Supper with Nate and Lauree
~~~ Wednesday Evening, August 9 ~~~ This birthday meal was planned before we went to Belgium. When Nate and Lauree chose this date, I thought we may need to stay home that night because of the time change, then I immediately thought, “It will be good to have something to do and someone to talk […]
Belgium Trip – Day 10 – Flying Home
~~~ Tuesday, August 8 ~~~ Nothing quite prepared us to say goodbye to Hans and Anneke on Tuesday morning when they took us to Brussels Airport following a fabulous nine days with them. Selfie by Hans We are all smiling but it was incredibly difficult to say goodbye, knowing that we may never see them […]
Belgium Trip – Day 9 – Bokrijk
~~~ Monday, August 7 ~~~ As usual Anneke had set the table the night before. After breakfast, we left for Bokrijk, an open-air museum of historical buildings from across Flanders which presents the history of rural life in the region about 1900. A recreated Hesbaye Village. This was near the city of Genk, in the […]
Belgium Trip – Day 8 – Morning Worship & Family Time
~~~ Sunday, August 6 ~~~ This is what Sunday morning looked like as we waited for the time to leave for morning worship. We drove to Dilbeek, Belgium, where this group of protestant Christians worship in a school cafeteria. I took this picture before I know which door we were entering. It was the door […]
Belgium Trip – Day 7 – Trucking Companies, Hans’ Mother and Dinner by Anneke
~~~ Saturday, August 5 ~~~ Our first stop was a visit with Geert Van Kerckhove and his company. Geert is a friend of Hans. Geert, Hans and Cerwin It was evident that Geert is proud of his fleet of ten rigs. Cerwin in a son’s truck. I enjoyed seeing the paintings on the front corner […]
Belgium Trip – Day 6 – Brussels
~~~ Friday, August 4 ~~~ This is what we saw when we came up to street level – from the parking garage. This area of the city of Brussels was set up with a variety of fun things for adults and children to do during the warm days of summer. This is where we met […]
Belgium Trip – Day 6 – A Walk Around the Neighborhood
~~~ Friday, August 4 ~~~ While enjoying a relaxing morning at Hans and Anneke’s house, I asked if I could take a walk around the neighborhood. Hans said, “Of course. I will go with you.” Cerwin went as well. Leaving Hans and Anneke’s house to begin our walk. Cerwin and Hans Hans decided to introduce […]
Belgium Trip – Day 5 – North Sea
~~~ Thursday, August 3 ~~~ After leaving Brugge, we headed northwest to the city of Knokke which is located on the North Sea. The North Sea covers 40 miles of Belgium’s shoreline. I noticed this pretty sunflower as we approached the shore. There was a flower garden next to the sidewalk. We could see a […]
Belgium Trip – Day 5 – Brugge
~~~ Thursday, August 3 ~~~ My view in Hans and Anneke’s living room as I drank coffee and listened to the Audio Bible chapters for the day. Notice, I am wearing my mis-matched socks. 🙂 As you can see, I am the first one who is up for the day. Our first goal for the […]
Belgium Trip – Day 4 (Part 2) – Van Gogh, Dessert with Lara and Her Children & a Large Truck Stop
~~~ Wednesday, August 2 ~~~ Following our visit to the quilt shop, Hans and Godeliva took us to a nearby town where we learned that Van Gogh lived and painted in this area of Netherlands. This bright yellow bistro got my attention as we walked through Etten-Leur. It was interesting to learn that this was […]
Belgium Trip – Day 4 (Part 1) – Breda, Netherlands – A Visit with Hans and Godeliva
~~~ Wednesday, August 2 ~~~ I was up early, and when making coffee in Hans and Anneke’s kitchen, I noticed an unusual bird. At least it was unusual to me. It turns out that it is very familiar to Belgium – and some people consider them to be pesky. ~~~ We were on the road […]
Belgium Trip – Day 3 – Grottes de Han
~~~ Tuesday, August 1 ~~~ First, Hans made sure we had enough fuel to travel to the town of Han-sur-Lesse in the French part of Belgium. Hans and Anneke live in the Flemish part of Belgium. The landscape in the French part has more hills, plus a different culture and language. Hans and Anneke said […]
Belgium Trip – Day 2
~~~ Monday, July 31 ~~~ The day began on the final leg of our trip from Newark, NJ to Brussels, Belgium. A light breakfast snack was served at 6:52 am Brussels time. Yogurt, biscotti and coffee. Approaching Brussels Our first view of the area as we flew into the airport. We landed at 7:34 am, […]
Belgium Trip – Day 1
~~~ Sunday, July 30 ~~~ Before I start. It is nice to be back on my laptop. It is what I am familiar with and feels much easier for posting. 🙂 To tell you about our connection with Belgium, I must go back more than 20 years when Hans Ringoir (from Belgium) ordered a lighted […]
We Were in Belgium This Morning. This Evening We Are on the Other Side of the Ocean!
It’s difficult to believe that Hans took this picture at the Brussels Airport this morning. This evening we are back in our house in Pennsylvania. I am sure Hans and Anneke are now sleeping (they are six hours ahead of us) and will wake up in a few hours to make a long trip to […]