blowing the midwinter horn #1

The custom of 'midwinterhoorn blazen' (blowing the midwinter horn) during the period from the eve of Advent through Epiphany on January 6, is believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago. The long horns produce a piercing wail that carries for miles over the countryside. Although in pagan times the blowing of the horns was thought to rid the earth of evil spirits, today they announce the coming of Christ.

The ancient tradition is still very much alive in the eastern part of the Netherlands, in a region called Twente. However there are more towns that honour the horn blowing. These pictures were taken near Zuidwolde, where a 10 km hike was organised. At several spots along the route men were blowing the midwinter horns.

It was very well organised, and a hot drink like coffee, tea or hot choco was included. For those who liked something stronger there was a kind of brandy, served in small glasses.

 The route was named 'Midwinterhoorn Kuiertocht' (Midwinter horn stroll). At each spot where the horns were blown on there was a banner like this one.

A few more photo's tomorrow..

Zwarte Pieten

'Zwarte Pieten' having fun on the roof of a building in the town centre, Saturday afternoon.

Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) is the companion of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas, aka the Good Holy Man), whose birthday is a traditional children's feast celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. The tasks of the Zwarte Pieten are mostly to amuse the children and give them special Sinterklaas candy, like pepernoten: brown and small round shaped sort of gingerbread cookies. From the last week of November Sinterklaas visits schools, shopping centres etc. all over the country and gives away presents to the children, who welcome him upon arrival by singing Sinterklaas songs.

 

 

***

 

PS. Yesterday's post was all about going up the stairs (!). Thanks everybody for your comments :)

up or down?

I took this photo last Summer in Sweden during a hike in a nature area near Ekshärad. When we had returned home and I looked at it again on the big screen of my computer I felt strangly confused..  

So I am curious; what was your very first thought: am I going up or down here?

going round and round

Looking up inside the Der-Aa Church in Groningen, during my visit earlier this week to the World Press Photo exhibition (see yesterday's post)

World Press Photo exhibition Groningen

Groningen is one of 90 cities worldwide that hosts this year's World Press Photo exhibition. And it's location, the 'Der-Aa Kerk' - a church from the Middle Ages, really adds something special to the event.

From their website: "World Press Photo stresses the importance of photo journalism and tries to help cultivate the freedom of the press globally. The World Press Photo exhibitions are extensive and high-quality events, which invite visitors to consider some intriguing images from daily life, nature, sports, art and culture."

This was my favorite animal photo, made by Paul Nicklen, a Canadian biologist and photographer.

The exhibition here in Groningen can be visited until December 15th. For more information go -HERE-

November afternoon

Enjoying some fresh air on a grey and quiet November afternoon; this rural area in the south of the province Groningen is on a less then 15 min. drive from our house.

These signs are for bicycle trips but there are also lots of routes available if you are on foot.

Participating in Lesley's signs, signs.

apples for sale

Different kinds of apples for sale at a farm in Smeerling, a small village in the south of the province Groningen. You have to weigh them yourself, and it's a euro per kilo.

'love bench'

This eye catching bench/sculpture in the city centre of Enschede was created by Guusje Beverdam. She is a Dutch sculptor specialised in ceramic art for indoor and outdoor 'use'. Isn't it beautiful!

coffee-bike

Don't wait for your customers to come to you, but go to your customers: that's the concept for these 'coffee-bikes' from the Mobile Coffee Company. I saw it on the weekly market in the city of Enschede yesterday.

From what I found on the web it is apparently a German concept, and the fully equipped bikes can be found in various European cities like Bukarest, Munich, Berlin, Prague, and Bordeaux.

hearts and anchors

During an evening walk last Summer through the small village of Hölick, located on the Swedish peninsula Hornslandet, we passed this house. Doesn't it have a amazing view on the Gulf of Bothnia, and doesn't it have a wonderful gate/fence with all these hearts and anchors!   :)

Linking to Friday's fences #106

welcome on board

..entering Strandpaviljoen Kaap Noord ('beach restaurant Cape North'), located on the most northern point of the island Texel and open all year. THE spot for a rest with a nice hot drink after a long walk on the beach  :)

signs on Texel

Standing on the most northern point of Texel, this sign directs you either to the ferry to the islands Vlieland and Terschelling (only for passengers on foot and/or by bicycle), or to the Texel towns De Cocksdorp and De Koog. Your choice! :)

We decided to follow the path on top of the dike leading us to De Cocksdorp, meeting several sheep on the way..

Linking to signs, signs.

Nijsinghhuis

This beautifully restored 17th century state monument 'Nijsinghhuis' was the starting point for museum De Buitenplaats in Eelde, which is located next to this house. During the years 1896 and 1939 the building was a town hall.

Over time a number of spaces in the Nijsinghhuis have been painted by figurative working artists. Please note that it is not open to the public every day, please check their website -HERE- if you are interested in a visit. I hope I will have a chance one day to have a look inside!

Texel sheep

Texel is a traditional sheep farming island: the sheep population is nearly as large as the human population of 14,000. These photo's were made during a hike where we crossed the island on foot from east to west. Here the path follows a grass dike which is also 'used' by the sheep.

The sheep are bred on small scale sheep farms in the gently rolling ‘old land' of Texel. Even though they must be used to people passing them (I think), they were cautious and kept their distance.

Texel dike

Going up the dike at the east side of the island Texel, near the village of Oosterend. Unlike the west side with beaches and the North Sea, this side has a long dike to protect the island against the water of the Waddenzee.

On top of the dike, with the Waddenzee on our left..

..and this is the view onto the island seen from the dike. It is one of the more quiet places of Texel, surrounded by nature area's.

patterns

These are a few examples of the mosaic floors we saw on the Greek islands Kos and Nisyros, last October.

Imagine the many hours this must have taken to put all the thousands of small stones into place..  Impressive, don't you agree?

goods for sale

A collection of pumpkins and gourds for sale near a house in Borger. These private sales near a house or farm are very common in the country side here. Eggs, a variety of home grown vegetables, potatoes, or pumpkins in the Fall like here on the photo. It's self service, and many times there is a small box to put the money in.

 

 

'två klippare'

Another sign I photographed in Sweden last Summer, saying 'Två klippare'. Now my online translator gives me 'mower' or 'shredder' for 'klippare', but I am fairly sure it is 'Two hairdressers' here. What do you think?  ;)

Maybe the sign could use a bit of paint, but I like it anyway..

I'm linking to Lesley's signs, signs.