
Belgium Trip
April 22-May 1, 2005
April 22/23 |
Brugge, Lies Vandenberghe
Private Garden |
April 24 |
Floralies, Geert Pattijn,
Wirtz Gardens at Hostellerie Shamrock |
April 25 |
Walda Peron, David &
Alice Van Buren Museum |
April 26 |
Royal Greenhouses,
Botanic Gardens Meise, Daniel Ost |
April 27 |
Parc Solvay, Foundation
Folon Museum, Freyr Castle & Gardens |
April 28 |
Gardens of Annevoie,
Petit Leez Castle, Spa |
April 29 |
Spa, Thermes de Spa |
April 30 |
Jehay-Bodgne Castle &
Gardens, Brussels |
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.
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