Gouden-Handrei is, arguably, one of the prettiest streets in Bruges so, of course, I had to make a beeline for it when I visited in January 2020. The street carries on into Spaanse Loksaai and ends at the Augustijnenreibrug – a three-arched bridge dating from the 14th century, making it the city’s oldest. After the bridge, you can carry on walking along Augustijnenrei for more lovely views.
It certainly was very pretty and I enjoyed walking along this lovely part of Bruges.
Whenever I go out and about, I always end up people-watching! I can sit for hours just watching everyone go about their business. In Brussels, at the end of 2019, the streets were bustling with people enjoying the new year celebrations.
For more street life on the other side of the world.
Love and peace to everyone! 🙂
One of the things I love while exploring somewhere is coming across street art. It brightens up window shutters, walls, garage doors and run down buildings. I’d say it’s a welcome addition to any city!
Searching for street art (and finding it) makes me happy and it’s something different to do!
For more street art, check out these posts. Love and peace 🙂
Happy New Year!
My December was full of family, food and getting out into nature.
My mum bought me the best advent calendar ever – instead of chocolates there was a miniature Rituals beauty product behind every door.
I always get excited when I see beautiful sunrises like this one.
Christmas decorations in Wellingborough.
Frosty views across the Racecourse.
Festive graffiti.
My lovely winter pansies.
I love real Christmas trees and mine was up at the end of November!
Christmas Eve drinks with my sister.
Making Christmas Day memories with my family 🙂
Christmas tree gone and destined for recycling!
A 7.5 mile jaunt around Pitsford to blow the Christmas cobwebs (and overindulgence of alcohol) away.
Oven-baked chicken pasanda from my new Pinch of Nom cookery book.
I hope everyone had a fabulous December too! I wish you all the best for 2022!
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboy’s World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
Follow me around Brussels as I take in the sights and find interesting things to see around the city
First up, a pretty Christmas tree and the statue of Charles Rogier – twice Prime Minister of Belgium in the 19th century – sit in Place de la Liberte on Rue du Congress.
At the end of Rue du Congress, you’ll find the Congress Column with its statue of Belgium’s first monarch, King Leopold I at the top.
Onwards towards the city centre, you may come across this statue of St Michael killing the devil.
Then, the impressive western, northern and eastern facades that make up the beautiful St Michael & St Gudula Cathedral.
Then, a last look back at the cathedral from Rue de la Montagne.
In the centre, you’ll find loads of lovely buildings – typically Belgian with crow-stepped gables.
Head north and you’ll come across The Bourse – the Brussels Stock Exchange – housed in this grand building.
If you fancy a break, go to Halles Saint-Gery – a beautiful little place which used to be market halls in the 19th century, but now an exhibition centre, cafe and bar – a welcome pitstop from your sightseeing!
A short walk away is St Catherine’s Place with St Catherine’s church at one end. It’s a great place for eating and drinking or simply wandering around.
Just around the corner, there is the belltower of the old St Catherine’s Church.
Last on this little tour is the small chapel of Mary Magdalene on Rue de la Madeleine.
If you would like to follow in my footsteps. here is the route I followed, more or less:
I hope you enjoyed the walk!
If you like architecture, Brussels has plenty of interesting buildings to see. But, it’s easy to miss some of the smaller details – all as stunning as the main counterpart!
See the decorative exterior windows of St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral – built in the Brabantine Gothic style.
Most people flock to see the Manneqin Pis – a statue of a small boy peeing. But, take in the stone niche in a rockery style surrounding the small statue – originally designed by Jerome Duquesnoy the Elder in the 17th century.
Look up to see the impressive Congress Column at the end of Rue de Congres, but look down to see the two bronze lions guarding the column – by Eugene Simons – a 19th century Belgian sculptor.
Look for the gargoyles on the northern facade of St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral.
In the corner of the Grand Place, see the stunning facade of the Maison du Renard complete with bas reliefs and statues.
