RIVERGIRL: books, blog and barges: My posts are mini-memoirs about about life on a barge, our travels and the Netherlands. Oh and sometimes about my writing.
Monday, October 06, 2008
The Venice of the North
Memories of a beautiful day in Ghent. Probably my favourite city in Europe, I love it's waterways that snake though the city. I've been through here by boat, both public and private, and on each occasion, I have marvelled at its ancient splendour. A little shabby, it's true, but that just adds to its charm.
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Aaah, the architecture that you folks surround yourselves in is fabulous. Thanks for taking me to Ghent via this pix.
ReplyDeleteLesley
xx
Vally what a beautiful picture - and yes, very Venetian in feeling! Ghent is firmly on my list.
ReplyDeleteI am, as you see, still alive - it is only time and priorities which are keeping me away from blogland. There is just so much going on at the moment which demands my attention. Fortunately the vast majority of it is good.
Just a quick hug then, and much love to you and Koos.
M x
And a bit smelly too! It was a very lovely day though, with a very amusing boat ride to distract the mind from life's everyday pressures. Uniss (Eunice) was quite the character.
ReplyDelete... Well Venice is quite smelly too, actually probably much more smelly.
ReplyDeleteI'll leave the smelly waterways to you all in Europe!
ReplyDeleteI do love the architecture, though, and the way all the front doorways lead into the canal...
Damn, you were lucky to be able to visit! I like a bit of shabbiness: it is a sign of life.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful photo. I agree with Maria- shabbiness means people are active.
ReplyDeletexx
AM
I've only ever been to Venice once, and that was in Winter. No smells then! Just magnificent decaying beauty all around, with the occasional light dusting of snow. **Sigh**.
ReplyDeleteHave never been to venice but have been to Ghent.
ReplyDeleteEven though it was just a passage through to a route to the channel it was a lovely passing....its sad that every town/village i have ever passed thorugh on the continent, I have never ever had any problems from youths....yet on english canals, stone throwing and more is a problem......is unique to the uk or just an imagined danger.....having said that, our last last trip in june this year we only suffered one atteck from 'Bandits' and that was half a mile from our home mooring.
It is said that there are more canal miles in Birmingham than there are in venice.
ReplyDeleteSadly. so far the world doesn't aknowledge the industrial revolution architechture like it does the renaissance
It's a great pleasure Leslie. Glad to take you with me, smells and all. Actually, it wasn't so bad. Canal water on a hot day has a pngency but it's not so awful.
ReplyDeleteMargie, it's just wonderful to see you again and if you come back, we'll meet in Ghent.
Momo, it was a lovely day, wasn't it? I really enjoyed it too, and Uniss won't be forgotten quickly.
Dale, the architecture far outweighs the faint niffs.
Maria, you would love it. It's so steeped in history and photographic opportunities.
Anne Marie, I'm glad you like the photo. It's one of my favourites.
Geoff, Koos and I would love to go to Birmingham. Koos in particular loves industrial architecture and we have both longed to travel the English canals. I'm not sure we would appreciate the brat packs though.