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Last year

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:44:11 -0800

Just to remember the perfect spot where I stayed last year, the Beach House, in Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, need some Holiday :-).

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Saturday Vimeo Video: Experience Freedom

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:13:49 -0800

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L.E.D. Surfer

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:29:43 -0800

Fashion photographer and filmmaker Jacob Sutton swaps the studio for the slopes of Tignes in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, with a luminous after hours short starring Artec pro snowboarder William Hughes. The electrifying film sees Hughes light up the snow-covered French hills in a bespoke L.E.D.-enveloped suit courtesy of designer and electronics whizz John Spatcher. “I was really drawn to the idea of a lone character made of light surfing through darkness,” says Sutton of his costume choice. “I've always been excited by unusual ways of lighting things, so it seemed like an exciting idea to make the subject of the film the only light source.” Sutton, who has created work for the likes of Hermès, Burberry and The New York Times, spent three nights on a skidoo with his trusty Red Epic camera at temperatures of -25C to snap Hughes carving effortlessly through the deep snow, even enlisting his own father to help maintain the temperamental suit throughout the demanding shoot. “Filming in the suit was the most surreal thing I’ve done in 20 years of snowboarding,” says Hughes of the charged salopettes. “Luckily there was plenty of vin rouge to keep me warm, and Jacob’s enthusiasm kept everyone going through the cold nights.”

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Almost everything arranged for Scotland

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:28:10 -0800

So the current plan, almost done:

Day 1: Amsterdam - Inverness - Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)Day 2: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)Day 3: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)Day 4: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)Day 5: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)Day 6: Stein - Uig - (Ferry) - Lochmaddy (North Uist) - Polochar Inn (South Uist)
Day 7: Polochar Inn (South Uist)
Day 8: Polochar Inn (South Uist)
Day 9: Polochar Inn (South Uist)
Day 10: The Stables (Stornoway/Lewis)
Day 11: The Stables (Stornoway/Lewis)
Day 12: The Stables (Stornoway/Lewis)
Day 13: The Stables (Stornoway/Lewis)
Day 14: The Stables (Stornoway/Lewis)
Day 15: Lewis - Stornoway - (Ferry) - Ullapool
Day 16: Ullapool - Inverness - Amsterdam

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Saint Kilda

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:20:32 -0800

Yes that is remote :-)

Some info on Saint Kilda:

St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom and three other islands (Dùn, Soay and Boreray), were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. The islands are administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area.

St Kilda may have been permanently inhabited for at least two millennia, the population probably never exceeding 180 (and certainly no more than 100 after 1851). The entire population was evacuated from Hirta (the only inhabited island) in 1930. Currently, the only year-round residents are defence personnel although a variety of conservation workers, volunteers and scientists spend time there in the summer months.

The origin of the name St Kilda is a matter of conjecture. The islands' human heritage includes numerous unique architectural features from the historic and prehistoric periods, although the earliest written records of island life date from the Late Middle Ages. The medieval village on Hirta was rebuilt in the 19th century, but the influences of religious zeal, illnesses brought by increased external contacts through tourism, and the First World War all contributed to the island's evacuation in 1930. The story of St Kilda has attracted artistic interpretations, including an opera.

The entire archipelago is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It became one of Scotland's five World Heritage Sites in 1986 and is one of the few in the world to hold joint status for its natural and cultural qualities. Two different early sheep types have survived on these remote islands, the Soay, a Neolithic type, and the Boreray, an Iron Age type. The islands are a breeding ground for many important seabird species including Northern Gannets, Atlantic Puffins, and Northern Fulmars. The St Kilda Wren and St Kilda Field Mouse are endemicsubspecies. Parties of volunteers work on the islands in the summer to restore the many ruined buildings that the native St Kildans left behind. They share the island with a small military base established in 1957.

Will meet my friends again, 130.000 of them :-).

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The Hebrides, some videos

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:58:45 -0800

Most probably will try to do the St. Kilda trip, expensive but extremely special, a full day tour, 8 hours on a fast boat and 4 hours ashore at one of the most remote places …..

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And some last videos

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:43:37 -0800

and a very nice retro one:

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Winter ending?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:40:33 -0800

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Polochar Inn

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:53:05 -0800

I already found out that most of the hotels and B&B at the outer Hebrides are rather small, so it might be a good idea to make some reservations for June. When arriving from Isle of Skye, will be going south first, so arranged me the Polochar Inn at South Uist.

