Sands pours down from a ledge inside Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.

It was hot and uncomfortable even in the shade of the canyon, especially when random gusts of wind blew, bringing with them stinging sand.

Enjoy the song of Styx

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9Qs8-BkiLw

This is an old one i had in my archive I hope you like it.

regard jaap

Known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

It was a justified motive that prompted UNESCO in 2000 to include the entire historical city centre on the World Heritage list. Walking along the maze of winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you imagine yourself to be in medieval times. The wealth of museums is a striking image of this city's stirring history.

Bruges is also home to contemporary culture, such as the new Concert Hall, which is one of the most prominent music complexes in Flanders.

The restaurants in Bruges which offer gastronomic cuisine and the exclusive hotels are a true feast for those who enjoy the good things in life.

The land between rivers Lek and Merwede is a fantastic area to discover by foot, bike, boat, skate or boat. The Alblasserwaard polders are filled with windmills in a characteristic Dutch landscape which reminds us to the fact that this land is below sea-level

In the Alblasserwaard polders there are many trails by foot, skate or bike. Many interesting places can be visited like pittoresque Nieuwpoort, local history museum 'de Koperen Knop', the many cheesefarms and offcourse the world famous Kinderdijk windmills.

Known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

It was a justified motive that prompted UNESCO in 2000 to include the entire historical city centre on the World Heritage list. Walking along the maze of winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you imagine yourself to be in medieval times. The wealth of museums is a striking image of this city's stirring history.

Bruges is also home to contemporary culture, such as the new Concert Hall, which is one of the most prominent music complexes in Flanders.

The restaurants in Bruges which offer gastronomic cuisine and the exclusive hotels are a true feast for those who enjoy the good things in life.

That special day.

you remember it.

22-12-2007, there was frozen fog on the trees and a blue sky. It was just a few hours. It was marvelous.

regard jaap

Dordtse Biesbosch

The part of the Biesbosch that borders the city of Dordrecht. It is located between the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch and the Hollandse Biesbosch. Although the Dordtse Biesbosch has largely an agricultural destination, it also contains several recreational areas which serves as the "playground" for the people of Dordrecht.

Brugge, French Bruges, city, Flanders Region, northwestern Belgium, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Zeebrugge, its port on the North Sea. Originally a landing place on the Zwijn estuary, into which the Reie River flowed, it was mentioned in the 7th century as the Municipium Brugense (a name derived from a Roman bridge over the Reie). Brugge’s intricate network of canals has led many to describe the city as the Venice of the North. After it was evangelized by St. Eloi, bishop of Noyon-Tournai, the first counts of Flanders built their castle there (9th century) against Norman invaders. By the 13th century the town held a monopoly on English wool, was a leading emporium for the Hanseatic League, and, with the other “members from Flanders” (Ghent and Ypres), virtually governed the entire province. After maintaining its independence despite an attack by France in 1302, it reached its commercial zenith in the 14th century. At that time it was one of the largest and most important cities in northern Europe. As the Zwijn estuary silted up in the 15th century, the city began to decline as a trade centre but remained brilliant and powerful as the court of the dukes of Burgundy (counts of Flanders from 1384) and as the artistic centre of the Flemish school of painting, until the religious and political struggles of the 16th century completed its eclipse.

Castle Heeswijk is water citadel former at Heeswijk from the 11th century. The castle had been restored in 2005. Already in the year 1080 there a preamble of the current castle, so-called motte-burcht arose. In the course of the middle ages the motte (castle hillock) were blunted and on the place of the citadel a castle were built. Castle Heeswijk several times have played a role in the history. It did not succeed prince Maurits around 1600 up to two times to take the castle. It's halfbrother Frederik Hendrik succeeded in this in 1629, however, in, so that he could besiege then s' Hertogenbosch. In 1672 the sun king Lodewijk XIV the uninvited guest on castle Heeswijk were during its fight against the republic. On the end of the 18th century Pichegru, general still used the castle of the French revolution under the guidance of Napoleon, as a headquarter. In 1835, André bought baron of pine Bogaerde of Terbrugge the castle touched in decline and started immediately a massive reconstruction. For its growing collection art objects and curiosa, of him and of its sons, the noblemen Louis and Donat, the castle was extended with among other things the weapon room and the Irontower.

