Floriade

Today we have travelled into the Netherlands to visit the Floriade Expo 2022. It’s a Horticultural exposition which is normally put on every 10 years using regenerated land.
I think this should probably have been in 2020.

It is the reason we came on this trip and we’re not disappointed not least as we had glorious weather.

Over 20 years ago we gave Chris’s parents a trip to visit the 2000 Floriade for their 50th wedding anniversary and when we saw this advertised we decided it would good idea to come ourselves.

Chris thankfully has been better today after much sleep so was able to come too. Thank you for all your good wishes.

The Floriade is near the town of Almere which is considered a green new town and one rapidly growing to become the Netherlands third largest. When the exposition is finished it will be incorporated into the town, there was a model showing where the housing etc will be.

Impossible to describe it all here but the main theme was green city living and horticultural sustainability. The first area was the Urban district with displays from many countries, I liked the growing walls as seen in the extra and there was a great display from China using bamboo.

We walked down to Utopia Island where the emphasis was food production combined with caring for all our creatures, mixing, flowers, crops, hedgerows etc. there was some great creative art work in amongst the paths with really big bug houses etc. 

We walked through Green island which was just as it says green and tranquil. Bird song was noticeable everywhere. When we got to the Eco district (in the blip) we took the cable car back to Utopia Island and were able to see from above some lovely garden plantings that we had missed so wove our way back through those to return to the entrance and the bus back. Plenty of space and facilities with live music around the place too.

Far too much to describe but I will do a Flickr link when back home for anyone interested. 

Back into Brussels centre for dinner where Chris finally got his mussels at a place called Mussel Monger! Being Saturday everywhere was buzzing with people,  most eating at the outdoor tables lining the streets and squares. So nice to be back enjoying continental style after what seems like a very long time.

Thank you for your stars and comments I’m afraid blip has got a bit away from me but we get bit of a lie in tomorrow for our last day so May mange to catch up!

The figure behind the L in FLORIADE  is animatronic  and is waving a welcome, there is one at each entrance.