Tag Archives: Photography

Chilly In Copenhagen

I thought the Dutch were tough. They’re whimps compared to the Danes. I haven’t been this cold in 20 years and they’re telling me it’s down right balmy. It’s 15 F out there and then an icy wind starts to blow. It creeps up your back and makes your jeans as penetrable as tissue paper. Do you think it slows these people down? Hell no! It’s spring in Denmark. They’re biking and walking and window shopping and setting at outdoor cafes with cold beer. The construction workers in front of our hotel started at 6am. They must have been trying to beat the afternoon heat. Nobody even notices the temperature. That’s the reason I’m complaining to you, the Danes don’t know what I’m talking about.

A frozen Nyhaven.

Hot or cold Copenhagen is a terrific town. It’s got a nice pulse with a lot of color and a youthful vibe. Cars and bikes and trucks and pedestrians all vying for dominance, and yet somehow cooperating with each other. Walking at night or taking public transport, although freezing, is relatively stress free as this is Europe’s safest city.

: Spires

: Across the River

: The View From Frankie’s Kitchen

: Spires

: Mont Blanc Store

: Window Shopping

: Spires

Copenhagen has lots of courtyards and private passages from one street to the next. I was intrigued with them 20 years ago and find that I still am.

: Amaliegade 46

: Amaliegade 23

: Amaliegade 25

: Amaliegade 41

There are a few things that every tourist is obligated, by law, to see.

: Nyhaven

: Rosenborg Slot – The King’s Summer House – It’s good to be the King.

: Marmorkirken – The huge dome is 102′ across.

: The new Opera House

And lots of shopping.

Nervous Shopper

A Raid On Odense (the D is silent)

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Take me now! You Girly Man.

We have sailed into Odense, Denmark. Named for the Norse god, Odin, this must be the epicenter of Viking culture. As it turns out this is more the birthplace of Denmark’s favorite son, Hans Christian Andersen, then a Viking encampment. Our dear friend and Danish host, Dea, has informed us that Vikings were mostly farmers and all this talk about rape and pillaging is pure myth. That been said, I would much rather keep some of my illusions in tact and think of Vikings as the spitting image of their Gods; fierce, courageous and brooding.

St. Canute’s Cathedral (Sankt Knuds Kirke)

The history of St. Canute’s Cathedral does very little to dispel the Viking myth. King Canute and Prince Benedict were both slaughtered by angry peasants on the altar of nearby St. Alban’s Priory in 1086. Arriving at the site to collect her dead husband’s remains, Queen Adela said the small church emminated a golden light. Pilgrims soon began to show up to have their infirmities cured. Never ones to let let good propaganda go to waste, the Catholic Church canonized King Canute in 1108 and moved the Saint’s remains into the newly constructed Cathedral. And the miracles just keep on coming.

Sunbathers at the Radhus 26 F

We’ve had a few snow flurries in Denmark. Mostly the air has been clear and sharp, but winter is still with us. The sun stays low in the sky and the trees haven’t begun to soften their mark on the surroundings.

: H. C. Andersen Trov

: Flakhaven, Odense, DK

: Blackfriar Square

: Blackfriar Square

: Blackfriar Square

: Blackfriar Square

: Blackfriar Square

: Bangs Boder

16th and 17th century timber houses are scattered throughout the old town.

Finally, the “What the Hell Is It?” section.

I asked a lot of people what this is. Either nobody knew or thought I was an idiot for asking.

Rope Thingy.

These are the Danish version of French balconies. Actually, they’re pretty cool and really open up a room.

French Balconies

These devices come in a variety of designs. They have a mirror on each side and allow you to set in the house and keep an eye on anything happening up and down the street. Apparently this is a very popular pastime in Denmark.

Nosey Neighbor Spyware

A Quick Look Around Sneek

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Waterpoort

Sneek is where we are situated. It is one of the Friese elf steden ( eleven Frisian cities ) that form a network tying the province together with roads, rails and canals. With all it’s canals, Sneek is the heart of the province’s water sport culture.

Along the Harinxmakade

Built in 1613, the Waterpoort, or watergate, formed part of the city wall and connected to the city with the harbor. It is now a Rijksmonument or National Heritage site in the Netherlands.

Waterpoort

Waterpoort with Schuitje

City Hall

Pet Heron

So I’m standing next to canal taking pictures and this heron walks up next to me. He was completely unafraid. I swear he was just curious to see what I was looking at.

Badhuisgracht 15

I googled the address and found that Badhuisgracht 15 is for sale for the meager sum of 447,000 euros.($578,820.30) That’s reduced from 479,000 euros.($620,257.10) Pretty hefty for a 2 bedroom, one bath.

Is any city complete without a carnival?

Whirlygig – Click Here

Kiddie ride?

Locked and loaded.

I’m thinking that a cute kiddie car with a ballistic missle attached is the definition of “Passive Aggressive”.

