3 Knaresborough and the River Nidd

Knaresborough is a historic market town located just a few miles from Harrogate. It's got a medieval castle and hosts a famous Bed Race every June (2010, 2011, 2012, here, & here) that seems to magically attract beautiful weather, no matter the forecast.

These views of the bridge across the Nidd are redundant, but it's an iconic view of Knaresborough- and I couldn't resist on this gorgeous day full of festive atmosphere!

This one's my favorite- now just to decide what size to print it for the wall!

4 Oban

 Our trip to Scotland was painfully short:

we drove up (approx. 6 hours) on Thurday, stopping in Carlisle, and arrived about 6 PM; 

Friday started early with a ferry ride at 7:45AM and our day out to the small islands lasted until about 8 that evening;

and Saturday we went for a 10AM tour of Oban Distillery (who doesn't like to start their morning with the smell of fermented barley?!?) and then headed home, making a few stops along the way.

All of these pictures of Oban (except the last three) are from our first evening, just after the heavy rainstorm had passed.  

Truth: I don't like the beach. I hate the feel of salt water and I especially don't like sand in my crack. (sorry, Mom)

But...

I absolutely love harbours. I love coastal life, and I love seeing, watching, and being on boats.

I never claimed to make sense.

 Hmmm... think he knows this guy in Montrose?

 That Coliseum-like structure on the right is McCaig's Tower. Unfortunately we haven't visited it yet... I guess we're not done with Oban yet!

 The Caledonian-MacBrayne ferry company travels between Oban and Mull all day long.

 Isle of Kerrera, across from Oban harbour. Yet another place I'd like to visit. 

 Boats in the harbour the morning of our tour.  We took the CalMac ferry over to Mull.

 Isle of Kerrera harbour.

Dunstaffnage Castle from the CalMac ferry. 

I was jump-out-of-my-skin excited for our tour!

3 Amsterdam:Walking Around Part II

 Ship with a giant mast. You know, in case you catch a strong wind down the canal...

 The ships/boats with the giant masts had me perplexed.  I get that the mast can lay down, but they still seemed so large to go through the canals!

 Pretty garden, tucked away.

 Random swan.

 I absolutely loved the giant shutters!

We deemed Amsterdam the City of Windows- every building had giant, gorgeous windows, and everyone seemed to always have their curtains/blinds open, to let in the natural light.  

Gorgeous!

 What's a European city without a lion on a door?

 Awwww! 

These people are talented- I'd definitely cause a wreck!

Evening canal shot.

0 Amsterdam: Walking Around Part 1

 This is a bridge in Jordaan, where we stayed. I saw old drawings of similar wooden bridges in museums!

 A windmill (rundown looking) in Amsterdam.

 The Church of St. Nicholas.  I don't have any exterior pictures, but the inside is lovely.

 I really liked the pews, too!

 I was so fascinated by the houseboats. We saw a guy taking groceries in, some people kicking back relaxing on theirs, and a lot of people caring for their potted plants on deck.

 Just some plaster relief, on the side of a building.  I love it!

This wall faces a T-intersection.  We watched one of the large tour boats slowly make a turn here, and realized why so many have hit this wall!  I just liked the colors they leave behind.

0 Barcelona: The Harbor and Parks

 Barcelona's harbor was pretty much like any other harbor, which isn't saying anything bad- I love harbors.  This one had a pirate ship!  

(Technically they're called "tall ships", but I always think of them as pirate ships.)

 A man was tossing bread to the gulls.  I took their pictures.

 Boats!

 A dock restaurant reflected in the aquarium roof.

 Sculpture on the shore.

 This fish sculpture is by Frank Gehry, created for the 1992 Olympics.

 Parc de la Ciutadella is located not far from Port Olimpic, on the opposite end of the greenspace from Barcelona Zoo.  We walked through it, and it was a very pleasant area. 

 This large fountain sits in the center of this part of the park.

 We went to Park Míro whilst waiting for our train to Montserrat. It was a quiet place, and would be a nice place for a picnic or a lazy afternoon with a book.

 It was morning, and we stumbled across an unofficial dog park.  This gentleman had treats, if you can't tell!

 This chow opted out of the play to bask in the sun.

Finally, the park's namesake: Míro's sculpture!