Even where you least expect it ...

Bikes are everywhere in Antwerp these days. On my last photo walk with my Big Guy, I spotted them everywhere, even in places I least expected it to.
Haven't I told you before you should always remember to look up?


Well ... I did, and look what I found?


My new entry for Project 366 # 33

Street views in Provence, Bonnieux

Over the years, on the many walks through small villages in Provence I took photos of street views. Some of the houses, windows and doors are beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, and I can never get past them without taking pictures.
Over the next couple of weeks, this is what I intend to share on Thursdays ....


This is a street in Bonnieux, a village in the Luberon, Vaucluse department.
Population: 1 363 people (2004)

Bonnieux is one of the most beautiful villages perched north side of the Luberon. The territory stretched from the ridges of the Luberon to the Claparèdes plateau and to the shores of Calavon river.

Click this link for a virtual visit and more photos.

Window Views, Window In Bonnieux

 

 

 

 

I found this pretty window in Bonnieux, a tiny perched village in Provence, France. Click the link above to learn more about Bonnieux, or find more pictures from this lovely village here.

 

To see more windows – and doors – from all over the world, visit Window Views, hosted by Mary the Teach

Window Views, Inside and Outside

 

 

The window of an old farmhouse at Bokrijk Museum Park,

 

and the view from inside the house.

Window Views is hosted by Mary the Teach.
Visit my other blog, Heavenin365 for a photo a day with the Canon D40.

Window Views, Bokrijk Museum Park

 

 

 

This is one of the old farmhouses at Bokrijk Museum Park.

… and this is the view from inside the house. 
It looks like an old painting, don’t you think?

Window Views is hosted by Mary the Teach.
Click the link to see windows and doors from all over the world.

Visit my other blog, Heavenin365 for a photo a day with the Canon D40.

Window Views, The Train

 

 

 

Remember the old train? Everything about it was photogenic, but especially loved the door.

The honey color of the wood. Old leather, shiny handles and bilingual signs instructing the travelers how to operate the door, I loved it. 

This is a non smoking compartment. The signs show how to open and close the handle but also warns the passengers not to open the door while the train is still moving.
And the B? the B is the old logo of the Belgian Railroad Company.

Window Views ( and doors too) is hosted by Mary the Teach.

Visit my other blog, Heavenin365 for a photo a day with the Canon D40.

Window Views, Groot Bijgaarden Castle.

 

 

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.

Poeke Castle Visited …

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.

The weather was not that bright that day, but I was very happy I was able to use the natural light for my photo shoot and I really like how the beige colors of the interior almost turn them into natural sepias.
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!

Window Views, and a Door …

 

 

 

I’m usually very drawn to beautiful or interesting doors, but I often forget to pay attention when it comes to photograph windows. I immediately fell in love with this old shop door. It’s a little eating place and the sign on the door says “it’s a pity, we’re closed”. The Muscari in the window display looked so sunny it made me want to include part of the the window as well.

But when I walked around the corner, I discovered real art painted on the blinds!
Perfect for a Window Views  ( and doors too!)

 

See more windows from around the globe at Mary’s Window Views. 

Window Views In the Heart of Antwerp

Three unpublished pictures from my photo walk with Gattina a little while back. They were taken in one of the cutest little streets in the heart of Antwerp, the Vlaeykensgang, a cleverly hidden must see if you ever visit here. It used to be the neighborhood where the cobblers lived, poor people, hence the tiny houses. It was up for demolition, there were plans to turn it into a parking lot when an local antiquarian – a man with a vision - bought the houses and restored them to their historic medieval charm. Whenever I’m in the city, I just love to wander around there for a while and enjoy the calm atmosphere there . Click on the map and discover a little gem right in the heart of Antwerp.

Two more pictures to give you a better idea of the beauty and the calm serenity.

Click on the link to discover more Window Views.