Tulips and Hungarian home brew!

Well this was the first weekend of adventure and touring around in the “Beast!”

So I decided to head to Northern Holland and check it out, also trying to avoid the hoards of people (apparently Easter weekend is opening weekend for the Germans to come to the ocean in the Netherlands) and hopefully see some tulips. 

With a little planning and some help from Kyra, a plan was in place to take a gander at some of the lovely towns Northern Holland had to offer and to get off the beater track.

So I first headed through Amserfoot and up a little north of it before heading west and a quick detour around Amsterdam and under the tunnel and I found myself at my first destination of Waterland.

A beautiful little area spread out next to the ocean with canals running through it (as I am finding out like most places in the Netherlands) and old brick farmhouses. I then headed to the little island with a town called Marken on it connected only by a berm on both sides giving it access to the mainland and another smaller island off of it. Full of history and a large section dedicated to a tourist attraction full of historic buildings, museums, boat shipping and shops.

Then off up the coast off the beaten path and what would appear to any Canadian a one car road only to pull over and let others pass by and avoid the groups of bikers both pedal and motor.

I enjoyed the beautiful weather as I toured the countryside and the small towns and cities, admiring their architecture and history. The fields full of sheep, goats and other farm animals along the coast weren’t much different than being more inland, minus the fields and fields of colored tulips. Red, yellow, orange, purple, white and any color imaginable catching the eye. I first laid my eyes on an almost florescent pink field in the distance nestled between green. I had to double take to realize just what it was.

Then I found it, after that all the colors came as I drove more into the middle of North Holland and since the wheels gave me the access to get off the main highways, I could actually pull over get out and walk into the farmers fields to admire all the blossoming tulips.

But as the day progressed it was time to find a campground, so helpful little James pulled up some suggestions for me and I headed for the one nearest to I – not exactly what I would consider cozy and no sign of life, so off to the next I went.

That one happened to be a better choice and it actually had people staying in it, most of whom I was going to soon find out actually live there year round.

As I pulled up the owner found a cozy little campsite for me next to a party of people Barbequing. I unpacked and set up shop for the night and both Mocha and I got out for a stroll around to see what was around. A pretty small town called Winkel was where I landed for the night. Not much open on the Easter weekend after 5pm, but the peace and quiet was okay with me.

As I was unwinding and having some cheese and crackers with my beer and seeing what I could plan for the following day, my neighbors came over to invite me to a BBQ. So of course I accepted and was introduced to 4 people from Hungary and 2 with their 2-year-old daughter from Romania (I knew they weren’t Dutch as the way they were talking was not at throaty). They were really lovely people and tried to keep feeding me more and more. Apparently in some countries in Europe they celebrate what is called a “Name Day” this is not your birthday but apparently each day of the year is a celebration of someone’s name and happened to be Naomi’s. So I even got cake of two kinds and one was a traditional Hungarian one, which was really good! I also was of course offered Hungarian home brew, which I thought I would try and not be rude of course. I think I sipped on two shot glasses for a few hours, while the men seemed to down them quiet quickly. Apparently it was 48% proof that one of their fathers had brought for them and not much better from the stuff in Canada I had tasted.  The guys were also drinking whiskey scotch with apple juice, which I don’t think I have ever seen before. The rest of us drank beer and champagne. It was a good night of food and drinks and meeting some people.

The next day I headed out and headed to the West side of North Holland and toured around in the towns and cities and what not before making our way back to Leusden.

Easter Monday was the Egg Hunt day. We tidied up t he bamboo farm and got it all ready for the kids and families that were on their way. Apparently they hid about 500 eggs throughout the farm – so far I haven’t found any that didn’t get found.

There was probably a good 40 kids that showed up with there families and they were pretty excited when it was time to grab there Easter baskets and head out. So excited that not too many wanted to stop and get a photo taken, but I managed to get a few good shots!

Once the egg hunt had finished it was time for the egg races around the pond, this consisted of one very raw egg and a spoon. The kids were off first making their way around and then it was the parent’s turn. But we decided to turn it up a notch and have them put the spoon in their mouth with the egg on top.  A few eggs were lost in the games, but surprisingly quiet a few made it through and we had lot’s to cook with over the next week.

