Sunday, October 16, 2016

Lisbon and some more @ sunny summer 2016

After happy moments  with friends and family in Holland,
it was time to Make a Move to Shogun in Lisbon.

Super: First Marleen & Loek and later Marijke would  join me.


Of course there were the Touristic Things To Do and To See,
like visiting the Tower at Belem... 



and


 and


and

and 
a fun-tour aboard one of  Lisbon's "traditional" Tricycles that took us around town to places we hadn't seen yet.




Next was: 


getting dressed-up for a dinner-show at one of the many Fado restaurants.


...where part of the happening happens on the cosy street as it was warm-warm inside.


Back on board:
We continued enjoying these sunrises, as seen from the pilot house of SHOGUN


She also got loaded-up with parcels full of boat items and spare parts.




But there was more to see than Lisbon only.

A rent-a-car saw us zooming across the bridge
for a trip down south...







Dry-dry & hot country side


Mertola is a pleasant town to visit. 
We spent the night in one of the local inns.





The river is almost the border with Spain.
Ocean going shallow draft vessels can navigate all the way up to this town.



Traditional narrow roads, but piece of cake for Kiwi Drivers.


Back in Lisbon.
The area near the marina is famous for modern architecture.
This is the local bus/sub-way station.


 Lisbon also has nearby an magnificent bird-watching area.




Helder, a local bird-watching tour guide took us for the day.
Came with knowledge and wheels.


These snails are a delicacy here in Lisbon.
Not only for birds.
Hmmm...






Look over-there...aren't those...?


Fla-fla-flamingo's!


Our stay in Lisbon was coming to an end, but we still had energy to do some more sight-seeing downtown.







 Yep it was a Licking Good Lisboa Stay.

Salute






Monday, October 3, 2016

Next @ sunny summer 2016: Wageningen

With the logistics from Hessel, Herman  
and the NS, Holland's railway-puzzle-company,
we made an other Move during our Summer 2016 trip: Staphoorst to Wageningen.

So why Wageningen?
Main is of course to visit brother Herman and sister Judith.
And after all, it's the Marijke's hometown!




... this is the house where Marijke spent her childhood years. 

Talking about childhood..



May we introduce you to our great-nephew BRAM.
New born to Melissa (Marijke's niece) and Bas.


Well..who's a happy aunty?



Wageningen is world famous for its Agriculture University.
Of course most of the studying is indoors but there is enough field-work.
This sign could be read as:
 Hiking-trail " has to be done " on wooden clogs.

Image result for wooden clogs


Special early morning moment.


Bird-watching to the left 
(note the porto-loo for the students)
.....while...


....deer is running around to your right.


It's good to see and smell the country-side.




One charm of Wageningen: Location along the River Rhine.




Maybe just riding this ferry many many years ago started the dream to travel the world by yacht.


Bicycle, camera, memories, the odd bird, great scenery...
Marijke is happy.




This ferry uses a swing system.



 Typical dutch scenery: The land between the dikes and the river.
When the water-level of the river rises due to heavy rain or melting snow..these grounds will be swamped.


Ta-ta-ta: Wageningen's own yacht harbour.


And see here the port of Wageningen, 
where we once stayed for the night with Jan Haring. 
(1983)



 Pretty farmhouse..at the front...


...same building at the rear.


An other visit was made to Arnhem (next door town) 
to our friend's house where we had rented the attic
when we first started living together.
It was home for us from 1979-1984... 
exciting years before our trip on board of Jan Haring.


So happy to meet up again with Ben and Lucy.
They saw us grow up, build a boat, get married
and see-us-sail-off into the sunset.
(in some sort of order).


Indeed Happy Memory Moments and More.
Greetings from Wageningen.



Salute.