Netherlands

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Urban Entrances.136


Urban Entrances.135


City Lights.65

Please remind me of the glory of Amsterdam summer evenings with good weather, once I start complaining about the winter gray darkness again.

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Country Canals.75


Village Views.85


Urban Garden.205


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Urban Garden.204


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Signs of the City.94


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Urban Entrances.134


City Views.234

My recent post from the royal palace in A’dam caused cousin & occasional guest contributor Sam to point out that he’d seen plenty of SPQ “x” signs all over during his visit last year. Herewith two examples he sent, one from Haarlem (left), the other from Amsterdam. Thanks for the sharp eyes, Sam 🙂


Ah, Royalty.34

The earth is competing another rotation around the sun since the day I was born, so I’m self-featuring here to celebrate the beginning of another journey around the sun with the chance to explore places like Muiderslot’s “Prince’s Room” in which most or all of these photos were taken.

Islands.64

Off in the distance is Pampus, an island qua fort which at one time no doubt helped protect the lucrative trade-shipping lanes in and out of A’dam, back before this whole stretch of water was turned into a freshwater lake rather than part of the natural sea lanes that connected A’dam to NL’s various colonies from Indonesia to Surinam.

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City Lights.64


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Country Canals.74


Signs of the City.93

Amsterdam Pride centers around 3 weekends in late July and early August, this year with a “Pride Walk” the first weekend, this post’s featured “Pride March” the second, and the “Pride Boat Parade” the third weekend. I finally joined or observed all three this year, including the boat parade this weekend just past. So nice to live where one is legal and less fearful of physical, social or legal harm and threats.