The Floating Flower Market Amsterdam

Autumn is a lovely time to take a stroll through the Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam. It is a very colourful attraction and the only floating flower market in the world. It is supposed to be interesting during all seasons and in October when we visited there was an unbelievable selection of tulip bulbs on display.

There is a vast array of other bulbs too including narcissus, plus green and flowering plants, bouquets of colourful flowers and ... wait for it ...shush, quiet ... cannabis seeds and growing kits. It seems a bit surreal as cannabis is illegal here in the UK, but not in Amsterdam, the strong aromas of cannabis were everywhere! 

The flower stalls stand on floating barges on the Singel Canal, remnants from times past when the flowers and bulbs used to be brought from the surrounding countryside into Amsterdam each day by boat. The market was first held in 1862. 

It is rather a feast of bright colours, not only from the flower and plant stalls, but from all the endless displays of seed packets, bags of bulbs and souvenirs. The stalls are packed full of it all and lots of bric a brac and momentoes of Amsterdam. 

I rather liked the bouquets of brightly coloured wooden tulips and treated myself to some, I'm always enticed when it comes to a souvenir or two! I bought myself a colourful bag of tulip bulbs too. I thought they may be a beautiful reminder in spring of this special trip to Amsterdam when they flower, my first time on an aeroplane just one year post heart and lung transplant! 

Little narrow streets entice you to have a wander across from the market: they are full of cafes, coffee shops, cheese shops and yes there is even a Christmas shop! And yes I was tempted to buy a few Christmas decorations too! 

After a lovely browse, it was time to sit with a latte and just watch the world go by through the view of an orchid: happy days! 

The Tower of London Poppies

Most garden plants are dying back now, but it wasn't difficult for me to think of a flower that signifies November, especially having had a recent trip to the Tower of London to see 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' display, which marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Of course, I'm thinking about the poppy. 

I'm thinking of ceramic poppies too and this breathtaking display that has now more or less filled the moat at the Tower of London. It is both spectacular and moving. While we were visiting it was the half term school holidays and whilst it was extremely busy it was especially emotional to see parents and grandparents with their children talking and explaining about the First World War. I expect it will be always something they will remember and help them in remembering our heroes of war. I know I will. 

It is reported that nearly four million people have visited the Tower of London to see the poppies and it has been so popular that there are demands to extend the display beyond Armistice Day, after which the poppies will be dismantled to be forwarded on to the thousands of people who have purchased them. It is hoped that excess of fifteen million will be raised for charity. 

The installation of the poppies began in August and has evolved each week, with the final poppy being added on the 11th November. By this time there will be 888,246 poppies filling the moat to represent each and every one of those soldiers, who gave everything to bring us peace. It has drawn unprecedented crowds to the Tower of London. 

The ode of remembrance is taken from the poem 'For the Fallen' by Binyan and the phrase 'Lest we forget' is often added as a final line. I think the poppies at the tower have become a very poignant reminder of the men who have served our country in the great war and from the crowds that have gathered they are certainly not forgotten.