Netherlands

Small Wonders.268


City Views.257

A few of you may notice the signature finial that ornaments the front of my home city’s lovely Concertgebouw, hidden away to the left side of this photo. From a walk to the a concert there in early September last year; and since I’m using up my last A’dam 24 photos, below just a last two from my own neighborhood that caught my eye in 2024.

Ah, Royalty.57

Yes, this sapling protector in my local park bears a crown design and the name of NL’s current monarch, King William Alexander. Don’t ask me why. If I had to guess, I’d say maybe the sapling itself was planted in 2013, when he took on the role after his mom abdicated and left him holding the crown?

Urban Garden.227


The Source.7

Frost on the grass, ice on the pond, and water in the lake: a cold February morning walk around Sloterplas.

Urban Canals.197


Country Canals.97

With April comes a new tennis team competition season, and with the away games occasionally the chance to see village and country life (and canals) in places I’d be unlikely to visit otherwise, such as this lovely little North Holland town last Saturday…

Image

Islands.86


Urban Garden.226

So I think I’m entering new territory today, having yesterday hit 365 days in a row of daily (at least) posts again. I’m fairly sure I’ve never managed to go more than 365 days in a row, so welcome to a new chapter. Since spring has very much sprung here in Amsterdam, I find myself taking more and more images of all the lovely spring blossoms that grace the city at this time of year – examples above and below from various recent walks and rides. Sharing these photos with you is such a good excuse, reason and motivator for me to get out and enjoy the various bits of beauty and joy I inevitably find when I’m paying the right kind of attention to the world around me. Enjoy :-).

Skylights.6

An early – January late-afternoon moon rise from the roof of our office.


Image

Country Canals.96


Image

Country Canals.95


Image

City Lights.85


Image

Islands.85


Lake Living.65

All from an early-morning walk around my local lake last month.