City Kid

No photos still, but a story about a city kid (moi). This happened last November. It was dark. I was on a mountain bike with a suitcase on the handlebars looking for ‘camping’ in Grou. It was too dark to see the sign from the cycle path so I kept on cycling until I ran out of cycling path. And then I did something stupid. I kept cycling, on towards Warten in pitch darkness, with only ditch on both sides of the road. The sudden appearance of driving rain didn't help either (er! – I may have used a few expletives in fact).

After more than 10 minutes I copped myself on and turned back and within half an hour found the camping. I was now soaked to the skin so I changed, huddled up to the gas fire for a few minutes and then made my way up to the restaurant for a coffee and a whiskey (to get the juices really flowing again). That was my baptism of fire for life in the countryside. I mean there were at least two motorists who thought I should cycle to the nearest psychiatrist. It being November we did not get loads of sun, but we did not get wet either for the rest of the weekend which was a big relief. And we really enjoyed ourselves.

Fresian winter landscape

Fresian winter landscape
Originally uploaded by Don.

Unfortunately I was sick this week so this photo was taken from a train (not that I would have had time otherwise). But the landscape is really cool when white. That should provide lots of photo opportunities in the future.

At flickr though they have public photos of Friesland by others. [1] [2] in particular are very good winter scenes, taken by Aldo van Zeeland.

First snow falls

First snow falls
Originally uploaded by Don.

We had our first snow in Frisland this week. Two days where a challange on the bike, because of the ice under the snow. I usually hate the stuff, in fact I think it's a pity we don't hibernate. The locals here though love the stuff and it's contagious.

Lots of open wireless points in Leeuwarden

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.

This week

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.

Tags: Friesland | Tidbits

Franeker

Franeker
Originally uploaded by Don.

This is one of the squares in Franeker, a town in Friesland.

Tags: Franeker | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland

Franeker

Franeker
Originally uploaded by Don.

This is the former orphanage in Franeker. The sign above the door on this building reads as follows (in dutch): ‘Bijkans twee eeuwen hebben de Weezen het huis bewoond, waarin zij in 1668 werden opgenomen. In 1854 betrokken zij deze betere woning die door de milde giften de Gemeente door de Voogden werden aangekocht onder goedkeuring van de kerkraad’.

Tags: Franeker | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland

Harlingen

Harlingen
Originally uploaded by Don.

More of my photos of Harlingen and Friesland can be seen at my Flickr account
Tags: Harlingen | Friesland | The Netherlands | Holland

Harlingen

Harlingen Originally uploaded by Don.

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

Hibernate

Winter is setting in.

When I leave work, it's already dark. I'm not in Friesland yet in the weekends. So this blog will slumber for a while. Either spring or moving up here will kickstart this blog again.