Flapser hiking at the Hautes Fagnes (High Fens) in the Belgian Ardennes

Friday 18 May - still on my long weekend in the Belgian Ardennes - I decided to go to the Hautes Farnes, the High Fens of Polêur. A beautiful nature resure with the spongy, acidious wet fens on top of the hills. Beautiful landscape. I loved it.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

At the hood of an oldtimer

Before I walked over the High Fens, I encountered a couple of beautiful oldtimers at the parking place. I had to polish the hood a bit.

At the hood of an oldtimer 2

Zoom in a bit on me at the hood of the oldtimer

In the vegetation of the Hautes Fagnes

The High Fens are very wet. And very typical plants grow there. What kind? The kind that sits quite comfortably. But you'll have to be careful with flapsing around too much. You'll get wet feet.

Looking at a peat pit

Yes, this is where they used to dig out peat. The Dutch call it 'turf'. Anyways. The weather was lovely.

The wooden path

If you build a path here, it won't last. The ground is too wet. So they just drove some poles into the ground and made a path from timber on top of it. Looks nice and keeps your paws dry.

Creek dipping?

Well, I did not intend to fall into the water. Luckily I kept my paws dry.

View from the hill

Nice view when you climb the hill on the edge of the 'Hautes Fagnes'.

Flapser hiking near Xhierfomont in the Ardennes, Belgium - 17 May 2007

You haven't heart much of me recently. Besides flapsing around, I thought I'd imitate Youssouf and go on a trip of myself as well. Youssouf was on his way to Ohio, so I went a bit closer. One country ahead: Belgium. From 17 till 20 May I stayed in Xhierfomont, part of Stoumont in the Belgian Ardennes. It's not far from Spa - I even passed it. And of course Spa is world famous. All the spa's in the world are named after it.

It's always green - and rainy - out there. Great nature, forests, fens and water. I liked it! Luckily we had quite some sun as well.

The first day I went hiking near the house I stayed in. Up and down the hills, getting stuck by the river (the path ended) and then climbing up the hills again without a round. Quite an adventure for a flapping sheep!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

A small river

That's the Belgian Ardennes: a lot of water, lots of rain. Beautiful green hilled landscape. And hiking paths that end in a river. So I had to find another route.

Climbing a young spruce

This small spruce was so lovely that I had to climb in it. Dunno why. I just flapsed and there I was.

Rocks & moss

High humidity, a lot of moisture and rain. Ideal climate for a lot of fluffy moss. And fluffy I love.

Back from Athens, Ohio!

Last Sunday, the 10th, I arrived back home after 3 weeks in Athens, Ohio in The States. You'll be seeing some pics of that trip soon. Unfortunately I was working hard on my Bleatology research, so I did not take many photo's.

Cuddly sheep Koekje watching Flamenco in Madrid, Spain - 4-6 June 2007

On Tuesday I went to this great place called Casa Pata. It's a traditional restaurant, great interior and excellent tapas. They also have a really famous traditional Flamenco show. I loved it! Excellent guitar players, singers and of course dancers. The star of the show, flamenco dancer Rosa Jiménez, even allowed me to have my picture taken with her.


To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.


- Koekje (cuddly sheep / friend of Youssouf)

Under Construction in Cañizares street

Here I am again, a bit more close-up. Look at those nice cast-iron balconies and the colours! Luckily I'm not under construction, but on top of it. Sort of.

Cuddly sheep Koekje in front of flamenco club / restaurant Casa Pata

There I was. In front of Casa Patas, a restaurant and famous flamenco club. Each night they have a live performance. The line up of that evening:
Dancers: Primitivo Daza, Miguel Cañas and Rosa Jiménez.
Singers: Pepe Jiménez, José 'El Flaco', Pedro Jiménez.
Guitar: Jesus Losada and Victor 'El Tomate'.
They were all great artists and singing, playing and dancing with great skill, passion and explosive energy. I loved it!

Looking down Cañizares street

I was just looking down the street and grasping the atmosphere of the evening breeze and the late sun.

Koekje and flamenco dancer Rosa Jiménez at Casa Patas

At Casa Patas there was a traditional flamenco show. All Spanish people, so you know it's the genuine thing. With great fire, energy and passion the 3 singers, 2 guitar players and 3 dancers gave an excellent performance. Afterwards I went backstage and met dancer Rosa Jiménez. She was very friendly and allowed me to have our photo taken.

Cuddly sheep Koekje goes Madrid - 4 June 2007

I'm Koekje, a friend of Youssouf. From Monday 4 till Wednessday 6 June 2007 I was in Madrid, Spain. I left home, Utrecht, The Netherlands on Monday and headed for Schiphol Airport. I went to Madrid for business purposes. I haven't done much sightseeing unfortunately. On Tuesday I went to this great place called Casa Pata. It's a traditional restaurant, great interior and excellent tapas. They also have a really famous traditional Flamenco show. I tell you more about that tomorrow.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

- Koekje (cuddly sheep / friend of Youssouf)

Cuddly sheep Koekje at Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

Just in front of the gate I was sitting around after a long walk passing all the gates at Schiphol Airport. I was excited to be on my way to Madrid!

Watching the planes land at Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

I'm just a small cuddly sheep, so I'm impressed by those big planes. Sitting at my departure gate at Schiphol Airport I enjoyed watching all those planes coming in.

Sitting on a pile of construction waste in Cañizares street

Sitting on a container of construction waste in Cañizares street was my way of having a bit more overview. It's the highest point in the street. I love those small streets with their balconies and their colours.

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.