(For Floralia Brussels 2013, click here.)
I’ve posted earlier on the wonderful Floralia Brussels exhibition, the spring flower show held on the grounds and in the greenhouses of the Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden (this year’s event is now closed). Regular ‘Discovering Belgium’ reader Wendy Deyell went to the exhibition, and has shared some of her beautiful photos. Enjoy!
Covering 12 hectares and with a collection of over 7,000 rare trees and shrubs and many more perennials, Kalmthout Arboretum to the north of Antwerp has become known worldwide and is well worth a visit at any time of the year. What I particularly like about it is its wildness. It’s full of nooks and crannies with surprising sub-collections, and also a couple of wildlife-friendly pools. There’s also a shop with a special children’s department, a café, and a garden center. Continue reading
Last Friday (July 15), the rain stopped raining and the sun started shining, so Liz and I quickly made arrangements to go out for the day with a couple of good friends. Our destination was the Coloma Rose Garden in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. We were not disappointed. With its impressive displays of more than 3,000 varieties of roses from 26 countries, Coloma is one of the most extensive rose gardens in Europe. You can probably find every type of rose on the planet there: antique roses, the most recent hybrids, climbing roses, rambling roses and bush roses. Continue reading
The Leuven Botanical Garden may be one of the smallest botanical gardens in Belgium, but it’s definitely one of the most charming. It’s also the oldest botanical garden in Belgium, dating back to 1738. It was created by the University of Leuven as a herbal garden for its medical students.
What I like about it is that it’s small enough to cover in an hour or two; in other words, on your way back from somewhere else, or after an exhausting morning in the shopping centre. It’s well laid out, and easily accessible with wheelchairs and children’s buggies.
Children will probably find the fish ponds, vegetable gardens, composting area and beehives interesting, as well as the tropical hot-house with its impressive banana trees, coconut trees and coffee bushes. Outside is a fine specimen of a Kentucky coffee tree. Although its roasted seeds were used as a substitute for coffee in times of poverty, they were found to be poisonous in large quantities!
The garden is located at 30 Kapucijnenvoer, 3000 Leuven and is open every day from May to September from 09.00 to 20:00. Admission is free.
For Floralia Brussels 2013: click here.
Guest blogger: Martine Kinzinger.
“FLORALIA BRUSSELS” is the spring flower show held on the grounds and in the greenhouses of the Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden. It’s the 8th edition of this annual event. Over one and a half million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and grape hyacinths have been planted under the old trees of the 14-hectare park of the castle, as well as 400 varieties of tulips.
You will discover a breathtaking exhibition of floral arrangements and decorative plants in the greenhouses. More than 10,000 flowers from various flower markets in Europe are brought in each week. The chapel and the tower are also decked out with wonderful flower arrangements. Tulips, orchids and other bulbs can be purchased at the entrance to the castle.
This is a great day out for the whole family.“FLORALIA BRUSSELS” is open from April 6th until May 6th 2012, every day from 10:00 until 18:00. Tickets cost €10 for adults, € 5 for children (6-14). More details at www.floralia-brussels.be.
Hallerbos: spectacular from mid-April to early May
For those of you who know all about the Hallerbos and just want a map: here’s one you can use: Hallerbos map2 (Just click and print).
Every year I am amazed that a great wild flower phenomenon is on the doorstep of Brussels. You think I am exaggerating? I dare anyone to visit the Hallerbos in May and not be impressed. This annual phenomenon is the superb display of wild bluebells growing en masse in the Hallerbos, which is transformed for a few weeks into a sea of brilliant blue. Continue reading
Arriving at the church in Bierbeek, which is a rural Flemish village south of Leuven, I was half expecting red noses on the gargoyles, jokes on the notice board, and whoopee cushions on the pews. After all, this is the church of St. Hilarius. But despite his name, St. Hilarius is not the patron saint of humour. He was actually a native of Sardinia and Pope of Rome from 461 to 468. And as his papacy was characterised by disputes, hilarity was definitely far from his thoughts. Continue reading
You can park at any of the bridges over the canal and start walking or cycling
The Leuven-Mechelen canal can be accessed at a number of points, and its wide towpaths offer excellent opportunities for a pleasant walk or cycle. You can choose your entry and exit points depending on your preferred length of walk. Highlights for me are the white storks, which feed in the shallows or the neighbouring fields. From the canal, you can see their huge nests in the Planckendael Animal Park, built on top of poles. Continue reading
Choosing where to walk in the Ardennes is not easy; there are so many wonderful areas to explore. But if you have never been to the Ardennes before, I would recommend La Roche-en-Ardenne. It’s an excellent place to start getting acquainted with this marvellous area of Belgium.
