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Twice a week a Belgian riding a bicycle crossed the German border and he always carried a suitcase filled with sand.
Each time the customs officials searched his suitcase for contraband, but always in vain. Sometimes they even emptied all the sand out, expecting to find some illegal item. They racked their brains but never found anything untoward. It was many years later, long after the Belgian had vanished from the scene, that they learned the truth. He had been smuggling bicycles. |
| The Jones family of Ohio is entertaining their cousin Henry, who is visiting from Belgium.
After staying for several days, Henry is getting ready to leave, when he presents the Jones with a gift. It is a lamp that Henry claims is a very valuable antique that has been in his family for 70 years. It has small Bohemian figures that dance around the base when the lamp is turned on. Henry plugs it in to show the family how it works. After Henry leaves, the father looks at his family, and says, “While it may be a pretty lamp, and it was nice of Henry to give it to us, it is not a Belgian antique.” Why is the father so sure? |
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Miranda Castle, also known as Noisy Castle is a 19th century castle in Celles, province of Namur, Belgium, in the region of the Ardennes.
The castle was built in 1866 by the English architect Milner under commission from the Liedekerke-Beaufort family, who had left their previous home, Vêves Castle, during the French Revolution.
Their descendants remained in occupation until World War II, when it was taken over by the National Railway Company of Belgium as an orphanage. It remained a facility for the use of children until 1980.
It has stood empty since 1991. Although the municipality of Celles has offered to take it over, the family has refused, and the enormous building is now in a derelict state. It has become a favourite venue of urban explorers.
The Miranda Castle or Chateau Miranda was built in 1866. It was deserted in 1991.
Enjoy!
Emiel Pauwels, 94, represents Belgium. Ilmari Koppinen, 95, runs for Finland. Depending on which news organization you consult, they ran either 60 or 100 meters, either of which is amazing. Place your bets.
Have you ever wondered how much faster F1 cars really are? How’s this for a new perspective?