Talkingthailand

The Changing Seasons – January 2022

Welcome to 2022! (A bit late on my part, but better late than never!)

I spent the first month of the new year cooking new recipes.

Things to do in free time — Chicken Tikka

My bread maker stopped working, so I have started to make bread in the oven. It turned out well and it was delicious.

I started a major health regime and I have got into the habit of regular exercise again. I am proud to say I have lost half a stone so far. It goes to show, hard work always pays off!

I went for a walk and discovered a marina which I’d never seen before in all the years I have lived in my hometown!

I also found some cool graffiti.

And some furry and feathery friends.

There are some lovely walks in Northampton.

It’s really good to get out in the fresh air.

Hope everyone is having a fab February! Peace and love 🙂

The Changing Seasons is hosted by Ju-Lyn at Touring my Backyard, and Brian and Bushboy’s World

About The Changing Seasons

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.

Discovering the Canals of Bruges

I am somehow drawn to water, so if I visit somewhere with canals, you can be sure they will be on my list of things to see.

While in Bruges, I headed to the Spiegelrei Canal and wandered along its banks. There are some lovely colourful buildings in the traditional stepped-gable design.

Next, the Augustijnenrei Canal with water so still it creates beautiful reflections.

I skirted around the old-town and headed south to the Groenerei Canal. There is a viewpoint where you can sit and watch the boats go by or take a break from sightseeing in one of the cafe bars located along its banks.

Bruges is a beautiful place to explore. Walk around the city or take a trip on a canal boat to see a different view of the city.

A Walk Around Bruges

On a trip to Belgium in 2020, just two days into the new year, I went to Bruges for the day. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours. I loved it so much, I’m going to retrace my steps and hope that you will join me for a little tour around the city.

Bruges is just under an hour and a half from Brussels. Leave the station and walk up Oostmeers towards the city centre. There will be plenty of people doing the same, so you won’t get lost.

The narrow street is lined with houses including the almshouse of Reylof de Blieck – used as a shelter for the poor in the past.

At the end of Oostmeers, take a right onto Goezeputstraat and second-left onto Kleine Heilige-Geestraat. You’ll see the tall tower of Saint Salvador Cathedral on Sint-Salvadorskerkhof.

Walk around and you’ll see the whole cathedral.

From Sint-Salvadorskerkhof, go right onto Steenstraat and you’ll find yourself in the shopping zone with typical Belgian buildings converted into cute boutiques.

Keep going and you’ll come across the Markt – Bruges’ market square with its impressive buildings including the Belfry – arguably the most impressive.

The Provincial Hall isn’t bad either.

The market square is bustling with people and and there are also colourful old guild houses which have been converted into restaurants, so it’s also a good place to sit and eat and watch the world go by.

Just off of the Markt, you’ll find Eiermarket with some nice cafes and restaurants – stop for a coffee in Het Hof Van Rembrandt,

Venture onward and pass by Dumon Chocolatier, housed in this cute little building.

Go along Kuipersstraat, turn right onto Jakob Van Ooststraat, left onto Vlamingstraat and, finally, right onto Academiestraat and you’ll see The Burghers’ Lodge (Poortersloge) – a place where important citizens of Bruges held their meetings.

Head towards Augustijnenrei Canal and located by the Ezelsbrug or Donkey Bridge is thebeautiful Restaurant De Bottelier. I didn’t eat here, but I thought it was worthy of a photo.

Go back the way you came along Sint-Jakobsplein and St James Church stands on the corner.

Double back on yourself through the Markt, walk along Breidelstraat and you’ll come across Burg Square. In the far corner, you’ll see Blinde-Ezelstraat or Blind Donkey Street – a narrow alleyway running between Burg Square and Vismarkt. Apparently, there was an old inn called The Blind Donkey in the late 15th century.

Back on Burg Square, you’ll find part of the Brugse Vrije (Liberty of Bruges).

And the beautiful Gothic Stadhuis or town hall.

My walk took me further around the city centre but, for this tour, I wanted to show you some of the buildings in Bruges. I hope you enjoyed yourself. More of Bruges next time!

Brussels: Save the Best ’til Last

This is the last of my Brussels’ posts and these are my best photographs for you to get a last glimpse of the city.

As I’ve mentioned before, choosing photographs to be the best is very subjective. For me, I choose the best ones based on interesting subjects and nice views, colours, reflections, rule of thirds, juxtapositioning, angles, patterns, close ups, moody skies, low angles and high angles. What about you?

Here are more ‘best of’ photographs:

The Best of Chulachomklao Fort, Bangkok

https://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-the-colosseum/

https://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-the-vatican/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-st-peters-basilica/

https://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-the-roman-forum/

http://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-the-duomo-in-florence/

https://morrisophotography.co.uk/places/best-of-krabi/

Peace and love to all 🙂

The Prettiest Street in Bruges

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.

Brussels: Street Life

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.

Street Life #1 Phra Athit Road

Street Life #2 Yaowarat Road

Street Life #3 All Around Bangkok

Life On the Streets of BKK

Love and peace to everyone! 🙂

Brussels: Street Art

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 🙂

Bukruk Urban Arts Festival, Bangkok

Pipit Banglamphu Street Art Festival

Street Art in El Carmen, Valencia

Art on Soi Nana

Art & Sculptures in Rotterdam

The Changing Seasons – December 2021

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

About The Changing Seasons

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.

Brussels: Things to See Around the City

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!

Brussels: Architectural Features Around the City

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!