Summer Getaway

a weekend trip to Amsterdam and Ghent
  • we were followed out of Southampton by two other cruise liners
  • and several sailing boats
  • looking backwards to Southampton as we depart
  • Sue took an early morning swim on Saturday morning
  • one of the swimming pools on the Queen Victoria
  • en route to Amsterdam we passed through the locks into the North Sea Canal
  • a fascinating building, but we had no idea what it was
  • the architecture as we arrived in Amsterdam was striking !
  • froma different angle
  • another example
  • a fascinating building but despite extensive "googling" we cannot find out what it is
  • around the world ?
  • the towers of Amsterdam central station
  • our first windmill of the weekend !
  • Dam square and the royal palace
  • this wll plaque was fascinating, notice how it has droped on one side as the ground level has altered
  • the Beguinage
  • an oasis of peace and quiet
  • thought to be the oldest surviving building
  • stained glass from the chapel
  • it was very striking
  • waiting for our canal trip - it started to rain
  • wall art !
  • the flower market from the canal,
  • traffic on the canal
  • more stunning architecture
  • the Queen Victoria thorugh the rain spattered window of the canal barge
  • that evening we went on a night tour of the canals, not sure why I'm looking in the wrong direction
  • Amsterdam assumes a different character as the sun goes down
  • and the bridges are lit up
  • this one was eye catching
  • choppy water after a speed boat goes through
  • I caught this photo by chnace, its a hotel I think
  • another hotel lit up
  • the science museum
  • the Queens Room Orchestra on board
  • the Royal Court Theatre orchestra
  • a quick tour on the Sunday morning befoer the rain closed in. Our last windmill of the weekend
  • a finally a canal side house as we waited near the Anne Frank House.
  • The following day we docked at Zeebrugge, we decided to go to Ghent, It must be about five years since we were last here.
  • the river Ilys looks very attractive in the sun
  • Saint Bavo's Cathedral
  • another view of the River
  • the riverside house, now bars and restaurants are very attracctive
  • L1060001
  • the castle of the Dukes of Burgundy