Lets go fly a kite

A short while ago, when the sun was still high in the sky and the temperatures comfortable, we set off for the beach somewhere near Kijkduin. The wind from the east was fierce and large numbers of jelly fish were blown ashore. During our walk we came upon some heavily guarded castles and even some pirates. We watched the sailing boats conquer the waves, see the fishermen throw their lines and families enjoy the sand and the water. I sincerely hope we will get a few more of those glorious beach days before the autumn sets in!

Have a great Wednesday!

Lieve groet, Madelief x

 

 

Happy colours!

While I can hear the thunder in the distance and rain is lashing against the windows, I write this post. At the same time I am having a look at the photo's I made in our garden yesterday. How bright & happy all the colours look!

The Sweet Pea's are at their best. I bring home a bunch of them at least twice a week. The zinnia's and cosmos just keep on growing. The anemones are slowly opening their buds, while the dahlia's are in full bloom. The flowers of the dahlia's keep amazing me. Some are simply huge.....and all those colours :-)!

Meanwhile the plum tree is full of deliciously looking purple plums, but I cannot reach them! I tried shaking the tree, fetching a high ladder, climbing the tree itself, but to no avail. If you have a suggestion how I can get my plums out of my 12 meter high plum tree, please let me know. The thing is, I would love to make plum chutney, but now the birds get the plums before I do :-)!

How are your tomatoes doing? Mine are literally rotten! The leaves have wilted and the tomatoes do not even ripen. What did I do wrong? Is is all the rain that fell? I would welcome some advise on how to threat them. There goes my multi colourful salad, tomato soup and passata......

Wish you all a sunny weekend!

Lieve groet, Madelief x

 

 

Tea for eight

Last Saturday I organised an afternoon tea in my garden for seven blog friends. Most of them were from the Rotterdam area. My husband and I started early in the morning to get everything ready.  We cut the hedge, got rid of some big branches which were broken off by a storm, and tried to make the garden weed free :-). The best part of the morning was getting the china out of the cabinet onto the table and make it all look pretty. 

It turned out to be a glorious day! The sun was shining & the temperatures were pleasant. It was a joy to see the faces behind the blogs. We talked, laughed, talked some more and drank lots of tea. Some of you may already have seen some beautiful photo's on Saskia's, Yolanda's or Ingrid's blog, but I hope you don't mind me showing some too. 

Dear Ingrid, Saskia, Lia, Jolanda, Riet, Fleur & Anita thank you for coming. I am looking forward to meet again next year!

Happy Wednesday, Madelief x

For the love of grapes

It doesn't often happen, that one is unexpectedly beckoned into a vineyard and invited to some wine tasting. The funny thing is that it didn't happen while on holiday in France, but during a country walk with my uncle and aunt in Wahlwiller, a tiny village in the south of Limburg.

Wim and Lenie, who maintain the Wittemer Wahlwiller vineyard, showed us around, told us about it's history and the different varieties of grapes they grow. While it kept raining outside, we sat under a tent, with a view of the vineyard, and tasted some delicious wine, cheese and Apple syrup.

Visiting the vineyard is a joy. Wim and Lenie are very hospitable and passionate. You can see they love their grapes, wine and vineyard.

I was glad we had already climbed the hill. Further climbing on an almost empty stomach with only wine inside would have been a disaster! If you are interested in visiting the vineyard. Just check out Wim and Lenie's website.

We ended our day at my uncle's and aunt's. They live in a beautiful converted barn with a garden full of roses and Dahlia's. My uncle treated us to a 5 course dinner, which was absolutely delicious.

Peter and Ine, Wim & Lenie thank you very much once again!

Lieve groet, Madelief x