I know how much you all love historic buildings, so this week I’m taking you with me for a walk around Groot Bijgaarden castle. Enjoy …
Weekly Winners is hosted by Lotus at I am Lotus.
Why oh why does Spring go by so much faster than Winter seems to do? Does anybody know the answer to that question? April 16th already, time flies!
It’s a good thing I get to look back through this meme and share some of my favorite things because it’s been such a magnificent week!
1. The weather has been fabulous throughout this whole week. As some of you might know, I love to use the sunlight to make my photos pop, everything looks so much nicer when the sun shines!
2. I was outside a lot, put my feet up, felt the sun on my skin. Just sitting back and soaking up the warmth listening to the birds sing felt like heaven here on earth!
3. We had our first lunch OUTSIDE! There is something about eating outside in Summer. I don’t know, it feels like vacation and your food just seems to taste better!
4. Saturday was the best day of the weekend and we made it our day out. We visited a garden and flower show at Groot Bijgaarden castle. (Click the link to learn more) The exposition of Spring flowers in the historic buildings and around the lovely gardens is still open until May 6th and it is really breathtaking. So if you happen to live close by, this is really worth visiting! There was a photo behind every corner, I took over 600 with my Big Guy! Photos from this beautiful event can be seen here and here, and there will be more to come in the next days.
5. We are still on a diet, and we eat loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. We’ve come to love and appreciate them a lot! I LOVE that little hint of vanilla in Pink Lady apples for instance. Every once and a while we indulge ourselves with a little treat though. Last Sunday we had a croissant for breakfast. That buttery taste, mmmm!
So there, … sunshine and croissants, we lived like God in France this week!
Friday’s Fave Five is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.
Click this link to see my daily photos on Heavenin365.
Groot Bijgaarden castle is where I took my door pictures this week.
And for once …
… I did NOT forget the widows!
I even remembered to take a photo from inside looking out!
More windows and doors at Mary’s Window Views.
Today I want to take you inside Poeke Castle.
Let’s start with a little history lesson first…
“It is unknown when the first fortification was constructed at Poeke, but references to it appear from 1139 onwards.
During the revolt of Ghent in 1452 against Philip the Good, the castle was taken by the Ghent militia. On 5 July 1452 Philip retook it, and had the Ghent militia present executed and the castle destroyed. Rebuilding it most likely took over a century.
In 1872, Baron Victor Pycke de Peteghem (1835 - 1875 bought the estates. He immediately initiated rebuilding works that lasted until 1875. The third building layer was integrated in a higher roof, and the interior and the gardens were renovated. There hardly remain any elements dating from before 1872. Additionally, the French garden was turned into an English garden.
Baroness Ines Pycke de Peteghem, was the last resident and owner of the castle.
In 1977 the castle and its 56 ha. park became the property of the municipality of Aalter, which now uses it for cultural meetings and festivities.” (Source Wikipedia)
Now … let’s have a look inside, shall we? 
The servants staircase leads us to the first floor.
To the left is this gallery with statues of “historic figures” in each corner.
I’m not sure who they were though, I’m a sucker for names and data!
Let’s get inside one of the rooms.
Sorry about the mess, the place is still being redecorated and restored.
Great views all around …
Let’s get back to where we came from, but we’ll use the main staircase this time.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Window Views and Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary the Teach. Thank you Mary!
