My yesterday’s post shared photos taken of nature during a bike ride I did together with  my husband last week. We went from Amsterdam, via Durgerdam, to Marken, a town 30km away.

I took some more photos, which I converted into black and white and made no further editing. The credit of the ‘drama’ goes entirely to the heavy clouds. They are the muse!

Before we left home we checked the weather forecast. We would cycle on an overcast day with temps not above 12 C and windforce 3 Beaufort. That was perfectly fine for me.

As we were halfway from our destination, the wind changed the direction and speed but we moved on.

There are things you discover during a journey and in that day, I found out that my husband, a Dutchman, had never been to Marken. One more reason to carry on and introduce the town to him. I cycle there very often when alone. I will tell you why.

Marken is a very touristic fishing town located in the municipality Waterland in the province North Holland. The village of Marken was separated from the mainland after a storm surge in the 13th century and became an island in the Zuiderzee (Southern Sea). A centuries-long period of isolation followed for the community which made their money with fishing.

The former island is currently connected to the North Holland mainland by a causeway and it is a peninsula in the Markermeer (Marker lake). See some photos.

Marken is a well-known tourist attraction, for its characteristic wooden houses. In the old days, the island flooded quite regularly. For this reason, houses were built on stilts and on mounds.

During the later 19th and early 20th centuries, Marken and its inhabitants were the focus of much attention by folklorists, ethnographers and physical anthropologists, who regarded the small fishing town as a relic of the traditional native culture that was destined to disappear as the modernization of the Netherlands gained pace.

Although sometimes it can be very busy there, I still enjoy stopping by and having a nice latte with an apple pie, and continue my ride.

We were not so lucky that time. Instead of latte we got plain coffee, and the soup we ordered had too  much salt. Besides that, the wind got much stronger, reaching speed 5 Beaufort, which is definitely too much for me.

Obviously we had no other option but to get back home. We enjoyed very much the ride though.

I hope you also enjoyed the visit to Marken. This is my first post for the the 5 photos, 5 stories nomination from the wonderful blogger Jo, from Restless Jo.  I came across her blog some time ago and I am glad I did, because I truly enjoy to join her travels and Monday walks. Jo loves traveling the world and sharing what she sees. Her multicultural background as well as her restless and adventurous spirit adds a special flavor to her perspectives. As she says, ‘you can be restless with me anytime’.

As I nominated a few people for two other challenges jus a few days ago, this time I will make an open invitation to anyone who would like to join this challenge.

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I am also posting for the Photo101 Rehab, the event for everyone who loves photography (hobbyists, amateurs, pro-shooters, or just curious , anyone is welcome), and wants to join a community of like-minded people, who are also fun to connect with.

Want to know how to join? Check below.

Here is what ‘The Clinic Photo Rehab is:

This blog hosted ‘The Photo101 Rehab Clinic’ from 04 to 31 December 2014 and featured over 170 photos made by Photobloggers Andy Townend, Mara Eastern, Cardinal Guzman, DesleyJane, Justine, Amy, Teresa, Albert, Terri, Giving Thought, Ellen, Nalinki, Mariangeles, DwayCrafts, Lucy, Terri, Bampa’s Views, PeaceCrafting, Dreaming of Leaving and Project Easier.

As former patients informed me that the withdrawal symptoms remained active, and new patients recognized the same symptoms, The Clinic – Photo Rehab  reopened its doors.

You can do a self-examination. If you detect any of the following symptoms, as carefully described by Albert from the blog Passionately Curious, come and join us: “Withdrawal symptoms may include the incessant need to carry your camera everywhere with you, the need to wake up in the wee hours to take photos during the golden hour, and checking up on others you met during the course to see what their newfound knowledge has brought fruit to.”

How to join:

Time: The Clinic is open 24 x 7 until the healing process ends.

Camera: You can use any camera, from DSLR, mirrorless, compact, to smartphones.

Theme: Bring your creativity and photograph a theme of your liking in B&W or Color. With or without edition. We like learning techniques as well, if you want to share it with everyone.

Who can join: Anyone can join; and not only former Photo 101 bloggers. All you need is passion. Passion to speak up through images – or words, if you may want to add your thoughts to it as well – showing what you see and how much that is important to you.

Thanks for joining and enjoy it.

The Clinic – Photo Rehab 

 Here is the link to  add your photos. Knock the wall… and click on the image below:

Even if you don’t want to join in, click above and appreciate the beautiful photos of the former and current participants. Go and check their wonderful blogs as well:

ACBistro

AngelineM’s blog

Angle and Views

Andy Townend 

Artishorseshit

Artistic License of Life 

Atelier Azure

Bad Fish Out of Water

Belgian Streets

Beespeak

Deb’s World

Eclecticoddsnsods

ForestWoodFolkArt

Giving Thought Giving Sight 

Japan Can Mix

Jill’s Scene

Lisa Dorenfest

Mara Eastern 

Musings from a Frequent Flying Scientist

My Story by Teresa

My First DSLR Camera

nty6x

Oosterman Treats Blog

Perelincolors

Perspectives on

Restart Urgently Needed

Rubyspolaroid

Snapshots Snippets and Scribbles 

Silver Threading 

The Light Inside Us.

Viaja2