Thursday - The New Wilderness, a documentary

Although The Netherlands are one of the most densely populated countries in the world, there's an area in the East called Oostvardersplassen where nature is still wild, with horses, foxes, deers and geese roaming freely in the beautiful scenery.

A film crew has spent 2 years in the area, documenting the passing of seasons and the circle of life:  the result of their effort is now in all Dutch cinemas.

The commentary is in Dutch with (in some cinemas) English subtitles: according to some Dutch mother-tongues, who got used to the BBC and Sir David Attenborough's informed (and informal) soft spokeness, the commentary sounds a bit forced and verbose, however the images and editing are definitely worth the trip to the bioscoop.

http://www.denieuwewildernis.nl/

http://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/Natuurgebieden/Oostvaardersplassen.aspx

Deers in Sudtirol.

Wednesday - The Canals of Amsterdam: the book

Although at almost 100 euro a copy this tome can seem quite pricey, it does depict, one by one, with full colour pictures, illustrations and explanations, all the facades of the canal houses along the Unesco's heritage protected district of Amsterdam.

In Dutch and in English, it celebrates the 400th anniversary of the construction of the central main canals.

And now try and say this tongue twister, at least twice and at a speed:

Achtentachtig prachtige grachten

http://thoth.nl/Canals-of-amsterdam/

The cover of the Dutch version of the book 

Tuesday - Sneek-y gate

A lot of people are familiar with the Dutch clothing brand Gaastra.

Not so many however know that their logo takes its shape from this pretty XVII century gate (the Waterpoort or Hoogendster Pijp) that used to be part of Sneek's defensive walls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterpoort

Copyright: kanoroutes.nl

Monday - Rotterdam World Food Festival

Talking, eating, watching, discussing, tasting, cooking, sampling ...food: what's not to like?

The Rotterdam World Food Festival runs till the 27th October and offers, as you might have guessed, world food, meeting with prized chefs, guided tours into culinary Rotterdam and many more exciting and bizarre bud pleasing experiences.

http://www.worldfoodfestival.nl/en/

Sunday - A trip to Mekka, the exhibition

If you really need to go out on a day like this, then you may want at least to avoid being al fresco...

The exhibition "Mecca" currently at the ethnographic museum in Leiden (Volkenkunde Rijksmuseum, very close to Central Station, so you don't get too wet) explores the journey of the pilgrims and their experiences, memories and tips, through pictures, objects and testimonies.

It started off at the British Museum in London where it was fully booked, so it's likely to be an extremely high quality event.

http://verlangennaarmekka.volkenkunde.nl/nl/verlangen-naar-mekka-intro

Saturday - The Duurtstede castle

The castle, on its present site since the XIII century, is one of the highlights of the small town of Wijk bij Duurstede near Utrecht.

It's available to rent for events and ceremony and, possibly given it's fairytal-ish shape, features in several Dutch children's TV shows, including those sort of mystery/detective films about Sinterklaas that are aired every year from November onwards.

Friday - Voyage Fantastique through The Hague's Hofkwartier

There is still time till tomorrow to embarque in a voyage fantastique (that's how the organisers called it) through the hidden treasures of the Hofkwartier in The Hague.

A tour where "history, new media, film, music and street theatre will give you a unique experience" and for the gourmets, the possibility to add a 3-course Italian dinner at the beginning of the tour, so you'll have the chance to burn those calories with a 2-hour walk.

The chef is the Dutch-Italian whisky connoisseur Sandro Bruti and having tried his pasta once, I think that diners will not be disappointed.

The event ends tomorrow evening, but tickets seem to be still available.

http://www.voyagefantastique.com/enghome/

Thursday - Delft Canal Tours

Amsterdam's canal tours are the most popular, however for something more intimate and ultimately prettier, it's worth having a ride on the canals in Delft.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes and tours are in available in English too.

Arturas, who went on the tour and was very pleased with it, sent me the stunning pic below.

http://www.delft.nl/delften/Tourists/Discover_Delft/To_see/Highlights_in_Delft/Delft_Canal_cruises

Wednesday - Maand van Geschiedenis (the History Month, for you and me)

October is the Month of Dutch History and, to celebrate the recent coronation, this year's theme is "Vorst and Volk" (= The Monarch and the People).

