Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

I find Leeuwarden, population 125,000, tucked away in the northwest corner of the Netherlands. Picturesque canals pass through the city center.

 Stopped by this bakery to snag several more of my favorite Dutch sweet.

Only in the Netherlands can I find these scrumptious banana cream eclairs. Think of an eclair but, with a twist. The filling is a combination banana cream, whipped cream and, several actual slices of banana on the bottom. The yellow topping tastes like: you guessed it-- bananas. I've been averaging five of these a day because as we all know bananas are healthy.

 The bakery must have known I was coming as a sign right across from it had my name on it.

This is The Waag, a public weighing house dating back to 1590. Located in a large square where farmers market were and still are held. It was compulsory for market traders to weigh their goods here before selling them.

So, you've got the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy (183 feet tall). The Leaning Tower of St. Moritz, Switzerland (108 feet tall). And, here we have the Leaning Tower Oldehove of Leeuwarden (128 feet tall). Built in 1532, the tower started to lean almost immediately. The attached church was demolished but, the tower has hung around.

 Summertime and the canals are filled with pleasure craft.

So many bridges. Who pays for having someone raise and lower the bridges? Here you see the bridge master with a fishing pole snagging payment from a passing pleasure craft.

Haarlem, Netherlands and Kampen, Netherlands

This is my 23rd consecutive summer in Lausanne, Switzerland. With Lausanne as base, my bike and I have pretty much dissected Europe. It's getting more complicated to visit new places as it usually involves flying and I'm not a big fan of planes especially with my bike in tow. I've had baggage handlers damage the bike, ship it to the wrong destination and even "forget" to put it on the plane. You want a definition of helplessness? Standing at the departure gate, looking out the window to see luggage carts loaded with suitcases pulling up to be transferred onto the plane AND, spotting the cardboard box containing my bike on the bottom of the heap of suitcases!

Several planned trips to France were canceled this summer. Train workers have been on strike since May. In 2019 European Union (EU) countries have to open their railways to competition and the bloated French train monopoly needs to pare back on expenses--meaning getting rid of vast numbers of overpaid, underworked employees. French rail workers can retire at 50 with full pension.
Summers in Europe can get very hot with temperatures averaging in the 90's for the months of July and August.  Last July I spent time cycling around England in deliciously comfortable 65 degree weather while continental Europe was baking in the mid-90's. I was planning a similar trip to England----cycling along England's southwest coastline but canceled. Why? England is having record high temperatures (in the 90's) along with extreme drought and I was constantly seeing pictures of overflowing crowds flocking to England's coastline and beaches. When traveling I like to have as much flexibility as possible and do not book hotels beforehand. So, my big problem would be showing up in a town and finding no room in the inn.

I've been cycling this summer to ski resorts and mountain lakes but haven't posted pictures since they're previously visited places.

Netherlands here I come! It's a cyclist's paradise--beating even Denmark, the people are friendly, its women rank amongst the most beautiful in Europe and many of its cities/towns still have preserved medieval city centers. This trip I'm flying into Amsterdam and heading to an area in the northern part of the country that I've yet to visit.



Haarlem (population 160,000) lies 10 miles west of Amsterdam. This is Amsterdamse Poort, the last remaining city gate. It dates back to 1355 and was one of 12 city gates encircling the city.

View of Grote Markt, called by many the most beautiful square in the Netherlands. That's city hall in the background. Haarlem has more protected (historic) structures than any other city in the country.

 View in Grote Markt toward the Great Church or St. Bavo's Church.

Sideview of St. Bavo's Church, the biggest church in Haarlem. By the way, here's a piece of trivia: Harlem in New York City was named by Dutch settlers after Haarlem.

There's a reason I'm showing you several views of St. Bravo's Church: the church houses the largest organ in the world. This Christian Mueller organ has been around for a while---Mozart played this organ back in 1766 (he was only 10 years old at the time).

This solidy-built imposing safe dates from the 15th century and sits off to one side of the gigantic organ. Valuables along with important documents were stored inside including papers granting city rights to Haarlem back in 1245. I don't think a modern day forklift could dislodge this sturdy sucker.

