Monday, November 10, 2008

Chez Jean-Pierre and Marie-Helene

The majority of our two week stay in Europe was spent with the kids at Nicolas' father and stepmother's beautiful home in Holland. They are down the street from the quaint dutch town of Sluiss but also just a few minutes from Nicolas' native country, Belgium. The country here is flat, deep green (the frequently rained grass), dark brown (the soil) and filled with happy farm animals - Belgian work horses, cows and mostly, sheep.

Jean-Pierre and Marie-Helene bike almost every day for three hours in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, Jean-Pierre gardens. Marie Helene does yoga and pilates. They are a bit more fit than the four of us (well, maybe not the farmer). But thanks to the flat land and Marie-Helene's hearty French meals, we were able to go with them on several long (to us) bike rides. It is idyllic there. I couldn't just pick a few pictures so I posted this slide show. I've saved our visit to the ancient city of Brugges (a city where I would like to end my years writing books) for another post.

7 comments:

Deanne said...

Absolutely beautiful pictures of an absolutely beautiful place! No wonder your couldn't pick just a few. ;)

Kaat said...

That was a trip down memory lane! So many things were so familiar... Did you also visit Damme?

kelli said...

So beautiful Madeline.. just wonderful.

Rachel said...

Madeline, I have loved all the posts about your trip. And, truly, they are never too long! I love all the details in your storytelling and you have an absolutely fantastic eye for capturing delicious details in your photographs. I am so happy you and Nicolas got to go to the Slow Food event. It looks like it was amazing. And your in-laws live in such a beautiful place! What a lovely way to end what was clearly a fantastic vacation.

Madeline Rains said...

Thanks. I hope you all get to go there some day. Yes, Kaat, we did go to Damme. I put it in the soon to come Brugges slide show, and now see that I may have spelled it incorrectly.

mindy said...

And I thought the slow food event was fabulous! What a magical place. It looks like the vacation of a lifetime. Once again, thanks for sharing....oh, and that picture of you with the flower...get out! LOVE it!!!!

Flo said...

FABULOUS! Thank you for sharing such gorgeous images of your amazing trip. Just awesome.