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As early as the 11th century, Flemish cloth production had reached such a scale that the supply far exceeded the local demand. As a result, Ghent cloth became an important export article all over Europe. Originally, indigenous wool was used from the many flocks of sheep kept in Artois or on the salt lands and salt marshes of the newly enclosed Flemish polder land. Very soon, however, the raw material gained on the spot was no longer sufficient. From 1100, more and more wool merchants bought their supplies in England. In particular, Lincolnshire wool was of top quality and some of the abbeys had a significant source of revenue thanks to the large flocks of sheep with wool destined exclusively for Flanders. The wool was imported to Bruges and Ghent via the Zwin. The final product, fabricated in Ghent, was fine and durable, but also most valuable. It was sold on all the major West European markets, and even in Nowgorod (a Russian trade centre), in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, and further in the Near East via Islamic ports. Ghent became the most important textile centre of the known world and, with 65,000 inhabitants, the second city in North Western Europe after Paris.
Throughout its history, Ghent has always been a gateway to the world and has played an active part on the international scene. For example, the people of Ghent will gladly tell the English that King Edward III of England was also proclaimed King of France on the Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) during the Hundred Years War. His son, John of Gaunt, founding father of the Lancasters, was born in Ghent. They will tell the Dutch that no less than five Ghent nobles were the authoritative captains of the formidable Watergeuzen fleet during the second half of the 16th century; or that Willem de Key, architect of Leiden Town Hall and the 'Waag' and 'Vleeshalle' in Delft, was also of Ghent origin. They will proudly guide French visitors to the Hotel d'Hane Steenhuyse in Veldstraat, where King Louis XVIII of France sought refuge for a hundred days after the return of Napoleon from Elba. The Americans and the British know that the hostilities between both nations were put to an end by the 'TREATY OF GHENT' which was signed on Christmas Eve in 1814. The World Exhibition of 1913 was intended to put Ghent amongst the modern cities of the 20th century, but the two World Wars dampened this fervour.
Citizens of Ghent have also played important parts outside Europe. Mexico still honours Pedro de Gante (Peter of Ghent) as one of the founding fathers of modern civilisation in Latin America. In about 1700, a large group of immigrants from Ghent contributed to the foundation of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. This was also the case for the city of Ghent in the State of Minnesota, USA. Moreover, would you believe it, one of the region's most famous specialities is Ghent Waterzooi !
New Υear’s Reality Check
Αnother year, Αnother chance
Tο start οur lives Αnew;
Τhis time we will leap οld barriers
Tο have Α real break Τhrough.
We will take οne little step
Αnd then we will take one mοre,
Οur unlimited pοtential
We will totally Εxplore.
We will show off Αll our Τalents
Εveryone will be Ιnspired;
(Whew! While Ι am writing Τhis,
Ι am getting νery tired.)
We will give up Αll bad Ηabits;
We will read Αnd learn a lοt,
Αll our goals ωill be Αccomplished,
Sigh…οr maybe nοt.
In the early Middle Ages, the reinforced castle of Poeke (Flanders - Belgium) served as a real bastion where knights from Flanders county assembled. The castle, which was the residence of the "Heren Van Poucke" ("Gentlemen of Poeke - mention the old-Dutch spelling of the word "Poeke") was at that time governed from Bruges. However, combative Ghent rebels repeatedly attacked the castle. Consequently, after the year 1453 Poeke castle felt into ruin for many years. One and a half century late, in 1597, the family Preud'homme d'Hailly from Rijsel (North of France) bought the castle from a family called "Delrye" and governed Poeke for more than 2 centuries. They made the castle the centre of their increasingly growing properties.
It was in the same year 1597 that heirs of this nobility introduced the title "Burggraven of Nieuwpoort" ("Viscounts of Nieuwpoort"). Although their cultural wealth was initially suppressed because of the 16th and 17th century wars, successive generations of viscounts led the Baronny of Poucques to a short, but uncontested peak in 1765. From 1762 up to 1774, Karel Florent Idesbald de Preudhomme was not onlyViscount of Nieuwpoort and Oombergen, Baron of Poeke, Sir of Axpoele, Neuville, Sint-Lievens-Esse, Velaines, etc., but also chamberlain of the Austrian king.
