Thursday, April 18, 2024

Walking Time

For today's walk, we explore part of the first stage of the Matthiasweg. I don't remember where we parked the car (this is what happens when you blog 3 years later - can't believe it is already three years ago!!!), but will try to find it again.

The walk goes along a little river.
 
Way to the Mularishütte - nop, we didn't go there.

The trunk of a tree replacing a bridge - not necessary to cross, so no funny pictures of me falling in the river :-)
 
So pretty and peaceful!
 
The flora and...
 
...the fauna. Lots of beetles.
 
A dead trunk serves as housing for some mushrooms. They almost look like a metal disc.
 
Impressive high trees. It is strange how the forest has such a clean ground - it looks like a fairy tail scenery.
 
Roger, with his green jacket, is blending in :-)
 
Beautiful - and exquisite - flower.
 
May 24th, 2021.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Restaurant Session (Donuts): Royal Donuts

 On Sunday morning, we went to Royal Donuts to get...

 ...donuts :-) With cinnamon, Kit Kat, Raffaello and glace.
 
 May 16th, 2021.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Restaurant Session (in Opglabbeek, Belgium): Slagmolen

Restaurants in Belgium are allowed to open their doors again!!! To celebrate, we went for lunch at restaurant Slagmolen 1 Michelin star1 Michelin star, from chef Bert Meewis, in Opglabbeek.

As it was a nice day, we sat at the terrace. So nice to be able to go out and enjoy a full gastronomic experience again!!

Glasses ready and...
 
 
 ...a full bresse chicken in the rotisseri. They are ready to go! :-)
 
Aperitif time! I had a cocktail of vodka, lavender and raspberries. With the aperitif, very thin toast and salmon cream - with a nice spiciness on top.

Freshly baked (warm) bread with...

...butter, olive oil, lard (so good!), salt and pepper.
 
We started with two dishes to share. Lobster salad from apple - love this combination!
[Salade van kreeft met appel]
 
 And the tuna tataki with tomato and avocado. Pretty (and) tasty!
 [Tataki van tonijn met tomaat en avocado]

With the dishes to share, a glass of 2016 Riesling Estate Rauenthal from Georg Breuer.
 
As first starter, a signature dish: hand cut tartar with Belgian caviar. It lays on a bed of crispy potato chips. It is perfection, we love it!
[Handgesneden rundertartaar met Belgische kaviaar]

With the tartar, a wine from the region: a glass of 2016 Chardonnay Heerenlaak from Wijndomein Aldeneyck. Very nice!
 
As second starter, pan seared foie gras with apple.
[Gebakken eendenlever met appel]

Pairing with the foie, a glass of 2015 Sauternes Chateau Camperose du Hayot.
 
As main dish, entrecote bearnaise black angus...
[Entrecôte Béarnaise, pommes pont neuf en salade]

...potatoes pont neuf and salad. Excellent meat (full of flavour!), delicious side dishes.

With the main dish, a glass of  2016 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru from Chateau Fonrazade.
 
Time for dessert! We asked for the signature Dame Blanche dessert: a perfect creamy vanilla ice cream covered with hot chocolate sauce and whipped Cream. Soooooo delicious!!!
[Dame Blanche]


Some extra hot chocolate sauce and whipped cream at the table - just in case ;-)


As well as some thin enrolled biscuits.
 
 
Fitting with the dessert, another glass of the Sauternes.

To finish a great lunch, espresso and gourmandise in format of a delicious lemon cake. As the ice cream portion was very generous, I asked if would be possible to take the cake with us. They wrapped it in a perfect little card box. I'm always shy to ask for those things (as I got some 'Not possible' before), but it is so nice when you just get a friendly answer and they make it possible - just leaves a perfect impression!

May 15th, 2021.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Walking Time (in the Eifelsteig at Roetgen)

We went back to the Dreilägerbach Dam valley. As usual, parked at the Wanderparkplatz Dreilägertalsperre (Jägerhausstraße in Roetgen) and went walking up the Jägerhausstraße road.
 
Nice green shades.
 
Good morning sunshine!

 
Full May spring time.

Viewing spot of the Dreilägerback dam.
 
Blue sky - beautiful day!
 
Love the mirroring effect.
 
Time for walk!

And stop for pictures.
 
The heider...

...left and right. We will need to come back in August when it is blooming.
 
Love those huge chairs :-)
 
Time to go back home. In the tree, a reminder that we are at the Eifelsteig stage 1 route.

May 14th, 2021.

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Floyd Session in What a Prince Needs

 
"Playing with my little pillow."

"Yes, I do have a pillow. I got it as a gift."

"And to fit with my pillow, my humans got me a memory foam mattress bed. According to them, not because I'm a prince and deserve it, but because it is easy to take the cover out and put it in the washing machine - apparently this is needed against my skin allergies.
And because I'm a prince, or actually, a king..."
 
"... I thought it is time that I get my own castle! This one came gratis with my Mjamjam food."
 
"Isn't it cool? After a small inspection, I declare..."
 
" ...it is approved!"

May 12th to 15th, 2021.