Spotted Outside of Leiden...

It was cool when I realized that this was the house where I had attended an AWC coffee morning in the lovely garden just four weeks earlier. Not only is there a boat house, but also an indoor pool. 

Also spotted this very overgrown greenhouse...

…lots of flowers on this bridge...

...an ice skating sculpture (wonder when the canals will freeze again)….

…and this funny polka dotted boat...

We also spotted a bunch of animals, including this colorful cow...

…two regal lions...

…two elephants...

…and a zebra.

 

Another Weekend with Ashlynn and Bjarne...

We took Ashlynn and Bjarne on a boat ride when he came back to Holland in early September for what turned out to be a final weekend with us. To mix things up, we took a different turn as we headed out of Leiden, where we spotted this urbex covered in birds...

...an even bigger bird...

…some fall colors...

…more houseboats...

…a guy fishing from a houseboat window...

…a red and black windmill...

…and what appears to be a castle.

 

Mother Nature Entertains the FILTH H3...

On September 1, Mother Nature put on a rare spectacular sunset show for us during the FILTH H3 trail laid by Boar Whore from his flat in Leiden which covered much of Stevenshof, the neighborhood we lived in way back in January 2006 to July 2007. 

The lighting was incredible when we came across the Stevenhofjesmolen built in 1797. This windmill was the main pumping station for the area until 1981.

The moon also made an appearance, which is always an event to celebrate at a Full Moon Hash. 

The circle was held on a grassy bit behind Boar Whore’s apartment complex, which also put on a show for us. 
 

Invasion of a Swan Family...

After a few years of no success in starting a family, our neighborhood swan couple became proud parents of five (although I was told by a neighbor that a sixth cygnet didn’t survive). 

These photos were taken in early June.

They had grown a lot when I saw them again just two weeks later.

They were nearly fully grown when Kati managed to avoid getting attacked in early September, a full three months from our first encounter. 
 

Focusing on Kati...

Strangely, this summer Kati has taken to jumping behind this hedge in our yard. Although the landlord’s landscaper replaced similar dead hedges in the front yard, I agreed it wasn’t worth replacing the ones in the backyard as long as Kati uses it as a play area.

It’s a rare day that Kati plays with a stick. 

Jimmy was pretty pleased with how he taught Kati to cross the balance beam in the far side of the field.

The crowds of kids at the park along the Vliet made Kati nervous.

She was definitely happier out in the field.

 

More Voorschoten Summer Pics...

On a very rare day with an incredibly bright blue sky, I managed to catch a bee on the single sunflower growing near the center of of our village. 

It was a warm day when we spotted these cows relaxing. 

While she was hoping to sell him some cantaloupes, Jimmy opted to entertain one of the workers at the Farmer’s Market instead. At least it wasn’t a complete loss for her as we bought a bunch of veggies.

We came across a Lopifit, a Dutch electric treadmill bike, and had a short chat with its owner. 

We occasionally walk down our old street, where we saw this bizarre sculpture garden. 

Along the dyke next to the field, we spotted some pretty flowers...

…and this sweet, adorable dog who actually looked at the camera.

 

More Summer Reflections in Voorschoten...

Boats don’t have to be fancy for me to like taking photos of them, especially when they have reflections.  

We walked past this spot near the BSN at just the right moment.

Although I like how sunset reflected on this canal which we walk along almost daily...

…I especially love how these vibrant blue skies and fluffy clouds appeared in the water.