Exploring Amersfoort...

The following Saturday, Jimmy had to work again, so I went on my own to Amersfoort to see an exhibit at an art museum. The skies were bright blue, so I took a scenic route past the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren (The Tower of Our Lady), built in 1470. Although the spire has burnt down several times, it long outlasted the original church, which was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1787.

Rather than walk through the shopping district, I stuck to a lovely outer canal. 

The Koppelpoort is a medieval gate from 1425, built as part of the second city wall.

The view of the front of the Koppelpoort was definitely more dramatic.  

Just outside of the gate was my destination: Kunsthal KAde, a contemporary art museum without any permanent collection which opened in this funky location in 2014.

 

Oktoberfest Hash in Amsterdam...

On the first Sunday in October, we headed to Amsterdam for what would be our last large hash for months (although we didn’t know that then). 

We came across this Anne Frank statue a few blocks from the start.

Not only was the trail unusually long, but we saw a few unusual things along the way including an old car parked on top of a houseboat...

…and a funky garden featuring mannequins outside of another houseboat. 

One of the Dutch hashers was so excited about our shirts that I’d ordered from Democrats Abroad, she insisted on taking our photo at the beer break. 

The hares don’t have a yard, but there’s a big grassy area on the median on their road, which was large enough for our socially-distanced circle. 

We had an excellent turnout for this special hash, which included bubbles and food.

On our way home, we came across these fellows repairing the raised edges to designate the safe area on the train platform for the blind.

 

Meanwhile in the UK...

In late September, Veronica and Brett went wild camping in Dartmoor, where she took this incredible night shot...

…and this lovely waterfall shot.

If you look closely, you can see that she was dressed for summer in this self-portrait. 

On September 23, Veronica danced for joy in front of Exeter Cathedral as she had officially completed her Master’s Degree in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Exeter. We were so proud to later learn that not only had she graduated with Distinction, the highest possible mark, but she also received a Dean’s Commendation. 

On a separate camping trip in Cornwall, they came across the Whitehouse in Fowey.

Further north, after two weeks in quarantine, Ashlynn was excited about getting outside of Clifton House for the first time.

Despite already knowing at that point that all classes would be held online, she was especially excited to see her university as she had applied and accepted a spot at University of Glasgow sight unseen. Luckily she was impressed with what she saw.

She was also impressed with the West End, the trendy dining and shopping area near her flat.

 

Hashing in Helmond...

My first Brabant H3 Hash started in the Brandevoort neighborhood in Helmond, which was previously farmland until construction began to convert it into a village in 1997. 

It was a nice trail through this well planned village...

…and the surrounding park land, where we had a beer stop.

The trail included crossing a creek by using ropes to pull a raft.

I was skeptical about going across with Pink Panter as he’s a pretty big guy, but we made it across with dry shoes.

The Brandyvoort train station featured twin buildings on either side of the tracks.

We came across some kids pulling an old rusty bike out of the canal. 
 

The Hague’s New Bike Parking Garage...

The following weekend, I had some time to kill at Den Haag Centraal Station before catching my train to my first trail of the new Brabant H3, so I investigated the brand new underground bike parking garage. Not only is it the largest in The Hague, but it’s the second largest in the Netherlands with parking space for 7,000 bikes. We’d been impressed when we saw the new bike parking garage at Amsterdam Zuid, which opened in 2019, but it seemed simplistic in comparison. 

Each space has a unique QR code to designate the location and allow for easy payment after the initial 24 hours, which are free.

It’s quite space age with green lights to indicate open spaces, which is clearly not an issue during a pandemic. The glass wall depicts 17 iconic buildings in The Hague. 

Also impressive are the 700 OV fiets (station bikes) available to rent.

These gently sloped flat escalators make it easy to take bikes up or down to the garage.

 

The Beach at Night...

After dinner, we wandered down the boardwalk to check out the menus of the other restaurants in search of the perfect dessert, which I’m happy to report we found—any surprise that mine involved chocolate? Afterwards we made our way to the pier...

…where the Ferris wheel is always a beautiful sight...

…and so is the beach itself.

Clearly this photo is blurry, but I hope you’ll agree it’s cool anyways.
 

First Sunset of Fall...

On the first day of fall, Jimmy and I finally made our way to Scheveningen Beach for the first time in 2020. 

The beach huts had expanded their outdoor spaces by adding tables onto the sand, where we were happy to sit to enjoy mussel pots. 

The views were great...

...as the lights on the pier were turned on...

…and the sun put on an impressive show.