They eat horses don’t they?

I’m back from a whirlwind trip home. Time flew by so fast, I was already on the plane before I could say ‘I’m leaving’.

Going back, I’m always reminded how tiny Belgium really is…and how densely overpopulated! Yet Belgians have such a big heart and a 6th sense to enjoy the good things in life (Westvleteren! Horsemeat!).  Pity it’s too often balanced by their ability to scrutinize every little detail – a vice not completely unknown to yours truly 🙂

Although I wasn’t able to catch up with everyone on my list, I’m still very grateful for the time spent with loved ones.

I attended my best friend’s bachelorette party – I know cosy is not often the word that comes to mind when one says bachelorette, but this truly was 100% quality time with friends, while still including the necessary amount of alcohol and giggles of course.

Time obviously didn’t stand still while I was gone. Crazy how big my nephews have grown!  And endearing to see how much sweet  joy they bring their parents and certainly their grandparents, who are completely smitten!  And have to admit I’m not immune myself, on the contrary. Totally in love!!! I was so lucky to be able to celebrate my godson’s birthday. I miss too many moments, so the ones I can share, I grab with my two hands. Besides the traditional toys as presents, I also made him a chain of polaroids to hang in his bedroom (see left) with a photo of him and the people he loves 🙂

Of course, the year Bram left, the Great Summer decided to come to Belgium.  It sure helped lift the spirits of the big-hearted meat-loving people!
But it looks like Bram will get his heat on after all.  Having had a very mild winter here in Sydney with average max day temperatures around 19 degrees, people are preparing for a ‘scorcher’ of a summer…

Have to say though, saying goodbye seems to be getting harder and harder each time.  Despite the 16.000 km, approximately 24 hours of flying, 6 in-flight movies, 2 in-flight lunches and 1 in-flight dinner, but no breakfast (go figure), I can’t wait to get back again.

Commute

Sinds Bram ook is beginnen werken hier, carpool ik niet langer met mijn collega naar kantoor, maar rijden Bram en ik samen op en neer…  En dat valt eigenlijk reuze mee!  Er wordt niet enkel gelachen met de ochtendshow op TripleJ (zelfs grappiger dan StuBru), maar ook met de andere bestuurders rondom ons -  qua verkeer staat Sydney wel bekend voor z’n heethoofden.  Is wel grappig om te zien 🙂

We verzinnen bijvoorbeeld ook alternatieve Suske & Wiske titels en verhalen.  Hier alvast een paar om jullie ook op ideeen te brengen:

  • De Hitsige Heks.  Over Tante Sidonia en haar mid-life crisis.
  • De Droevige Duts.  De economische recessie treft ook Professor Barabas en het budget voor zijn projecten geraakt stilletjesaan op…
  • De Kuttige Kut.  Wiske. Puberteit.  Need I say more?
  • De Broodnodige Broodverbeteraar. Wat er gebeurde toen Tante Sidonia een keertje brood wou bakken zonder broodverbeteraar (based on true events).
  • De Geile Geit.  Lambik koopt een nieuw huisdier.
  • De Naaiende Nerd.  Alweer puberteit, Suske deze keer.
  • De Kwade Kwebbel.  Onze vrienden bezoeken Plopsaland, ontvoeren Kabouter Plop en zappen hem door de tijdsmachine om het uit te vechten met Samson.

Een ochtendritje met Bram door Sydney?  Ik kan het alleen maar aanraden!

Fancy some?

It’s a little known fact that Aussie chocolate is nothing to write home about. No offense, but Belgian chocolate is simply the best (Switzerland? where? what?).   Which is why we’ve asked every Belgian visitor to bring some (especially pralines and Pim’s cookies, hint hint).

But today we made a big discovery… Whittaker’s toasted coconut slabs!

Turns out however they’re from New Zealand. Figures.