London calling

This weekend we took a quick trip under the channel to visit London. This was the kid’s first time. The thing about London is that there just so much to see! It made for a busy weekend. 

The Tower of London was first on the list. It’s a crazy little time warp in the middle of a modern city. And, of course the ravens stole the show. 

Then it was off to the biggest bookstore in Europe. Over 16kms of book shelves! After dinner and a rest it was show time. We took in a showing of Matilda. The kids all loved it and were transported away by the show. (Even those who complained about having to go)

The next day was a slow start after a late night but we managed to fit in quite a bit. Platform 9 3/4 was first stop. Sammy and Emmy grabbed their photo op. 

Then we grabbed a double decker bus down to Westminster to see Big Ben ( which was unfortunately under scaffolding). Lunch in a pub then it was off to the British museum. There was so much to see! In two hours we only managed to see each person’s one top pick. 

100 years

This year marks the centennial of the end of fighting in WW1. Being in Belgium, we are at the centre of it. The memory of the horror. The desperate need to remember as the year pass. The very real role Canada played. 

The ceremony at the cemetery this morning was much like previous years. Solemn. Respectful. Yet, punctuating it all was the symbolism of this year in particular. 

One hundred years later. It was not the war to end all wars. It created institutions that work hard toward that end. Perhaps, one day, we will realise the cost before we pay it.

We will remember them. 

Highland hijinx

It’s half term break again and this time we took the week off to visit the Scottish highlands with friends. 

We spent the first few days up in Aviemore, close to Inverness and Loch Ness. It was cold, Scotland got their first snow of the year but the scenery more than made up for it. 

We visited a free ranging reindeer herd, took the old steam train, met Murdo the heilan coo (highland cow), and explored the folk museum... and so much more. 

Then it was off to Edinburgh to see the Samhuinn Fire Festival. Samhuinn is the pagan celebration of winter taking over from summer, and the origins of Halloween. It enacts the battle between the summer king and the winter king. It was a very special way to celebrate Oct 31. 

Then a few more days of exploring Edinburgh - climbing Arthur’s Seat (the highest point in Edinburgh), dancing at a ceilidh, and exploring the mile. 

All in all, it was a bonnie time. 

Troc and roll

Consignment stores here are a whole new ball game. Walking around you find things you never dreamed existed. Guessing at what they even are. And sometimes, amongst the crazy finds, is a treasure. It can be hard to resist buying things sometimes because you feel you will never see something like this again. 

Today was the day I stumbled across something special. I found a professional artist easel. For a steal. 

And until I need it for my studio, it does a great job displaying art. 

Thankful

It’s thanksgiving weekend. And this year I’m thankful I didn’t forget it. 

We headed out today looking for a bit of fall. A bike ride through the park under beautiful blue skies did the trick. 

Then home for Harry Potter Reading with roasted garlic, brie and bagette as a starter. 

Life if not without its challenges but it’s important to find balance. So this year I’m thankful for

- another year of adventure in Belgium

- understanding family and friends who allow us this adventure 

- a community of new friends who have become our family here

- the growing relationship between our kids as they grow together and support each other 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. 

Pumpkins and pints

A little bit of research and I found a pumpkin patch...sort of. A pumpkin festival anyway. And it was just the dose of autumn we needed. 

As with everything in Belgium, a variety of beers were on offer. As well as some interesting pumpkin frites...double fried as all proper Belgian frites are. 

A beautiful blue sky, fall leaves and lots of fall vegetables made for a great day. And a shortcut through a field yielded a harvest of overlooked potatoes too.

Car free capers

Once a year, Brussels closes all roads to motorised traffic. Yes, there are exceptions. Buses, taxis, and those who apply for special permission can still drive but mostly it’s a day for bikes. 

Today was that day. I took the kids on our bikes to explore. Bikiothe big traffic circles, sharing the road with horses on the grand avenue, it was a special day. 

Here fishy, fishy.

Today we went fishing. Granted it was a trout farm but still not what we were expecting. 

 The fish farm itself was typical. Ponds on stocked fish, sorted by size. Ok. No problem. Then we noticed it at the pond across from us. 

A guy on a tractor came by to restock the pond. But at the same time he was handing out fish to the guys who had been there fishing. Freebie fish! 

Then he came to our pond. While stocking, he would drop a few fish in the ground for the kids to scoop up. Strange. That aside, we did catch a few ourselves. Peter had the catch of the day.... reeling in a minnow with his rod. 

Back at it

Today was back in school. A Friday. But hey, who wouldn’t like a one day school week? 

Calvin starts secondary in year seven. The highlight seems to be his locker...and laptop. 

Emily is starting year 5. Her first day seemed fine but reuniting with friends was most important. 

Sammy starts year 3. For him too, friends were top of the list.

I guess we won’t really know until they do a full week. Time will tell. 

The pen(cil) is mightier

Our final stop was in Nuremberg. After the apartment we initially booked didn't pan out, we booked a family room at the youth hostel...right beside the castle. This ended up being a great choice. We took a little walk around the city, exploring the picturesque canal views from the many bridges. 

Then it was off to the Staedtler store for some art pencils and a new (Staedtler Blue) fountain pen. Nuremberg is famous for its graphite mines and tradition of pencil making. 

And as we pulled into home, the odometer clicked over, and we wrapped up our incredible summer road trip. And amazingly, everyone says they would do it again. 

Everything is AWESOME

Our next stop was the "big surprise". Over the whole trip we told them we had a surprise planned but wouldn't tell them what. Not even as we drove there. Once we turned off the highway, the excitement exploded from the back seat.

First order of business: breakfast and planning. 

The kids all agreed Lego driving school was up first. It took some practice, but they all earned their licenses. 

Over the next two days there was negotiation, splitting up and maximizing their time in the park. 

When the time finally came for shopping, I convinced the kids to buy bulk Lego and create their own kit. They decided to pool thier resources and design one creation. The piece were selected and for the rest of the trip, the back seat was a planning room with the kids eager to get home and start building...together. 

Peter and I challenged each other to make minifigures of us: Peter made mine and I made his. 

The hills are alive

Next stop: Austria. After another long drive we stopped at a lake outside Salzburg for a swim. The kids appreciated the fresh, cool water and had a blast jumping off the dock. 

The next day we took in more Austrian nature, hiking the Kaprun gorge. The boardwalk took us up the gorge along beautiful waterfalls and rainbows to glacial lake (reservoir) at the top. 

The lake at the top was crystal clear and impossibly beautiful. After walking the perimetre we kicked off our shoes and dipped our toes into the frigid glacial runoff feeding the lake.

We stayed on a dairy farm and the kids enjoyed the wide open spaces to play. 

Our next adventure took us into Salzburg to take a cooking class. We learned to make authentic apple strudel. It was easy and fun (and yummy).