Today we headed to our Netherlands home, Enkhuizen, to celebrate Sinterklaas. We couldn’t have picked a better location for our hotel in Berlin as the bus to the airport stopped just around the corner so our trip to the airport was very easy. However there was a fog over Amsterdam today meaning our flight was delayed by around an hour so we enjoyed a couple drinks waiting at the Berlin Tegel Airport as we passed the time. By the time we got to Schipol Airport it was packed with many travellers trying to find new transferring flights due to the delays. The Eindhoven Airport had also been closed due to the fog today so flights to there had been transferred to Schipol so it was a bit of a logjam of travellers. We were one of the lucky ones as Maikel had kindly offered to come pick us up so we had a clear run straight out of the airport and into the car and the drive the Enkhuizen was pretty good with only some minor delays due to the traffic.

It’s an awesome feeling being back in the Netherlands and I couldn’t help smiling ever since we have arrived. It’s great being back in Enkhuizen and I can’t wait to reacquaint myself with this beautiful  town where Dad was born. There is something about being here that warms the soul.

We are staying with Rosemarie and Maikel who are the best hosts and make us feel so welcome. This is the first time we have visited their new home which they have been renovating and they have done a great job so far. It is a 100 year old house in the Snouck Van Loosen Park residential area of Enkhuizen which is near the railway station and is such a beautiful part of the town set amongst trees, pebbled walkways and gardens. Riet and Jan live in this area as well.

Tonight we were privileged to share their Sinterklaas celebrations with Riet and Jan as well as and Sico and Tiny (Maikel’s parents). It was a wonderful night, Rosemarie and Maikel put on a sensational meal with many different dishes that I won’t list as I’m sure I’ll miss one but it was all delicious and best of all there are plenty of leftovers that we will be able to enjoy in the next few days. After our meal it was time to exchange gifts with Rosemarie handing out presents from what seemed a bottomless sack. Amy and I were very much spoilt with an array of very nice gifts and Dutch goodies. The personalised Christmas baubles that Amy organised and which were painted by our friend Kerry Servin who is a very talented local Loxton artist were very much appreciated.

After the gifts, sweets were served which was a thin pancake, almost like a crepe wrapped around fresh raspberries and blueberries with chocolate sauce drizzled on top with ice cream and cream, it was delicious.

The next few days will be very special as we get to spend time with some of our favourite people here in the Netherlands.

Tot ziens.