MyWorld Tuesday

Today we went to Spakenburg an old fishing village upon the former Zuiderzee (southern sea) which was a very rough and dangerous bay of the Northsea in the northern part of the Netherlands. In 1932 the Afsluitdijk (closing dike) was build to separate the bay from the sea. A huge lake was formed fed by the river IJssel an called IJsselmeer. You have to know the Dutch and their struggle against water and claiming their land from the sea. So they did by draining half of the IJsselmeer and our 12th province was born: Flevoland. Many people around the IJsselmeer lost their livelihood. Also in Spakenburg. The botters (wooden fishing boats) are kept and well maintained and used for pleasure boating on the remaining waters.





In Spakenburg people used to wear their typical folkloristic dress. It is disappearing but some women still wear it. We saw a few women fully dressed at work in shops. It looked beautiful. Men and children don't wear traditional costumes anymore. In the Traditional Costume and Fishery Museum I took a few photos which give you an impression. In the first picture are children up to toddlers age and the second picture show children up to about 18 years. I am not sure if it was comfortable for the younger kids. The other pictures show complete families.

SkyWatch Friday

Yesterday we went to Zutphen, a lovely old hanseatic town on the river IJssel. The weather was great to take many photos of this wonderful city......... But shame on me. I forgot to recharge the battery of the camera and all I could shoot were these four pictures before it went flat.






To take a look at some wonderful pictures from around the world click here or on the SkyWatch button in the side bar.

SkyWatch Friday

Last weeks storms showed some interesting skies. The clouds were actually rolling, the sky turned dark green, almost black. It looked sinister and frightening. Never seen the sky change so fast from blue to black.

In the east the sky was still blue while



in the west it was getting darker and darker.







For other interesting skies click the button in the side bar.

Watery Wednesday

Last week we had some heavy storms. One came so unexpected and quickly that we only had time to get the most important things in a save place. My husband forgot to take inside his important things though!

SkyWatch Friday

And finally after the heat wave the storm arrived. Temperatures dropped from 38C to 19C within minutes. Damage went into millions of Euros and yesterday's storm even took a life. The climate is definitely changing.

SkyWatch Friday

From the colours in the sky I can usually see that we have a beautiful sunset. But where we live it is impossible to see the sun actually set. It is a densely populated area and there is always a house or a tree in the way or the sun is hiding behind the hills. I took this picture last week end. Hardly a noticeable sunset but I thought the sky looked interesting.