Back to Rotterdam...

On May 14, we spent an afternoon in Rotterdam with Veronica. It was a gray day, but there were still spots of blue which made for some nice reflections. 

The city was hosting the Eurovision Contest later that week.

Our goal was to walk around and show Veronica some of the cool urban art that we had seen months ago. Along the way, we came across this building with lots of crows sitting on the windows.

It was cool approaching the Art Depot from a different direction and to see the progress since mid-December. It was originally expected to open in July, but has been delayed until November. 

Veronica was very impressed with this incredible building that she hadn’t seen before. 

As usual, I couldn’t resist taking photos from many angles. 

It’s funny how every time we visit Rotterdam, we notice something different, including these two funky sculptures along the main canal near Rotterdam Centraal.,,

…and this seemingly crooked building. 
 

Out on a Limb...

On our walk back, we stopped at a small dock along the pond and spotted this giant tree across the way, which led to the coolest shots of the day, complete with reflections. 

Between shots, Jimmy and I chatted with a guy who was fishing as a volunteer collecting data on life in the pond. When he caught a fish, he took photos and measurements and then threw it back in. 

Kati decided to get into the act...

…but turned around when Veronica ventured further out.

On our way home, Veronica convinced Kati to pose amongst the flowers...

…where I managed to catch this great shot.
 

Spring Portraits...

On May 13, Veronica wanted to take some family portraits and self-portraits. First we took Kati across the street, which had bloomed quickly into a jungle now that spring had finally arrived...

…complete with wild garlic.

Next we headed to the island at the cinder track that holds the kinderboederij (children’s farm). Along the way, we spotted this horse.

Veronica was in charge of the shoot and wanted to pose amongst the wildflowers.

Kati was shockingly patient.

Our turkey friend seemed less thrilled to see us this time around...

...as evidenced by his puffed up feathers.

 

Trekking in Noordwijk...

After finding some more tulips, we went in search of somewhere to take a long walk. We settled on heading to Noordwijk, where we parked near our turning point on our previous walk in the area and walked the opposite direction. 

The weather was great and we found a really nice walking path, mostly quite separated from the cycle path...

…with these cute signposts.

We saw some more of the old Atlantikwall (Atlantic Wall)...

…and a viewing area that was covered in plastic trash found in the sea as a work of protest art.

 

Back to the Bulb Fields...

On May 1, there were still only hyacinths with no tulips in the bulb fields in Wassenaar.

When I went back with Terri on May 12, there was a full explosion of color.

Incredibly, we had visited these same fields together last year on April 17 when they were nearing the end.

We then drove towards Lisse in search of some more fields and came across this beauty.

 

Swimming Therapy...

Ashlynn had been suffering from headaches and neck issues for awhile and tried a variety of therapies, including acupuncture. Jimmy thought swimming could be beneficial to her, but the public pools were all closed. While gyms were also closed, we learned that Paul, one of Terri’s friends, could open the endless pool in his triathlon training studio during COVID for medical purposes.  

I had only intended to check out what Ashlynn would be doing, but Paul had no objection to my staying. It was actually quite fascinating to watch the 45-minute session. 

Ashlynn could watch herself in a mirror in front and below. 

It wasn’t technically a training session, but Paul couldn’t resist giving Ashlynn some pointers. This shows him putting a GoPro in the water to tape her...

…and Ashlynn seeing herself on the screen. She enjoyed the session and felt better afterwards, but it didn’t work any miracles.