The Dutch take swimming seriously. Water is literally everywhere and Dutch kids are taught how to swim from an early age. Through the national Zwem ABC programme, kids work towards three certificates. They start around age 5 by simply playing in the water and learning to be comfortable in the pool. Next comes floating, and …read more >>
When you think hiking, the Netherlands might not be the first country that comes to mind. It’s true there are no great mountains to scale here but there are beautiful paths through the Dutch countryside and recently I’ve started exploring them. Together with friends, I set aside a few weekends a year to go walking.. …read more >>
When we first started looking for work in The Hague, we found it difficult to identify companies based here with an English-speaking workplace. To make it easier for ourselves and other expats, we started keeping this list. If you know of an English-speaking employer in The Hague or the surrounding area, please leave a comment …read more >>
This year we were invited to check out the opening day of LEGO World in Utrecht, the outing of the year for LEGO fanatics. Since we have many little LEGO fans in the family, we jumped at the chance to go. Our day started early. We wanted to be first in the door at 10am and …read more >>
The autumn school holidays are coming up here in the Netherlands (herfstvakantie) and we’re getting ready for one of our must-do events of the year: LEGO World in Utrecht. For an entire week, the conference venue the Jaarbeurs (next to Utrecht Central Station) is filled with LEGO. To give you an idea of the scale, …read more >>
The Zeehondencentrum, or seal rehabilitation centre, in Pieterburen (near Groningen) is a lovely place to visit with young kids. The centre is fairly small, but they’ve packed a lot into the space. There are exhibits explaining about the life of seals and the dangers they face, several viewing areas and regular chances to take a …read more >>
This summer we spent a few days camping and cycling around the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog with our two boys (age 5 and 2). Even though it was high tourist season when we visited, the island had a laid-back feeling and we really enjoyed our time there. Its small size alone makes Schiermonnikoog perfect for …read more >>
It’s the February school break here, and like all parents we’re looking for ways to amuse the kids. Today we checked out the Maritime Museum (Maritiem Museum) in Rotterdam and it ended up being one of the best museum experiences we’ve ever had. Just arriving at the museum was exciting for our kids, as the …read more >>
Ever wanted to swim in a pool of LEGO blocks, stand under a LEGO shower or scoop up mounds of yellow bricks with a digger? We did all of these things and more at the biggest LEGO event on the planet: LEGOWorld 2016 in Utrecht. When our son saw an advertisement for LEGOWorld and started …read more >>
Ever wanted to stand in a rain shower of LEGO, or plunge yourself into a ‘swimming pool’ of blue LEGO bricks? For all LEGO fans, the biggest event of the year (and, in fact, the biggest LEGO event in the world) is coming up: LEGO World NL in Utrecht. The 2016 edition is happening from …read more >>
