Once a year I try to unwind a bit in the Netherlands. The kids already know exactly what we usually do. Hanging around at home with grandma Nel. Playing Settlers of Catan (with our own rules). Visiting family and friends, and mostly just relaxing and getting a small taste of what my life used to be like. The lake, the beach, the village, a trip to Leiden, and not much more.
Ana prefers a different kind of holiday, where activities and experiences follow each other at high speed. I’m increasingly choosing convenience. Getting an ice cream. A little trip to buy some eel. A walk along the beach with a kroket to finish it off. Wonderful.
Still, I try to plan one fun activity every year. Mudflat hiking, Volendam, Efteling, Rotterdam. This year I want to take a trip to Limburg. The province where my godparents lived, and where I spent many holidays myself. Visiting the Three‑Country Point, descending into a cave, and enjoying a good slice of vlaai. This year we’ll see. I ended up cancelling the trip to Limburg because the family in the Netherlands described the situation as ‘scorchingly hot’, and that’s not the best moment to go to Limburg.