and we stayed quite a while enjoying the warm festive atmosphere. Thank you, Yuko - for the photos too!

Anne's walk in Tervuren Park

The Egyptian geese were very relaxed today ...

... as were the walkers!

Whatever happened to the lamp-post?

Paulette's walk and Christmas Lunch in Ohain

Souvenir of the Walk and Christmas Lunch in 2017

Paulette's walk in the Forêt de Soignes from Rue Nisard

Paulette's walk at the Arboretum

Today 2 new walkers joined our group. Luckily it was cold, dry and crispy, a perfect weather to have a reinvigorating walk!

Paulette's walk in Alsemberg

Today was a day for the stalwarts. Cool constant rain and wind. 

But it takes more than that to stop the walking group!

Paulette's walk at Rouge Cloître

Paulette's walk in Bois de la Cambre

We had a great walk under the beautiful autumnal leaves of Bois de la Cambre. Beginning in the bois under the sun and finishing in the forest under our umbrellas. How more diverse can it be! 

We had the pleasure to have Miriam's company for a while. 

At the end, we decided to stop at  the Patinoire for a drink and some (delicious) pancakes. A real discovery.

Have a look at the extraordinary tree we discovered on our way back. In the first photo, you could imagine the tree telling us OK you are on the right path and on the other I can see the head of an elephant telling us "follow the direction of my trunk" :))

Charlotte's walk in Groenendael

Many thanks to Charlotte for a great walk in the forest.

Walk from rue Nisard with Anna

The sun shone and the forest wore its best autumn colours to welcome back Anna, on a visit from Shanghai.

A big group of walkers seized the chance to come and say hello and we lingered longer than usual at the café, catching up on all the news. 

The waiter at Ciccio Bello gave us a warm welcome, clearing tables, bringing extra chairs - even an extra table when the ladies who had decided to take a shortcut eventually arrived.  [Sorry, couldn't resist!]

Great to see you Anna - haste ye back!

Paulette's walk in Rouge Cloître

Welcome back to Irene and welcome to a new member, Carmel!

Joan's walk in Tervuren

Paulette's walk in Jesus Eik

Janet's Walk in Meise

A lot of photos from today's walk!

We met at Meise, at the National Botanical Gardens, where you can walk or stroll in a variety of circles for as long as you like.  There's a beautiful castle to admire, good coffee shop and fabulous greenhouses for when you need to be indoors. And plenty of toilets!

Although the sun did not light up the glorious autumnal colours, we were lucky that it didn't rain.  Our perambulations took us along well laid paths but, because we're walkers, we managed to find a lovely muddy route as well!

The Grounds

Some views taken in the grounds

Ladies in front of a Tulip Tree - it being autumn it was hard to understand why it's called that!

Ladies again, this time in front of the beautiful small glass house

After our walk around the grounds, which could have been much longer, we stopped for coffee and then went into the newly refurbished and very recently re-opened greenhouses.  They are enormous, and full of beautiful foreign flora.  Lots of photos here because it's so different to our local trees and flowers!