SCENES FROM LASNE, BELGIUM

WE HAVE HAD SOME NICE SUNNY MORNINGS THE LAST FEW DAYS.   THOUGHT I'D SPEND A LITTLE TIME TAKING SOME PHOTOS OF THE LANDSCAPE HERE IN LASNE.  OF COURSE BY THE TIME I GOT OUT WITH MY CAMERA THE CLOUDS STARTED TO COME OUT.

HERE IS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNE OF LASNE.  POPULATION IS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.  WITH AN AVERAGE INCOME OF 41,000 EURO IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COMMUNES OF BELGIUM.  WE ARE LOCATED 20 KM SOUTHEAST OF BRUSSELS.  THE COMMUNE CONSISTS OF 5 VILLAGES.  THE VILLAGE OF PLANCENOIT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN NAPOLEON'S BATTLE OF WATERLOO;  ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL CHURCH AND THE FORTIFIED FARM OF LA PAPELOTTE.  THE NAME LASNE COMES FROM THE SLOW MOVING RIVER LASNE WHICH TRAVELS THROUGH SEVERAL OF THE VILLAGES.  THERE IS NO MORE INDUSTRY HERE IN TOWN BUT LONG AGO THERE WAS A SILK FACTORY AND A SAND EXTRATION COMPANY.  ALTHOUGH WE ARE IN THE FRENCH SPEAKING AREA OF BELGIUM AND THIS AREA DOES HAVE A REPUTATION FOR NOT SPEAKING ENGLISH, I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THE SHOP KEEPERS.  I TRY TO SPEAK (USUALLY BUTCHERING THINGS) AND THEN THEY USUALLY CHANGE TO ENGLISH AND BELIEVE ME THEIR ENGLISH IS A LOT BETTER THAN MY FRENCH!!  

VILLAGE OF OHAIN

"AMERICAN PLASTER" 

CATHOLIC CHAPEL;  BUILT AROUND 1200

AN OLD CHILD'S SWING

SOME SURROUNDING TOWNS AND VILLAGES