At that time, the kingdom of the Netherlands was governed by Austria and looked as a rigid and hierarchic society, where the aristocracy was able to maintain their privileges up to the French Revolution (1789). Even after the French-Napoleonic empire collapsed (1815) and after Belgium came into being (1830), the aristocracy could maintain its position as the high social class on the Flemish countryside.
The isolated location of Poeke, the steady decrease of the number of its inhabitants and the stable agricultural character of Poeke, which mainly consisted of farmsteads, all these reasons caused the aristocratic power system to continue to function until after the Second World War (1945).
In the second half of the 19th century, the family Preudhomme D'Hailly was once and for all past its peak and financial problems weakened its position inside as well as outside the village. As a consequence, they had to abandon the castle in 1872.
The family Pycke de Peteghem - which was raised to the peerage in 1730 - bought the castle and gradually dominated the small East-Flemish agricultural village. Its political representation mainly focused on the mayoralty, a position that was rarely assigned to someone who was not a member of the aristocratic family.
The castle largely survived both World Wars, but the aristocratic influence during the 20th century died out when the last Baroness of Poeke, Inès Pycke de Peteghem deceased (1955). The property structure of the castle changed for the last time in 1977, when Poeke fused with Aalter. From then on, the castle was owned by the community and became a public domain. Up to now, it is part of an extraordinary recreation facility.
Zuidzijde is a hamlet in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee. It lies south of the village of Den Bommel and has 180 inhabitants. The water tower is no longer in service but can still be seen from afar. Another landmark is farmhouse De Lage Werf, one of the oldest buildings on the island which dates back to around 1640, when it was originally build as a country house.
Goeree-Overflakkee is the southernmost delta island of the province of South Holland, Netherlands.
In the spring, the island is known for it's tulip-fields in the most amazing colours. Every year a lot of, mostly Japanese, tourist will visit the island just for the tulips.
mas de la sesion del sabado con manu
iso400 1/20s f6.3 60mm flash a 1/2 en ventana + 2 flashes a 1/16
un saludote!
So happy to work ... you can(t go without buying something. I love the melting pot of my country ...
The Dutch have a saying that “God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland.” About half the land in The Netherlands lies at or below sea level. Much of this land has been reclaimed from the sea. The Dutch built dikes around swampy or flooded land and then pumped the water out. The pumping was originally done with windmills, but today electric pumps are used.
The west was getting out of gold, The breath of air had died of cold,
When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight.
In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face;
A bird with an angelic gift
Was singing in it sweet and swift.
No bird was singing in it now.
A single leaf was on a bough,
And that was all there was to see
In going twice around the tree.
From my advantage on a hill
I judged that such a crystal chill
Was only adding frost to snow
As gilt to gold that wouldn't show.
A brush had left a crooked stroke
Of what was either cloud or smoke
From north to south across the blue;
A piercing little star was through.
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.
When it is good you can see the exif
A Winter Memory
Fresh-fallen snow, untouched by man, tops bushes fence and tree;
The strong, gusty wind, whirling it 'round, improves and enriches its beauty.
It sauntered down in the silence of night, leaving a scenic delight;
Now, in the sun, it dances and winks as we drink in the wondrous sight.
This is a picture-post-card scene - winter at its best;
It leaves a mark etched in our heart of when winter was our guest.
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Shooting Date/Time: 26-12-2010 12:30:15
Shooting Mode: Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ): 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ): 22.0
Metering Mode: Evaluative Metering
A Winter Memory
Fresh-fallen snow, untouched by man, tops bushes fence and tree;
The strong, gusty wind, whirling it 'round, improves and enriches its beauty.
It sauntered down in the silence of night, leaving a scenic delight;
Now, in the sun, it dances and winks as we drink in the wondrous sight.
This is a picture-post-card scene - winter at its best;
It leaves a mark etched in our heart of when winter was our guest.
