Tag: belgium
Kuurne Brussel Kuurne
The 2010 Kuurne Brussel Kuurne was marked by strong winds and heavy rain. We caught up with the riders on the Oude Kwaremont.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
After a hard winter and a week of rain, we go roadside at the opening race of the 2010 Spring Classics season in professional road cycling.
Democracy is deaf
After Tony Blair’s appearance before the Iraq Inquiry in the UK, a few thoughts on the growing distance between politics and the people.
With these Rocher, you’re really spoiling us
Smooth and sophisticated, Belgian chocolate is among the finest in the world. But is it a bit much with a cup of tea?
Pajottenland
Calling itself “the pearl of the Pajottenland”, the little town of Gooik sports a civic shield of three hammers. When we arrived for a walk in the area, those hammers could have easily represented the cold, wind and rain.
Yet if Flemish towns like Gooik retain a certain unchangeable character, the skies above them remain as …
La Molignée
The village of Maredret rests in a shallow river valley, in the long shadows of two abbeys, the famous Maredsous and the smaller, newer Maredret.
Preference for the monastic life appears to have enjoyed a resurgence in Belgium during the nineteenth century, when both abbeys were established by a local family, the De Hemptinnes.
Walking route: Abbaye …
Mud in the Hageland
On the weekend after Armistice Day, I was reminded that the British have a difficult history with the Flanders mud. In the Hageland, it’s rusty, oozy, sticky stuff and it takes just a few days’ rain to turn into a morass.
In the Walenbos, the forecast of a dry day quickly turned sour and the mud …
Ourthe Valley
When daylight started to fade, the bright autumn colours that had dazzled us throughout the day now deepened quite suddenly. The sun fell behind the steep valley side leaving us only greys and browns. Nature, resplendent in the sunshine of the day, now took on a look that seemed to us vaguely sinister. So if …
De Faluintjes
About twenty kilometres west of Brussels, the Faluintjes consist of woodland and wide meadows scored by languid streams. The district is home to the famous Abdij Affligem, whose often tumultuous history began in 1062.
The word ‘faluintjes’ may derive from the French for fossil deposits, or more probably from the Middle Dutch for faggots.
Walking route: Moorsel …
Beloeil
Beloeil is a commune in the Hainaut region to the west of Belgium. The famous château of the same name is still owned by the House of Ligne, the origins of whose peerage can be traced back to the year 823. The Lignes’ princely title was bestowed in 1563. The present, 14th Prince of Ligne …
Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …
Treemendous!
Of course it’s still November, but J and I could hardly wait to put up our Christmas tree. So we did, and it appeared as if by magic this weekend. I have to …
- Originally published: 26 Nov 2006 in Editorial
Cantillon Brewery
J’s sister came to stay and after trying the lambic and gueuze at À La Bécasse on Rue Tabora the previous week, she fancied a visit to the Cantillon Brewery near the …
- Originally published: 30 Jul 2008 in Europe
Zwartboek (Black Book)
Director: Paul Verhoeven Netherlands, 2006 With the turbulent Hollywood years behind him, Verhoeven is back in Europe and the opening salvo is a freshly energetic epic that firmly suggests Amsterdam’s finest has rediscovered his …
- Originally published: 26 Jan 2007 in Film
Relocating to Brussels: the final haul
I’ve come to believe that the most important thing when relocating for work is to buy some time. Most of the important decisions could only be properly informed by our experience of …
- Originally published: 14 Jul 2008 in Relocation
Children of Men
Director: Alfonso Cuarón UK/US, 2006 Cuarón is a rising star on the directorial scene and he delivers a remarkable work in Children of Men, one of the most technically accomplished films I have ever …
- Originally published: 21 Feb 2007 in Film
Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.