La Roche-en-Ardenne
One advantage of this location is that if you set off from Brussels in gorgeous weather and arrive in La Roche to find it pelting down with rain (which in the Ardennes is quite possible), then you can simply change your plan and visit one or more of the town’s museums: the Milling Museum, the Second World War Museum, the Pottery Museum, or even the Ardennes Ham Museum. The town also has a castle with a ghost, which conveniently appears every evening through the summer (although apparently not if it’s raining). Continue reading
Le Tournaisis is a region located between Brussels and Tournai, incorporating the towns of Ath, Lessines and Enghien. Access is easy via the E429 motorway or the Brussels-Tournai rail connection.
The whole area is a delight, with two natural parks, quaint villages, rural museums, chateaux, and a comprehensive network of country walks. The region also has an excellent website for hikers, cyclists and riders, where you will be able to find a leisure activity to match your specific interests. Continue reading
There are many starting points for a walk through the Forêt de Soignes. My favourite is the Gansepootvijver on Duboislaan just outside Groenendaal. The Brussels-Ottignies train stops at Groenendaal Station, as do buses 395 and 830. There is a large car park at the lake.
It’s primarily a beech forest, with the trees growing so tall, thin and close together that the forest is called the beech cathedral. Looking upwards into the topmost leaves certainly makes you think of stained glass windows. Wherever you start from, you will find that la Forêt de Soignes is full of Russians. They are encamped here; every one an illegal immigrant. They are Siberian Chipmunks. Continue reading
The Château of Rixensart dates from 1631 and is occupied by the Prince of Merode
For me, one enjoyable aspect of walking in the countryside is the possibility of the unexpected. This walk, which starts from the Château de Rixensart, certainly gave me a few surprises.
With your back to the castle, turn left, walk up the road, take the first left into 1ère Avenue and walk through Beau Site. On the Square de la Resistance, just stand back and admire the five magnificent oak trees.
Continue along Avenue de la Resistance until the main road, turn left and follow the track that runs alongside house no.11. On your left is the Bois de Rixensart; on your right is the Bois de Limal. I had a big surprise here; a black woodpecker leisurely flew overhead. Black woodpeckers are more likely to be seen in the Ardennes than 100 metres from a busy road on the outskirts of Brussels.
Continue along this track (another surprise – so many wild strawberries) until a T-junction where a house is being built. Turn left and then take the left fork down into the woods. (If you want a longer walk, turn right and explore the lakes and reed beds in the Lasne valley).
Another unexpected sight will soon greet you: a World War Two bunker. Apparently this bunker was never used during the war. The closest it came to action was after liberation when British troops tested their anti-tank shells on it.
Just past the bunker, fork slightly right so that the open field is on your left. In the distance on your left you can see the château. On your right is an ancient orchard. Carry straight on and turn left along Avenue de la Rochefoucauld. Follow this winding road back to your starting point.
Cute little fellow!
For the kids – Look out for red squirrels in the woods. On the forest floor, search for the remains of pine cones that have been stripped by squirrels so they can reach the seeds. A single squirrel can eat the seeds from 20,000 cones in a year. Squirrels can also tell whether nuts are good or bad by shaking them.
The sleepy village of Erezée is an ideal starting point for a day’s walking in the Ardennes. It also has a large number of rural cottages of various sizes available for weekend use, so is also perfect for a longer stay.
You will be lost without a decent map of the area. One is available from the tourist offices in Erezée or Hotton. It costs 7 EUR and displays no fewer than 28 excellently signposted walks between four and 13 kilometres in length.
The view from the top
My wife and I chose the 8.5-kilometre “Estinale” walk, which starts in the centre of the village and heads north to Fanzel. Here, invigorated by a cup of coffee in the village café, we extended our route by following the 6.5-kilometre “Al Pire” walk which climbs to the Col du Rideux. Here we sat on a bench, got our breath back and enjoyed marvellous views over the valley of the River Aisne. The complete circular walk kept us occupied for the whole day and took us through a variety of landscapes from open hills, river valleys, thick coniferous forests and rolling farmland. It was a great escape from the daily routine.
It’s hard to believe that in the 15th and 16th centuries, Erezée was the centre of a thriving metal-working industry. As many as 35 working forges were established along the River Aisne to supply Liège with iron. Lumberjacks, miners, smiths and foundry workers found employment here, and the forge owners were often sued for destroying the forest.
For the nature-lover there is plenty to observe: grey wagtails and dippers along the river valleys; roe deer and black woodpeckers in the woods; red deer and buzzards in the hills.
Other than walking, the region offers much to see and visit. The chocolate-maker Defroidmont in Briscol gives guided tours around his premises every afternoon except Sunday and Monday. Another possibility is the Fantome brewery in Soy. For a rainy afternoon, Hotton’s caves are ideal. And if you are in the area for a longer time, I would recommend a day in Durbuy, the smallest town in the world (population 400).
Erezée is 90 minutes drive from Brussels via the E411, N4 and N807. By train, take the Brussels-Arlon-Luxemburg train, get off at Marloie and take the local train to Hotton and then bus no.11 to Erezee.
