The wine of life is oozing drop by drop,
The leaves of life are falling one by one.
Omar Khayyam
20 Comments CherryPie on Aug 30th 2015
As we turn our backs to the steps that lead to the Garden of Mont des Arts we see some Art Nouveau buildings on our way to the Place Royal.
A key Art Nouveau structure, the building was erected in Brussels in 1886. Now fully restored, these former “Old England” shops have regained their full glory. The marvelous museum has an amazing collection of some 7000 instruments representing a large number of countries. The central tower welcomes visitors to a pleasant tea room with a sweeping view of the city.
If I had known about the tea room when we were there, I would have made sure that we visited and rested a while there 
8 Comments CherryPie on Aug 30th 2015
A fountain with 9 jets of water is at the centre of the garden. The stairs that lead to the garden are decorated with reliefs of Oscar Jespers, Charles Leplae and Rik Poot. The rows of trees lead towards the statue of King Albert I on his horse below. On the right, little fountains and a small playground for children. The garden is a link between the old town and the royal library Albert I, the Royal Museums of Fine art of Belgium, the royal Film library and the museum of Cinema (Cinematek), the memorial for King Baudouin…
“May you spend many years at Maredsous in the supreme comfort of soul that is given, to natures touched by grace, by faith in God’s infinite power and confidence in His goodness.”
— from a letter written by Albert I, King of the Belgians to his former tutor, General De Grunne, after the general retired to the Benedictine monastery at Maredsous, BelgiumAt the base of the monumental staircase leading to the garden of the Mont des Arts (Kunstberg in Flemish) stands an equestrian bronze of Albert I, King of the Belgians from 1909 to 1934.
Designed by Alfred Courtens (1889-1967), it was unveiled in 1951. Mont des Arts is dedicated to the memory of Albert I, known as the “soldier king,” one of Belgium’s most popular monarchs.
8 Comments CherryPie on Aug 28th 2015
The square is surrounded by Brussels’ Town Hall, nearly forty guildhalls and other beautiful buildings from the 14th to 17th century. The 110 by 68 metre Grand Place is also home of the Flower Carpet, a bi-annual event featuring the creation of a colorful carpet design using more 700,000 cut begonias.
La Grand Place has been used as a town square since the 12th century (then called ‘Nedermarckt’), but also played a negative role in the history of the Belgian city. In the 16th and 17th century, hundreds of people have been executed on the town square for various reasons. Witches and protestants were burnt at the stake, while rebellians and other villains were decapitated. Needless to say that the the current role, as the bright center of Brussels, is much more positive.
14 Comments CherryPie on Aug 26th 2015
Brussels Town Hall is one of the Belgium’s finest civic buildings. Not only because of the numerous sculptures adorning its walls, but also because of its perfect proportions and the incomparable beauty of its tower, the spire of which is topped by the archangel Saint Michael, Brussels laid the foundation stone of the magnificent Gothic edifice in the spring of 1402. In 1695, when the city was bombarded by Marshal de Villeroy, the Town Hall was destroyed by fire.
Atop the spire on the square tower body, stands a 5-meter-high gilt metal statue of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Brussels, slaying a dragon or devil. The 96 meter high tower is in Brabantine Gothic style.
The facade of the town hall is decorated with numerous statues representing nobles, saints, and allegorical figures. The present figures are not the originals. The Grand Place was bombed in 1695 by the French. The damaged townhall had to be reconstructed.
2 Comments CherryPie on Aug 25th 2015
After our sagas of the previous week, culminating in our Saturday morning adventure we set off for the 39th party. The party was a joint celebration for the coming of age of (21 and 18) of two sibling children of friends of ours. The party was themed, everyone had to turn up in fancy dress depicting the year they were born.
Before I go into details of the party I need to recount a tale that I forgot to include in my ‘Week of Challenges‘ post. On Saturday morning before the gas fitter arrived, Mr C was sitting working on his computer when he heard a large bang on the window. He went to investigate and found a dead bird on our back lawn with a slug near to its beak. The poor thing had obviously misjudged flying angles after capturing lunch.
Getting back to tales of the party… We drove to collect a friend before making our way to the party. As we arrived to pick up our friend the heavens opened with a torrential downpour so everyone leaped into the car to take cover!! The only problem was the Zulu shield, part of our friends costume was left leaning up against the side of the car… As soon as it was safe to do so, Mr C leapt out of the car, grabbed the shield which was too big to fit the car comfortably and manhandled it into the space. Unfortunately the downpour had diluted the water based paints on the shield leaving paint stains all over the car, which had been valeted earlier in the day!!
Once the shield had been secured we set of on our way to the party. We arrived to see a gazebo and well thought out themed sections for the birthday celebrants. A barbecue was set up at the far end of the garden. About 30 minutes later the sky darkened and we saw a spectacular sky and sheet lighting in the near distance. The weather front of wind and torrential rain hit quite soon after that. The party goers retreated inside bringing in the chairs, tables and drinks table complete with drinks whilst four brave people manned the corners of the gazebo before taking off the legs to bring it to ground level and safety.
The rain did not stop play, the food was cooked on an indoor grill and the party carried on successfully indoors.
Unfortunately I have no photos of the event (apart from iPhone photos of the cakes). I chose to leave my camera at home thinking there would be nothing of interest to photograph…
I will leave you with the outfit I chose to wear to depict the year that I was born
4 Comments CherryPie on Aug 24th 2015
Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Holidays, Leuven 2015
Cherie’s Place – Thought for the week
You never enjoy the world aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars; and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world, and more than so, because men are in it who are every one sole heirs as well as you.
Thomas Traherne
12 Comments CherryPie on Aug 23rd 2015
