HODGEPODGE APRIL 16

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

No, since I am living in my castle, it's done automatically by computer. I get a copy, but as a widow there is no surprise. 

 

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you.  

Since I traveled a lot, I was well organized. I had a list with everything I needed, and packed my suitcase one day before, let it open in case I wanted to add something and that was it. 

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?  I did not know that April is the national grilled cheese month. Anyway for me it could be a cheese year, I love cheese, grilled or not, on a sandwich, with fruits, in a salad on a plate, as a fondue, as a raclette, every cheese is welcome !

 

4. There's a well known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

Now that I belong to the antiques, I suppose I must prioritize stability and peace in my life, but I have always been quite adventurous and would jump into the water even when I didn't know if I could swim. For me, it was always action first and thinking later. Luckily, nothing ever happened to me, quite the opposite

My best way to travel!

 

I and Charlie Chaplin in Ireland
 

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

daffodils or tulips  tulips

lemonade or iced tea iced tea

gardening or hiking hate both

ladybugs or butterflies like both

umbrella or raincoat   raincoat

floral patterns or polka dots polka dots 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

It's sunshine outside so I will spent the whole afternoon in our park I have nothing special to think about only that for the moment I feel well.  

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The idea of a tunnel under the Channel was first proposed in 1802 but construction wasn't started until 1988. It was completed in 1993, and Eurostar services started in November 1994.

Before the tunnel, it took around six or seven hours by rail and ferry from London to Brussels. Trains can now do the same journey in 2.5 hours.

It's also possible to cross the Chunnel by car, using the Le Shuttle service.

 

 

 

 

 

The Eurostar service between Brussels and London was officially inaugurated on November 14, 1994 marking the start of high-speed passenger rail services connecting the UK with mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. The inaugural services originally operated from Waterloo International station in London to Brussels-South London Waterloo was suddenly a mere three-and-a-quarter hours from Brussels Midi. Only the French part of the journey used a high-speed line at the time (Belgium followed in 1997, the UK in 2007) Today it goes to St. Pancras Station. For me this train was a relief ! It was just wonderful, my son had moved to London and I visited him for the first time using the Eurostar ! It was just 2 weeks after it's inauguration ! It took me 3 h at that time, because in the UK the rails had to be adjusted, but that was still better then taking the ferry ! The last time I went to London it took me 2 h and something. That's faster then going in Brussels from one end to the other

 

more participants here

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND APRIL 11

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

 

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WEEKEND 

On Saturday we worked all week for this weekend: mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, cleaning our mini-golf course, and on Saturday morning, a bouncy castle stood in the park. 

As every year, an Easter celebration was prepared for the staff, their children, residents, and their families. Over a hundred pancakes were baked by volunteer residents, Easter eggs were hidden in the park, and then... it got chilly, the sun disappeared, and then it started to rain.

That was really sad. The children nontheless searched for the eggs whenever it wasn't raining. The pancakes disappeared so quickly that Kim couldn't bake them fast enough. I just went out to have my photo made with our Easter bunny, then I stayed inside with the others. Of course we had pancakes and coffee and looked out of the huge windows on the cheerful people.

Last year we had wonderful warm weather, and therefore more people, but despite the humid weather they all had fun. The pregnant nurses who were on maternity leave, now showed us their babies  ! Really cute. Our young manager also showed us her babygirl and chatted with us. She is really nice.

Of course, it didn't rain on Sunday, and the sun even peeked out. Isabel came over to install WhatsApp on my computer. I had tried it myself and messed something up, even though it was so easy. Now I can see my family in a larger view! My son bought a new car .... it was about time! I thought he was going to take the old one with over 250,000 km on the clock  to his grave. It was an old clunker and was 10 years old!

Now he has an electric car. Apparently, lots of people in Amsterdam have electric cars, since there are already several charging stations in his street. But maybe other countries aren't quite there yet, and then what? He can drive 500 km when fully charged. Well, these are not my problems anymore. 

In the afternoon we played Bingo and I even won once ! It was especially good for me that I had company today because

 I am trying to act as normal as possible and not to show my grief; but the grief is still there and always will be.

Today Rick would have had his 85th birthday