Monday and Tuesday

Monday morning we were home. We went to the head office and internet room to do some research, answer and write emails, and also do some washing. That took up our whole morning. That was probably the first real sleep-in we've had these holidays... After some lunch, Aunty Anneke joined us. We drove to Utrecht to enjoy an afternoon of shopping. Dad generously gave us each some money to spend so we enjoyed buying clothes and more. We also heard church bells as we walked. There was a shop to buy croquets - Steven got one :) I think it was at Manneke Pis! Then we went home and had dinner. After dinner we left the dishes and jumped in the car to visit Oma. When we got there at 8.15, the room where Oma spends her day was almost empty so we took chairs and formed a circle around her and she was very happy - smiling and talking a bit to us. We shared some chocolates with her, and she asked us some questions. Emily, Hanna and Steven also tried to talk with her and she seemed to understand some of what they said, and we translated some, then she would answer and we had quite a nice conversation. The nicest thing was that she was so relaxed and happy, so we spent at least an hour with her. Then as we left she asked if we were going to drive past the window so she could wave. It was so funny. We drove past and she was waiting, then we got to a dead end and we had to go past again; she got off her chair smiling from ear to ear and rushed to the window to wave again. It was so nice to have fun with her! We were very thankful to have this time with her. Though we know she won't remember, we will! Tuesday we got up early again because we planned to pick up auntie Anneke and visit Amsterdam with her. We took the car and drove towards Amsterdam, then parked it at a Park and Ride station and caught the bus to the Central Station. Of course we made beautiful photos of the canals and the station buildings. A tram took us to the Waterloo Place where there was a most interesting market! Lots and lots of stalls with all kinds of interesting things for sale. We bought some souvenirs, Dad bought some organ music!! Steven found a nice watch, Hanna found a dress - change room in a caravan behind the stall! I found a James Michener book, and some souvenirs, Emily and Hanna found a new bag and Auntie Anneke found some gifts. So you see there was something for everyone. We were also treated to - a large paper cone with chips and mayonnaise! Yummy! William will remember!! After that we caught the tram again and made our way to the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum. This museum has apparently been closed for about 10 years for upgrading and renewal of the premises. We bought some tickets - under 19 free! - and enjoyed several hours of looking around the museum. First we tried to stay together but it was very busy and everyone has different ideas of what they like to see, so we split up. Hanna and Steven wanted to see firearms and ships, Emily and i wanted to see the paintings, the etchings and historical things , Dad and Auntie Anneke headed for things in a certain time period. So after we all saw the famous Nachwacht of Rembrandt and his other most famous paintings we split up. We could have spent much longer there. The museum had so many rooms - so many interesting dis[plays. So many interesting things from history. w saw the paintingd of Jan Steen! Opa and Oma Eikelboom will remember - Het is een huishouding van Jan Steen! And Van Gogh. Its hard to remember but I wish we had this museum a bit closer to home. So interesting. Emily and I took some photos of things we wanted to read and later read them off our cameras. At 3.30 we joined up again and caught the tram - we walked along another market street and then went back to the central station. When you walk right through to the other side of the station you come to the river called Het Ij. We had a free ride with a ferry across to the other side. We were amazed by the volume of people going through the station, using public transport, using the ferry with bikes and motorbikes - riding on and off the ferry again on the other side. By now our legs were ready to drop off so we walked to the bus, then to the car - another walk because we got off the bus too early by mistake!! - then in the car and home. Actually to Uncle Johan and Auntie Anneke's place for dinner because uncle Johan had made delicious macaroni for us. Right behind their house is a little path which you can follow to the supermarket. Dad and I quickly did some shoppings, then we had coffee and made some plans for the next day. Auntie Anneke had to work so we organised for the next two days without her. It is daylight till 10.30 so we had no idea it was so late by the time we left. Unfortunately the freeway was closed in the direction of Utrecht so we drove another 20 minutes in circles and got home near 11 o'clock! Then tumbled into bed. From Mum