As always, there's a very useful searching engine to look for activities and exhibition near you.

http://www.maandvandegeschiedenis.nl/

http://www.maandvandegeschiedenis.nl/41515/nl/bezoek-activiteiten

Tuesday - Sex and the Sea

It's not the size of the ship, but the motion of the ocean...

Sailors, their languid desires and their women in every port are the cliches being explored at the Rotterdam Maritiem Museum by two film and multimedia directors. The things on display must be very interesting, since entrance is forbidden to people younger than 16....

Get your hands on the Rotterdams Uit Agenda, since it contains 2 free tickets to the exhibition.

http://www.maritiemmuseum.nl/website/index.cfm?fuseaction=tentoon.show&id=196

Monday - Lost at sea, part 2

On the new Scheveningen's promenade, a large inscription remembering the names of the local inhabitants who lost their lives in the sea has been incorporated into the wall.

Sailors, fishermen, pilots, soldiers or just unlucky people, they are all remembered.

Sunday - Lost at sea, part 1

This pensive lady at the end of Scheveningen's main shopping street is awaiting the return of her loved ones who went out to the moody sea.

Saturday - Pop Up Cinema Utrecht

Ever Saturday and Sunday during the month of October, films are being shown in unusual  and unexpected locations within the Hoog Catharijne in Utrecht.

Friday - The seven bridges in a row

According to the FB page of Amsterdam Canals, when looking from a particular spot on the Herengracht towards the Reguliersgracht, you can take an amazing picture of seven pretty bridges in a row.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=607664389278661&set=a.611012915610475.1073741827.349759805069122&type=1&theater

Not the seven bridges

Thursday - Den Haag Indian Film Festival

We have been invited to the Indian Film Festival a couple of years ago and had a fab time: we saw a film called Delhi Belly and laugh so much we cried.

This year's programme looks very enticing as well, with loads of side events (including food too!) and a Indian Ladies Night tonight at the Pathe' Buitenhof.

http://www.indianffth.nl/en

Wednesday - Kinderpostzegels: children, stamps and charity

In the coming days, you might receive the visit of some enthusiastic children from your neighborhood selling cards, stickers and other stationary items and giving you a stamp in return.

It's the Kinderpostzegels month and all the money collected will go to charities working with children.

Beware of smart assed kids asking for cash as they are not allowed to: they can only ask for bank account details.

My personal stamps seller was accompanied by one of my favourite neighbours, her sporty septuagenarian grandpa Kees.

https://www.kinderpostzegels.nl/

Tuesday - Willibrord, the Apostle of the Frisians

Willibrord, or the Apostle of the Frisians, was the Northumbrian Cristian monk who was sent to the Low Lands upon invitation of the King of the Francs and founded the dioceses of Utrecht, Deventer and Haarlem.

He is buried in Luxembourg but Utrecht celebrates him with this statue on Janskerkhof.

Among his patronages: Utrecht, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, epilepsy and convulsions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willibrord

Monday - The New York Hotel in Rotterdam

The New York Hotel is the stunning building at the end of the Wilhelmina Pier in Rotterdam.

It used to host the headquarters of the Holland-America Line, which for several decades of the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries transported emigrants, fortune seekers and the first class wealthiest across the Atlantic Ocean, to a new world and a new life.

It hosts now a posh, nostalgic hotel and cafe' and restaurant on the ground floor.

We drove by yesterday evening in the warm sunset light and regretted that we did not have time to stop and have a drink in the sheltered terrace on the pier, watching the sun disappear behind Rotterdam harbour's cranes.

http://www.hotelnewyork.nl/en/

Sunday - Scheveningen Kite Festival

Second and final day of the colorful Scheveningen Kite Festival, with dozen of silky creations filling the air.

It's set to be another beautiful day, so loads of photo opportunities of stunning kites against the blue sky ahead.

http://www.vliegerfeestscheveningen.nl/

Saturday - Whisky by the Sea

More than 500 whiskies are ready to be tasted in the Arsenaal Theather in Vlissingen (Zeeland) during this year's " Whisky by the Sea" event.

I have been to several whisky tastings in NL and always had a good time: it's a wonderful way to drink loads of lovely spirits while pretending to do something cultural.

http://www.whiskybythesea.nl/