Another cool, grey day

Friday, April 21, 2017
Balen, Vlaanderen, Belgium
It froze last night and the morning was a bit foggy...became warmer later and the sun tried to shine a bit which was very nice. Inez had her quilting group in the morning and we went to the bank in Lommel at the same time to activate the BNP Visa that Walter just received. At noon we had Apple Vlaii and then drove to Maastricht for the afternoon.. It was fun to walk through the old city looking at the stores and all the outside cafes... Not sure who works in the city but everyone seemed to be having a nice drink with friends in the afternoon. We then drove to Cadier en Keer, a small village near the limestone grottos. We had a wonderful walk in the hills, past grazing sheep. The trees are just leafing and some have wonderfully scented blossoms. We ate at a restaurant, art galley, garden called Beeldentuin Heerdeberg.. It's owned by a friend of Inez and Klaas'..she bought the property and buildings about 15 years ago and now has a small restaurant, a large party space upstairs as well as a beautiful garden and patio next to the Groot walls.. There are also rooms in the grotto for edgings and parties, lit by candles and flood lamps.. The color of the grotto walls is a soft yellow and in the candle light it is quite lovely. The owner supports a school in Zimbabwe and has many stone and metal sculptures in the garden.
We had a really nice dinner: Spanish white wine- Siglio, White fish with white local fresh asparagus in a parsley white sauce, salad and frites. Claire had Zuurvlees a sweet and sour beef stew with frite and salad. Then a very nice cheese plate with a blue, a Chimay, blond semi hard cheese and an old Maastricht farmers cheese served with stroop and date bread as well as a Kruger butter and heavy farmers bread.....very yummy..
Since I and K cannot make Erik and Kara's wedding they hoe to host a family party in the garden or grotto next year for a celebration. They bought 2 of the little metal birds as a cute wedding gift for the actual wedding day.
We drove home and had a few scotch in front of the fire. A very nice day!,,,
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