The current castle museum gives a picture of the life sitation and the collect tradion from the middle of the 19th century. After the recent restorations there meanwhile guided tours by the castle are possible. The weapon room of the castle does service as official marrylocation of the municipality Bernheze. In under the promenade cellar roofs lain (marry)partys and receptions are given and the carriage house of castle accommodate Heeswijk - and training facilities as well as congress - and presentation spaces meet.

if you want to see the castle and you use a car navigator is the end destiny is the Gouverneursweg, Heeswijk-Dinther

Kasteel Heeswijk is laying on circa 10 minutes from 's Hertogenbosch en 20 minutes from Eindhoven.

Compiled by C.H.C.A. van Sypesteyn (1857 - 1937), a valuable art collection forms the foundation of the Castle-Museum Sypesteyn in Loosdrecht. In addition to the collection of portraits, furniture, silver and glass objects, clocks and sculptures, there is also a beautiful collection of porcelain. The Loosdrecht porcelain is particularly worth seeing.

The castle gardens

A garden with hedges, moats and decorative wrought-iron gates characterize Sypesteyn Castle. Via paths and bridges, you can walk around the maze and cross the canal and take a leisurely stroll through the orchards, the park and the castle garden. You will discover all sorts of indigenous and exotic trees during your stroll.

Tribute to Van Sypesteyn

The lord of the castle did not build it merely as a place to house his art collection. As the last descendant of the Van Sypesteyn line, he wanted to build the castle to pay tribute to his family. The stunning garden and park were built in the 17th-century style. Surrounded by the Loosdrecht lakes and the Vecht River, the area around the castle is also magnificent.

For further information, visit the website of Castle- Museum Sypesteyn.

Oude Loo Castle, locally known as Kasteel het Oude Loo, lies in the gardens behind the 17th century Royal Loo Palace, in Apeldoorn, in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands.

In the name Oude Loo Castle, Oude translates to 'old' and Loo meant 'forest on sandy soil'.

Oude Loo Castle started out as a farm in the early 15th century, probably built by an Udo Taholt. Later that century it was owned by a Gerrit van Rijswijk who probably fortified the farm.

Later it came into the possession of the Bentinck family. Johan Bentinck rebuilt the castle around 1538-40 into the moated castle we see today. It was rebuilt in an U-shape when residential wings were built against the older front with the round corner towers. In those days it was used as a hunting lodge by Karel, Duke of Gelre.

In 1684 Prince William III, Stadtholder of Holland and Zeeland acquired the castle. He also used it as a hunting lodge. But because the castle soon became too small for his hunting parties he built the Loo Palace at a short distance in 1686-88.

In 1795, when the French occupied Holland, the castle was used as a military hospital and the castle fell into neglect.

In 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte appointed his brother Louis Napoleon as King of The Netherlands. Louis resided in the castle during summers. He filled up the moat around the castle because in his youth it was predicted that he would die by drowning.

In 1904 Queen Wilhelmina of Orange ordered the restoration of the castle. This was done by the famous Dutch architect dr. PJH. Cuypers who also built the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and rebuilt De Haar Castle. Also in the 1950's and 1960's restoration works were carried out. The castle is now the private property of the Dutch Royal family who use it at a regular basis. The castle itself is not accessible but the grounds surrounding it are, during April and May.

The Alblasserwaard is a polder in the province South Holland in the Netherlands. It is mainly known for the windmills of Kinderdijk, a village in the northwest of the Alblasserwaard.

The first human inhabitants of the Alblasserwaard settled there after the last Ice Age, around 10.000 years ago. The ice had not reached the area itself, but Eolian deposits created high points in the wet environment. These high points were places where hunter-gatherers settled, as archaeological investigations in the area have shown.

During the Middle Ages several canals and dikes were created to reclaim the land, with the last part being endiked in the second half of the 14th century. Yet numerous floods continued to happen throughout the history of the area, as it is bound by rivers on all sides.

The Alblasserwaard is a polder in the province South Holland in the Netherlands. It is mainly known for the windmills of Kinderdijk, a village in the northwest of the Alblasserwaard.

The first human inhabitants of the Alblasserwaard settled there after the last Ice Age, around 10.000 years ago. The ice had not reached the area itself, but Eolian deposits created high points in the wet environment. These high points were places where hunter-gatherers settled, as archaeological investigations in the area have shown.

