The Binoculars

View to the 'Rabotower', the Rabobank Executive Centre, in Utrecht. The 2 connected towers were built between 2007 and 2011 and are also known as 'The Binoculars'.

KreaDoe hobby fair

A few impressions from my visit yesterday at the Kreadoe, an annular 5-day hobby fair for creative inspiration and DIY, in Utrecht.

At many stands you could see how things were made and what to do with the many different items..

.. or you could take part in one of the workshops. These ladies were making fun cakes at a 'creative baking' workshop.

Autumn chores

The public works-department came by yesterday to clean the (dry) ditch across the street.

SIgn

Our hike last Sunday went for a small part through a privately-owned nature area called 'Heidehof', near the village of Eext.

There was a sign at the entrance, next to the gate, telling us that nature came first and that the area was only open for pedestrians from sunrise to sunset. Many things weren't allowed, like motor vehicles, mopeds, bicycles, horses, dogs, camping, open fire, smoking, littering, making noise, and taking anything home from the area. Well, quite a lot but all very reasonable don't you think?

I'm linking to signs, signs.

Smeerling #2

Another view, now showing the side of restaurant 'Gasterij Natuurlijk Smeerling'. They serve local and organic food during day hours. An example is 'poffert', about which I posted back in 2015 (click HERE if you'd like to read more)

Smeerling #1

Restaurant 'Gasterij Natuurlijk Smeerling' is located in a former -and completely renovated- farm house and barn, in the heart of the Westerwolde region. The entrance is around the corner here.

A closer look at the weathered roof tiles.

I'm linking to Tom's Barn Collective.

Exloo sheep

A flock of sheep near the Molenveld nature area, just outside the village of Exloo.

Both photos are from last Sunday.

I am linking to Eileen's Saturday's critters.


PS. due to the amount of spam that I am receiving lately, comment moderation is now on.

Chrysanthemums

There's still colour in the garden from the Chrysanthemums, like this yellow one in full bloom.

Colours that are very welcome on this grey and rainy day :)

I'm linking to Floral Friday Fotos.

Rush hour

At the railway station in Assen.

Autumn

A photo from last Sunday - hiking in and around the woods of Odoorn.

Zwolle railway station

The railway station of Zwolle opened in 1864 and is a major hub, as all trains from and to the north of the Netherlands have to pass Zwolle.

Along the city canal

Arriving in the centre of Zwolle by a nice path along the 'Stadsgracht' (City Canal). And turning right..

..onto a bridge called 'Nieuwe Havenbrug'. Note that it is still decorated with colourful flowers on the lamp posts, even though we're pretty far in October!

Giacometti

Both photos in this post show art by Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966). They are part of the Fundatie Museum's current exhibition 'Facing Fear', with sculptures by Giacometti and English sculptor Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). Their work pictures the sense of fear and disillusionment that pervaded Europe during the Cold War period.

In Giacometti's work he reduces the human (and animal) form to its bare essentials.
´Walking Man´ is seen as the ultimate symbol of the solitary traveller in time that we each are in our heart of hearts. Despite his attenuated boday and narrow head, the walking man is inseparably connected to the earth by his larege, heavy feet. -from the museum's info.

Sculpture reflection

Zooming into the bottom part of a large and shiny sculpture in front of the Fundatie Museum in Zwolle, that I visited earlier today. On the left you can see the reflection of the columns at the museum entrance.

I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.

Picking pears

October is the month for picking pears from the tree in our garden. They are what we know as 'stoofperen': culinary or cooking pears. It is a Dutch cultivar named 'Gieser Wildeman'. As they are dry and hard, we only eat them after several hours of cooking in water, with a cinnamon stick, lemon peel, some sugar and some red wine added. They come as a side dish at dinner. Delicious!

Driving back home..

..in the early evening. Photo taken somewhere between the villages of Zoutkamp and Grijpskerk.

Island ferry

Back at the ferry at the end of the afternoon.

It takes about 40 minutes to the Lauwersoog harbour on the mainland.

Schiermonnikoog village

The island of Schiermonnikoog has one village, also named Schiermonnikoog.