The rest of the month of March flew by for us. The highlight was our trip to visit our friends, the Landers, in the Netherlands. They have been expats there for just over a year and were very knowledgeable hosts and guides. We stayed with them in their home in Den Bosch (south of Amsterdam - about an hour on the train) over our 4-day Easter weekend.
We spent our first day in the Netherlands touring Den Bosch, with strollers and umbrellas. Along the walking tour we saw the incredibly intricate cathedral which is home to the most impressive piece of stained glass work that I can remember seeing (I didn't take many photos along the tour because of the rain, but there are a few of the cathedral).
Overall, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the city, the care given to the streets and old buildings, and by the bike infrastructure (of course!). Emmett especially loved the canals - he looked for geese and swans every time he spotted water. Turns out swans aren't as prevalent in the canal system as they are on the Thames River in Windsor. :) We also enjoyed our afternoon walk to a beautiful park that had a not-quite-a-petting zoo (since you weren't supposed to actually pet the animals), and random play structures (different structures for all ages and abilities) throughout as you walk around a lake.
Day two was our day in Amsterdam. We spent a longer time than expected on the train getting to the city, but then a lovely, sunny afternoon at the Amsterdam Zoo. Upon entering the zoo, the first animals one sees are not actually in "enclosures" as we are used to; instead, they are on little islands surrounded by moats so that nobody gets in or out of the respective areas. Some of the animals were not even surrounded by water - they were just out in the open, hanging with the people. And then some of the animals were in cages and walls, as one would expect them to be. Emmett enjoyed the play structures - especially the giraffe slide right next to the noisy chimpanzees. I enjoyed watching the pelicans feed on the fish that were dumped into their pond (I know - pelicans were a highlight?). We finished at the zoo and wandered over to the best Mexican restaurant in the city (out of only 2 or 3 - but this is the one the Mexican ambassador goes to when in town). We all thoroughly enjoyed our tacos, as good Mexican food is something we cannot get in Windsor or in Den Bosch. The train ride home had fewer delays and the boys excitedly went to bed awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny.
The next morning, Easter Sunday, the boys hunted for their baskets and eggs while Laura and Jim prepared a delicious Sunday brunch. After brunch, we went to the local park to play, where Emmett played happily in and around the sand with Jack and Quincy until he decided to eat some of it. We decided at that point to take him home and rinse out his mouth, then put him down for his nap. After the nap, we loaded up 4 bikes and headed out for a ride. This was the highlight of the trip for me! I decided during that ride that I would purchase a used bike while in Windsor, just to be able to explore the outskirts of Windsor a bit further and faster than I can otherwise. We biked all afternoon, exploring more of Den Bosch, with me singing "Row, row, row your boat," over and over to keep Emmett happy so that the bike ride could continue.
Our last day in the Netherlands was spent in a city called Utrecht, halfway between Den Bosch and Amsterdam. We walked from the train station, through the lovely town center, to a train museum. The building itself was the town's original train station, now converted into a very entertaining display of old trains and rides and theatrics offering a glimpse into the lives of train workers and riders. I enjoyed peering into a royal car - imagining what it must be like to be royalty and have special trains built and decorated for me. I guess that isn't something I've considered much coming from a place where royal families just aren't a part of my reality.
The following morning we got up early and headed by train then airplane then taxi back to Windsor. Our long weekend came to a close, but it was so refreshing and energizing to be with good friends and not worrying about work or schedules, so we came home feeling great. Thank you to Jim and Laura and Jack and Quincy - for your hospitality and for making us all (especially Emmett) feel welcomed, loved, and comfortable in your home.
I will write another post soon, with updates and news about our visits from Brian and Nana and Bapa (Spencer's parents). But for now, enjoy the photos and remember to keep in touch!
We spent our first day in the Netherlands touring Den Bosch, with strollers and umbrellas. Along the walking tour we saw the incredibly intricate cathedral which is home to the most impressive piece of stained glass work that I can remember seeing (I didn't take many photos along the tour because of the rain, but there are a few of the cathedral).
Overall, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the city, the care given to the streets and old buildings, and by the bike infrastructure (of course!). Emmett especially loved the canals - he looked for geese and swans every time he spotted water. Turns out swans aren't as prevalent in the canal system as they are on the Thames River in Windsor. :) We also enjoyed our afternoon walk to a beautiful park that had a not-quite-a-petting zoo (since you weren't supposed to actually pet the animals), and random play structures (different structures for all ages and abilities) throughout as you walk around a lake.
Day two was our day in Amsterdam. We spent a longer time than expected on the train getting to the city, but then a lovely, sunny afternoon at the Amsterdam Zoo. Upon entering the zoo, the first animals one sees are not actually in "enclosures" as we are used to; instead, they are on little islands surrounded by moats so that nobody gets in or out of the respective areas. Some of the animals were not even surrounded by water - they were just out in the open, hanging with the people. And then some of the animals were in cages and walls, as one would expect them to be. Emmett enjoyed the play structures - especially the giraffe slide right next to the noisy chimpanzees. I enjoyed watching the pelicans feed on the fish that were dumped into their pond (I know - pelicans were a highlight?). We finished at the zoo and wandered over to the best Mexican restaurant in the city (out of only 2 or 3 - but this is the one the Mexican ambassador goes to when in town). We all thoroughly enjoyed our tacos, as good Mexican food is something we cannot get in Windsor or in Den Bosch. The train ride home had fewer delays and the boys excitedly went to bed awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny. |
| Emmett got some cool treasures from the Easter Bunny |
The next morning, Easter Sunday, the boys hunted for their baskets and eggs while Laura and Jim prepared a delicious Sunday brunch. After brunch, we went to the local park to play, where Emmett played happily in and around the sand with Jack and Quincy until he decided to eat some of it. We decided at that point to take him home and rinse out his mouth, then put him down for his nap. After the nap, we loaded up 4 bikes and headed out for a ride. This was the highlight of the trip for me! I decided during that ride that I would purchase a used bike while in Windsor, just to be able to explore the outskirts of Windsor a bit further and faster than I can otherwise. We biked all afternoon, exploring more of Den Bosch, with me singing "Row, row, row your boat," over and over to keep Emmett happy so that the bike ride could continue.
Our last day in the Netherlands was spent in a city called Utrecht, halfway between Den Bosch and Amsterdam. We walked from the train station, through the lovely town center, to a train museum. The building itself was the town's original train station, now converted into a very entertaining display of old trains and rides and theatrics offering a glimpse into the lives of train workers and riders. I enjoyed peering into a royal car - imagining what it must be like to be royalty and have special trains built and decorated for me. I guess that isn't something I've considered much coming from a place where royal families just aren't a part of my reality.The following morning we got up early and headed by train then airplane then taxi back to Windsor. Our long weekend came to a close, but it was so refreshing and energizing to be with good friends and not worrying about work or schedules, so we came home feeling great. Thank you to Jim and Laura and Jack and Quincy - for your hospitality and for making us all (especially Emmett) feel welcomed, loved, and comfortable in your home.
I will write another post soon, with updates and news about our visits from Brian and Nana and Bapa (Spencer's parents). But for now, enjoy the photos and remember to keep in touch!
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