During the Middle Ages several canals and dikes were created to reclaim the land, with the last part being endiked in the second half of the 14th century. Yet numerous floods continued to happen throughout the history of the area, as it is bound by rivers on all sides.

In the north area of Veneto, surrounded by the Dolomites, is the Province of Belluno. It is a famous tourist destination where art, history and culture establish a perfect link with the wonderful surrounding environment. It is an extraordinary landscape with many small towns, impressive mountains, beautiful valleys and quiet woods.

The Dolomites are without a doubt the area’s largest attraction an extraordinary natural monumental masterpiece declared a Unesco heritage site in 2009, created over the centuries by an inimitable artist, Mother Nature. This imposing mountain range with Marmolada, Monte Antelao, Monte Civetta and Tre Cime of Lavaredo offers visitors the opportunity to admire outstanding landscapes, with big valleys close to impressive rocky mountainsides, small and big lakes that in summer are tinged with blue.

Oude Loo Castle, locally known as Kasteel het Oude Loo, lies in the gardens behind the 17th century Royal Loo Palace, in Apeldoorn, in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands.

In the name Oude Loo Castle, Oude translates to 'old' and Loo meant 'forest on sandy soil'.

Oude Loo Castle started out as a farm in the early 15th century, probably built by an Udo Taholt. Later that century it was owned by a Gerrit van Rijswijk who probably fortified the farm.

Later it came into the possession of the Bentinck family. Johan Bentinck rebuilt the castle around 1538-40 into the moated castle we see today. It was rebuilt in an U-shape when residential wings were built against the older front with the round corner towers. In those days it was used as a hunting lodge by Karel, Duke of Gelre.

In 1684 Prince William III, Stadtholder of Holland and Zeeland acquired the castle. He also used it as a hunting lodge. But because the castle soon became too small for his hunting parties he built the Loo Palace at a short distance in 1686-88.

In 1795, when the French occupied Holland, the castle was used as a military hospital and the castle fell into neglect.

In 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte appointed his brother Louis Napoleon as King of The Netherlands. Louis resided in the castle during summers. He filled up the moat around the castle because in his youth it was predicted that he would die by drowning.

In 1904 Queen Wilhelmina of Orange ordered the restoration of the castle. This was done by the famous Dutch architect dr. PJH. Cuypers who also built the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and rebuilt De Haar Castle. Also in the 1950's and 1960's restoration works were carried out. The castle is now the private property of the Dutch Royal family who use it at a regular basis. The castle itself is not accessible but the grounds surrounding it are, during April and May.

Remeber that day

Oke er was sneeuw gevallen. Verder was het een vieze papzooi met weinig sfeer en licht. Nee dan die dag, 22 dec.2007. Het vroor tot in de middag en er hing rijp in de bomen. Een machtige dag om foto's te maken.

That special day.

you remember it.

22-12-2007, there was frozen fog on the trees and a blue sky. It was just a few hours. It was marvelous.

regard jaap

The river Alblas is a small river in the Dutch province Zuid-Holland.

Bleskensgraaf is really called Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen. They were combined in 1855. The village forms part of the municipality of Molenwaard. Apart from a number of old farms and a flourmill, Bleskensgraaf does not have many monuments.

The village lies in the middle of the polder landscape of the Alblasserwaard, on the small bog river Alblas. There is the Natuurpad [Nature trail] Bleskensgraaf, which also passes along the hamlet of De Donk, which lies on a seven-metre high hill. A ‘donk’ is a type of sand dune which originated in the ice age. Some protrude above the peat and clay ground.

The sky looked like it was on fire on this evening at Half Moon Bay. I've not seen many sunsets as bright and colourful as this one.

Taken in March 2016 just south of Kaikoura, New Zealand.

Small rapids on the Toorongo River near the town of Noojee.

According to Venetian official statistics approximately 16 million people visited the province of Venice in 2011, with increases projected for 2012-13. Most if not all visitors, come to visit the central island Venezia in order to see and be in the heart of the city. Geographically the city center which includes St. Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, as well as the homes and businesses of Venetians exists on a land mass that is roughly six square miles. These six square miles are criss-crossed by the Grand and the not-so-grand canals which invite tourists to explore the nooks and crannies of a medieval powerhouse that still displays its heritage.

However, as a frame of reference, visitors should do the math. Public access to the six square miles of the central part of Venice is reduced by the areas occupied by private housing, businesses and by canals. Effectively the 80,000 to 100,000 daily visitors and the 40,000 to 60,000 local residents or business employers and employees are competing for approximately one to two square miles of open space.