The Alblasserwaard is a country region in Holland in the south-east of the Dutch province ‘Zuid-Holland’. It also forms the southern part of the ‘Groene Hart’ (Green Heart) national landscape. It is a low-lying, thinly populated polder area that is surrounded by rivers and canals. The Alblasserwaard is crossed by ditches, canals and two small rivers: the Alblas and the Giessen. In the lowest, most western point of the Alblasserwaard, you will find the village of Kinderdijk, where 19 authentic, iconic windmills grace the polder landscape…
Past history
The Alblasserwaard is a beautiful, extensive peat landscape which is situated below sea level. The history of the Alblasserwaard goes back to over 10,000 years ago, when the wind sculpted sand dunes (called ‘donken’), some of which are still visible in today’s landscape. After the land was populated and depopulated a few times, the Alblasserwaard became permanently inhabited from the year 1000 onwards.
These days, the Alblasserwaard is considered one of the most beautiful country regions of the Netherlands. So don’t hesitate to stop by for an entertaining cultural day trip and a great opportunity to explore Holland’s gorgeous nature. Below, you will find additional information about the origin of the Alblasserwaard in general and the history of Kinderdijk in particular…
Kasteel Duivenvoorde (Castle Duivenvoorde) is in the town of Voorschoten, Zuid-Holland in the Netherlands. It was first mentioned in 1226, making it one of the older castles in Zuid-Holland
The castle is remarkable in that it was never sold; it was inherited by several different noble houses, sometimes through the matrilineal line, something that can be said of very few Dutch castles. For the first five centuries of its history, the castle was owned by one and the same family, namely the Van Duivenvoordes, who gave their name - at that time, van Duvenvoirde - to the castle. Though the castle was named thus, the van Duvenvoirdes properly formed part of the House of Wassenaer, an ancient noble family that has played an important role in Dutch history. Toward the end of the 17th century an owner of Kasteel Duivenvoorde, Johan, retook the name of van Wassenaar, upon which the House of Duivenvoorde became merely another name in the castle’s history.
This is a fantastic castle for photographers. I hope you like the shot I made here.
gr. jaap
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.
For all my friends.
The Winter's Spring by John Clare
The winter comes; I walk alone,
I want no bird to sing;
To those who keep their hearts their own
The winter is the spring.
No flowers to please—no bees to hum—
The coming spring's already come.
I never want the Christmas rose
To come before its time;
The seasons, each as God bestows,
Are simple and sublime.
I love to see the snowstorm hing;
'Tis but the winter garb of spring.
I never want the grass to bloom:
The snowstorm's best in white.
I love to see the tempest come
And love its piercing light.
The dazzled eyes that love to cling
O'er snow-white meadows sees the spring.
I love the snow, the crumpling snow
That hangs on everything,
It covers everything below
Like white dove's brooding wing,
A landscape to the aching sight,
A vast expanse of dazzling light.
It is the foliage of the woods
That winters bring—the dress,
White Easter of the year in bud,
That makes the winter Spring.
The frost and snow his posies bring,
Nature's white spurts of the spring.
I hope you like it.
Regard jaap
Picardie is one of the 26 regions of France, and is located in the northern part of France.
Picardy (French: Picardie) is a historic region in northern France that is now within the departments of Aisne, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme. Amiens was the region's capital.
On Picardy's fertile soils they grow wheat, sugar beets and fodder crops. Dairy and beef cattle are raised, and intensive vegetable cultivation takes place on the heavily fertilized, drained peat in the valley of the Somme River.
Castle De Haar is one of the most famous and visited castles in all of Holland and was originally founded in the late 1300’s by the Van de Haar family, whose standing in society allowed them the comfort of building a fortified abode.
By 1449, the castle became the property of the Van Zuylen family thru marriage. In 1482, the castle was destroyed due to differences of opinion (quarrels) between the city of Utrecht and its bishop
By the 17th century, the Van Zuylen family line had become extinct and the castle was inherited by the Van Stembors, who originated from the south of Holland - present day Belgium. French soldiers attacked and damaged the castle during the years 1672 and 73.
In 1801, Castle De Haar passed to JJ.van Zuylen van Nijevelt, a distant cousin of the Zuylen family. JJ had inherited a castle that was in a poor state of repair due to 200 years of neglect. Upon his death, these magnificent ruins passed to his son Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt in 1890.
