During one of our walks in the fields we saw this 'thing' in the air. And we had to wait quite a while before we could figure it out it was an hot-air balloon, one with a very peculiar shape.



That evening we have seen at least 16 hot-air balloons in the air. Ofcourse all heading the same direction. If you look good you will count 5 of them on this photo.

Here some lovely pictures of the Rogie Falls during Autumn in Scotland. The colors are just amazingly. Yellow, red, orange, soft green, dark green, and everything in between .



The pictures underneath are taken around the Falls and can be enlarged by clicking on them. We had seen the Rogie Falls in Spring but we like it more in this specific time of the year. Just enjoy!

On an early morning in August when the sun was already up and most people were still in bed (and even Elgar the Hiking Moose was enjoying his comfy blankets), we opted for a walk which started....straight from our frontdoor.

It is a part of the walk with nr. 176 (15 km’s) from the website Wandelgids zuidlimburg. Due to the foreseen heat that day we were not able to do the whole track. Just too hot to be out there actually.
As always all photo's can be enlarged by clicking on them.



The first kilometer goes through cultivated farmland and at a corner there is the "Waardekapelke", a chapel originally constructed in 1913. After World War II it was renovated and it is being looked after very well by the locals. Fresh flowers, burning candles, just as it should be in a chapel.



Then the track goes through a forest and one encounters this huge tower. It is a so-called watertower which was used to provide water for the surrounding villages between 1923 - 1974. Since that time it has fallen into disrepair but there is a project on the way the restore the watertower in all its glory. The view must be breathtaking from above. Hopefully one day everybody can enjoy that.



Meanwhile it was getting warmer and warmer. Just look at the bright blue sky and the bright green colors of the meadows. It also triggered a few buzzards to practice their flying skills. As you can see clearly on the picture, the buzzard on the righthandside is a youngster. He/she was 'shouting' of joy the whole time. His father/mother was watching him very carefully.



Then the walk goes up a little hill and there is yes.......again another chapel. In the middle of nowhere actually. It is the St. Jozefkapel (St. Jozef chapel, Rimburg) which was erected in 1951 by ex-warriors, for the occasion of their safe return home after World War II. Rimburg has been a battle zone as it is situated exactly on the border with Germany.



Finally we leave the forest and arrive at the little township Rimburg. The oldest record of the castle which still can be found in this village (Castle Rimburg) dates back from 1278. Excavations also have shown that the Roman Army have crossed the bridge over the "Worm", a small river which now acts as the border between the Netherlands and Germany. Near that bridge, at the spot where now the castle is situated, there used to be a Roman fortress, all being part of a "Heirbaan" (or Heerbaan), a so-called long distance road, stretching from Cologne, via the Wormdal to Heerlen, Maastricht and Tongeren (in Belgium). So a very historical and picturesque village.



As you can see, the white colored house dates back from 1718. Further along we cross the bridge over the "Worm" to Germany. Just imagine that in past times Romans have walked here as well.




The picture on the right shows a very old water wheel, obviously no longer in use.

In the meantime the sun is burning very strong and it is time to slowely get back home. We cross again some agricultural farmland and yes........the farmers are working very very hard to get everything done today before the heavy rain, predicted for this afternoon/evening, comes pouring down.



Although we walk in this area a lot, and have seen all the chapels and buildings before, we never really did have a good look at them. So in that respect this weblog teaches us to look with different eyes to things than we normally would do.

Plentiful rain and a shortage of summer sun have provided perfect munching conditions for these slimy creatures; they obviously enjoy this weather much more than most people do. Their numbers have increased rapidly lately.

Here is one photo of a slug in the Netherlands and one slug enjoying some courgettes in Scotland





(The loss or reduction of the shell is a characterisc for the Slug. This in contrary to Snails who have a prominent coiled shell)

On our daily evening stroll we encounter a kind of children's farm adjacent to a working farm. All those animals are their own property and although you can't touch them, you can .......feed them ofcourse.
We most of the time give the animals old bread, which they seem to enjoy.

And one day these cute little tiny chickens came running toward us. Aren't they just adorable?




They grow really fast and one day must look a bit like these beautiful chickens (click to enlarge).
We are not quite sure about the breed of this chicken. Anybody any idea?



At this "children's farm" also goats, rabbits, turkey and other animals run around and they already seem to know when we are coming cause they are all standing at the gate waiting for diner.