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Magic in Lichtervelde

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We’ve been to Lichtervelde for international rum events (more than one, even…plus a spa day), but who knew it was such an incredible place for a wedding? Thanks for inviting us Madou!

I believe this weather was imported from California…or maybe smuggled in. I am pretty sure it is not allowed.

Blue tiki for the win!

The scene was set under a familiar tree. Romey and I are telling everyone that our wedding was an inspiration for Matias and Finn since we also wrote our own vows and ran our own ceremony. It may not be true, but it’s a good story.

Here they come!

After the ceremony, there was lots of time for cocktails and fun.

Oh and trampolining too!

Ancestors.

Look familiar?

My very own wife looking all put together and fabulous.

We need some more pictures of noses…for sure.

The best wedding present you can give in 2026 is sheep. Sheep are in again.

Or is it kids?

No it’s sheep for sure.

A minor bathroom selfie interlude. Romey snuck me in. This is secret.

Behind the scenes…also secret.

Somebody let in a Scot with weapons. What were they thinking?! Madou’s mom keeps his brothers in line with physical force.

Then it was dinner time.

Or maybe it was actually bouncy castle time.

The brothers know too much. And they are willing to dish…but only in some west flemish dutch dialect. You’re lucky, madou, because we were planning to take notes.

Even mom was learning some stuff.

We tried to laugh at the right times.

Dancing…and dessert

Australians?!

Dancing again.

And then it was back to Brugges to recover.

We had a blast!

Fencing in Brugges

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Even the approach is magic.  This is one of the very old gate houses in Brugges, not open to the public.

Fencing??!

Why yes, we will try that! Fencing is really fun and boy does your heart get going…especially when you are facing Chess.

Romey in rare form.

After our bouts, we had a drink together with the bride and groom.

An absolute blast.

Antti on the Shenandoah

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It’s fun to pay a friend back. Several years ago (in 2011), Antti took me sea kayaking outside of Helsinki. Now that he is visiting Virginia again, it is time for a Shenandoah payback run.

It was a stunning day and a very nice run.

Later, the dogs had to assess Antti.

Maybe asked Romey if that was fine.

That was fine.

Now I think Antti owes me a cocktail.

The Stick: Sandy Grandkids for the Win

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Ah the Stick, where we ditch our cares about everybody else in the world.

The Stick always provides a much needed respite from the real world. Though we started our visit during memorial day weekend (a big no no), the week was awesome. By Tuesday the beach was empty again.

The grandkids were a great joy to have around, especially Iulie who is a complete waterbug. Iulie spent more time in the ocean than in the house.

Our time was a great family-oriented mix. From reading on the porch, through baby care, to a cocktail or seven.

The view is calming.

Baby Leiden presided on his picnic table throne during meals. He was a hoot.


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Many mornings, Iulie walked the dogs with Nonno and Bubby. Nights too. This is a study in how to stay dry while in your PJs.


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A reminder of our post wedding Euro visit of 2025.

Iulie in her own world.

Wine on the porch

Rainbow (sent to the neighbor Pam).

Morning with the dogs.


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Can you spot the waterbug in this picture? Nothing like an entire ocean to yourself.

Cactus flower.

One of the highlights of the trip (and a cause of all the grandparents gaining five pounds) was our visits to mootown on Sunset.

Leiden had his very first ice cream.

Somebody had too much sugar!

Moonshine and Leiden became fast friends.

About that waterbug (very brave for 7). Romey’s smile when she was bodyboarding with Iulie was so very bright.


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Leiden a ham? We will never forget his “how” greeting.

The jenga towers got smaller as the dogs destroyed various pieces.


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A girl and her dog (with the puppy zoomies).

The whole little family introduces Leiden to the great big ocean.

I believe we have a second waterbug on our hands.

Spaghetti monster.


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Moonshine in the morning inspecting the completely empty beach.

No more ice cream?

Gin and tonic (jacques style).

Out for dinner.

Man o’war.

In for dinner (Micheal beef).

Leiden’s first cow.

This is the start of a new tradition.

Are You My Mother?

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Some time with mom

As You Like it at the Folger

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I have seen a bunch of excellent plays at the Folger. This was Romey’s first. As You Like It was good but not up to Folger excellence. We had a great night out though.

Capitol at sunset.

Audience in the round.

Dinner nearby at Ethiopic with cyn and ant was pretty not bad. The fish was great fun.

Climbing the Tower in Bruges

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If you’ve seen In Bruges, you’ve seen this tower. And you’ve thought about falling off of it.

In fact, you need to see In Bruges before you come to town.

The climb up is 366 steps and was not design with American litigation lawyers in mind.

The carilon is loud.

And very mechanical

Yonder lichtervelde.

Yonder Leuven.

Formidable guards

Tourists crawling like ants high on sugar

A panorama

If you have a friend who lives in Lichtervelde and has never been up the tower you can drag him up.

A Boat in Bruges

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Some of us have been to bruge 4 or 5 times. Others 10,000. Still others once. But we all got on the same boat, and it was great.

We found an opportunistic window of blue sky.

Swans

Churches are a thing. Were a thing.

Our hotel and the famous tower

Tourism is fun!

What’s Better?

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A late night Toronto on 23 (to compare to the one we made at Bar Hachi)…yes this one was way better

or little tiny Dutch pancakes, apparently called poffertjes ??

Well, I mean, how many poffertjes are you supposed to eat at one sitting?

I guess we will forgive the little French guy for his Maginot line. Maybe.

Challenge Accepted: Make a Proper Japanese Waitress Belly Laugh at Yamazato

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Dinner at Yamazato is exceptional, even 15 years on from the first visit. Absolutely world class. And Japanese service to boot.

The question is, can you make a proper Kimono wearing Japanese waitress belly laugh? Well, yes…if you are us. We had so much fun.

I mean, maybe the martinis we started with at 23 had something to do with it?

Or maybe it was mr big nose? No one knows.

But wow.

Who us? Goof off?

Happy Birthday gem-san.

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