Going Dutch: A preview of our trip to Wales and my day-trip to Brussels

Recently Alex and I spent a few days in Wales with our family to celebrate my father-in-law's 65th birthday. I'm in the process of making some films from the trip, particularly one from the birthday party itself which was simply delightful. It was great to see so many friends and family and on the day the weather couldn't have been better.

I'll post more pics and some more notes later, but it will take some time to get through the photos of all the recent travel and events and some of you are already asking if I've fallen off the edge of the planet - I have not! I'm also transitioning to my new role as President of the AWC of The Hague, which has been quite a bit of work, and tomorrow my in-laws are coming for a visit. Which means more pictures and more blogging to come...

In the interim, I'm sharing a bit with you now.

Below is the peacock that wandered into the back yard one day (apparently escaped from a local peacock breeder...) Beautiful colors. I missed the moment that he displayed his feathers...wow! Eventually his owner came and retrieved him. By the way, peacocks have a loud screech (I think when they're particularly anxious) and this guy was quite a character.

Alex and our nephew, Steffie and niece, Catrin

The Man of the Hour....For he's a jolly good fellow!

Our Welsh family

Family and friends join to celebrate

Left: Me and Aunty Barbara

Below: Me and Aunty Peggy

Catrin and I share a laugh

We also did a couple of "photo safaris" while in this gorgous part of Wales with old Norman churches, castles, etc.

Kidwelly Castle (which can be seen from our en-suite room!)

Alex and I also took a drive to nearby Tenby, a colorfish seaside fishing village. Unfortunately, the day was quite gray and so were many of the camera shots (although now working with some of the creative modes I'm actually learning something about photography!)

A couple of Tenby sights and views:

In nearby Pembrey:

Above: St. Illtyd's, Pembrey (dates from 13th-15th centuries)

Above: Three of my favorite subjects.

I also very recently took a day-trip to Brussels to see the Royal Greenhouses (open for just a few short weeks each year) and a bit of time at Grand Place -- I plan to return to this beautiful city!