Walking Along the Dutch Water Line...

The Dutch Water Line, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a series of water-based defenses conceived in the 17th century. During World War II, Dutch soldiers were stationed at Fort Honswijk, built in 1848; it was taken by the German Army in May 1940 without a fight. 

Next to the fort ran a canal with a variety of different slats...

…slanted boards...

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…and unusual steps up to the edge.

Especially interesting was the wooden boardwalk through the Verdronken Bos (Drowned Forest). 

Hard to believe that this was once a regular forest in Schalkwijk with poor drainage that left standing water after heavy showers. Around a dozen years ago it was repurposed to be a water storage facility. The trees were literally drowned.

Our 17K walk ended in Houten Castellum, where we caught the train home. It was great to walk further afield and see such a unique area.  

 

A NS-Walk...

On the first Saturday in February, Terri and I set off to do a NS-Walk: an official marked trail between two train stations that is published on the NS (national train company) website. We caught a train to Culemborg, a city southeast of Utrecht with 29,500 inhabitants.  

It was a charming city under bright blue skies.

We crossed the Lek River via a small car ferry.

The path followed along the river crossing various fields via stiles.

 

Utrecht Light Trail...

Opee live laid the trail, but we met up with him a few times when we reached drink stops, of which there were several.

The Ganzenmarkt Tunnel was the perfect spot for a group photo with the runners. In historic times, this dark tunnel was used by horse carts to reach the canal to load and unload freight. 

Slippery and I wore kilts in honor of Burns’ Night. 

It was great that Brett was still in town and could join us.

While not officially part of the Light Trail, this lovely statue on the side of a theater was nicely lit. 

If you look closely, you’ll see that this well-lit living room was occupied by a mannequin, not a human.

The Drift Vaults were especially cool with a very creative rotating light show. 

REBUS, combining art light and puzzles, was created in 1991. It was saved from demolition in 2017 and refurbished in 2021.

The train station looked so futuristic when lit up...

…and so did this piece just outside of the station.

 

Hashing in Utrecht...

At the end of January, Opee laid a FILTH H3 Dark Side of the Moon trail in Utrecht. I went along with him to scout trail and check out the locations of the Utrecht Lights Trail, with over 25 light artworks. Here’s some of the pretty spots we saw along the way.

Check out this unusual view of Utrecht Central Station...

…this reflection of a step-gabled house caught on a car...

…and this funny display of wedding cake toppers.

 

More Ox-Alien in Rotterdam...

I was surprised by how many more Ox-Alien murals we happened upon. They always make me smile!

We also came across some large walls that were painted by a variety of artists in addition to Ox-Alien.

 

More Urban Art in Rotterdam...

Exactly eight months after our wander across Rotterdam, I’m finally getting around to posting the many cool artworks that we spotted. 

This one made me laugh as it almost looks like she’s trying to sit on the bike...

…and this one made me snicker since I’m immature.

Also giggled at this sign for Dinks.

Not the typical street art that I usually photograph, but I liked this large mural on the side of a restaurant.