Belgium Trip
April 22-May 1, 2005
 

April 30th Jehay-Bodegne Castle & Gardens, Brussels

Packed and ready to go, we were on our way to visit the Castle and Gardens of Jehay-Bodegne. http://www.opt.be/informations/wallonia_attractions/EN/A/V/16975.html

A fully moated Castle, dating to around the 15th Century, Jehay is quite remarkable in that the outer walls are chequered, formed by thick white stones and smaller sandstones. The Jehay Castle houses splendid collections of furniture, silver and gold plate, lace, china, tapestry, books, silver, paintings and sculptures. The gardens were completely re-designed after the 1940-45 war. The bridge crossing the moats, takes you into the wonderful gardens including paths, arbours and fountains. Up the center there is a big lane with waterfalls and nymphs on either side, works of art by Count van den Steen whose family had lived there since 1492.

On to lunch at Villa des HautSarts in Melin www.lavilladuhautsart.be and then a visit to the gardens of La Cense du Seigneur www.lacenseduseigneur.be and then back to Brussels to check into the Marriott Hotel www.marriotthotels.com/brudt in the historic heart of Brussels. After checking in we took a walk around and even tried a famous bar called Delirium Cafe to sample some of the local beers and cheese. What was remarkable about the bars is that they had a glass to match every brand of beer.

Our final evening meal together was Thai at Les Larmes du Tigre and it was back to pack up and get to bed as we were leaving for home the next day.

It was a wonderful group of people, only 6 of us - plus Liliane. I think we all experienced a trip to remember and new friendships made as well. I know I was privileged to meet some very fine people.