Amsterdam Museum, Freezing Canals, National Radio, Australia Day

It has been a huge week out here on the canals Ladies and Gentlemen! A HUGE week!

We managed to have the plumber here a total of four times before the sink in the kitchen was finally draining, we’ve been to see a legal aid about a previous landlord, there’s been knit nights, language lessons, and homework! None of which got photographed!

What I did take photos of was Amsterdams Historic Museum when I went.

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It was a wonderful glimpse into the history of a great city, and all it has contributed to the global village.

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Of course, dead things in jars never go astray either.

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As promised, they have stopped water traffic on the Herrengracht in order to facilitate it icing over. We may yet get to skate on a canal!

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Though, to be fair, you can already skate on the pond in VondelPark! I love the swirls that have been captured in the ice flow!

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I was invited to go and see AWOLNATION performing a live gig at the National Radio Station. Which was an awesome experience!

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We all sat around in a studio that was set up like a bar, had a few beers, and watched the show being recorded to playback on Saturday. Good band too! I need to look up more of their work.

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The canals around home have been taking on their own stark beauty. I could sit and watch the ice flowing for hours if I were sufficiently rugged up!

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Australia day dawned overcast and grey. There was snow at one point, topping up the fall we’d had a week earlier, and we’d been invited to a BBQ. There were snags, there was cricket on the TV,

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and our gracious hosts just got engaged!

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There was much to celebrate.

For those of you in Australia, I hope you’re staying out of the heat, away from the fires, and if you’re in Queensland, on high ground and out of the flood waters. Stay safe!

We’ve got a warm week ahead of us with rain and highs of 8C. Perfect conditions to create us some black ice! I think I’ll buy cleats for my shoes …

Code Orange

The KNMI weather bureau has issued a code orange extreme weather warning for most of the Netherlands …

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This morning’s heavy snowfall over much of the Netherlands caused few serious problems on the roads and railways, although hundreds of flights were cancelled at Schiphol airport.

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I can’t say I’m overly convinced of the Netherlands idea of a “blizzard” when I can still see grass under the snow coverage.

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So far the canals seem a long way from frozen over. (Though I still hold out hope for a repeat of last February again this season!)

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I’m glad I wasn’t bicycling anywhere as it seems a bit slippery to me, but it didn’t seem to be bothering the locals.

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But I must say, heading out for a wander after the snowstorm …

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… did make for some beautiful pictures!

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And I’ll be looking forward to more of the white stuff so I can have a good snowball fight with Himself, and build a snowman!

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Until then though, the world is incredibly peaceful and serene under its white blanket.

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I’m hoping for more, and better photos with the next snowfall. You know, when I remember to charge my camera battery, and clear the memory card!

Snowing!!!

I will come back for a real post later. Right now, I just want to you all to be aware that it’s snowing. I have walked in falling snow. I have caught falling snowflakes on my tongue. It is cold enough that it isn’t melting, and the ground is all sugar coated.

*squees*

The last time I saw snow was on our honeymoon. And that wasn’t snow like this! This is European snow! 😀

There will be photos when I compose myself enough to take them for you! Right now, I’m going off to play in the falling snow!

Edited to add this video;

November Days

On average, the sun rises at 8:15am, and is set by 5pm. Highs are of 7C, and this week is forecast as overcast.

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I can’t tell you how much I’m hoping for snow this Winter!

Autumn is here!

The days have been getting shorter and colder, with the average weekly temperature being about 14C.

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The leaves have begun to change colour, and the rain is becoming more frequent.

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This is the perfect weather to curl up and knit on the couch with the heating on, and snoring kittens snuggled into your lap.

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Therefore I have done the sensible thing and begun running again. I have to run off all that warm winter food before I eat it! Then I’ll be ahead of the curve for next Summer! Go ME!