Thursday, May 07, 2015

Bits-n-Pieces


Or, bits-n-bobs, as our English friends would say!  A little bit of this-n-that before they arrive on Friday (tomorrow evening) and spend a few days with us (another post).

Let's first start with Saturday's walk around Gorinchem's citadel.  I'm making a concerted effort to do it at least once a week.  It's good for my heart and soul...and my body.  That new knee says "thank you" every time, I'm sure.

 But this walk was something special because while I was minding my own business,
I noticed a lady photographing flowers just like I was.  In fact, we kept passing each other.
Finally, we introduced ourselves and continued walking together for the next hour.
When we got to the locks at the inside harbor, she showed me her photo hanging on the wall.
Yup.  Mariëlle de Valk.  There she is...a new friend who shares the love of photography.

And when we got to De Hoop (The Hope) windmill,
she showed me the lion's mouth flower in the brick wall nearby.
It's also called Common/Yellow Toadflax or Butter-and-Eggs, native to Europe and Northern Asia.

 Look what happens when you meet a new friend!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The next day, Sunday, we had an errand to run in nearby Utrecht at 11 a.m. and decided to drive on the back roads coming back, making it a fun day.

Most of the time I'm staring at the Dutch sheep.  But there are also plenty of Dutch cows!
I really am loving everything free-range about this country.

 How can you resist these lovelies!
It makes Mother's Day extra special at this time of the year, doesn't it.

See what I mean about bits-n-pieces-n-bobs!
Throw in some wabi-sabi (bottom-right) and I couldn't be happier.


And then, what should suddenly appear but....
It wasn't till it passed that I saw it was big enough for a group of tourists.
Out in the Dutch boonies!


I'm happy to "collect" one or two good weathervanes while we're out-n-about.
But E I G H T E E N (count them)?  It was weathervane heaven.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

When Monday came around, I had my own errands to run and made a good walk of it.
I never know what I might see so I always carry my camera, just in case.


Lucky for me, the Grote Brug was being raised for a barge just after I crossed over it.
This is a common occurrence for me by now but maybe not for you?
Everyone going to work/school always has to calculate in the time for these possibilities
(a real groaner for many, which is why I decided to show the whole thing!).

 And because I had my camera...and it's still spring...YES!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Now we're getting ready for Lisl and Chris from England to arrive tomorrow evening.
You'll remember them once I get to those posts.
Lisl is my Big Sis; Chris is Astrid's Big Brother.
That's all you need to know for now.

In the meantime,
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It is, Ruth. I'm totally in love with it, as you already know!

      Delete
  2. I must second Ruth's comment about it a beautiful country. Happy Mother's Day to two of my fave photographers. Seize the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I told Ruth, Maria, I'm totally in love with this country and love being here. Thank you for your beautiful words.

      Delete
  3. Love all the variety in this posting! Happy Mother's Day! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Robin. Sometimes the bits-n-pieces are the best part of anything! :)

      Delete
  4. I love those sheep shots. At my student’s farm the sheep all run away when people come around. Your sheep seem more docile. Glad to see your knees are just about back to normal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sheep shots are taken from the car, Ted, with my 1200mm lens, so I'm not always as close as it seems. However, the sheep here do seem to be quite inquisitive and social. They often come sauntering over to us when we've out near them at the fences. I love it.

      And yes, my knee is doing very well. On Saturday we were out for 3 hours slowly walking around our open harbor and I had no problem whatsoever!

      Delete
  5. Love your images Ginnie. I'm fascinated with your beautiful country. Your 'Lions Mouth' is very much like our 'Snap Dragons'... a favorite of mine. I was delighted to see pics of Utrecht. My daughter is there! I'm off to send you an email. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Carolyn. Yes, Wiki says the lion's mouth flower is similar to the snapdragon. Interesting. And how wonderful that your daughter is so near us now. Thanks for your email.... Maybe we'll meet up with her one of these days. :)

      Delete
  6. I hope you had a nice Mother's Day Ginnie...love the countryside views and that flower looks similar to a snapdragon as you said. I am inspired as I need to walk daily and so I must get up and out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a low-key Mother's Day, Donna, but very nice, yes. Thank you.I do miss my kids on such a day, of course. (sigh) That flower IS like our snapdragons, yes. Even Wiki says so. You'll start walking soon, I know, if not already. Me, too. It feels good!

      Delete

Texel Island, NL, 2024: Renovations

  To be honest, I thought I had already posted about our January trip to start some renovations in Jaap's bungalow, as a gift from Astri...