Acorns: Take them home and plant them
Especially for the kids – In the oak woods around Erezée, collect some acorns. At home, put them in a bucket of water and discard the ones that float. Plant the rest in normal potting compost in yogurt pots, making sure there are drainage holes in the bottom. Leave them outside and don’t let them dry out. Next spring you should see tiny oak seedlings. Keep them watered and the following year you should be able to plant them in your garden or give to friends. Oak trees are excellent for wildlife, so planting acorns is a great way to help the environment.
(First published in The Bulletin, December 2007)
If your idea of a wild duck only extends to the mallards floating on the pond in your local park and greedily swallowing your stale bread, then a visit to the Bourgoyen nature reserve in Mariakerke, on the outskirts of Gent, will change your opinion.
Choose a sunny day, start from the information centre at the end of Mahatma Gandhistraat, and walk along the southern edge of the area, with the River Leie on your left. By choosing this path you will have the sun behind you which will give you good views over the fields and lakes. Now you will be able to see truly wild ducks in all their glory! And in vast numbers too.
The teal is one of the smallest ducks you can see at Bourgoyen
Train your binoculars over the waterlogged meadows and look for the chestnut head of the wigeon; the huge spade-like bill of the shoveler; the green eye-stripe of the teal; the elegant long tail of the pintail.
Barnacle goose
Geese too are likely to be present, not merely in their hundreds but thousands. The familiar Canada goose is abundant, but there is also a vast flock of the similar looking barnacle goose. Distinguishing one from the other is fairly simple.
Canada goose
Whereas the Canada goose has a black neck with a white chin strap, the barnacle goose is smaller, and has a black neck with a completely white face.
During the winter months you will also be able to see plenty of waders: redshanks with their spindly bright orange legs; curlews with their curved bills; lapwings showing off their crests; and delightfully named godwits.
In summer, the area is famous for its diversity of wild flowers – with vast swathes of yellow rattle, marsh marigold and meadowsweet – and for its breeding frogs, toads, newts and salamanders.
A 6 km circular walk is well marked with blue signposts. It’s suitable for children but can be very muddy in places after heavy rainfall, so boots are essential.
There are also two interesting visitor centres on the reserve. One on Mahatma Gandhistraat is open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons; the other is next to the sports hall and is open during weekdays.
For the kids - Do you think that ducks just go “quack”? They don’t! On this walk, listen out for the whistle of the wigeon; the shrill piping of the teal; the turkey-like gobble of the tufted duck; the coughing of the shoveler; the purring of the pochard. And when a flock of a thousand or more barnacle geese flies overhead, the noise is almost deafening and has been likened to a pack of yapping dogs!
Walk, cycle, ride, jog ... it's all possible in the forest
The Forêt de Soignes is one of Belgium’s most important forests. Situated south-west of Brussels, this 43-square-kilometre forest spreads over nine communes, straddles the language barrier, and consists of 94% deciduous and 6% coniferous woodland. Statistics, however, tell us virtually nothing; the Forêt de Soignes has to be experienced.
There are limitless opportunities for everyone: walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, joggers, riders and anglers. Or you can simply let your children play in one of the designated play areas. Starting points to explore the forest are:
The Forêt de Soignes used to be much larger. It was part of a huge forest that up to Roman times stretched from the Rhine and Moselle rivers in Germany to the North Sea. As the population of this area grew, the forest began to shrink when villages became towns and woodland was converted into fields. Some degree of protection was afforded in the 12th century by the Duke of Brabant, who was anxious to protect the forest as a hunting ground. Despite this, by the start of the 16th century the forest had been reduced to 100 square kilometres.
In the 1730s, tree nurseries were created, along with jobs for 19 foresters and four tree inspectors. Unfortunately, when France annexed the Belgian regions in 1795, tree felling activities were increased to bolster the French war chest. Nevertheless, reforestation continued: reversing the trend towards planting beech trees, 100 hectares of young oaks were planted in Groenendael, many of which can still be seen today. Shortly after Belgium gained independence, the Belgian State bought the forest, and thanks to a Royal Decree, the Forêt de Soignes has enjoyed protected landscape status since 1959.
The forest is home to 39 species of animal. Earlier this year wild boar were sighted, although they may have been released or escaped from captivity. (Don’t worry; wild boar generally avoid people.) If you sit by the one of the lakes in Groenendaal such as the Gansepootvijver on a warm summer evening you will see some of the fourteen species of bat which live in the forest. Common birds include treecreeper, nuthatch, jay, buzzard, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker, while rarer ones include sparrowhawk, black woodpecker and woodcock.
In clearings and around the lakes and streams there is an abundance of wild flowers. Rarities include two types of orchid, hartstongue fern, spiked rampion, wood melick and wood sanicle. Over 450 fungi have been identified in the forest, including the rare peppery milkcap. Interesting butterflies include various species of fritillary. Less glamorous insects include the blue stag beetle and tanner beetle.
