Which is very nice if the owners don't mind. Wireless Points: Leeuwarden20040827.gif (GIF Image, 3000x3000 pixels)
There is also a Wireless Leeuwarden site. It's a good start. But much still needs to be done. I also see that Meditterane Cafe De Salon is a major sponsor. Very cool and I've eaten there once (wine, calamari, italian mozzarella-tomato-pesto roll and expresso) and it was really very good.
I suppose we are out of hibernation for the moment. I have nothing new to add for this week, but coming soon another book review. This time I will be reviewing the Capitool guide of Friesland and pointing out a number of maps of Friesland you can buy.
Also you might not know but I'm a walking encyclopedia of useless information. I am collecting tidbits on Friesland which I will be publishing here.
This is one of the squares in Franeker, a town in Friesland.
Tags: Franeker | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland
Tags: Franeker | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland
Wow, within days of my planned hibernation, I get a chance to take a few hours of work. I still have a few hours daylight left, so I decide to head off to Franeker. Franeker is weird. Before I arrive I have heard one person (a Dutch, non-fresian) saying it's really nice. But I hear no fresians (except my auctioneer) saying that the place is cool. I check my 419x Friesland book and see a few interesting things. Lots of 16th– 17th century buildings. It's a town that did well (past tense?). The reason I ask is mainly because it was the second university town in the Netherlands after Leiden. Now though there is no university. How did that happen? I find that weird.
Anyway off I went to Franeker. It did not go well but as I will tell later on there might be a reasonable excuse for that. The town is nice enough and is picturesque. But I had an odd look of ‘what are you doing here ’, it must be the long hair. I also did not see or hear anything cheerful. But I did learn today that a kaats legend had been buried the previous day and the ceremony began in Franeker I think. I am talking about Hotze Schuil who was a great kaatser. Anyway I left again within the hour and headed for Harlingen
Harlingen is a port town on the coast of Friesland. It has a ferry terminal to Terschelling and Vlieland (two wadden islands) not far from the coast. I've been in Harlingen once before a few weeks ago. But it was dark then and I could't see much. I like Harlingen, and I spoke with one or two locals and they seem very friendly. Harlingen is also 16th– 17th century. Harlingen seems more exciting and there was more activity in the shops. One street I have seen which I think is a very cool place to live is the zoutsloot (salt canal). It has lots of old houses which have been done up really well. Also Harlingen seems to have its fair share of shops, bars and restaurants. And then to top it all, there are lots of old small sailing ships. You can see the masts sticking up over the roofs. Very cute indeed.
Tags: Franeker | Harlingen | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland
