Yes, I am in the Netherlands

Windmills, windmills everywhere!  Yes, those blades are turning today and creating free energy.  I love sustainability.  I'm a green dog, you know!

And on the Back Side

This wheel on the back of the windmill is for turning the blades to catch the wind as it changes direction.   It's like the wheel on a ship that turns the rudder which turns the boat.  

The Lowlands

This sweet, stone cottage along the canal is typical of many of the homes that line the waterways near the ocean in Holland. This country is right at sea level so the land is covered with canals. Did you notice the climbing roses! Take a whiff.

A Closer Look

Dutch houses are very solid, the roofs are very steep, and the walls are thick.  It gets pretty cold here in the winter.  Read the story, HANS BRINKER AND THE SILVER SKATES, and you will know just how freezing it gets in the Netherlands.

Uh, Oh!

Do you see how close the road is to the canal?  Yikes!  What happens when it rains?

Got Fish?

When you live on the sea, you eat a lot of fish.  This fishmonger didn't talk me into eating any on his herring.  I just shook my head and wrinkled my nose and very politely said, "No, thank you, I'm partial to dog biscuits."

Go Green, Ride Your Bike!

I am going to encourage my friends back in Hawaii to ride their bikes more and take lessons from the Dutch.  I want everyone's carbon footprint to lessen.  What's good for me and my heart is good for the planet.

Grrrrrrr

This is the coat of arms for the City of Leiden in the Netherlands.  Can you find anymore about it?  I searched and searched, but I can't read Dutch.

Dum, Dum, Da, Dum

I almost got swept away on this wonderfully-decorated bike, but then I remembered, those wedding bells weren't ringing for me!  Bye, bye Leiden.