What a day!

What an event it was yesterday. At ten o'clock we were ready to watch the television, so was Sofietje. I had my camera on a tripod and had only to click for beautiful pictures, I showed you yesterday.

After the abdication I rushed into the village to have a look at the "Free market". At Queensday, the celebration of Queen Beatrix birthday, everybody is allowed to sell their attic stuff on the street. Many people try to earn some money, mostly children sell their toys or do games. This car could be painted by children.

These children had made a game "Throwing sponge", the girl in the hole was bombarded with a wet sponge.

This woman was selling her clothes.

A friend of mine had asked to look for some utensils which he could give some relatives in Kenya, Africa. Look what I found, 25 knives an 21 forks and one spoon for just four and a half euros! A bargain.

Then rush home again to watch the inauguration.

And after diner, television again to watch the boat tour the King made with his family on the river IJ.

It was sunny but bitterly cold and Maxima and the Lord Mayor's wife were braving the cold in their evening dresses.

 Along the tour were all kind of events, music, ballet and sports. At one moment the Royal family climbed from their boat to greet DJ Armin van Buren, who was making a dance event with the a classical orchestra.

Watch the beautiful dress of Maxima in the open air, she must have a pneumonia now.

It was a day to remember.

A new King and Queen

These are the photos of the ceremony I made today from my television,  the 1 you see is of chanel 1. It was a stunning day. This is the start in the palace where the abdication of Queen Beatrix took place.

The three little princesses, Ariane, Amalia the new crownprincess and Alexia.

Queen Beatrix signs her abidication paper and is now Princess Beatrix.

Prince Willem-Alexander signs the paper and is now King Willem-Alexander and his wife is Queen Maxima.

Then they enter the balcony where Willem-Alexander held a short speech to thank his mother.

The old Queen steps back and the three princesses join their parents,

To wave to the public.

A few hours later is the ceremony in the New Church where the inauguration of the new King takes place.

Everybody has changed clothes and the princesses look cute in their blue dresses on the way to the nearby church.

Queen Maxima looks stunning in her blue dress and beautiful tiara, King Willem-Alexander wears the  kings coat made of velvet with ermine.

In the church.

Willem Alexander is sworn in.

The future Queen Amalia and the former Queen Beatrix.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima leave the Church.

On their way to a new life.

Just one day to go.

Last Saturday we went with the ferry across the river IJ to the north part of Amsterdam. This is the river where the new King and Queen with their children will have a boat tour tomorrow evening. They will pass several musical events and here at the Eye filminstitute, the white building, a choir will sing. Right is the Overhoeks tower, the  former Shell building, which is a huge building all covered with the decoration you see everywhere in Amsterdam. The W is of Willem and a crown as well.

We wanted to have a look at the Central Train Station which had decorated their roof.

At the ferry hubby SC had a chat with this girl, sitting in a bicycle carrier.

Walking over the Damrak we were overwhelmed by the crowds. There are many, many tourists in the city.

The touristshops have turned orange.

The canalboats are decorated too.

A pedestrian bridge has raised to canalize the crowds.

Well everybody is ready for the inauguration. I spotted this picture in a shopwindow which made me laugh.
A photo of Willem-Alexander with the typical haircut of his mother, with the text "Willem-Alexander is ready for it". So am I, I will not go to Amsterdam but watch the television tomorrow. It will be to crowdy for me there.

Festive Fever

This weekend the inauguration fever has started in Amsterdam. When we entered the city we were welcomed by waving flags.

The Haarlemmer street is beautiful decorated  with crowns.

All the bridges have flags too.

The stock exchange.

The departmentstore the Bijenkorf has put two huge crowns on top of the building. As this is Dam square where everything is going to happen, platforms are raised for the press, the black trailer is Dutch television installing their equipment.

This firm for professional decorations has put the flags out.

The former post-office now shopping mall Magna Plaza .

What do you think of this royal tramway? There is only one like this riding in Amsterdam and I spotted it just in time to have a picture.

Preparations

Amsterdam is making preparations for the inauguration of April 30th. The National Memorial Monument at Dam square is cleaned.

Some buildings have a red, white, blue and orange decoration, the colours of our flag and the Royal Family of Orange.

Maybe I was to early but I was a bit disappointed by all this. I had expected a week before the event to see more creativity.

The bells of the Palace were ringing, which I had never heard before. I even didn't know there were bells up there. I think they will ring after the inauguration of the King.

 At least the shops have made appropriate royal shopwindows.

I don't think I will ever wear orange shoes.

As long it is orange, even a bookshop is ready for the event.

But eventually I passed this theater which understands how to decorate.

I will go back another time to see if there is more to see.