Regardless of the crowds it should be noted that while tourists may travel stem to stern in seemingly endless lines of gondolas, on Venice’s solid ground no car, bus or motor scooter challenges a visitor’s right to live long and prosper. In Venice the trucks, cars, and buses come with keels and rudders. All vie for space on and in the canals.

Gondoliers weave their boats and passengers through the Grand Canal water traffic much like carriage driver guide their clip-clopping horse drawn carriages through any busy city’s tourist center.

Everything is this compact town is so perfect – the Market Square, the Cathedral, the numerous parks all look as if they were crafted by artists of note, which they were!

The city is very well preserved and clean to boot. It is almost like a stage set, nay, make that a movie set, perhaps a Disney flick?

Every window has lace curtains and flower boxes with geraniums, all the buildings are in good repair, and the architecture is infinitely interesting. Low-country designs of the Middle Ages were a matter of pride; every detail down to the outline of a window frame is beautifully proportioned.

In the heart of the downtown, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for deliveries during restricted hours, making it one of the easiest walking cities of the world, safe and well-signed. The winding cobbled streets, adjacent to the canals, are shared by pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. Sweepers follow the horses and keep the streets litter free.

Restaurants serve authentic Belgian cooking, a strong rival to French cuisine, as well as numerous international style dishes. Fresh fish, cooked a thousand different ways, is plentiful, as are beautiful homegrown vegetables. Of course, this country is famous for its chocolate, a worthy choice for dessert. My own personal favorite Belgian meal is carpes frites plus pommes frites, which would be called ‘fish and chips’ anywhere else, but is in fact a perfect delicacy here in Bruges.

A mid river shot of Beauchamp Falls in the Otway Ranges of south western Victoria.

I love waterfalls as they're just so peaceful and calming. I can sit and watch one for hours.

That special day.

you remember it.

22-12-2007, there was frozen fog on the trees and a blue sky. It was just a few hours. It was marvelous.

regard jaap

Dordtse Biesbosch

The part of the Biesbosch that borders the city of Dordrecht. It is located between the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch and the Hollandse Biesbosch. Although the Dordtse Biesbosch has largely an agricultural destination, it also contains several recreational areas which serves as the "playground" for the people of Dordrecht.

Due to the fact that the wind comes almost from West, the waves become the same direction, from W to E, and wash the sand away

To stop/make less this washout effect, to break the stronght of the waves - that's the reason of this pillars. In the northern part of Zeeland there are beaches , many km long, and there are this pillars, always two lines together, repeating so about 500m. Depending from tide/low tide you can see 2,0m or nothing from them.

This corn mill, is a round stone mill built in 1890, The mill remained up to 1970 in company. The mill is seeing regularly working. It's standing in Bleskensgraaf and near the Graafstroom.

Bleskensgraaf is really called Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen. They were combined in 1855. The village forms part of the municipality of Graafstroom, which includes also Goudriaan, Molenaarsgraaf, Brandwijk, Ottoland, Oud-Alblas and Wijngaarden. Apart from a number of old farms and a flourmill, Bleskensgraaf does not have many monuments.

The village lies in the middle of the polder landscape of the Alblasserwaard, on the small bog river Alblas. There is the Natuurpad [Nature trail] Bleskensgraaf, which also passes along the hamlet of De Donk, which lies on a seven-metre high hill. A ‘donk’ is a type of sand dune which originated in the ice age. Some protrude above the peat and clay ground. Bleskensgraaf also lies on the signposted ‘Molenroute’ [Windmill route] for cyclists.

When you have a chance to look in de neighbourhood, take your camera with you, and shoot your photos from a beautiful surroundings. Kinderdijk is just 8 km away.

The canals of Bruges can also be enjoyed on foot by walking through their docks, crossing their bridges and enjoying their views. You can also enjoy the "flea market" in the Dijver canal, where you will find authentic relics.

But a less touristy area is the area of the great canal surrounding the old town of Bruges. If we take a map of Bruges, we will see that the historic centre is a large oval-shaped area surrounded by a wide canal with dense vegetation on its banks. This canal is currently located where the former city walls (which no longer exist) stood.

