Happy mom's day out

Veselé velikonoční svátky, bohatou pomlázku a hodně jarního sluníčka

"Hody, hody, doprovody,
dejte vejce malovaný.
Nedáte-li, malovaný,
dejte aspoň bílý,
slepička Vám snese jiný."

Oude Buisse Heide

Kleine paden slingeren over de heide
en komen aan de hutten der armen:
zij zijn de eenigen die zich erbarmen
over ’t verlatene van wie hier lijden.
Op de heide zwerven de maagre schapen
zij zoeken blatend naar een nieuwe streek
van milder kruid en waterrijke beek,
honden en herders zijn vermoeid en slapen...

by Henriette Roland Holst “De nieuwe Geboort” (1903)


The Oude Buisse Heide in North Brabant was of great significance in life of the Dutch poet and politician, Henriette Roland Holst. Most of her poetry, biographies and political books were written here. The peaceful, natural surroundings inspired her to write many poems describing the wondrous nature in such a beautiful way.


In 1945 Henriette Roland Holst donated her ancient estate to the Society for preservation of nature monuments in the Netherlands.

Therefore even today we can still see for ourselves what she was then writing about.


This beautiful morning the sun was shining and the frost was beginning to melt away and... because we were travelling “with bears” there was no reason to hurry.

Mastbos

Sinterklaas is in the country which means sleepless nights for us!
I was determined to keep His presence in the Low Lands secret as long as possible. How naïve!
The children (and adults) are talking about nothing else!
Last night Maarten traditionally put his shoe with a carrot close to the fireplace encouraging me to put mine as well.

After a busy Saturday I needed both of us to get a good night sleep for the planned Sunday trip to Holland but it wasn’t until 4 a.m. he finally fell asleep!





When the alarm went off at 7 o'clock I was exhausted but Maarten, as fresh as a daisy(?), ran downstairs to check his shoe.
Sinterklaas must have gone crazy! Another musical instrument!
He ought to fulfill a child’s wish I know...

Despite the broken night it was great to get together with my sister and my cute little nephews. The cold foggy forest couldn’t spoil the fun but next time we shall look for less doggy-friendly surroundings.



Not sure if the poop bags are known to the Dutch but they definitely don’t use them!






PS: our Mastbos trip through Maarten's eyes:

Weekend in Julianadorp

We had a great time!
"Lekker uitwaaien" on the autumny sunny beach was still pleasant and Maarten had a blast of course. Having the sandy dunes and beach at your doorsteps like his uncle and auntie that really is something!










Though, after so many years it was rather sad to see the house and street where Rob spent first years of his life. Most of the houses, including the school, has been already demolished.

Ruben Meeuwes

Today Maarten and I got stuck in traffic for 8 awful hours.
Even though I know it's not the best idea to attempt a trip to Amsterdam on a weekday, today we had a very good reason.

Welcome our youngest family member!

PS: I almost forgot to mention how Maarten charmingly cut his hair to look fancy on this important visit.
He did it all by himself!