boat bench

The lower half of this bench was the scale model (scale 1:15) for a new ship for the TESO ('Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming' or, in English 'The Texel Steamboat Company'). It was used for tests in a water basin in order to determine the best possible shape of the under water part. After the testing was done and the new ship had been built, TESO donated the model to the island Texel. In 2007 Gert Reijmerink from Hilversum gave it a second life and transformed it into a bench. The eye catching structure can be found in the harbour of Oudeschild. 

having a look..

..from the wall around the garden of Museum de Buitenplaats in Eelde.

runway

Lights leading to the runway of Groningen Airport Eelde.

BOB

BOB / Ook als je op visite gaat / Daar kun je mee THUIS komen.

BOB / Also when you're going to visit someone / Bringing you HOME.

These signs can be found all over the Netherlands, and everybody here will be able to tell you what it stands for. 'Bob' (i.e. the designated driver) is the person who is selected not to drink alcohol on a social occasion in order to drive his or her companions home safely. The slogan of this Dutch campaign that started back in 2001 is: "Bob jij of Bob ik?" ("Do you Bob or shall I?")

What I didn't know untill today is that is was originally Belgium who started the Bob-campaign in 1995. Later not only the Netherlands 'adopted' it, but also France, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Germany.

In 'our' Dutch December holiday version of the sign the letter 'O' pictures a 'oliebol', traditionally eaten in the Netherlands on New Year's eve.

Linking to signs, signs.

a late afternoon view..

..seen from the back of our garden, several days ago.

One day, this year or next year or who knows when, a series of huge windmills will be standing somewhere on the horizon there. The government and province's plans are ready and waiting for quite a few years now, but time will tell I suppose.

bike mural

Part of a mural I found in Nieuw Buinen. 

For more murals go to Monday Mural.

our Dutch winter

Very much unlike other parts in the world, the Netherlands is experiencing the mildest winter ever  -so far anyway, after all it's only the 12th of January. In the meantime, in our back garden, the seeds in this birdfeeder are sprouting new plants..

weekend reflections

This photo shows glass shelves with old ceramic pots, seen from above with a reflection that seemed intensified by the many lights in this room of the Fries Museum.
And yes, I'm in the reflection too.. ;)


Linking to Weekend Reflections #224.

Kostvlies

Another picture from last Sunday, here entering Kostvlies. This hamlet with less than 150 inhabitants is located halfway Gieten and Gasselte, and belongs to the Aa en Hunze municipality in the province Drenthe. You can see a glimpse of some houses on the left.

Juttertje

My favorite way of ending a dinner in a restaurant is coffee with a kind of liqueur. And whenever we visit Texel that would be a 'juttertje'. The word refers to the Dutch word 'jutten' or 'beachcombing' in English.
The juttertje is a sweet and herb flavored alcoholic beverage that can be served pure, or for instance with coffee like here on the photo. It's the island's specialty!

húskes

The meaning of the Frisian word "húskes", here on this door in the Fries museum, speaks for itself I think.

Enjoy more signs around the world at Lesley's blog signs, signs.

going downstairs

It's not just the variety of exhibitons, it's also views like this that makes your visit to the Drents Museum a joy for the eye.

Sunday walk

Yesterday, near the village of Gieten. It almost felt a little bit like Spring..

Texel 44

The ship 'Texel 44', here in the harbour of Oudeschild on the island Texel, offers sight seeing cruises on the Waddensea.
It was the painting of the seals that got my attention..

MUSEUM

This photo was taken while waiting in line to enter the Drents Museum in Assen, as I watched the reflection of the the buildings across the square. Can you see the word 'MUSEUM' spelled there in the logo?


For more reflections around the world go to Weekend Reflections.

view from a bridge

Leeuwarden city centre. And aren't these fences perfect to park you bicycle while you shop.. :)

Linking to Friday's Fences.

hiking with a dog in Westerwolde

Exploring the region around Sellingen on foot, we came across these maps along the route that point out a detour for those walking with a dog. As the path will cross an area where sheep might be grazing, dogs obviously aren't allowed there, so you then follow the blue dots instead of the red ones, and join the normal route later. 

I think it's a nice service Staatsbosbeheer (a Dutch organisation that controls and conserves Dutch nature reserves) is offering here, and tourist (and sheep!) friendly.

no dogs

NO DOGS ALLOWED

including dogs from friends and other people we know

-from a door of a Leeuwarden pub. 

  

Wishing you all a wonderful 2014! Linking to signs, signs.