This canal has many spacious green areas with few visitors, where there are normally no tourist boats. You will get here views of Bruges that are very different form the typical ones. Even to the northeast of the historic centre, on the banks of this canal, you can see four wooden windmills, so traditional at the time in this region.

The river Alblas is a small river in the Dutch province Zuid-Holland.

Bleskensgraaf is really called Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen. They were combined in 1855. The village forms part of the municipality of Molenwaard. Apart from a number of old farms and a flourmill, Bleskensgraaf does not have many monuments.

The village lies in the middle of the polder landscape of the Alblasserwaard, on the small bog river Alblas. There is the Natuurpad [Nature trail] Bleskensgraaf, which also passes along the hamlet of De Donk, which lies on a seven-metre high hill. A ‘donk’ is a type of sand dune which originated in the ice age. Some protrude above the peat and clay ground.

Gouvy is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg.

On 1 January 2007 the municipality, which covers 165.11 km², had 4,780 inhabitants, giving a population density of 29 inhabitants per km².

The municipality was created in 1977 from the amalgamation of the former municipalities of Beho, Bovigny, Cherain, Limerlé, and Montleban. Villages in the municipality include Baclain, Bistain, Brisy, Cherapont, Cierreux, Courtil, Deiffelt, Halconreux, Halonru, Honvelez, Langlire, Lomré, Ourthe, Rettigny, Rogery, Steinbach, Sterpigny, Vaux and Wathermal. The administrative headquarters are situated in Bovigny.

The Ourthe Orientale river originates in the municipality of Gouvy, near the hamlet of Ourthe.

"Rain, rain, welcome back,

We've missed your song,

Your splatter and smack

On our dusty brown clay, dry so long.

Since last May we've not had a drop,

From grey-black clouds swriling by,

Or smelled wet earth, or stepped in muddy slop,

Or listened to thunder from the sky."

Everything is this compact town is so perfect – the Market Square, the Cathedral, the numerous parks all look as if they were crafted by artists of note, which they were!

The city is very well preserved and clean to boot. It is almost like a stage set, nay, make that a movie set, perhaps a Disney flick?

Every window has lace curtains and flower boxes with geraniums, all the buildings are in good repair, and the architecture is infinitely interesting. Low-country designs of the Middle Ages were a matter of pride; every detail down to the outline of a window frame is beautifully proportioned.

In the heart of the downtown, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for deliveries during restricted hours, making it one of the easiest walking cities of the world, safe and well-signed. The winding cobbled streets, adjacent to the canals, are shared by pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. Sweepers follow the horses and keep the streets litter free.

Restaurants serve authentic Belgian cooking, a strong rival to French cuisine, as well as numerous international style dishes. Fresh fish, cooked a thousand different ways, is plentiful, as are beautiful homegrown vegetables. Of course, this country is famous for its chocolate, a worthy choice for dessert. My own personal favorite Belgian meal is carpes frites plus pommes frites, which would be called ‘fish and chips’ anywhere else, but is in fact a perfect delicacy here in Bruges.

Sunset at Marloes beach in Pembs, my favourite beach in the county. No clouds, but a nice clean beach with no footprints!

In the north area of Veneto, surrounded by the Dolomites, is the Province of Belluno. It is a famous tourist destination where art, history and culture establish a perfect link with the wonderful surrounding environment. It is an extraordinary landscape with many small towns, impressive mountains, beautiful valleys and quiet woods.

The Dolomites are without a doubt the area’s largest attraction an extraordinary natural monumental masterpiece declared a Unesco heritage site in 2009, created over the centuries by an inimitable artist, Mother Nature. This imposing mountain range with Marmolada, Monte Antelao, Monte Civetta and Tre Cime of Lavaredo offers visitors the opportunity to admire outstanding landscapes, with big valleys close to impressive rocky mountainsides, small and big lakes that in summer are tinged with blue.

There are also many torrents, rivers and waterfalls with clean and roaring waters, thick woods that are a source of colour when the winter covers everything with white snow, creating an almost surreal landscape.

The sky too is extraordinary here, with incredible sunsets, followed by a wave of intense blue that colours the landscape, followed in turn by the dark of night, lightened by a wonderful moon and a multitude of stars. There are many ways to spend nature holidays, and also a lot of opportunities for those who want to explore the history and traditions of this land.

A tour of the villas and castles, abbeys and monasteries, archaeological sites, museums, cities and old small towns of the area provides ample opportunity for those who as well as experiencing the natural world want to discover the interesting historical and artistic heritage of this area.