You can’t really miss the tympanum over the main portal of the Town Hall depicting St. Christopher carrying the baby Jesus, St. Michael the archangel standing on the devil and St. George slaying a dragon. Around the portal are statues of prophets.
Whilst the Bourse is beautiful in its own right, there are equally beautiful statues surrounding it – like this statue of a man and lion.
It’s worth taking the time to look for the smaller details – it can be big on surprises!
The natural world put on a pretty good show in November! Enjoy!
Love sunsets!
I managed to get to Rotterdam to see Chris in November. Despite having to pay extra for COVID tests to go there and upon my return to the UK, I was desperate to have a change of location and to spend time with my best friend. It was just what the doctor ordered!
As always, we had a lot of fun and plenty of laughter.
And the views weren’t too bad either!
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May 2022 bring peace, love and happiness!
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboy’s World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
During these COVID times, we are all restricted in what we can do! But, nothing is stopping you doing some of things I did in Australia! These experiences made me feel good – I hope they make you feel good too!
For those who live close to Byron Bay, it’s easy to enjoy this beautiful spot with long golden sands, stretching for miles and crystal clear blue water lapping the shoreline. And to those people, I am slightly envious!
Take a walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse with stunning views out to sea. The walk from town will blow the cobwebs away and, if you’re lucky, you might just see dolphins and turtles from your vantage point – a magical experience and one that’s guaranteed to make you smile! Or, experience the thrill of horseriding on the beach. It’s a fabulous activity to do, especially when you can ride along the beach with the wind in your hair, the pounding of the hooves in your ears and the salty air bringing happy tears to your eyes! If neither of those things appeal to you, simply wandering along the beach feeling the sand under your feet can beat the blues any day!
Only 13 km from Adelaide’s city centre, Belair National Park is a place of natural beauty – that in itself may keep your stress levels at bay! There is lots to do here – biking, walking, horseriding or orienteering. You could do what I did and take a picnic and spend time with your family – the kids will love the play areas! Belair is also a photographer’s candy shop with plenty of opportunities for you to snap away! You’ll find a wide variety of flowers and trees and lots of wildlife too – if you’re walking you might come across kangaroos and emus. And, look out for koalas resting in the trees above.
Not far from Adelaide, Cleland Wildlife Park is probably the best wildlife park I have ever been to in Australia. Over 35 hectares of bush-land, you’ll have the company of kangaroos, emus and wombats which roam freely around the park. It’s a relaxed environment with animals all around you. You can get quite close the animals, as they are adapted to the park setting, which means you can feed them too! It’s said that petting animals releases feel-good hormones! Visiting Cleland makes for a lovely day out – take your time exploring and enjoy the animals and the calm surroundings.
After a very sober New Year’s Eve, surrounded by thousands of people in Melbourne, I took a welcome trip to the Dandenong Ranges. If you love nature, you’ll love this place! Tall Mountain Ash trees form the forest all around you and, apart from the odd walker or runner, it feels like you have it all to yourself. It’s so peaceful there with only the sounds of nature to accompany you, it’s such a nice feeling away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Another natural beauty is the town of 1770, so called because it was in the year 1770 that Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour made their second landing on the eastern shores of Australia. A perfect beach for running, walking or just chilling out. Do some surfing, have a picnic, or go on a boat trip, but if you just want to relax, 1770 is a great place to take in the views and just be – something we all could benefit from now and again.
These were only a few of the places I visited when I was in Australia and I remember every one made me feel good. Just being out in the fresh air, walking among the trees or along the beach put a smile on my face. 🙂
For more travels around Australia, check out these posts..
Peace and love!
Another month gone and one closer to the end of 2021. It always surprises (and scares me) how quick time goes. For this month’s Changing Season, I have chosen to capture one moment in time!
This is October’s “Photo of the Day” from Morrisophotography during a walk around the marina in Barcelona back in February 2020. It was a beautifully warm evening and, although this is a bustling port with lots of activity (there were huge yachts just out of shot on the right and lots more people), I managed to capture this tranquil scene.
The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboy’s World
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
