Christmas in Antwerp

Our son, Matthew lives in Antwerp with his partner, Saskia and their two girls, Bo and Tess and we were asked to spend Christmas there with them.

We planned to fly Cardiff to Amsterdam and then to catch the train from Schipol to Antwerp. Then the snow came and two days before our flight Cardiff airport was closed. However, all was well and we made the journey with no problem.

Our first morning was shopping in Antwerp for those last minute gifts and then to the girls school for a concert.

Shopping Mall in Antwerp

School children singing carols. Bo, our granddaughter in the pink anorak, front row

There was mulled wine, hot dogs and other goodies available. Indoors, other children demonstrated their progress in the music department.

On Christmas Eve we were creative. These cake stands were made from mis-matched china from a charity shop and Araldite glue. Matthew and Saskia demonstrate.

Firstly, the surfaces to be glued are sanded with an emery board.

Then the selected pieces of china are assembled in a tier and glued

Then homemade cakes and cookies were added

Just testing!

Opening the presents on Christmas morning - Tess models her new wellies.

Just what I wanted!

Opa Tom helps with the tricky bit of getting the toy out of the box

The girls settle down to some serious playing with their new toys

Whilst preparations for lunch take place . . .

 

Followed by some over-eating

Tess eating strawberries

Saskia, Tom, Olga, Bo and Colin

For some the good food and excitement was too much . . .

But they revived later to play car racing in the Wii.

On Boxing Day we played Charades and Monopoly.

Tess and Matthew

Bo

Matthew and Bo

Matthew and Bo

Later, Tess joined the papprazzi -

On our last day we took a trip to Antwerp Zoo.

Monkeys

Another Monkey

Penguins - at home in the cold environment

Baby Elephant

Tigers - The tigers are separated from the public areas by a moat. It was discovered one morning that the moat had frozen over. Quick action was needed to break the ice before a mass breakout of tigers!

We had a delightful week in Antwerp with our family - many thanks to Matthew, Saskia, Bo and Tess and their extended family who made our time there so pleasant. Happy New Year to them all.