This afternoon, D and I went on a road trip to Wallonia. We visited a park, a church, the city Nivelles, drank the local beers, and then visited Abbaye de Villers. When we were done roaming (and hiking) about the ruins, we stopped by the on-site bistro, drank some more beers and ate charcuterie. It was a wonderful afternoon excursion.
Today is the last day of August.
In the morning, I went to an appointment I have set up at the city hall, to follow up on my citizenship enquiry. Believe it or not, nobody has taken a look at the documents which I have turned in two weeks ago. Holidays, festivals, and so forth. I was told that I shall hear from them by mid September. Huh? It is not like I have deposited boxes of paperwork from my 52 years of existence?! Oh well.
After the short meeting at the city hall, I walked to the weekly market to see if there were anything I need. I ended up just buying two eierkoeken for D. I then went to the banks nearby to withdraw cash (Dollar to Euro) from the ATMs.
In the afternoon, someone from the city hall called to set up an appointment to discuss an issue with my name. Story of my life when dealing with immigration; there will always be something. Ah well, at least my little surprise visit has set things in motion.
Yesterday was Open Gaversdag (Open Gavers Day). At about three o’clock, D and I cycled to the lake at a leisurely pace. We then strolled about looking for some fun activities. There were not a lot of people compared to previous editions. The somewhat gloomy weather was probably the main cause. Not being able to find anything new to participate in, we went to the café to snack and drink something. Relaxed activities can also be good fun. 😉
Yesterday afternoon, D and I went to a beer festival in Ghent. The weather was great. People were happily drinking and chatting. The beers were cold, delicious, and interesting.
After that, we went to Bruges for a garden party. That too was a lovely time spent amongst friends.
Today, D and I are taking it easy. I made a batch of carrot top pesto and two bottles of grenadine infused water.
This morning, I went to the city hall to find out more about the procedures of becoming a Belgian citizen. It was just a preliminary meeting to gather more information. I am undecided on this matter.
As of now, I have another meeting set up for tomorrow so that I may present some of my documents, to determine their validity and importance. Then, I shall decide whether or not to proceed.
Yesterday, D and I went to his parents for a Saturday lunch of steak and fries. Food was simple and good. After that, we spent the afternoon watching the Tour de France on TV. We left just before dinner time so that we may proceed to the next event of the day…
In the evening, D and I cycled to the city center for a local happening. We were there to enjoy a nice summer evening amongst people and also for the supposedly last performance of De Dolfijntjes. The two Wims of the group are well known celebrities in Flanders. To me, the music was meh, but that did not stop the crowd from swaying and singing along. Hehe! 😀
This afternoon, D and I went to a friend’s home for a simple birthday gathering. It was also sort of a farewell party because Kat (not the birthday girl), whom I have known from integration class more than a decade ago, will be leaving for the Philippines after living in Belgium for three years. Kat did the same ten years ago. She left, after being in Belgium for a year, for a better future.
Kat’s departure saddens me a little. But if someone will be happier somewhere else, then I am all for it. I have crossed oceans several times for a better life, I will never be against life-path-corrections, regardless of age.
Today, I have a dental appointment at 2.25 in the afternoon. D suggested biking there, he will accompany me. My front tire was flat when I pushed the bike out of the shed. It was promptly fixed, and we were on our way to Kortrijk in no time.
We were only about a third of the journey when my tire started to loose air quickly. Damn, cycling with a half-deflated front tire was a struggle I never want to experience again. Fortunately, even though I was about ten minutes late to the check-up, I was asked to wait because the dentist was still occupied with the patient before me. That gave me some much needed time to cool down and sweat it out in the waiting area. 😛
While I was getting my teeth checked and cleaned, D was off to look for a pump, in which he found at a café a block away. When I walked out of the clinic, my bike tire was pumped but started to deflate again.
We went back to the café for the pump, but the tire was no longer fixable at this point. So, I pushed the bike to a park a few blocks away, and waited, while D biked home to get the car.
All is well in the end. But what a day this has been. The last day of the month, my teeth were cleaned and I have one flat bike tire.
Yesterday afternoon, D and I went to the 40th edition of Rozenfeest (Roses Festival) in Kortrijk. The lengthy heat wave and drought has done the roses in. The blooms were very sad looking. On the bright side of things, the white mansion (kasteel) on site was opened to the public this year, showcasing an exhibition of flower arrangements from a local school.
I have to smile when my mom reminded me that her obsession for roses was tamed by our visit to this particular rose garden many years ago.
This Monday afternoon, D and I did our monthly bulk purchases, the second time. We were out of sparkling water! Again, I am blaming the lengthy heat wave. With a second bulk grocery run, June’s food budget is busted. I did set a very stingy (almost unbelievable) balance in the first place. And secondly, meat and expensive taste for various kind of carbonated drinks are things that we will enjoy for a while.
You only die once, you live every day… 😉
Two days ago, there was a nocturnal shopping event at a garden and pond center. After a light dinner, D and I departed from home at around eight o’clock, determined to buy a certain pond filter that D had his sight on. Unfortunately, these were completely sold out even before this particular event. Ah well, D bought two filter balls, which entitled us to a serving of pasta and a glass of beer each. Pasta was out when we were queuing up, fortunately while drinking our cold beers. So the coupons are for next time, and by then D and I may chose to have hamburgers or braadworst.
Yesterday while having lunch, D proposed that we go to Knokke in the afternoon. What am I supposed to say to that?! 🙂
It was a hell lot of walking in Knokke! So much so that we needed to rest and drink at a beach bar. D had two cocktails, whereas I kept to non-alcoholic drinks. I have learned to pace myself when surrounded by the known triggers of fainting: suffocating heat, loud noises, alcohol and too much food. I was not risking it…
The best part of Knokke was the walk on the beach. Shoes and socks off, feet in the cooling seawater, refreshing sea breeze, and the scenery.
When we reached home, after an hour drive, we grilled a sea bream (dorade in Dutch) for dinner. Our barbecue meal also included some grilled potato wedges, and a lettuce salad.
