Waking up to the Apocalypse

What would you do if you woke up one morning and instead of blue skies there is a dark red mist which is just everywhere?

Add to that blaring alarms of a nearby apartment block. Through the speaker the robotic pre-taped voice of a man shouting “Evacuate. Please proceed as directed to the nearest evacuation location. Evacuate…”

I don’t know about you, but I half expected to see 4 horsemen appearing on the horizon declaring the world’s end was nigh.
Then again I’m a drama queen who loves Magic the Gathering so…

Apparently it’s the biggest sandstorm/dust cloud Sydney’s ever seen:


Dust Storm – Opera House, originally uploaded by NSW Maritime.

More (very awesome dude) pictures:

Red dust over Sydney – Flickr Blog.
Red dust picture pool on Flickr.

More information in the local news here.

Incidentally though, 2 minor earthquakes shook up Melbourne and there’s bushfires in south Queensland.
Maybe there’s such a thing as Divine wrath of God after all, or somebody’s played with Pandora’s box?

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.