Campfire Smores & City Tours

Well the last couple of weeks have flown by so fast and now we are two left on the farm, at least until other volunteers show up.

Jessica and Leonardo headed back to Italy, but not before Jessica prepared us one last Italian lunch, I think we all miss having the Italian cook around – but hopefully in my journeys I will make it to visit them both!

Work at the farm seems to go by quickly and there’s always new experiences every day, having three-day weekends is also a most enjoyable time. Especially since Rachel and I found this really good café/bakery in Amersfoort. We even brought Jessica and Leo one weekend and the newest volunteer William (from Scotland) to the hidden gem. We’ve been there the last 3 Fridays to enjoy it all, for me the hot chocolate with the chocolate served on a stick to dunk in my milk is the thing I love, but also sampling all the treats they have. This Canadian woman loves her chocolate and sweets, but as amazing as they are here, I know there will be other things in other countries to try. Unfortunately this weekend my coffee (and dancing/singing) partner has left to continue her travels and visit her boyfriend in the North of Holland, I hope to meet up with her again before she returns to England or visit her in England someday too!

Before Jessica and Leonardo left, I introduced them to smores and roasted marshmallows – there first experience, as well for a few others too. But first we had diner on the fire with salmon, corn on the cob complete with pasta salad - I got the sign of approval! They even said when I come to Italy, that we will have to do it all again.

The rain has finally set in and I’m hoping that there is sun around the corner as it’s made for a cold working week and sleep, but thanks to my electric heater – at least one of those I can change. But the guys at the farm are pretty cool, they let us work inside and pot plants when the rains are too hard. Which sounds easy, but when you’re trying to pot a 2-meter high bamboo in a container and make it stand straight, it proves to be difficult some days.

I think most can handle the rain, but when that wind picks up – it’s a doozy! Especially while biking to and back from Amersfoort, only 5 km each way seems twice as long when riding into the wind, but it’s made a little nicer now that I bought my own bike! Yep, 75 euro’s for a fully functioning purple bike, I just have to buy saddlebags for the back and rig up a basket in the front for Mocha. Apparently it was a good deal from what I’m told, so thanks to the bike store in Leusden!

We had a going away diner for Rachel at Erwin and Kyra’s Friday night – pizza night. Muuse helped load the pizza’s on and Lova skipped away, even both gave a performance and danced to the music. I got to tuck Lova in for the night; thankfully she picked the English book about San Francisco! We also got to see some clips of Kyra’s brothers performing group – they are quiet talented.

I was off Saturday to Utecht to catch up with Paula and get a tour of the city center. We biked down from my campground to the city center and made our way through the streets until arriving at the Yogurt Barn for lunch. I think this is definitely now one of my favorite places, complete with brownie yogurt and chai latte, I was good to go!

Then she showed me the old historic buildings, canals, churches and museums. She translated the written information and explained to me why certain things were there or how they worked, all in all a pretty good tour guide and a well-informed woman that knows a lot about her city and country.

Eventually we came to one of her favorite hang out spots at the theater. A theater that plays only indie and foreign films, complete with 2 cafes and a restaurant so that you never have to leave. So we sat down fro the traditional mint tea with the whole plant in the cup and looked over the guide. Since it was a rainy Saturday, we decided to stay for a movie and watched “The Grande Budapest Hotel” which was pretty good. I think my favorite part was that you could actually take a beer from one of the cafes/restaurants onsite and take it in with you to watch the movie, amazing! I think we need this in Canada.

After the movie, the sun decided to come out and clear up – but the wind definitely picked up. So we stopped by the store to get some things for diner and picked Mocha up at the campground. She got to ride in the backpack as I rode the bike to Paula’s house. Paula said that we are definitely Dutch now!

Paula prepared a traditional Dutch diner complete with white asparagus (which I am told they call “White Gold”) ham, potatoes and boiled eggs with sauce. It was fantastic!! I think I am an instant fan of the white asparagus. They even have the double-sided peeler just for them.

The wind and rain was more than I wanted to deal with on Sunday, so the walk to the top of the Dom and the Botanical gardens at the University will have to be saved for another day.

Now back at the ranch for a relaxing Sunday while it pours outside, can’t wait for the sun!