The historic Brenner Pass is the one of the lowest among the Central Eastern Alps; this favourable location was therefore suitable for building the first motorway crossing among the Alpine main chains. Unlike other higher passes across the Alps, the Brenner Pass remains open all-year round and through the winter months. Construction of the motorway began in 1959 and the Brenner Autobahn, including the Bridge of Europe (Europe's highest motorway bridge then), was partially open in 1963.

Everything is this compact town is so perfect – the Market Square, the Cathedral, the numerous parks all look as if they were crafted by artists of note, which they were!

The city is very well preserved and clean to boot. It is almost like a stage set, nay, make that a movie set, perhaps a Disney flick?

Every window has lace curtains and flower boxes with geraniums, all the buildings are in good repair, and the architecture is infinitely interesting. Low-country designs of the Middle Ages were a matter of pride; every detail down to the outline of a window frame is beautifully proportioned.

In the heart of the downtown, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for deliveries during restricted hours, making it one of the easiest walking cities of the world, safe and well-signed. The winding cobbled streets, adjacent to the canals, are shared by pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. Sweepers follow the horses and keep the streets litter free.

Restaurants serve authentic Belgian cooking, a strong rival to French cuisine, as well as numerous international style dishes. Fresh fish, cooked a thousand different ways, is plentiful, as are beautiful homegrown vegetables. Of course, this country is famous for its chocolate, a worthy choice for dessert. My own personal favorite Belgian meal is carpes frites plus pommes frites, which would be called ‘fish and chips’ anywhere else, but is in fact a perfect delicacy here in Bruges.

Goudriaan is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Graafstroom, and lies about 25 km east of Rotterdam.

the village of Goudriaan had 843 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.028 km², and contained 309 residences.

Goudriaan was a separate municipality until 1986, when it became part of Graafstroom

If you turn your back on the coastline of Holland and set course inland, you will land in the exceedingly Dutch polder landscape of Hoeksche Waard, Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden.

The rough countryside of the Biesbosch and the historic city of Dordrecht are pure surprises which form an intermission in the peace and the space of this region. Zuid-Holland Zuid is simply the best of Holland!

This magnificent piece of the Netherlands, the southeastern part of the province Zuid-Holland, is within a stone's throw from Rotterdam.

The rough countryside of the Biesbosch and the historic city of Dordrecht are pure surprises which form an intermission in the peace and the space of this region. Zuid-Holland Zuid is simply the best of Holland!

This magnificent piece of the Netherlands, the southeastern part of the province Zuid-Holland, is within a stone's throw from Rotterdam

In the name Oude Loo Castle, Oude translates to 'old' and Loo meant 'forest on sandy soil'. It is situated in the gardens behind the 17th century Royal Loo Palace.

When you look good in the water you can seen a Royal gold carper

The canals of Bruges can also be enjoyed on foot by walking through their docks, crossing their bridges and enjoying their views. You can also enjoy the "flea market" in the Dijver canal, where you will find authentic relics.

But a less touristy area is the area of the great canal surrounding the old town of Bruges. If we take a map of Bruges, we will see that the historic centre is a large oval-shaped area surrounded by a wide canal with dense vegetation on its banks. This canal is currently located where the former city walls (which no longer exist) stood.

This canal has many spacious green areas with few visitors, where there are normally no tourist boats. You will get here views of Bruges that are very different form the typical ones. Even to the northeast of the historic centre, on the banks of this canal, you can see four wooden windmills, so traditional at the time in this region.

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only preserved beguinage in the Belgian city of Bruges. There are no more Beguines living there, but since 1927 it has functioned as a convent for Benedictines, founded by canon Hoornaert. In the same year the houses at the west side were also reshaped and enlarged into the Monasterium De Wijngaard, a priory of Benedictine nuns.

Already before 1240 a community of pious women settled at the domain 'de Wingarde' (old Dutch for vineyard), in the South of the city. This name probably refers to low-lying meadows. The beguinage was founded around 1244 by Margaret of Constantinople, after she requested permission to Walter van Marvis, bishop of Tournai, to move over the tomb chapel on the Burg of Bruges to the Wijngaard. In 1245 it was recognised as an independent parish. In 1299 it came under direct authority of king Philip the Fair and it was entitled as "Princely Beguinage".

