Snowed over! That's how I remember my holiday in the Netherlands. But don't get me wrong. The white landscape did nothing to spoil a hugely warm, bonding time with my Dutch friend, Janneke. Sure, it was a real wintry December through to January and the months ahead.The unusually cold, heavy snowfall with record low temperatures swept Europe. In fact, it followed our family to Portugal and the UK.
Trotter, my blogging pal in Lisbon was disappointed, even the sunshine tagged to my name didn't help at all!
However the snow and cold did not put dampers on us. Janneke was keen to show me the beauty of Gouda, though shrouded in snow. Warmly attired we walked hand in hand to negotiate paths. On the way to the city centre, we turned on each other and started a snow ball fight. I tried hopelessly to knock Janneke down like a ninepin. Ouch! the snowballs she made seemed bigger and more solid.. It was hard work - making balls and tumbling in the snow. It just got us rosy in the cheeks and very energised for the rest of the day.
We toyed with the idea of cycling. That sounded really inviting for how can one not join the Dutch in pedalling about - their leg power is so iconic, so eco-friendly too. Alas, the thought of me slipping and sliding and swerving in the snow was too risky. So Janneke's bicycles in her garage were left standing.
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Hey, good looking and more ! When Janneke sings, she makes your spirits soar
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By the side of St John's Church, the main church in Gouda, famous for its stained glass and the longest in the Netherlands. The church is consecrated to John the Baptist.
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All good things, the enjoyment of having visited Leiden, Dan Haag, Delft, Amsterdam, and being Janneke and her dear husband, Eduard's guest in their lovely home in Gouda, had to end . It was time to fly back to Kuala Lumpur. Well, perhaps Gouda in springtime, another time. Yes,when the tulips will steal my heart away.
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| I'm singing in the snow... No crowds - how nice to have the roads to ourselves. |
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| Nobody's about. All very quiet . Where are the robins with the redbreasts? |
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Who treads there so softly?
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| Such fun just watching the young and old skating in the rink in the market square. It was certainly family time out too. How I wish I could skate. |
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| Cheese Maiden - kaasmeisje in Dutch. In Gouda, one can never tire of saying 'CHEESE!' Alamak! I don't think I said it 'cheesy' enough!! |
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| Gouda City Hall, the unmistakeable 15th century city hall, one of the oldest in the Netherlands in the Market Square. The peals of laughter and voices rang through the icy air. |
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| A shop was open and peeping in, I was fascinated by the clay works. This artisan obligingly allowed us in . In his small space, we were careful not to topple nor break anything. |
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| No cows in sight but certainly lots and lots of cheeses. I bought GOUDA to take home . |
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Just the right dish for a cold winter - we enjoyed a lovely fondue in the evening at a restaurant
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My view from inside the living room of my gracious hosts, Janneke and Eduard. The sun was out a bit and before long ,we were ready to hit the town. |
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