But how can you say NO to skies like that, full of rain!
Every time we wanted to stop, we did, dodging the rain at the right times.
You know me, I have to stop when I see spires and steeples so captivating!
Bottom right: Bovenkerk in Kampen from the bridge over the IJssel river.
Top center: Niewe toren in Kampen from the same bridge.
As bridges go, this is one of the best I've seen in the Netherlands.
It's a new counter-weight bridge built to replace the old-for-wear first bridge,
catering now to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased traffic over the years.
And because we had seen it from the bridge,
one of the first places we walked to was the harbor.
We're both gluttons for Dutch boats!
Lest I forget! Today is my turn at Vision and Verb where I talk about--guess what?! Yup, Mercury Retrograde. We're in the middle of it, in case you wondered why things have seemed a bit caddywampus of late.
Just breathe!
And slow down a bit!
[Mercury stands atop the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, NL.]
one of the first places we walked to was the harbor.
We're both gluttons for Dutch boats!
And then city center, of course, where the oldest architecture usually is.
The old City Hall (c 1350) is bottom left and center right, along with the Bovenkerk spire.
In the shadow of the old City Hall (bottom center) is the Niewe Toren, a carillon tower.
You can see it from almost anywhere in the town.
The 2 bottom right images are of a nearby "swan tower"...a wannabe?
The Broederpoort (Friar Gate) from 1465 is one of 3 remaining gates in the town,
now also used as a wedding location.
Impressions. Glimpses. Touches. Feelings.
Sometimes that's all we need.
Gevelstenen = gable stones.
Weathervanes.
(Four is better than none!)
All to whet the appetite before heading back home.
The Olde Zwarver windmill (1842) stands outside the town,
and nearby is the Molenbrug (Windmill Bridge, 1983) under which we drove.
And as so often happens everywhere around the country, a piece of art sculpture (bottom right)!
(And all this from the car!)
What a way to end a wonderful birthday weekend!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Lest I forget! Today is my turn at Vision and Verb where I talk about--guess what?! Yup, Mercury Retrograde. We're in the middle of it, in case you wondered why things have seemed a bit caddywampus of late.
Just breathe!
And slow down a bit!
[Mercury stands atop the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, NL.]
Kampen is a delightful city. We even found a parking place, we did not have to pay for. The Stadsbrug (citybridge) is a wonderful structure. I love the way they built it. I can say that it is unique. We had a wonderful day, it was dry when we needed it. The pictures show again that we were short of eyes many times. Thank you MLS for taking all these pictures to enjoy, over and over again, showing the wonderful trips we make.
ReplyDeleteAstrid: We have learned not to let it rain on our parade! I love that we have so many memories of rainy days that did NOT ruin a thing. Thank you for always supporting these poting endeavors. They're the legacy of our life together!
ReplyDeleteThe range of architecture and texture is amazing, any one of those buildings looks as if it could supply days of photographic opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAnne: You are so absolutely right. My love of architecture has grown by leaps and bounds since living in Europe. I can never get too much of it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly seeing a lot of your new country of The Netherlands.... probably you have already visited more towns and cities that the average Dutch person!
ReplyDeleteOlympic opening ceremonies take place this week.... are you supporting Netherlands or USA?
that = than... I wonder when I'll actually learn to proofread my posts before hitting the publish button.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Architecture and delicious treats. What could be better!
ReplyDeleteSham: I KNOW YOUR ENGLISH, so never worry about the proofreading. HA! It happens to the best of all...all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteI will root for BOTH the USA and Holland, of course, with a slight edge to USA if the situation warrants it. How's that for being politically correct?! :)
Karen: Exactly. It really fills me up to the brim!
I'll be supporting Canada first, and UK second! USA always gets lots of medals. Such a big population so there so many really good athletes to choose from. And I'll cheer with you and Astrid when the Netherlands flag goes up on the flagpole!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful places and photos as usual. Love the arty sculpture, very creative indeed. Yes, I see what you mean about the weather... Though now there has been some thunder-warmth so to speak, over here. We're leaving home during this night instead of early in the morning, so we leave very soon now. Looking forward to meeting you two Saturday!!!! Keep an extra eye on your email (and FB), I'll tell when we're coming closer :-)
ReplyDeleteSham: We watched Team GB win their first women's soccer game yesterday, and then later heard that USA beat France, so it looks like the Games are off to a good start. HA!
ReplyDeleteLCT: We just hit a warm spell, yes, between 70-80 F but now it's cooling down again. This happened last year, too...about 2 weeks of real summer. HA!
Astrid set up the Tom-Tom last night for our Saturday meet-up. It'll take us approx. 1.5 hours to get to your hotel. We're looking forward to it! :)
Hello G!
ReplyDeleteI am back. ;)
Had a FUNtastic time in Italy, bit hot though. ;)
Ha, didn't see any fancy weathervanes there.
Too hot there, the air went upwards.
LC: Welcome back! Just in time for the Olympics, then! Good for you. Before the Games begin tomorrow, we've already seen Team GB beat New Zealand in women's soccer. So you're off to a good start. And the USA beat France. :)
ReplyDeleteWe're having a warm spell here, too, between 70 and 80, tho' it's now cooling a bit. I don't do hot very well so this is my kind of place/weather!
Those are some of the four best weathervanes yet! Awesome ships in the harbor, too, what fun!
ReplyDeleteWS: Who would have thought there could be so many different weathervanes, Susan! You can see why I'm enthralled by them. It doesn't take much. The same goes for the harbors. :) Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCharming old town and pieces to add to your precious collections, Boots. And I love those striped coffee (?) drinks with your apple tarts.
ReplyDeleteRuth: I love these old towns with all their charm. I would love to see all of them in the Netherlands, if possible. HA! And those striped coffee drinks are latte macchiatos, my drink of choice. :) Thank you, Sister.
ReplyDeleteI just get overwhelmed with the riches in these posts. This time, it's the grouping of photos from the city center that appeals. It's quite interesting how much the buildings resemble the old, pre-100 buildings still standing in Galveston. Perhaps as late as 1910, now that I think of it. But certain many of late 1800 vintage.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be fantasy at all to imagine that many of Galveston's buildings pay homage to the countries of origin of the people who settled there. Certainly there were plenty of Italians and Germans, but beginning in about 1895 a concerted effort was made to entice the Dutch to Texas. A town not far East of Houston - called Nederland! - was established as a home. The settlers would have come in through Galveston - voila!
I've made a note about this, and a little research is on my to-do list for the medium future. ;)
SA: Wow. That is most fascinating to contemplate, Linda. In Michigan, the state where I lived during my youth, there is an entire Dutch community on the west side, on the shores of Lale Michigan. Cities with names like Holland and Zeeland! DUH!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea the Dutch would also be in Texas, though. HA! And why not. That's fun. I'll love what you come up with in your research. :) Thank you.