Bastille Day

Tonight I walked up to the medieval part of Vaison to watch the fireworks from there. The old castle looked beautiful in the sunset.

The medieval part of Vaison. This view truly never gets boring!

Down at the Italian restaurant it was still busy. I don't think it's ever quiet here during summer.

The main gate.

Soon after 10PM the fireworks started.

I love how the fireworks lit up the city.

Leaving the medieval part through the main gate once more. It's a great sight changing with the time of day.

Bye bye 2014!

Leaving Central Station by ferry early morning in the darkness on the last day of 2014..

A big cruise ship came in to celebrate the new year in our little town.

I spent new year's eve with Simone and her kids and mother. It was a nice evening. We bought some fireworks.

The neighbours had bigger fireworks.

And louder fireworks.

And even bigger fireworks that made it look like our street exploded...

Some were nice though.

I liked our own fireworks the best and Milan had fun playing a pyrotechnic ;-)

Bye bye 2013

Last day of the year. Public transport was empty. I like!

At work I joined the annual poker tournament.

I was out early. This was my table. Cute dealer but no good cards for me unfortunately.

Bjorn playing on the right.

We started with 46 players this year needing 5 tables. Biggest tournament in our company's history. Don't know who won because I left before it was over but whoever won took 800 euros home...

This was my real prize, I spent NY's eve with Ruud and Laurien. Over the last couple of years they have turned out to be wonderful people and very good friends. They've picked me up when I was down and out several times and I'm very grateful to have them in my life.

We chatted and laughed a lot.

Played Mario Kart for a while at which I totally sucked thank you very much ;-)

At midnight there was some Brute of course. Bubbles from Champagne, France.

I went out to look for fireworks.

I made these photos with my new iPhone 5s. I'm impressed. I so love this phone...

When I got home I checked my mail and found a nice card from Marjolein.

In 2013 I learned a lot about myself. I learned about emotions, love, death, friends, family and most of all to be true to myself and to give myself what I deserve instead of always looking out for others. Now I just need to find a matching tattoo ;-)

Hope you had a great New year's eve too!

New year's eve

Mid afternoon. I was ready for New Year's eve!

Marjolein and I went to my friends Ruud and Laurien. They have 3 cats and 1 dog. Marjolein was VERY quick becoming friends with this beautiful cat.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I went outside to watch the fireworks.

And fire crackers.

And bright light.

And rockets.

Ruud opening the second bottle of champagne. We had already popped mine at midnight :-)

Ruud and Laurien.

Marjolein and me.

A great time was had by all of us. We played 2 games of Trivial pursuit and got home close to 6AM.

Bye bye 2011!

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We went to Maastricht for new year's eve. For some reason I totally did not feel like staying in the Dam this year. I just wanted to be away. It's funny because every other year I've been wanting to be surrounded by friends. Not this year. Maybe because I've been too busy.

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We had a fantastic 4 course dinner in a very good restaurant.

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Then I bought each of us a 15 euro coffee cup with very good champagne that we could take outside ;-)
We watched the fire works from the river Maas banks.

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Above us.

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Happy new year in Maastricht!