giant apples!

The appletree did not give much apples this year, only five of them.
Two appels were on a horizontal branch, low in the tree, and they developed into giant apples, as if they wanted to make up for the tiny harvest ;-)

the two apples on the tree in July

the apples on the kitchen counter

They tasted very good!

Venray and Mönchengladbach

After the long day on the Floriade we took it a bit easy the next day (September 5th).
We drove along the river Maas, stopped at Wellerlooi where Frank and Chimay stayed for some days in January. Walked the dogs and Chimay recognised the surroundings from her previous stay.

Then on to Venray to get some shopping done. Venray has a nice center with a lot of shops and we sat a while on a nice terrace at the town square. Two little boys were playing at the fountain.


Next to the gas station was a large pet shop, I had go in to have a look around. They had a nice collection of dog strollers.... well that would be handy for Ari! I had carried him around a lot at the Floriade and he became quiet heavy in time. And it would be great to take Ari on longer walks, as Chimay is getting older and doesn't appriciate the longer walks anymore. I wanted to get Frank to show the strollers, but he already arrived in the pet shop. We briefly discussed to pro's and cons and decided to buy a stroller. Tried it with Ari in it, he loved it, so we went away with a stroller ;-)

The next day the stroller was already used when we took a long walk in a park in Mönchengladbach (Germany).

Ari liked the stroller, he walked with us at first and when he became tired we put him in the stroller.

The park is called "Bunter Garten" (= Colorful Garden) and you can see it lives up to its name.

Frank and the dogs took a little rest while I took some pictures.

At the edge of the park is the Kaiser Friedrich-halle, with a restaurant at the park side.

We were ready for dinner, but had only an hour and a half left, because Frank had to be in time at the Hockey stadium where the Leonard Cohen concert was held. This concert was the reason we went to Mönchengladbach, Frank ordered a ticket months ago.

The staff of the restaurant was great, they managed to serve us a delicious three course dinner within time. We might go back one day to enjoy their food without (a little) haste.

We went back to the car and I delivered Frank at the stadium. He had a marvellous evening. I would have loved to go with him, as I love Leonard Cohen too. Sadly I get panick attacks in big crowds, so I stayed with the dogs.


A video of the Leonard Cohen concert in Mönchengladbach
And more videos of his tour Leonard Cohen in Gent

When I went back to pick up Frank, I heard a bit of the last songs from the stadium, so I enjoyed some of the music too :-)

the Floriade - part three

And finally our favourite garden at the Floriade, designed by artist Sjer Jacobs.

Big sculptures are covered with plants and part of the landscape.

The benches are hold up by sculptures, here a cast iron bench with oak seat Kneeling woman.

A cast iron head in the pavement:

Stainless steel screen, together at the table, woven into the green.

And stainless steel birds in the pavement, shadow birds, that catch the sunlight.

Ari and Chimay next to a Buddha statue, tired of a long and warm day.
Although Ari did not walk that much, I think I carried him in my arms for more than half of the time, then he becomes quiet heavy for such a small dog ;-)

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