Long time no see

It has been quite some time since I last posted a blog on my website, mainly because I didn't take as many pictures as I did a year ago. I was too busy enjoying life with my lovely girlfriend Steffie and also because my photo buddy Simon was stranded in the UK because of Covid restrictions. During my 4 week summer vacation, I decided to pick up my camera again and get into the photography vibe again.

This summer vacation Steffie and I stayed in the Netherlands. We visited various places and one of the first places we visited was Harderwijk. The picture below was one of a water feature with vintage posters printed on tiles. I didn't take too many pictures in Harderwijk and the the picture below was the only one really worth keeping. 

I became a lot more productive in the other places we visited. 

When it's a summer holiday and the sun is shining, you just have to visit the sea. It's a location we really should visit more often. The fresh air, the sound of the waves, the beautiful landscapes, the beach and Nikki running through the sand acting like a young energetic young dog make this definitely worth the trip.

The weather was pretty good. Not warm enough to put on some swimwear, but pleasant enough to take a stroll through the dunes, where at this specific location dogs are allowed to walk off the leash. We enjoyed the sometimes mediterranean looking terrain. 

It was a bit windy at the beach, so a lot of people took refuge in windshields, others walked along the coastline with their dogs. Only few were brave enough to jump into the water.

We laid on a towel and enjoyed the snacks we broad with us. We had a laugh about a couple of seagulls. They were making all kind of noises, a couple of meters away. It was like they were talking to each other, commenting on our presence. Nikki was fascinated by those birds.

An other place we visited was Elburg. An old town, with lots of character in its city center. After we had a delicious lunch at one of the cafes, we walked onto a dike. There was a little dog running up and down the hill with a huge branch, barking when he had delivered it back to its owner. Who threw the stick away, starting the cycle all over again. Giving me plenty of opportunity to take a picture of that tiny overly energetic beast.

We walked past a bench with the line on it "Do you even know how great you are" (loosely translated from Dutch). Steffie and Robin (her daughter) are a perfect fit for this picture in my opinion.

When we arrived at the harbour, there was a water feature. The puddle on the ground, spurred me to take this picture of Nikki. Patiently waiting as always, until I had the perfect shot. She really is great model.

There was lots to discover in Elburg. The even have a fish stop (that's what the sign says), whatever that is.

When the three of us (or four, when counting Nikki) go on a trip, we always have lot of fun. Lots of banter and silly jokes make our adventures always very enjoyable. This picture with Steffie playing around with an ice cone is one such example. The lack of lots of warm sunny days, didn't spoil our mood at all. We take what we can get and enjoy the moment(s) as much as we can.

Now the summer has come to an end. The weather wasn't that great. The (sun)flowers are wilting. It's getting darker and colder, But no need to let this be downer, as every season has its merits.

There is more great stuf in our future that we can look forward to. I just know it and I will definitely try to capture it when it happens. More to come... :)