Of course it is difficult to check everything, but the huge amount of positive reviews at Tripadvisor (and the pictures below) should make it a no brainer.

So the current plan:

Day 1: Amsterdam - Inverness - Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)

Day 2: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)

Day 3: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)

Day 4: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)

Day 5: Stein (Stein Inn at Isle of Skye)

Day 6: Stein - Uig - (Ferry) - Lochmaddy (North Uist) - Polochar Inn (South Uist)

Day 7: Polochar Inn (South Uist)

Day 8: Polochar Inn (South Uist)

Day 9: going north - Harris / Lewis

Day 10: Harris / Lewis

Day 11: Harris / Lewis

Day 12: Harris / Lewis

Day 13: Harris / Lewis

Day 14: Harris / Lewis

Day 15: Lewis - Stornoway - (Ferry) - Ullapool

Day 16: Ullapool - Inverness - Amsterdam

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Interactive animated Starry Night by van Gogh

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:54:19 -0800

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And skating in the rest of the Netherlands

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:41:42 -0800

See the full gallery on Posterous

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And a few videos

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:39:00 -0800

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Keizersrace

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:31:03 -0800

For the first time in 15 years the "Keizersrace" has been held again. It is a skating event for all ages in the middle of Amsterdam at the Keizersgracht.

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Saturday Vimeo Video: BAD TOYS II

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:19:26 -0800

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Many points

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:30:21 -0800

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The plan for the Summer Holiday

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:06:58 -0800

This is the plan for the 2 weeks:

- Amsterdam - Inverness

- Inverness - Stein (5 days on Isle of Skye, staying in Stein Inn)

- Uig - Lochmaddy (by ferry)

- visit the Outer Hebrides and play golf

- Stornoway - Ullapool (by ferry)

- Ullapool - Inverness

- Inverness - Amsterdam

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The Outer Hebrides

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:14:10 -0800

Staying a few days in Stein, on Isle of Skye (if possible) and then taking the boat to the Outer Hebrides.

The Outer Hebrides (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar, IPA: [nə ˈhelanən ˈʃiəɾ]) also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. They form part of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in a few areas English speakers form a majority.

Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and the climate is mild and oceanic. The 15 inhabited islands have a total population of about 26,500 and there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands.

There are various important prehistoric structures, many of which pre-date the first written references to the islands by Roman and Greek authors. The Western Isles became part of the Norse kingdom of the Suðreyjar, which lasted for over 400 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Control of the islands was then held by clan chiefs, principal of whom were the MacLeods, MacDonalds, Mackenzies and MacNeils. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century had a devastating effect on many communities and it is only in recent years that population levels have ceased to decline. Much of the land is now under local control and commercial activity is based on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving.

Sea transport is crucial and a variety of ferry services operate between the islands and to mainland Scotland. Modern navigation systems now minimise the dangers but in the past the stormy seas have claimed many ships. Religion, music and sport are important aspects of local culture, and there are numerous designated conservation areas to protect the natural environment.

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Focus on Scotland again

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:47:00 -0800

Due to more uncertain times I have decided I will not go to Canada this year :-( and save for next year when I will become 55. But luckily I have a very good alternative in Scotland, actually I have had one of my best Holidays ever in Scotland in Summer 2010.

At the moment the focus will be on the Isle of Skye, where I have been several days, and which is to my opinion one of the best places I have ever seen. One stunning small village was/is Stein, made an enquire at the Stein Inn (at the picture I took in 2010).

As written it is rather small but has a few extremely good restaurants and a sunset to die for :-), forgot to take a picture thoug, or was it the weather :-) (so will do that next time). It is extremely scenic and close to some interesting cultural places like Dunvegan Castle.

Plan is 5 days here and the rest at the Outer Hebrides, not arranging anything for the other days. Last time I had it arranged and some of the accommodations were not to my linking, so that will not happen again.

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Saturday Vimeo Video: The Man Who Lives on His Bike

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:33:40 -0800

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Are you nuts …?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:46:01 -0800

775 Km traffic jam …?

And all due to a few cm of Snow :)

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