May 7, 2015

Today we had a visit with Ton in Leiden and then made our way by bike and train to Amsterdam.

In the evening, we had an amazing time with Nancy and Huib at Hotel de l'Europe.

May 6, 2015

Today we headed north to Haarlem and Heiloo. 

Harlem in Manhattan gots its name from Haarlem in Holland. In Haarlem we stopped at Mogador for yummy coffee.

Heiloo is near Alkmaar, a city famous for its cheese market.

In Heiloo, we visited with our friend Appie who lives in a 18th century estate called the Huis Nijenburg.

May 5, 2015

Today is Liberation Day in Holland. There were ceremonies though Holland celebrating the liberation of Holland 70 years ago. There was a parade in Sassenheim, Canadian flags everywhere to honor Canada's leadership in the liberation of Holland.

Huub and I visited with Pieter, Esther and family today in Nootdwijkerhout and then went to the North Sea. It was a windy day.

We stopped at the tulip fields. There are still very much in bloom.

May 4, 2015

Today is Memorial Day, a day in Holland to honor those who gave their lives in WWII.

We spent the afternoon on the Kaag on Ton and Denise's boat past windmills, nature reserves, beauty everywhere.

May 3, 2015

It has been a busy few days. We have moved from Sassenheim to Noordwijkerhout the next village over. We are getting used to life in the new village where we picked up these peonies at the market.

This area is closer to the North Sea, the forest and dunes. We carry on with our daily runs. We are still surrounded by tulip fields. The view from our room.

We are cat sitting for Kees and Karin. This is Tiger.

April 30, 2015

Today we made it to The Hague, a 10 minute train ride from Leiden.

Our first stop was Lola's for coffee. 

Then a bike ride through town to the Peace palace past embassies, the King's palace (Noordeinde), the Houses of Parliament and the centre.

We also saw the Mauritshuis museum which had been newly renovated. We saw this painting of The Bull done in 1647, quite famous in Dutch naturalist painting.

Every Dutch household has this image in the home. Like this one on a cookie jar.

April 29, 2015

We have been spending alot of time in Sassenheim so here are a few pics in and around the village and house that has been our home.

The village is where we go for coffee, get our wine and cheese, and go to yoga.

Here is a shot of a Huub on what has become a daily run in the dunes, today with his new yellow gloves.