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Earlier this week I visited Broek in Waterland, a lovely town just 8 km north of Amsterdam. I drove past it before, but I just never took the time to explore. The town consist mostly of wooden houses, built in the 17th and 18th century. This town was a popular residence for merchants and seafarers from Amsterdam. Much of its rich history has been preserved.
After a walk through the streets of Broek in Waterland, the restaurant ‘De Witte Swaen‘ is a great place for a stop. If you have the time and appetite, try one of their many pancakes!

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I visited Oslo this January. When I told people of my trip to Norway during the winter, most of them would say: “It’s a pity it will only be light such a short period of the day.” Yes, that’s true. But I found it really useful, since the lights were wonderful with the low wintersun. And a little bit of nightphotography could easily be done before diner!

The palace

The cityhall

The National Theater

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This January I visited Oslo, a great city! It was cold, but sunny this time of year. Especially the day I visited the Frognerparken with all the statues made by Gustav Vigeland. It was unlike any park with statues I had seen. I loved that the whole park was filled by one artist and thus one style, but still each statue was different with its own story to tell.

It was a cold day and most of the statues were covered by a thin layer of ice. That gave an extra touch and the conditions were perfect to photograph.

Truly a must visit when you’re in Oslo!

Here’s a selection of the shots I made. Click one of the images to view them large in a slideshow.

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Last week most parts of the Netherlands were covered in mist. The whole garden was covered with tiny drops, which stayed in place due to the cold. And the first rays of sunlight burst through the fog, and light up all the drops. A good moment to get in to the garden with my camera

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Over the years I have been intrigued by the art of Antony Gormley. I was impressed by the ‘Angel of the North’ during my visit to England years ago. When preparing my trip to Liverpool this November, I learned that Crosby Beach with 100 iron men was close by. So I had to go there! It appeared to be a magical place to visit, especially at sunset. The beach is filled wth iron men, all gazing towards the sea. Some of them are covered in shells and sea plants. During the high tide, the statues are completey submerged, so the sea and its animals are making it their own again, I guess.

The site with the statues on Crosby Beach can easily be reached from Liverpool. I wrote about it on WritingTravellers.com.

Just click on one of the images to open the gallery and view the images full screen.

Wikipedia:

The sculpture consists of 100 cast iron figures which face out to sea, spread over a 2 mile (3.2 km) stretch of the beach between Waterloo and Blundellsands. Each figure is 189 cm tall (nearly 6 feet 2½ inches) and weighs around 650 kg (over 1400 lb).
In common with most of Gormley’s work, the figures are cast replicas of the artist’s own body. As the tides ebb and flow, the figures are revealed and submerged by the sea. The figures were cast at two foundries, Hargreaves Foundry in Halifax, West Yorkshire and Joseph and Jesse Siddons Foundry in West Bromwich.
Another Place was first exhibited on the beach of Cuxhaven, Germany in 1997 and after that in Stavanger in Norway and De Panne in Belgium. Now it is permanently visible at Crosby Beach, a few miles north of Liverpool, England.
More: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_Place

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All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do

‘Enjoy the silence’  is one of the classic songs by Depeche Mode everyone knows, released in 1990. It was written by Martin Gore as a slow-paced ballad. But eventually it evolved into a more upbeat song, which made it into a big hit. The words are simple, but effective.
The song has been covered by many artists, some also turned to the slower pace, like Tori Amos. Which gives the song a different feel, which I like a lot.
 
In 2004 the band re-released the single in a remixed version, which works very well, especially live. For many a Depeche Mode fan, this song is one of the highlights of the concert. At least for me it is.
 
Here’s the classic version, the video was directed by Anton Corbijn.
 

 
‘Enjoy the silence’, live.
 

 
Tori Amos, covering ‘Enjoy the silence’
 

 

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I know, each year it is a pity summer is ending. Especially when it has been such a rainy one, like here in the Netherlands. But still, autumn is a wonderful photography season with great colors!

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Walking around with your new macro lens around the garden is kind of addictive A whole new world opens up when you can really zoom in on those flowers!

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While travelling through southern Morocco I got a glimpse of desert life in Morocco.

Bringing the sheep home

On his bicycle through the desert...

View on N'kob

Desert sandstorm

Caterpillar

Desert road near Merzouga

Desert beetle

Sandstorm no. 1

Sandstorm no. 2

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Lying in my bed.
Watching my mistakes,
I listen to the band they said that it could be the 2 of us.

The best ballad from Suede with the amazing voice of Brett Anderson: ‘The 2 of us‘. Nothing to add really, just listen!