We ended the Easter Monday with a campfire diner with the a few family and friends, complete with campfire bread on a stick, corn on the cob and salmon on the fire. All and all is was a lovely weekend.

Bamboo & Christmas Trees

Well it’s been two weeks since I have arrived in the beautiful town of Leusden, just North/East of Utrecht to volunteer on the Bamboo & Christmas Tree farm (Radijk).

I must say if we could grow bamboo in Canada, I don’t see why we wouldn’t. If you had a plant that didn’t have any known diseases or wasn’t susceptible to other diseases carried by other plants and doesn’t have any pests/insects trying to eat away at it, wouldn’t you? It’s a pretty hardy plant, but unfortunately for us Canadians, it can’t handle weather beyond -15 for long periods.

However the bamboo here is just doing fine! I’m told that there are over 2000 different kinds in the world and that on the farm here, they grow around 40 different types. A lot look the same to me, but to the trained eye are apparently easy to notice. All I know is that some are greener, yellower, darker browns and reds than the rest, but if you asked me what was what – I couldn’t tell you. We also have ones that have grown 4-5 meters high already, that of course if called the “Great Wall.” And talk about a hard plant to try to remove out of the ground, with it’s thick roots and compacted soil around it, it makes for a heck of a time to get out – never mind to try to divide into smaller potable plants.

The Christmas trees however as you know are not in season, so they mostly get fed and watered for the time being till the season is upon them. Irvin did tell me that they sell about 2000 Christmas trees throughout the Netherlands, which is pretty darn good for a small farm of 10 hectares in all shared with other plants, buildings and display areas.

As for me, my time here on the farm has been spent potting, transplanting, watering, weeding and feeding all of them. Which is right up my alley and has been amazing so far. Just being outside in the warm temperatures (when it’s not raining) has been great, I even have a bit of sunburn to prove it, which will turn into farmers tan sooner rather than later. But we’ve had some days of rain on and off and even a bit of sleet coming down, which I think is interesting for some of the volunteers here, to me it’s nothing new.

But the nights still cool down hovering around 10 degrees and it’s a humid cool, I even noticed it when it gets warmer out too. But the thinker I am, invested in a small portable electric heater (which turns into a fan for summer days), making both Mocha and I happy (with still some cuddle time under the blankets!).

The family who owns and the people who work at the Bamboo farm are pretty wonderful people. Some speak English quiet well, some a little and some only know “Coffee Time!” But it works, what you can’t make out in language, is made out in waving of the hands, pointing at things and trial and error. I unfortunately know little Dutch and have a heck of a time following it with all there throaty pronunciations. But it does have a mix of English, French and German all thrown into one.

All and all life on the farm is going well and I am enjoying it, haven’t had much time to look for paid work as of yet, but we will see what the Easter weekend holds. . . . . .

(Now some photos of Leusden and the Bamboo farm)

Bikes, Bikes, Bikes and Cheese!!

Well the first week in the Netherlands has flown by!! Been a bit hectic trying to get all the right paperwork and what not filled out, but I think I can almost legally work and not just volunteer here now!

I spent the first 3 night of my stay in the beautiful city of Utrecht, which was much welcomed since it was a lot smaller than the 1 million people who live in Amsterdam. It has a bit more room to breathe and move around in, but it still boasts about 200, 000 people.

I think the biggest thing I had to learn the first few days is that even though I knew coming to the Netherlands, that it was a bike country, I hadn’t realized just how serious that was! The first day as I stumbled around the city with little sleep and food and a 7-hour time difference, I got a few glares from a few bikers. Then I realized that I was in fact in their bike paths and not actually on the proper walking area for the rest of the two-legged creatures.  Once realizing this, intersections and roundabout’s were a little less confusing, I said a little. Still trying to focus on all the lines for vehicles, bikes and walking added to the confusion. Like my new friend Paula says, “The Netherlands doesn’t lack any signage.” I don’t think I have ever seen a country that used signs at any chance they can get, but compared to some of our Canadian cities – it’s not a bad thing at all. Now if I could just understand the Dutch words on them (I think I got most of the symbols down – for the moment anyways).

Paula also warmed me that if you do get pulled over, that the Police car goes infront of you and no behind – so let’s hope if that happens, I clue in to get over!

