Another slow start today as we just enjoyed being at Rose and Maikel’s and taking it easy. This morning we went to the shops as Rose needed to get few things so we all tagged along. I’ve mentioned it before but one my favourite pastimes in different countries is to check out supermarkets. We found some Bundaberg ginger beer on the shelf but that was it for Aussie products. I was amused by the large variety of apple sauce available and also found packet stamppot, just add water!

Maikel took us on a bit of a drive around Enkhuizen and we visited their beach which would be busy in the summer time but not so at the moment.

It was time for lunch and we had organised to meet Nick at the Grand Cafe Restaurant van Blijswijk in Enkhuizen. Unfortunately Charlotte couldn’t come along as she needed to do some study which we understood, I remember having to forgo many social outings when I was studying for my MBA. Lunch was sensational, Amy and I both had the 12 pm plate which included snert (pea soup), a croquette on bread and ham, cheese and egg on bread. Three of my favourite things so I was very happy. It was great to catch up with Nick and share our travel stories. After lunch we took a walk around Enkhuizen which I can never get sick of.

After saying goodbye to Nick we wandered down to Hema to grab a smoked sausage for tonight’s tea and then relaxed for a while. We did watch some biathlon on the TV which I enjoyed, I think this is one of the best tests for a sportsperson, endurance and fitness coupled with accuracy for shooting and need to calm the breathing and heart rate.

I was getting itchy feet so Amy and I decided to take another walk around Enkhuizen and visited the Drommedaris, some of our favourite streets and ended up having a quiet drink at the Irish pub (there seems to be an Irish pub in every city or town). While there we watched a young kid practicing his darts and we wondered if we were watching the next Van Gerwin in 20 years time.

As mentioned before I can never get sick of walking around Enkhuizen, sometimes it feels like walking around in a fairy tale especially during twilight with the Christmas lights taking effect. I believe the human scale of these towns, and the centre of Amsterdam, is about perfect for urban living. With mainly row dwellings being 2-3 stories and being so pedestrian and bicycle friendly with access to the wider countryside available by excellent public transport I just love it. The thing I love about Enkhuizen, as well as Venhuizen and Hoorn, is the history and feeling that you are following the footsteps of my ancestors who have lived in these towns for several centuries. As I’ve said before being here just warms the soul and brings a overwhelming feeling of, well I’m not sure what words to use, maybe contentment, pride, peacefulness or maybe it’s just that Dutch word gezellig! It just makes you feel good inside and have sense of belonging here.

For tea tonight Rose spoiled us with boerekool and smoked sausage with homemade apple pie for dessert. It was very nice and as she says 99% as good as Oma’s. I reckon it was just as good.

Tonight we watched the heavy weight title fight between Ruiz and Joshua. It was the first boxing fight I’d watched in ages and enjoyed it although the fight wasn’t as good as their previous bout which looked a cracker from the highlights we saw during the lead up.

Anyway, another very relaxing day with some of our favourite peeps who have been so good to us.