Holland

On Monday afternoon we left Portugal to go to Holland, sadly leaving Niki behind. Tess and Yarrow had had an absolute ball in Portugal and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Niki before they left. They were much looking forward to catching up with their friends and family Holland, so yet another flight took us over snow-covered countries to the Lowlands Up North. A busy week ahead of us, we started off well by being picked up by Leigh and Eve, and Martina. Leigh dropped us off at Bertie´s who had prepared another sumptuous meal (pumpkin soup and pancakes). Outside, all was white and slippery although the canals were not frozen really. Today temperatures hovered around freezing point but some snow melted. Nevertheless, thanks to one of Holland´s Big Banks we managed to have another skate at the Museumplein (no visit to Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum included this time...). Cees joined us in the morning and Big Sister Lisa also came along to the Museumplein and together we skated to our hearts´content. Yes, OK, most of us fell over at some point or other but it needs to be said I was much impressed by everybody´s skating skills - they seem to be the kind of skill you learn once and never forget. Tess and Yarrow swirled across the ice effortlessly.