
This in the east part - province Overijssel., kanaal Almelo - De Haandrik, but it will have been the same all over the Netherlands where canals were frozen en lakes, there's a lot of ice skating in the Netherlands when possible.

While doing my family genealogy in Holland, I was
so fortunate to locate my 'cousin' Jan Middag. Over
the years we have had a beautiful relationship. Jan
sends me pictures of his many travels throughout the world , some of which I have shared with you before.

Harold & I have been to Holland 3 times ... it beckons constantly the beauty of the exquisite country & warm wonderful people. We have spent many weeks going to every inch of this fabulous country. There is no one spot I could ever saw was more beautiful than the other, it is that picturesque.

The highlights of our trips were the Delft factory, literally being invited to watch a master painter at work in the factory.

Seeing the homes of the art masters of the world & their works in museums.

OOPS!! A little slippery there, I'd say ...

Walking through the immaculate streets shopping, seeing the gigantic ships going thru the middle of towns & villages, the canals where the farmers farm, the awesome windmills towering into the heavens ...

The thatched roof homes, the cobbled stone walkways ...

Fields of gorgeous flowers against the skies of blue ... gardens trimmed neatly ...

We were there for every season except late spring when the tulips bloom ... sigh!

I remember coming down a country road & an ice covered pond with children skating, bright neck scarfs wrapped around their wee necks, waving warmly at us & jabbering in Dutch ... such a sight to see.

The street workers in their overalls wearing the klompen (wooden shoe) ...
the 'clog' has been in use for over 700 years
hand carved. Now they are done by machine & still decorated with bright designs.

A very old & exquisite sight is the city of Maastrecht sitting on the coast. It is one of the most architecturally beautiful & very romantic cities we've ever been to. the
history of this city dates back 2,000 years.

Swans floating serenely upon the calm ponds ...

I hope you are enjoying a wee peek at Jan's fabulous pictures ...





