The Netherlands - Haarlem, Leiden, Delft - August 2011

Today I decided to visit some of the other cities in the Netherlands.  I purchased a train ticket to Delft, which allowed me to stop in any city along the way.

The train systems in Europe are amazing.  You never have to wait for more then 15 minutes to get anywhere.

But before I leave, I took this beautiful photo of one of the canals near my hotel.  The sky was bright blue, unlike the rain for the past few days.

And of course I always take pictures of the train stations.  I painted the Amsterdam Centraal station back in 1972, following my first visit here.  When I get home, I'll add that painting to this blog.

My first stop was in Haarlem.  (They use a lot of double aa's in the Netherlands.  I'll have to ask why.)  This picture is typical of the canal houses.

There are plenty of cheese chops throughout the country.  I'll have to try some before I leave.

Here's a street scene in Haarlem.

On the way back to the train station I got completely lost.  I thought I was taking the same road, but obviously not.  I passed this peaceful park on my mile walk back to the station.

My second stop today was in the medieval town of Leiden.    

There are bikes everywhere you look.  This is one of the many bike racks outside the Leiden train station.  Some look like they've been here for a hundred years or more.

I have never seen an artichoke plant for sale.  I've seen many growing along the train tracks in Barcelona.  Artichokes are one of my favorite vegetables, accompanied by my secret sauce.

I just loved the doors, windows and shutters on this building.

I passed the spot where Rembrandt was born.  Unfortunately his house was taken down early last century.  All that remains is this statue and a plaque.

Here's one of the many flowered entries to a series of flats.

If you look to the top right, you can see a bee on this sunflower.  I was expecting to see fields of sunflowers like I did in France, but this was the sole plant I saw.

And what's Holland without a windmill.  This one was spinning around, but I suspect it was run by a motor.

My final stop for the day was in Delft, famous for Delftware, blue hand painted porcelain.  I bought a piece the first time I visited here in the 1970s.  I have no idea where it is today.  I wonder how many cars end up in the canal while trying to park.  There are no guide rails at all.

Anyone want used wooden shoes?

This picture is for my friend Julie.  She didn't think the tulips in my first posting were real.  Julie - these are real.  (For those who don't know Julie, she is a blond and believes anything.)

Here's the only interesting Delft blue that I found in the town.  Unfortunately my visit was cut short due to the rain.

I took the train back to Amsterdam, where it was also pouring.  I usually walk from the train station, but a tram was necessary.

My next posting in a few days will feature Amsterdam's Gay Pride Parade.