Safely Above

Spring 2012 - Leiden

Rising above the flat landscape of Leiden, the Burcht van Leiden (Hill of Leiden) still stands at the top of the hill as a reminder of a time when the city just encircled it's walls. Today, it's a public park and a great vantage point to see the rest of the city. 

Quite well framed through the red doorway of the Burcht is the Hooglandse Kerk, a church I've tried to go into many times, only to find that it's never actually open. On the other side of that doorway are what I can only assume are the Coats of Armour of influential families in Leiden. And then, there's me. Sometimes I attempt to take self portraits. Sometimes, I even like them!

Free Love

Spring 2012 - Leiden

Ah Leiden. Since we've moved to The Hague this summer, we haven't been as much as usual. Leiden is a beautiful city - hands down. Actually it reminds me a lot of Edinburgh, in some ways.* I think for a photographer, Leiden is a perfect city. Lots of historical, picturesque buildings, while at the same time the city vibes off of the many students who call the town home. 

First shot is of the St. Pieterskerk, which can be seen in almost every post I've done about Leiden. We always walk by it on the way into town. Another regular on the blog are photos of Leiden's street poetry, but for some reason, I can't stop taking photos of it. Then there's the other, less determinant street art - the QR code for Free Love and the least happy green light I've ever seen. 

*I'm writing this on August 25th - yes, my posts are time delayed, but that's really the only way I can publish regularly, especially with my erratic schedule. In a week from today I will be flying to Edinburgh so one could certainly say I am excited.  

However,

when you read this, it will be September 9th, and I will have just moved into my housing in Edinburgh. Crazy, right?

 

Flowering

Spring 2012 - Keukenhof and A Field

When it's Spring, bulbs are all over The Netherlands. If you're interested in seeing pretty flowers all in one place - Keukenhof, (mentioned in the previous post) is the way to go. At the same time, it can be fun to hunt down flower fields throughout the countryside. 

First and last shot are from fields somewhere in between Keukenhof and Leiden, and the middle two are from inside the greenhouse at Keukenhof. 

New Growth

Spring 2012 - Keukenhof & Leiden

In the Spring there are flowers, sure, but at the same time leaves are growing, and everything green looks a little greener. 

First shot is from Keukenhof, which just happens to be the world's largest flower garden. It's mostly known for it's bulbs, but this shot is from the Classical Garden on the grounds. 

The second two are from Leiden. There was just something so arresting about the bright blue pin pushed into the purple-y bark of the tree, I had to take a photo. Then there are the bright green seed pods on this other tree. What a great colour. 

Back from the Film Archives - Spring in Holland

Spring 2012 - Wassenaar and Leiden

Sometimes small things catch our eye. 

The first photo is somewhat of a memory now, as it's the number on our garage in our house in Wassenaar. This summer, we moved to The Hague. The second shot is an art deco post box in Leiden. 

Ps. I'm in Scotland!

Fall 2010 - Edinburgh

Finally I'm in Edinburgh! Excitement!! We got here yesterday. These photos are from back when I visited Lauren and Julia in the Fall of 2010 (two years ago?!) but as they were taken in October, they're not far off the weather here! All of these photos are actually of the University, or in the case of the second to the last shot, were on University property. Yay!

Returning to Ashland

Summer 2011 - Ashland, Oregon

I had only been to Ashland once before this summer - in 2007. So going back I wondered if it would still be as magical as I remembered it.

Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of my favorite Theatres in the United States. Unlike it's name would suggest, it is not actually a festival but a 9 out of 12 month Theatre that does many beautiful plays in three venues - Including the Elizabethan, which is outside (photo here).

I also think Ashland's small-western-town-in-the-summer feel works great with this slightly strange film.

First shot was the view from my residence for the summer, which was a great thing to wake up to in the morning. The retro ford, I passed on the way to work along with the pretty purple flowers.The English lions, along with many other crests, line the lampposts on the main streets, just in case anyone forgot Ashland was full of theatre folks. The final photo is of the historic Ashland Springs Hotel, though you can hardly see it under all the sun flare.

ps. It's the 1st of September!! I am probably on my way to Edinburgh as you read this post!