Did I mention that I bought a Campervan in the Netherlands?! Yep – indeed I did!! The old 1990 Ford Transit with the high top for cruising around Europe. It’s actually quite nice and sleeps comfortably. Although I have gotten some honks on the highway, as the old beast doesn’t quite speed up like it maybe use to and it takes a bit to get to 120kms. Yep – the first highway I drove on was 120km/hour. I think they like to go fast here. But I have been warned by my mechanic that as he calls them “California Stops” (slow gradual roll more than a stop) and speeding isn’t as relaxed as back in Alberta and can be a big fine around here. But I don’t think I’ll have a problem speeding with the beast!

The city as you know if full of canals and old historic buildings. The architecture is still much in tack from days before and very well maintained. I think it’s one of the things I most enjoy. Many sections of the roads and walkways are still covered with brick, with only the busier and newer parts having concrete.

Walking along the canals, you can take in nature with the green grass, flowers and trees already in bloom (not missing Canadian winter at all!). They even provide a small trail in the bigger areas for walking dogs – perfect for Mocha! And they have done such a good job incorporating nature in their busy city. Even though not too many people have backyard or areas for growing gardens – there appears to be plenty of community gardens around.

I picked the right hotel, Beurs Hotel. It was the perfect location to walk to everything I needed to do and the staff were super helpful. I think there was even one night where it was just I in the whole hotel, even though there are only 10 rooms in the section I was in. 

Looks like I will have to get use to these steep and winding stairs, best to get some training in now before I have too much wine to drink and end up going backwards down them.

Paula; a lovely women from the Netherlands entertained me for diner the first night I was in the Netherlands. She is such a kind and welcoming women with a lot of knowledge of her country and more than generous to show me around.  She welcomed me into her beautiful home, where the true Canadian in me came out by asking, “How do you get rid of your snow?” in regards to her brick-walled garden area in the back. With her simply replying “We don’t get that much snow!” Aaaah yes, stupid brain was definitely on at that moment, ha ha!

But never the less, she has been very helpful and I hope to continue to get to know her further and be my temporary tour guide.

I have to admit, I think my first experience in the grocery store – was indeed the longest time I have ever spent in a grocery store – ever! Reading Dutch labels and comparing with products home, was very time consuming for this English only speaking girl. But everything I brought back in my shopping bag seemed to taste good, even the second time I purchased groceries – so far, so good!

Oh, and the cheese – so Gouda! A huge selection and perfect opportunity for a girl like me. Heck all the food here is pretty damn good and super cheap, including the wine in which you can buy in the grocery store and I think even gas stations from what I was told – but that might just be hard alcohol.  But at 4-6E ($6-8)a bottle – I will not have a problem indulging here!

Mocha and I picked up our campervan Saturday morning and headed out of the city to Leusden for my volunteer project on a Bamboo and Christmas tree farm. Maneuvering through traffic was made easier by James, my British speaking GPS dude. Thank god I bought him, I mean it! I think this may be one of the most helpful tools for me in Europe.

I spent my first night on Saturday night in the camper at Larik’s Hoeve a little campground, which I found out later, was only down the road from the farm. There Mocha met her first donkeys, I think they were more interested in her than I and she was a bit hesitant. I froze my ass of the first night, as the super thin blanket I bought at the store just didn’t cover the 5 degrees with humidity, but thankfully at the farm they have lent me some blankets until I find an electric blanket or water bottle. I knew I should have brought my heating pad, oh well.

I arrived at the farm in the late afternoon on Sunday and was welcomed by Irvin (owner) and his daughter Lova. As well as two Swiss volunteer girls, Jeanine and Marline.  I was quickly shown around before hopping on a bike to go to Irvin’s house just down the street; there I met his wife Kyra. A quick ride back to set up the camper and steel some extra blankets. Thankfully Irvin let me have Monday off to relax and settle. Apparently that cold sleep the night before left me sleep deprived and both Mocha and I crashed hard waking in the morning to a foggy brain at 11am.

But the fog slowly lifted as I watched the neighbor ride her beautiful horse in the pasture and listen to the sounds of birds singing. 

(and now some photo's of Utrecht)