JJ on August 2nd, 2010

What to do when you are on the other side of the world and feeling sad?  Go to Rotterdam on a Saturday, of course.  So we went, on an overcast Saturday morning, to look at the architecture of Rotterdam and (we thought) to see, close-up, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the [...]

Continue reading about Rugby, Rotterdam & Beer

JJ on July 2nd, 2010

New Zealanders have long been fervent All Blacks supporters.  My Darling says nothing is noisier or more partisan than JW and I watching an All Blacks match.
Yeah, right.  Except the Orange brigade, that is.  The World Cup build-up in the Netherlands was intense and orchestrated, as Nederlanders got themselves ready for the event.  All is [...]

Continue reading about World Cup Fever in the Netherlands

The World Cup is coming!
and we are so very sad to announce that we will miss all the madness as we will be in New Zealand for a very special small persons birthday, and other family gatherings, during the very mad times ahead for those here in the Netherlands.
I know it will be mad times [...]

Continue reading about “The Horse has new Shoes”, unlike “The Emperor’s New Clothes” – these shoes are real

Did you missed the Flower Parade?
Watch the compilation video of TV West. It does take 25 minutes and is spoken in Dutch. But don’t let that put you off. You can just turn the sound down or off, So press the arrow on the screen and go.
Get Flash to see this player.

Flowers and floats [...]

Continue reading about The Flower Parade 2010 – if you missed it

My Characters from Koninginnedag – Queens Day – Birthday Celebration

There was much orange about as well as Red White and Blue. The Dutch flag flew with the pennant of the House of Orange flying proudly above it. Orange ballons, orange food, orange clothing and orange hats and some really interesting people in Orange.

Continue reading about It was Orange In Haarlem on April 30th 2010

Trip through Europe by flower parade

Continue reading about Flower Parade Slideshow from our photos on Flickr

CJ on April 28th, 2010

Big Band on Bikes in Haarlem – orchestra on Bikes doesn’t sound right somehow.
We had biked quietly to Hillegom in the late afternoon, and we watched the flower parade come through. We also had priviledged seats – seats that we had discovered when arrived in Hillegom – about 9.5 k’s from home in Haarlem. We [...]

Continue reading about Big Band on Bikes in Haarlem

I wanted stationary photographs of the Viking Float – being a Viking, born in Denmark and because it was fantastic.
But you do not always get what you want – and probably all Dutch people know that the whole parade does not end up in Haarlem for viewing because it is just too big. It [...]

Continue reading about Photographed the Floral Floats in Hillegom but they didn’t all come to Haarlem

Saturday – the Annual floral parade to Haarlem, from Noordwijk – so if you are in the Netherlands and close to Haarlem or anywhere on the route – check with your hotel concierge – because this a parade that should be missed.
The theme this year is “Journey through Europe”
This will be the 63rd [...]

Continue reading about Saturday 24th April – the annual flower parade to Haarlem – Bloemencorsodag

CJ on April 6th, 2010

Queens Day / Koninginnedag : or is it Orange Crazy Day – for the House of Orange.
The shops are full of Orange merchandise right from 1st April – not just for the week prior to the big day. My memory from last year is obviously a bit out of tune. Is that short term or [...]

Continue reading about I was so wrong – about Koninginnedag