the Floriade - part two

After our rest on the terrace we went on. This rose grows in our garden at home too: "Isabel Renaissance", a deep dark red rose with a sweet fragrance.

Rosa Isabel Renaissance

And in this garden again a stunning pond, completely different from the previous one, but again a joy to look at:

And then... we discovered the dragon!

For 50 cents he breaths fire ;-)

Ari did NOT like the dragon as he roared too... so we went on...


... and discovered the dragons tail.

In the garden of amusement park Toverland (translation: Magicland) you could take a "magic picture", a nice lade took this picture.
No "magic" effect in the picture, but anyhow a nice picture of me with the dogs :-)



(to be continued)

the Floriade - part one

The Floriade was one of the reasons to visit Limburg this year. Twenty years ago we visited the Floriade in Zoetermeer, that was great. We did not go to the Floriade ten years ago, as dogs were not permitted there. This time dogs were welcome again, so Frank, I, Chimay & Ari went to Venlo.

From the parking place to the entrance there were going free busses. Frank was afraid we had to walk it, but I had visited the website and noted that the busses were there.
The start was good, even the entrance cards were good looking!

Map of the Floriade

I briefly studied the map and we decided to go to the Green Engine and Relax & Heal (on the right at the map) and after that we would see how much energy and/or time was left to see more.

Walking to the Green Engine building we passed these beautiful ponds.

In the building we saw an orchid exposition, some were really stunning!.

A little further this indoor garden with big cactuses and hanging plants.

Outside my eye fell on this roof, a combination of solar panels and green roofing (sedum).

Frank got all exited over the Stelcon plates. They remind him of the Rotterdam harbour... I would make him extreme happy if I allowed some of those in our garden, well... maybe... someday ;-)

I must admit that the Stelcon plates were perfectly placed here. They are often used on building sites, but never this impeccable.
We rested a while on the terrace, it was an unexpected warm day. Got some water for ourselves and the dogs.

I have so much more to tell about our visit to the Floriade, way to much for one post. The last picture is our route through the Floriade, there is more to come!

our route through the Floriade

a short trip

At the end of August Franks aunt has moved to an other nursing home, where she has a room of her own. She was not happy in the previous place where she had a shared room. It was a lot of work, but we managed with some help of friends.

The appartment of Franks father is as good as sold, transfer date is October 5th, we do hope nothing goes wrong, then Frank can settle the last things of the inheritance between him and his sister and remove this burden from his plate.

Ever since his father went to hospital at the end of January, Frank has had not enough rest, so we booked for a mid-week (from Monday afternoon until Friday morning) at a cheap holliday-park in Limburg to get some rest.

where we stayed

next to a large field and a "castle" for the kids to play

It was a bit small, but doable for four nights ;-)

Ari on the stairs

Chimay on the terrace

no fence, so the dogs are on a long lead outside

farewell Angel

On August 20th Angel (Xin-Feng's Angel) died. Hij was 14 years old.
He was the longest living Chow Chow of our A-litter.
We wish the Choudhuri family strength in this difficult time.

farewell Noes

Yesterday, eleven days before her 14th bithday, Noes (Xin-Feng's Anouska) died. Noes lived on the isle Texel and was Chimay's maternal grandmother.
We thank Henk en Nel of Vita Texla Chow Chows for giving Noes a good life. Noes was the founding bitch of their kennel.

Noes, March 2004

Noes, September 2008

Roses, mainly many roses this month

The red mini rose was the first in bloom this year. It is only 15 cm high and we were surprised it survived the cold this winter.

Then my favourite rose started to bloom: "The Prince", an English David Austin rose, deep red-purple and a strong spicy scent. I was a bit worried, as most branches were frozen dead in winter, but it came back strong with four flowers. Not an easy rose, but well worth the effords!

Rose "The Prince"

Most spectaculair and very easy to grow is the "Westerland" rose. A climbing rose with very many, sweet scented flowers. The buds are red-orange, almost the color of our car, the flowers start in orange and end in a pinkish color with a yellow heart.
One of the first flowers this year was this "siamese twin rose".

Rose "Westerland"

Rose "Westerland"

Ever faithful in bloom, easy, white and a light sweet scent, the rose "Schneewittchen", sometimes called "Iceberg". I have two of them in the garden. They flower very long, sometimes until December!

Rose "Schneewittchen"

Franks favourite is rose "Mein München", a red and yellow rose with a very light scent. A strong rose with deep green leaves.

Rose "Mein München"

In the back of the garden are some yellow roses. The rose "Marselisborg" is light yellow. It is in a bit dark part, so it does not flower very well, but the flowers are beautiful and it has a sweet scent.

Rose "Marselisborg"

A bit more in front is the "Easy Going" rose, a gold color and lightly fragrant. With the orange marigolds on the table in front and the yellow roses behind it conects the colors.

Rose "Easy Going"

An other English David Austin rose: climbing "Graham Thomas", a yellow, sweet scented, healthy rose. Although I sometimes wonder if this is indeed the climbing variant, as it doesn't reach very high. Anyhow a beautiful rose!

Rose "Graham Thomas"

The buds are dark yellow, the flowers start yellow and end light yellow and above all MANY flowers, that is the climbing rose "Lichtköningin Lucia". In the back of the garden the flowers almost give light.

Rose "Lichtköningin Lucia"

Rose "Lichtköningin Lucia"

In the back of the garden the Dutch Irises were in bloom early in June. An easy bulb that comes back faithfully each year.

Dutch irisses

Between the yellow roses the red lilies are in full bloom now.

At the end of May and early June clematis "The President" had its enormous blue flowers.

Clematis "The President"

Another clematis: "Niobe", exuberant in growth and flowering.

Clematis "Niobe"

And last but certainly not least, my faithfull companions in the garden.
Ari loves to lay in the shadow, with his long coat he doesn't do very well in heat.

Ari

Here is Chimay in front of the "Westerland" rose in full bloom.

Chimay