The rebuilding of the castle was started in 1892 under the guidance of one of Holland’s most famous architects Dr PHJ Cuypers. It is his influence on Castle De Haar that we see today. PHJ Cuypers rebuilt the castle as close as possible to the original outlines and were there was not sufficient material to work with he used his own ideas of what a medieval castle should look like. The interior was rebuilt to a luxurious standard with the inclusion of electricity. A new bailey with an entrance gate was built on its original foundations.
Today the castle is surrounded by parkland but this was not always the case. From the medieval period to the end of the 19th century, the village of Haarzuilens had been surrounded the castle. Haarzuilens was completely demolished and relocated some one and a half kilometres away to the west. The village chapel however was saved from this wilful destruction and incorporated into the new park.
Castle De Haar is now a museum and opens to the public except during the month of September when the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt family turn it back into a home for their month long stay.
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The adres for the car navigator, Kasteel de Haar,
Kasteellaan 1,3455 RR Haarzuilens.
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.
'Het Speulderbos' is called ' the forest of the dancing trees'. The forest is not just mysterious, it is also very rare. It's a paradise for birds (of prey), deer, badgers and wild boars. So there is enough choice to have a good time!
Nieuwpoort
municipality of Liesveld (population approx. 9,585)
The name Nieuwpoort is derived from the Latin ‘Nova Portus’, freely translated as the ‘New Harbour’. Nieuwpoort is one of the smallest Dutch fortified towns and was founded around 1200 by the Lords of Liesveld and Langerak. Nieuwpoort had a part to play in the functioning of the old Hollandse Waterlinie. In the 17th century, on the recommendation of Prince William of Orange, Nieuwpoort was given ramparts and canals in a fortress with six bastions. A pleasant walk along the fortifications can be combined with a visit to the Oudheidkamer [Antiquities Room] in the town hall, where the history of Nieuwpoort is relived. Nieuwpoort, with its protected townscape, is a part of the municipality of Liesveld, together with Groot-Ammers, Langerak and Streefkerk.
a fantastic little place with a big history. Nice for a photograper. I hope you like this shot here.
Schevichoven means Flax farm and the first mention of this farmhouse dates from the end of the 14th century. In the course of history changed the complex often of owner. So made it part of the estate until 1954 broekhuizen. From 1954 to 1981 it got a function as the Central experimental farm Fodder Institute and from 1981 is a private farm. To the complex include a farm, a hunting lodge a sheepfold and a beautiful pigeon Tower. The current farmhouse dates back to 1911, between 1983 and 1985 the sheepfold is completely renewed and the pigeon Tower is the oldest part of the complex; dating back to the 17th century
The protracted early winter cold of late 2010 was attributable to two surges of intensely cold Arctic air across Nordwest Europe.
The first, in late November, was from the northeast and outstanding for the heavy convective snowfalls originating over the still-warm seas, with some associated convective streamers extending inland downwind of coastal inlets.
In contrast, during the second cold wave (from the north), a small cyclonic development resulted in a significant,indeed locally very heavy, snow event
across this region on 18 December
Dawn light splinters through the high alpine peaks and begins to light up the many peaks of the Aiguille Rouge and Chamonix valley below.
Mers-les-Bains is a seaside resort and of tourism of the Somme, located on the littoral of the Manche, located near the mouth of Bresle, i.e. just in extreme cases enters Picardy and Normandy. This seaside resort has a pebble beach (and sand with low tide) approximately a kilometer length as well as high chalk cliffs.
Top of these last, close to the statue of Notre-Dame, emerges a vast panorama (accessible to foot while passing in front of the church or conveys some by the plate while following the direction of Blengues) from where it is possible to see the sea, the city close to Tréport, its trade and marina, the city of Eu with in particular its castle and its collegial, then in north to see Ault and the hâble éponyme, in direction of Bay of Somme. In clear weather, the Picardy coast is revealed with the horizon until Marquenterre. Very close to Seas is the Bois de Cise, attached to the commune of Ault, superb residential glazing bar which gives on the sea.