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Category Archives: art

Books, Bikes and Cakes

On one of our walks around Amsterdam we came across an alley lined with arches and in each a book store. They were so tall, a very long ladder was needed to reach the higher shelves.

As you will probably know, bikes are an important mode of transport in Amsterdam. Pedestrians really need to keep themselves very aware of the silent speeding velocipedes, bells being very few and far between! It was lovely to see whole families riding, the baby in a baby cart, the toddler on a frame in the front and children of all ages cycling along. There were also flower decorated bikes.

Parking for many bikes

WEdding bike

I really wanted to try Dutch Apple Cake and succeeded – one more a pie and one with a crumble topping – both absolutely delicious. We also shared a scrumptious tiramisu after an excellent Italian meal in Antonio’s.

2 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 17, 2026 in Amsterdam, architecture, Eating out, environment, Food, friendship, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel

Tags: www.AntoniosRestaurant.nl

Oude Kerk in Amsterdam and An Iris

16 May

On our first day we had a canal cruise which gave us a good idea of the architecture of Amsterdam and a bit of a feel for the layout of the city and later we visited the old church, Oude Kerk which dates back to 1306, with its countless tombstones set in the floor, its wonderful windows, a beautiful organ and some delightful carvings in the 15th century choir stalls. Enjoy the gallery and click on a photo for the explanatory caption.

The city’s oldest bell 1450

Spiral staircase

The light catching the golden rods

Beautiful stained glass window

Some of the numbered flat tombstones with a rainbow

Door on leather hinges to a side room

The side room with beautiful painted wall paper

Vater-Müller organ 1726-1742

Found in the cobbles outside the church and described in the guide book as ” a golden torso of a naked woman held by a padlocked hand.” The church is on the very edge of the red light district……

A new iris has appeared in the garden. We didn’t plant it but love its delicate colouring.

2 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 16, 2026 in architecture, art, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel, Uncategorized, wood carving

Canals in Amsterdam

15 May

One of many bridges

An artist at work

Bikes everywhere

Kayakers

Decorated boat

Along our canal walk, taken from a bridge

First night in Amsterdam

Click on any photo to see the bigger version.

3 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 15, 2026 in architecture, environment, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel

Two Stations, Saying Goodbye and Garden

14 May

I hope the Flowers in May, posted for your delectation, have pleased you. I scheduled them all, taken just before we went away for a long needed break – a train journey to Amsterdam with friends. Over the next week or two I’ll share photos from then.

St Pancras station where we caught the Eurostar

Amsterdam Centraal

While we were away on our long planned train trip to Amsterdam, the funeral of our Dear friend and breakfast companion, J, took place. As we very sadly couldn’t be there to say goodbye and to sing for him with my choir, my lovely choir leader offered to take something precious of mine so that a part of me would be there.
I chose a small ribbon in purple, white and green that Daughter no 3 gave me some time ago. J appreciated my suffragette history and so it seemed an appropriate token to represent me last week.

Grown well in our absence

4 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 14, 2026 in architecture, environment, friendship, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, Suffragettes, travel

Tags: Amsterdam

Muguet, Happiness Calendar and Garden Birds

01 May

May 1st is La Fête du Muguet in France and our dear friend Kath, to whom this blog is dedicated, always gave me a bunch of Lily-of-the-Valley or, if they were away in their house in Meysaac, a card would arrive on the day. The flowers symbolise happiness and good luck and I grow them in the garden in memory of my lovely friend.

Here is the Meaningful May calendar of happiness.

It’s a lovely time of year for bird song. Here is what we heard in a 10 minute recording.

Happy Beltane to you all.

1 Comment

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 1, 2026 in art, Celebration, environment, friendship, garden, Happiness, nature, Postaday 2026

Gallery 89, Textiles and A Painting

25 Apr

Today we have bought our third piece from an exhibition in Gallery 89, a fabulous small gallery in Redruth with ever changing exhibitions.

I fell in love with a wonderful textile piece which is, as the artist Carolyn Young says herself, made of – “little bits: threads, fabrics, fibres, paper and found natural materials. Creating intuitively, I piece, knit, stick, felt, weave or stitch fragmented parts together to become whole.” Sadly, it was both too big and too expensive to bring home.

Calling Back Her Joy by Carolyn Young

Detail

The beautiful painting we did buy is Horizon by Lizzie Moran and can be collected tomorrow – so I’ll show you tomorrow.

2 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on April 25, 2026 in art, community, painting, Postaday 2026, Redruth, textiles, Uncategorized

Tags: Carolyn Young, Lizzie Moran

Waves, Topper and A Planter

23 Apr

There were waves on the Penryn River driven by the wild winds we have at the moment. We have lovely sunshine and beautiful blue skies and gusts of wind up to 40mph. I tried to make a video to capture the singing of the masts as the wind played them but sadly the wind was too noisy.

The newest topper on our local post box is a beauty, a family of hedgehogs.

Nearby there’s an unusual planter full of brightly coloured pansies.

For Ark:
Thought you’d like to know – from the Wildlife Trust post: “We’re delighted that Cornwall Council has voted to delay the planned reintroduction of glyphosate based weedkillers.
Councillors voted 61 to seven to challenge the decision, following public protests, concerns raised by organisations including Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and more than 13,000 petition signatures from Cornish residents.
We’re hopeful this extended timeframe will now allow for proper public engagement and exploration of safer alternatives.”
Good news indeed!

5 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on April 23, 2026 in art, Cornwall, craft, knitting, nature, Penryn, Postaday 2026, Uncategorized

Sea, Sky and A Mosaic

12 Apr

We had a delicious lunch at The Blue Bar in Porthtowan today with our eldest daughter who visited for the day. In between heavy showers, the sky was the loveliest blue and the shades of colour in the sea were gorgeous.