Utrecht Part 4 (Holland)

My classes have finally finished and my students are writing exams tomorrow! The end of the road is in sight, and I couldn't resist taking a drive and taking some pics on my third last day in Utrecht.

I still need to go in and see if the name is true...

I love the city traffic...

Many of these buildings have VERY impressive architecture. I wonder how long it took to make this?

On my way to the pannekoekenhuis!!

Guys... What a pancake... Oh yes... Yumm!

This old guy and his wife had so much fun in the shop, I was amazed by the freshness of their relationship. May we all have that when we're old!

Duck for dinner?

Koningin Wilhelmina with her ice-hat.

Holland - Windmills an Castles

Finally I have some time to travel around and experience the real Holland. The one we see in the pictures, with all the tulips and cheese and warm days and green fields. :) Some of the snow has melted, and I thought it was over for a few days after today's rain, but  a snowstorm covered the world in white about 15 minutes ago. (Pictures at the end.)

A bridge bearing the same name as my dad.

Boats line the canals in some parts

Even the original Micra needs petrol now and again.

How more Dutch can you get?

Was as if he was guarding the one eating.

Entrance to a real castle!

CASTLE de HAAR!

Some kids gathered for a party

The snowstorm starts!

Long exposure during the storm

Utrecht Part 3 (Holland)

The past few days' snow has turned Holland into a white Winter Wonderland. I took the picture above with my camera's built in flash reflecting off the finest snow fall I have ever seen. It was as if someone was pouring floating icing sugar out over the city.

My means of transport. (Not missing my car at all... Noooo...) I cycled to Weg-tot-de-Wetenschap, where I met Codrin for a walk in the coutryside.

It has snowed enough for the ski's to have come out.

Codrin leading the way along the canal.

A bridge we passed under. Codrin said most people don't know how beautiful the city's surrounding areas are and they travel far away to enjoy nature. What a pity.

The river was twisting and turning as we walked, and I made this panorama of one of the first bends as we entered the woods.

Some remains of WW2 can still be seen, with bunkers lining the roads. Who knows how many young lives were lost in the areas we walked.

Another riverbend..

There were joggers all over the place. I presume some of them ran only because of the snow. By the way, is doesn't usualy look like this in Winter, Holland might get a week of snowfall max.

Finally! Some colour.

Many birds live on these canals, and I cought some as they took off. With help from Codrin, of course. :)

This doggy got in the way of my landscapeshot! Actually he was out of focus.

The best pancakehouse in the world!!!

Snowman!

I just had to lie down... Unfortunately my jacket lifted a bit, and I almost go some freezer burn...

How beautiful is this?

Back at home -

Sturbucks Espresso cup's bought in Berlin.

And fine Italian wine I treated myself to. :)

Utrecht (Holland Part2)

Week 1 in Holland has been a great experience, please enjoy these memories with me. (By the way - last night was -15degrees, and we're expecting lots of snow over the weekend.)

The flat I'm staying in is the one on the bottom left. Doesn't look like much, but it compares to a Sandton loft inside.

Now this is the breakfast of champions!

Scenes like this all over the place

The main Utrecht Museum. Must say we have museums all over the place here.

This boat is dated AD 997, adn was brought into the museum  basement in 1930.

This is definitely the best sculpture I have ever seen.

The Dom tower is almost 90m tall. Watch out for it on the panorama below.

Inside the Dom Church.

A Park close to my house.

Spot the Rousseau...See you soon!