The complex includes a gothic beguinage church and about thirty white painted houses dating from the late 16th, 17th and 18th century. Practically all of these are built around a central yard. The main entrance with gate can be reached via the three-arched stone bridge, the Wijngaard Bridge. In a bay the image of the holy Elizabeth of Hungary can be seen, who was the patron of many beguinages. De Wijngaard is also devoted to Saint Alexius. The entrance gate was built in 1776 by master mason Hendrik Bultynck. The first Beguine house next to the entrance is furnished as a museum and the exhibition includes paintings, 17th and 18th century furniture and lacework, among others. A second gate gives access to the Sas House, via the Sas Bridge.

The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Amongst the many are the Palazzi Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta , are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

Because most of the city's traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century, the Rialto Bridge. There are currently three more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte dell'Accademia, and the controversial Ponte della Costituzione from 2008, designed by Santiago Calatrava, connecting the train station to Piazzale Roma, one of the few places in Venice where buses and cars can enter. As was usual in the past, people can still take a ferry ride across the canal at several points by standing up on the deck of a simple gondola called a traghetto, although this service is less common than even a decade ago

Most of the palaces emerge from water without pavement. Consequently, one can only tour past the fronts of the buildings on the grand canal by boat.

The Grand Canal probably follows the course of an ancient river (possibly a branch of the Brenta) flowing into the lagoon. Adriatic Veneti groups already lived beside the formerly-named "Rio Businiacus" before the Roman age. They lived in stilt houses and relied on fishing and commerce (mainly salt). Under the rule of the Roman empire and later of the Byzantine empire the lagoon became populated and important, and in the early 9th century the doge moved his seat from Malamocco to the safer "Rivoaltus".

Increasing trade followed the doge and found in the deep Grand Canal a safe and ship accessible canal-port. Drainage reveals that the city became more compact over time: at that time the Canal was wider and flowed between small, tide-subjected islands connected by wooden bridges.

Historical country house also to be opened to the public

As of 1 September, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam will be using the historical country house, Trompenburg, as an extra location. Trompenburg, which is close to Hilversum, was built after 1677 by Admiral Cornelis Tromp (1621-1691), the son of the legendary Admiral Maarten Harpertsz Tromp. The residence, that was built to resemble a ship, will be open for use by the Rijksmuseum from 1 April to 1 October for holding lectures, small conferences and small-scale exhibitions. In addition, Trompenburg will also be opened to the public a few times each year.

A monument for the Tromp family

Throughout the years, Trompenburg House has been a home to different families, and has been in the care of the Government Buildings Agency as a monument since 1938. Cornelis Tromp, who was the commander-in-chief of the Dutch and Danish fleet, built Trompenburg as a monument for himself and his ancestors, his father in particular. The Tromp family's glory is the theme of the dome hall - which can be seen as the maritime answer to the Oranjezaal, the central chamber in Huis ten Bosch Palace. The dome hall contains the portraits of father and son Tromp and both their wives, portraits of the ships and the naval battles.

Decoration and exhibitions

Trompenburg will not be used for large exhibitions, as the country residence is too small. However, the Rijksmuseum is considering whether the house could be decorated with art works on a limited scale. Where possible, any art work that is selected will be in keeping with the themes of life on a 17th Century country estate and the maritime history of the period of 1630 and 1690.

Due to the limited capacity of Trompenburg House, the exhibitions as well as the lectures and conferences will all be small-scale. The house will be opened to the public once a month during the April-October season (six times in total). A steward will reside at Trompenburg House.

The Historic Centre of Brugge illustrates continuity on an urban site that has been occupied since the early Middle Ages. Historical records of the town administration and regulations are condensed in the city records from the 13th century onwards.

An area of continuous settlement, the Historic Centre of Brugge has retained the original pattern of streets and places, canals, and open spaces. A very specific skyline of towers and taller civic buildings (such as the cathedral, the belfry and the churches) dominates the city. For the most part, buildings have retained the original parcels of land. The transformations that have taken place over time respect the functional changes in the town, and have become part of its historic authenticity, in a parallel way to other historic cities such as Siena in Italy.

The history of the town is well represented in the urban and architectural structures that harmoniously unify all periods of history since the origin of the city.

Since the second half of the 19th century, much attention has been paid to the history and the architecture of the town, and major debates about modalities followed the international trends in the field of restoration and conservation. This chronological and historical stratification is clearly recognizable in the urban morphology and architecture and is part of the present character of Brugge.

