~In jeder Sprache wohnen andere Augen.~ ~I don't know where I am going but I am on my way.~

samedi 19 décembre 2015

In Between

Before 2015 ends, a post is needed - perhaps to try to come back to normal?
What is 'normal'?
A rollercoaster year sees its end and I just hope that 2016 will continue in the way as 2015 ends, on a high.

The blog silence would have been shorter but the poor laptop had a suddendeath provoked by a splash of water. At least, the new PC is 'normal'.

The picture in the header is taken out of a window in Dunster Castle - in the very West of Somerset and it is symbolic for me: England forever.

This year's rocking events have shown us the very direction: it is time to move.

I have lived in Belgium for 36 years now. It was my free choice to come here and it was my free choice to stay. When homesickness tried to knock me down, I always told myself that I am at home as wherever I go to,  I take myself with me. (I adopted this quote from Karl Lagerfeld)
There were many times when I was ready to move on and every time a special circumstance made me stay. I created the saying: Belgian soil sticks (like sh...).

If I took the time to go through my thousands of photographs, I would be able to tell how many times I have been to the UK over this last year. Every time a special highlight, every time made me nearly cry when I had to go back again.
My very first call for Great-Britain started when I visited my penpal, 12 years old, and we spent some precious summer days in rainy and cold Wales. I felt so good then and there! My next very strong call was when the plane took off from Manchester airport in 1996 -it took me back to Belgium but my heart stayed in the UK. And soon after this strong feeling of 'déjà vu' I fell in love with EG and found out that Great-Britain is my vocation.

The next year will show what is possible. I might blog about it.

To end the year, here are some more pictures from our visit at Dunster Castle. I loved every bit of it. It was a dull day in end of October and the gardens were not so inviting.But the castle was.

The historic horse stables

The lover's bridge




the Bristol Channel in the distance

inside the castle



there is such a 'young feeling' to this room

the door knocker

people could dress up here

stunning wall tapestry


this room felt so comfortable










where all important papers were kept










the telephone on the desk was ringing ;-)


I could smell the gunpowder whilst it was behind glass ;-)

initally, this was the grand kitchen but had been transformed into the poolroom





through the conservatory to reach the library


loved the door stopper





in their own mill organic flour is ground
alongside the pathway, the water flows like in an elevated rill 



Dunster village is equally cute than the castle




This last picture is my personal outlook for 2016. Forever England!

To all dear readers, have a nice and peaceful Christmas and may 2016 be kind to you!
With my best wishes,
Anke