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.

April 28, 2015

Today was another run day. We are trying to get in the habit of being outside and being active so a run in the dunes, the forest and by the North Sea was where we were.

We also made it to Leiden to the national anthropology museum, Museum Volkenkunde to see the launch of a Maori canoe and ceremony.

After a snack, we were home by the fire.

April 27, 2015

Today is Koningsdag, Kings day, a national holiday in the Netherlands. 

The Royal family visited Dordrecht, a city south of Rotterdam, an old trading port of the East India company.

We went for a run in the dunes to Zandvoort, a seaside community outside of Amsterdam.

But since it was such a nice day we decided to ride around the Haarlemmereer, a 60km route that took us to the outskirts of Amsterdam. A gorgeous route along the ringvaart, a canal that circles the Harlaammermeer. 

We ended up at Kaagdorp, a village on the lake for a beer. Huub made his famous asperges soup. Yum.

April 26, 2015

Went for a run in the dunes today.

After a visit with family, we headed into Amsterdam to catch up with our Swiss friends.

Day ended with yummy poffertjes, little Dutch pancakes with icing sugar, butter and chocolate.

April 25, 2015

Had a great day in Sassenheim. The flower parade called Bloemencorso came through today, a local celebration of everything flowers.

The frame of the floats are made of steel and stuffed with hay and then are decorated with hyacinths, tulips and daffodils. A million people line the route from Noordwyk to Harlaam. All of the Langeveld's and people from the village came out to watch.

We also enjoyed our time with friends from Switzerland, Andy, Andre and Patrick. We ended up at the North Sea and Breakers.

April 24, 2015

More bike riding and tulips today!

We also made it to Wassenaar through the dunes. Lovely.

We were very happy with the ride.