Hey, Someone Wrote On The Wall!

Dwell Land

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They say the French know how to live and that may be true. They certainly know how to eat and drink. But the Dutch, now, they know how to plan a community. Most everywhere I look I see quality, great design, common sense and a desire to make things that are highly livable and built to last.

Intercity Canal

I took a bike ride yesterday and came upon a new development just a few blocks away. I thought I’d stepped into the pages of Dwell Magazine or Architectural Digest.

: Two family homes. The backs have water views.

: Waterfront duplexes.

: Development

: Development

: Development

: Development

: Development

: Development

: Common dock and personal moorage.

: Side by side with a historic Schuitje.

Neighborhoods and developments are all tied together with roads, waterways, bridges, foot trails and bike paths. All of which help foster a sense that we are all in this together.

Bike and foot path.

Neighborhood bridge.

Don’t get me wrong, there are spray paint cans sold here and lunkheads that know how to use them, but people do seem to share an innate respect for each others property and the common areas they all share.

Recycle bins.

Glass, paper, plastic. These stainless steel recycle bins are at the end of the street. Clean and well organized, with easy access. The squares they sit on flip back to give access to the larger containers mounted in the ground. These receptacles are not dented, painted or pissed on.

And for the kids.

Stainless steel spider gym set.

“It’s The Ijlst We Can Do.”

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The sun came in and out today so we decided a short road trip was in order. It’s a little windy and cold, 29 – 30F, but very beautiful.

My God the folks are hearty around here. In all the little towns we passed through, everyone, 9 to 90, goes everywhere on bicycles. Bright red hands and faces peddling against a 15 mph headwind. Tough. Way tougher then us.

The Center of Ijlst

Our first stop was Ijlst. I’ve heard it pronounced 10 times and still can’t get it right. A lovely little bedroom community now, at times it is a stop on the famous Elfstedentocht, the legendary ice skating marathon on the Friesland canal system. The race is 124 miles long and encompasses eleven cities. Our route was similar but somewhat shorter and warmer and involved frequent stops for coffee.

Ijlst

Bakery – Ijlst

Lumber Mill Windmill 2 – Ijlst

Lumber Mill Windmill – Ijlst

Hindaloopen

Lockkeepers House – Hindeloopen

Makken

Canal Locks at Makken

Workum

Art Gallery – Workum

The View From Staveron

Ijsselmeer

Even The Off Ramps Look Nice

N354

A Rainy Day In Leeuwarden

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Leeuwarden St. Bernard

It’s not really drizzle. But then it’s not really rain. It’s rizzle. And with rizzle you have to persevere. In this case persevering constituted a short drive to Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland. Leeuwarden’s most celebrated daughter was probably Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and accused spy who was executed by firing squad in France under charges of espionage for Germany during World War I.

Mata Hari

This is a lovely little city despite the wind and cold and rizzle. Nice lunch, small shops, culture and beer.

Nieuwestad – Downtown Leeuwarden

They got cheese.

Coffee at the Fire Cafe

Keramiekmuseum Princessehof is an amazing structure and has a huge collection of Asian and European ceramics and tiles which, quite frankly, can make me a little nervous. When I was a kid we weren’t allowed anywhere near the “Good Dishes”. This is an entire palace full of the “Good Dishes”.

Keramiekmuseum – Leeuwarden

But then you get to the attic and they have life size contemporary pieces.

Yellow Dog -Keramiekmuseum

Boy -Keramiekmuseum

Just a little wacky.

Off To Holland

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Our long awaited Home Exchange has at last begun in earnest. This trip is special as we were fortunate to be able to enjoy some time with our Dutch exchangers Jan & Anneke. A great couple that we exchanged homes with 5 years ago. Adventurous, smart, fun, generous, let’s face it the Dutch are cool.

Anneke

Some gadget time with Jan

Over the years quite a few folks have expressed an interest in Home Exchanging but admit to a slight apprehension. All I can tell you is that there seems to be a little Zen in it. The nicer everyone is to each other, the better it works.

For those of you who have never ventured into Home Exchange before, exploring is the key. As lovely as Jan & Anneke’s home is, we didn’t come all this way to sit around the living room. Holland is a fascinating country with Amsterdam, de Hague, Harrlem and hundreds of picturesque towns. Copenhagen, Berlin, Hamburg, Bruges, are all in relatively easy striking distance by car or train. And with fairly inexpensive short European flights, the net gets even wider.

That been said, we are going to spend the first bit exploring Friesland when the sun is still low in the sky and spring is just now waking up slowly.

Canal side homes in Sneek, NL

Cloverdale to Hebo

Grapes and Gravel

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Bits and Pieces.

A little of this and that with some of these and those. Whenever we’re finishing up one of these roadtrips there are always a few images that don’t really fit into any group.

So these are just a few loose ends. See you all soon.