The river Alblas is a small river in the Dutch province Zuid-Holland.

Bleskensgraaf is really called Bleskensgraaf and Hofwegen. They were combined in 1855. The village forms part of the municipality of Molenwaard. Apart from a number of old farms and a flourmill, Bleskensgraaf does not have many monuments.

The village lies in the middle of the polder landscape of the Alblasserwaard, on the small bog river Alblas. There is the Natuurpad [Nature trail] Bleskensgraaf, which also passes along the hamlet of De Donk, which lies on a seven-metre high hill. A ‘donk’ is a type of sand dune which originated in the ice age. Some protrude above the peat and clay ground.

One of the many stunning waterfalls on the Valley of the Waters trail in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.

It's a very steep and slightly treacherous track to get down to these falls, but so worth it!

Another one of the beautiful waterfalls seem along the Valley of the Waters in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

Due to the fact that the wind comes almost from West, the waves become the same direction, from W to E, and wash the sand away

To stop/make less this washout effect, to break the stronght of the waves - that's the reason of this pillars. In the northern part of Zeeland there are beaches , many km long, and there are this pillars, always two lines together, repeating so about 500m. Depending from tide/low tide you can see 2,0m or nothing from them.

The design and operation of a windmill depended on various characteristics of the wind such as wind speed and changes in wind speed, wind direction and changes in wind direction, wind turbulence, and the height of the wind above the ground. An average windspeed of 15 to 25 miles per hour and a prevailing wind were necessary for operation of a mill. The critical component of a mill's operation was the sails. The force of the wind on the sails caused them to turn and rotate the axle, or windshaft, on which they were set. The brake wheel, located inside the top of the mill, also was attached to the windshaft, and its movement drove the millstones and all other machinery inside the mill.

Mills usually had four sails, but five, six, and eight-sailed mills were also built. The earilest sails were wooden, cloth-covered frames known as common sails. They were light and powerful but had to be stopped for the miller to furl the sails. As windmill design advanced, the cloth sails were replaced with sails with shutters. In 1807, William Cubitt invented a sail which could be adjusted while the sails were turning. The shutters of this sail could be opened and closed automatically and worked like venetian blinds to aid in utilizing the wind. A windmill's sails had to always be square into the "eye of the wind" as the mill was designed and balanced to resist pressure from the front only. If a mill was tail-winded, the cloths or shutters could be blown out, the cap blown off, or the mill itself blown over, often with the miller in it. Because the wind changes, the mill had to be capable of being turned into the wind whatever the direction. This was called "winding the mill." The turning gear was the tail pole, and bodily force was used to effect the turn.

Everything is this compact town is so perfect – the Market Square, the Cathedral, the numerous parks all look as if they were crafted by artists of note, which they were!

The city is very well preserved and clean to boot. It is almost like a stage set, nay, make that a movie set, perhaps a Disney flick?

Every window has lace curtains and flower boxes with geraniums, all the buildings are in good repair, and the architecture is infinitely interesting. Low-country designs of the Middle Ages were a matter of pride; every detail down to the outline of a window frame is beautifully proportioned.

In the heart of the downtown, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for deliveries during restricted hours, making it one of the easiest walking cities of the world, safe and well-signed. The winding cobbled streets, adjacent to the canals, are shared by pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. Sweepers follow the horses and keep the streets litter free.

Restaurants serve authentic Belgian cooking, a strong rival to French cuisine, as well as numerous international style dishes. Fresh fish, cooked a thousand different ways, is plentiful, as are beautiful homegrown vegetables. Of course, this country is famous for its chocolate, a worthy choice for dessert. My own personal favorite Belgian meal is carpes frites plus pommes frites, which would be called ‘fish and chips’ anywhere else, but is in fact a perfect delicacy here in Bruges.

Prato selva

What could be more romantic and inspiring than a place that looks like a backdrop for a fairy tale? The medieval overtones of Bruges’ cobblestone streets lead to countless historical, architectural and artistic wonders. Marvel at ornate houses lining intricate canals, and understand why this is a favorite destination for all types of travelers. The whole city emanates an appreciation of the past, a love of the present, and enthusiasm for the future. Don’t miss Hof Bladelin, Groeninge Museum, Church of Our Lady, and Belfry and Market Halls.