Seals without Sea

Today I reached one of my holiday goals -  I saw a seal! Several actually. Ok, I was at a seal rescue station, but I didn't really specify, did I?  It was great to be in such close contact with the animals, but at the same time it was also a sad experience. Many of the seals have illnesses such as eye-problems and the Babies are orphanes and have lost their mothers. The work of the rescue team is a very good thing, though. The old and sick seals can stay at the station and spent their twilight years under protection and the younger ones will be coddled up and set free when they can care for themselves. I was able to take some nice shots - the whale is only a replica, though. But doesn't it look real?

My favourite picture.
 Isn't he cute? The Babyseal was so fascinated by our umbrella that he even tried to catch it!

Moments at the Sea

Rain and Pancakes

Today we arrived in the Netherlands and were greeted by rain, dusk and legions of screeching sea gulls. The perfect weather for a nice and cozy holiday week at the sea. We already bought tons of cakes, flan, waffles, wine and cheese and are ready for long walks at the beach, shopping sprees and misty afternoons with tea, pancakes and poffertjes. I packed 8 books, 6 balls of wool and my painting stuff, so I guess I will be able to pass the time even if the rain continues. My goal for this week is to see a seal and try not to gain more then 2 pounds. I don't know which one is more likely to happen...
At the ferry I was able to take this great shot of the sea gulls taking turns in diving for breadcrumps.

Cinque Terre

On our trip to Italy we also took some time to visit the beautiful little villages of Cinque Terre.  We stayed in Vernazza for one night and explored the other villages by foot and train the next day. I can honestly say that Cinque Terre is one of the most enchanting places I have ever seen. I am not sure what it is about it but the moment I left the train I felt relaxed and calm. The air was so full of summer and of ocean, it made me want to stay forever.  - We even cooked up a plan on how to do it: I was to sleep in one of the little fishing boats that float on the water in the dockside of Vernazza. And the first fisherman to come in the morning I would marry and then stay forever in Cinque Terre in a little red house, make cake and pizza and look out at the ocean all day long for the rest of my life ....
My beautiful plan shipwrecked because of my white wine overuse that night :) But I still like to think that it could become true one day.

Best is said with pictures.