Marijuana (cannabis) has been legal in the Netherlands for years and coffee shops selling the stuff are everywhere. This one has what appears to be a CHP officer (California Highway Patrol) guarding the entrance.

Heading 60 miles northwest of Amsterdam brings me to Kampen, population 50,000. What has lured me here? It has garnered kudos as having one of the best preserved old towns in the Netherlands and as you know, I'm a sucker for medieval town centers. This is one of the three remaining city gate.

 The former city hall holds prime spot in the town center.

 Storefronts are a joy to wander past.

 Another of Kampen's three medieval city gates.

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg (population 280,00) ranks as one of my favorite cities in Europe. I've been here multiple times and my affection has to do with Strasbourg's past. Wars between Germany and France have seen ownership of this region (Alsace) ping-pong between the two. Hence, the place feels like you're in France but, at the same time there's the German influence.

 The Old Town area is full of beautiful medieval half-timbered buildings.

 Canals meander through.

 Medieval towers and bridges.

So, as you should know by now I'm a big, big fan of super-star Vauban, the famous French military engineer.  Between 1686-1690 Vauban Dam was built in Strasbourg's Old Town. This defensive work was to repel any invasion by opening up the gates and flooding the outlying area--hindering the enemy. It's still intact! Successfully being used in 1870 to thwart an attack.

Behind this palace looms Strasbourg Cathedral (466 feet tall). Between 1647-1874 this sandstone Gothic church reigned as the world's tallest building.

According to what I had read, Vauban's citadel (fortress) encircled Strasbourg in the 1600's AND, had been completely demolished. Turns out not to be true as I cycle past a park and come across parts of its fortifications.

More of the citadel's walls.

This water basin in named after Vaudan.

This port storage facility is also named after Vauban.

Those of you who watch PBS shows, including the British drama Downton Abbey, will remember all those Viking River Cruise ads. Here's one of their boats docked near town.

Did you know Strasbourg and NOT Brussels is the official seat of the European Parliament? What's even more bizarre is that they meet here in Strasbourg--Once a month for only four days! This is the front part of the EU Parliament building (2.4 million square feet).

This is a rear view of the massive EU Parliament structure.

This is the old EU parliament complex located across from the new building. As you may or may not know, Brussels, Belgium is where parliament does all the work and so, once a month over 5,000 members of parliament, bureaucrats, lobbyists etc... decamp to Strasbourg for FOUR days. Of course, Strasbourg loves this gravy train arrangement because it brings lots of moola into the city (hotels double their rates). Members of parliament have voted to stop this nonsense but, the 28 EU member countries have to be unanimous in a vote and France won't agree as it likes having its hand in the pie. The estimated yearly cost of this monthly move to Strasbourg: $150 million.

One of many EU buildings in Strasbourg.

After Strasbourg I cycled to Baden-Baden, Germany, one of the grandest spa towns in Europe.  I've posted pictures before of the place before.

German's love their beer gardens and this one on Baden-Baden's main shopping street is very colorful.

Another view of the beer garden.

Harrogate and Leeds, England

Harrogate (population 80,000) is a famous spa town located between York and Leeds. The sick and the wealthy have been coming to Harrogate since the 17th century to drink its waters and, soak in its baths.  The complex above houses the Royal Baths as well as Harrogate's visitor center.

Harrogate has some of the highest property prices in England.  It also repeatedly ranks as "the happiest place to live" in Britain. Well-kept streets are the norm here.

Tourism is big in Harrogate and it's also the third largest conference/exhibition center in England. Lots of hotels in town but quite a few are well past their "use by"date. This is the Majestic Hotel, it must have been something 100 years ago or even 40 years ago. Can't believe how rundown it is. Must be some kind of classic car group getting together--which explains the old Rolls Royces parked out front.

 That's the Crown Hotel on the right--another hotel way past its prime.

 Several beautiful parks dot Harrogate's city center.

Leeds, population 781,000, is the largest legal and financial center in the UK after London. Leeds City Hall was built in 12885.

Victoria Quarter is a three block high-end shopping area with buildings datings from the early 1900's.

 Skylight connecting buildings in Victoria Quarter.

 Built in 1863, the Leeds Corn Exchange Building has been turned into a shopping center.

 Interior of Corn Exchange.

Another inside view of Corn Exchange.