Brunssum: Adult Horse Riding Lessons

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Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

 

SSAFA CHAT HV is Back

Parenting overseas can feel hard. You may be far from family, friends, or the support you’re used to. That’s why CHAT HV is back. It gives you easy, friendly access to a UK Health Visitor, even when you’re living abroad.

What is CHAT HV?

CHAT HV is a simple online chat where you can talk to a trained Health Visitor. You can ask questions about sleep, feeding, crying, behaviour, or anything that’s worrying you. Nothing is too small.

Brunssum: Thermae 2000, Valkenburg

 

With the aim of relaxing in a luxurious way and creating the balance between mind and body, all facilities of Thermae 2000 offer everything to create a perfect wellness day.

With indoor and outdoor pools, many (panorama) saunas, whirlpools, relaxation rooms, several restaurants, the beauty salon and the wellness hotel, Thermae 2000 has everything you need to spend an entire day, on the beautiful Cauberg. 

The latest addition to Thermae 2000 are the wine baths, where you can bathe in wine and you can now enjoy the heated outdoor pool again with a view over the beautiful South Limburg hills!

Price for day entrance: €32,50 p.p.
Price for evening entrance: €25,00 p.p

NATO discount available. See the HIVE blog post on NATO and Military discounts for more information.

To book click here

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BELGIUM: Les Gilles: Who are they?

Have you heard of you Les Gilles and wonder who they are and what their costumes and antics mean? The outfits, the shuffle dance and the orange throwing? Well wonder no more..... 

 

Les Gilles date back to 1795 in documented records but speculation suggests they may go back as far as the mid-1500s when they were thought to have been part of a ‘Joyous Welcome’ to Brussels for Charles V, the King of Spain. 

Today, they are the renowned characters of the Binche Carnival, an annual spectacle that takes place on Shrove Tuesday each year and has been celebrated for the past 600 years. Les Gilles start at 4am and go through until the late hours, dancing to traditional songs as they parade the streets of their locality. In 2003, the Binche Carnival was named by UNESCO as the ‘Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’.  

Les Gilles wear spectacular costumes consisting of a linen suit featuring heraldic designs in the colours of the Belgian flag, with a frilly white lace collar and cuffs. Their suits are stuffed with straw to give them the appearance of a barrel chest & a hunched back and they wear bells attached to their belt. On their heads they wear either, a white cotton skull cap or a large white Ostrich Plume headpiece that stands up to 90 centimetres tall and can weigh up to 3kg! These extravagant outfits are thought to be homage to the inca-inspired costumes worn by those attending the ‘Joyous Welcome’ back in the 16th century. Local touches have subsequently been added to include the wooden clogs that add to the stompy dance they perform.  

Les Gilles carry a ‘Ramon’ which is a bunch of dry willow twigs bound together with rattan, to ward off evil spirits or a wicker basket containing oranges, which are thrown to the crowd as they pass by. This tradition hails back to a time when oranges were considered a luxury item symbolising wealth and abundance. Today, this gesture is symbolic of generosity and good luck; they are something of a gift from les Gilles and to throw one back is not only considered bad luck but is seen as a grave insult. 

These stars of Belgian folklore are not exclusive to Binche but can be found in many other towns across the Walloon Region. They may all have their own local traditions or unique twists to their costumes; however, one thing is for sure, they certainly are a memorable sight. 

Catch them at the Taste of Belgium Event (ToBE) in late-May!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

BRUNEI: Thrift Shop - Donation & Selling Guidelines

Donation & Selling Guidelines – Please Read Before Donating/ Bringing in your items

We truly appreciate your generosity and support. To ensure we can provide quality items to our customers and maintain health and safety standards, we kindly ask that all donations meet the following guidelines:

We are unable to accept:

• Opened or used beauty products

• Opened craft items such as play dough/paint

• Used Swimwear for children or adults (we only accept items with hygiene stickers intact) also including underwear and socks

(Swimming bikini top / or swim top is accepted)

• Items containing batteries

• Clothing with significant stains, holes, or excessive wear

All donated/ Account items should be clean, in good condition, and ready for resale.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. You make a meaningful difference in our community.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BRUNEI: Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM) - Ramadan Operating Hours for Petrol Stations

Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM)

Based on Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM) guidelines for previous and recent Ramadan periods, retail petrol stations in Brunei, including those in the Belait District (Seria/Kuala Belait), generally adjust their hours to accommodate breaking fast (Sungkai) and Taraweeh prayers.

Here are the expected Ramadan operating hours for stations in the Seria area based on BSM's typical Ramadan schedule:

Seria & Belait District Petrol Stations (Ramadan) 

• Roxana Shell Service Station (Seria): Historically operates from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a scheduled break for staff during breaking fast, usually around 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM.

• KPPM Seria Service Station: Typically operates from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with a break from 6:15 PM to 7:15 PM.

• Syarikat Perniagaan Melayu Kuala Belait: Usually 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, break from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM.

Key Information for Ramadan Sungkai Break: Almost all stations close for a short period (typically 30–60 minutes) around 6:00 PM for the breaking of fast.

First Day of Ramadan: Some stations may have reduced hours or be closed on the first day of Ramadan.

Extended Hours: Stations may extend hours on the last few days of Ramadan to accommodate increased traffic.

Recommendation: It is highly advised to #BeliAwal (Buy Early) and plan your fuel purchases to avoid long queues just before the break.

Note: For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute hours for the current 1446H/2025-2026 Ramadan, it is recommended to check the official Brunei Shell Marketing Instagram page or call their 24-hour centre at 2244739.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BELGIUM: The Urban Trail Series 2026

Have you heard of the Urban Trail Series Belgium? It really is the best way to see a city.....  

An Urban Trail is an experiential running event where participants — whether walkers, joggers or runners and anything in between — follow a mapped route ranging between 7 and 13km that takes them through streets, hidden alleys, historic sites and even inside notable buildings in towns and cities across the country.

Over the past two years, we as a family, including our (then) 8 and 9 year old daughter have thoroughly enjoyed these events.

This year, the series calendar includes major dates such as:

Brussels: 28 June 2026 — discover the Belgian capital’s heritage on foot in distances typically ranging from around 7 km to 12 km.
Ghent: 25 October 2026 — another chance to experience one of Flanders’ most historic cities in a uniquely engaging way.
Antwerp: 15 November 2026 — weaving through landmark locations in the port city.

Mechelen: 12 December 2026 — a night-time event closing out the series in this scenic city north of Brussels.

Having participated in the Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp events, I can honestly say they are thoroughly enjoyable and truly unique and we are looking forward to ending our Belgian stay with Brussels Urban Trail 2026.

In each event in the series you will see the cities as you’ve never seen them before — running or walking along routes that pass theatres, museums, tunnels, stadia and other urban treasures, with a focus on atmosphere and discovery rather than competition. 

Complete with Hydration stations, waved start times and festive post-run vibes these events are welcoming for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. It is no wonder that Urban Trails have become a distinctive and popular fixture in Belgium’s outdoor activity culture; encouraging people to be active, exploring familiar cities in new ways, and enjoying the blend of urban heritage and sporting fun throughout the year.

See you in Brussels!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Naples: When in Italy - Italian habits to make life sweeter

 

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

Naples: Summer is coming - The beaches are open

 

The weather is changing and spring is in the air.

The beaches are open. 

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE

Naples: Man with a Van

 

As Summer approaches and the movers arrive, it's always useful to have a contact who can help you move the furniture that you acquire.

Recommended by members of our community, here is a number which may be useful to you.

Information provided by NAPLES HIVE