Toulouse

Ok....so Toulouse....what a wonderful way to see France for the first time.  The town is lovely and so easily accessible.  We had reached St. Sernin walking before we realized it.  And...yes we visited La Droguerie for some yarn, a chat with a groovy gal and some inspiration.  So  much to enjoy here....  And the food....yikes...

Doorways of Amsterdam

Ok....so I know this is a thing...I know books have been published on doorways and I've always enjoyed looking at different doorways....but the European doorways....now that's art.

Grote Kerk - Haarlem

Ok....so the first of the cathedrals was in Harrlem, Netherlands.  The Grote Kerk history, like all cathedrals is fascinating.  The original church was built in 1307 but burned, then replaced in 1479.  The organ was amazing and the floor is a tomb.

A Train to the Coast

Ok....so a little train trip was had to the towns outside of Amsterdam....always fun to ride the train.  Visited Haarlem, Leiden and Zandervort.

Loved Haarlem....the vibe, the streets and the cathedral.  The town was like a small version of Amsterdam without as many people.

Leiden is a college town so the main drag was quite bustling but just off the beaten path....a treasure.....the church and square where the pilgrims lived before their sail to America.  The streets were tiny and it was not hard to imagine the period dress as they went about their days.

Zandervoort was typical beach town.  As we stood on the boardwalk eyeing the water we met a man out for a dog walk from....yes, Kentucky.  He had been in the Netherlands for 25 years but still had the Kentucky accent.  Needless to say, our accents stood out there.  We did get to see the national sand sculptures.

Amsterdam Food

Ok....so I know the markets are full of food, but you know my need to photograph beautiful prepared food as well.  So....

And for good measure....a shot of one of the many cheese shops.

Amsterdam Markets

Ok....so one of the things I love about every place I traveled to was the markets....markets every day, every where, every type....when in Amsterdam it was the flower market and the Albert Cuyp market...

Auty France

Ok...the tiny, tiny and lovely town the Chateau is connected to....

Amsterdam

Ok...there are just too many pictures and too much to say....so I'm keeping it simple.  These are a few favourite shots from the city...  Loved it...the bustle and history.  Ok....highlight for me was the Rembrandt House.  Converted to a museum, his home was an amazing look into life in the 17th century there.  Also got to see a demonstration of the paint making process he and his students used.  Fascinating.  I love that the city ( and all I saw of Europe on this trip) was not tied to cars, but more bikes and walking...loved that.