WildeRust - Where Time Slows and the Soul May Roar

Sometimes, a place crosses your path that feels too grand for your dreams, yet too special to let pass. For us, Inge Blockmans and Cosie Goudesone, the domain where we established WildeRust was exactly that. After a three-year search, we inevitably fell for this unique spot in the valley. We felt: this is not a house, this is a calling. An invitation to take a leap, to let our dreams explode and create a place where others can return home to their own bodies and to nature.

Accessibility was an absolute must in our renovation. During our travels, we often encounter obstacles ourselves that hinder Inge's independence as a wheelchair user, partner, and mother, and also demand a lot from Cosie - even a triathlete sometimes wants to truly relax completely. Everyone should be able to travel, unwind, and connect with nature - as much as possible on their own initiative. With our place, we want to show that accessibility and aesthetics can go hand in hand - little by little, a bit more. It requires creativity and perseverance - eternal thanks to the many volunteers who helped make this a reality!

While Inge is usually the 'calm' of WildeRust, you can usually consider Cosie to be the 'wild' one. With a body full of energy, he often goes sports and knows the most beautiful paths by heart. Inge often joins him on his trips, but she has the talent of quickly forgetting routes and being amazed time and time again by the beautifully winding roads, the twisted tree, the gigantic Caterpillar mine crater where you can often spot deer, etc. Need tips on the most beautiful bike path to Ypres? How to get to Bellewaerde through the forest? So look for Cosie after office hours with his hands in the dirt or water. Meanwhile, son Flor is discovering the world, climbing into the bushes, running after Figaro the cat, dancing with Inge while she looks for suitable music for her dance workshops or therapy sessions, or sitting in the grass, fascinated by what he sees, hears, smells, and tastes.

WildRust, just based on 2 properties?

Of course not. There is still so much more connection to be made. Did you know that this exceptionally peaceful place also housed wild animals in the past? Not wild squirrels (we have those too), but real lions and antelopes. This place was created by the former owner of Bellewaerde and was a resting place for injured animals, cubs that were rejected, or animals that had to be quarantined. Finally, our entrance gate is a combination of wild lines in a corten steel gate - a rusty gate! This pun was a bit far-fetched - but it does symbolize how far we have gone to create a beautiful place.