I usually spend my winters in the Netherlands, unfortunately.
Winter in the Netherlands
Ever wondered what winter in the Netherlands is like? Well, the Dutch climate is quite unpredictable. We have seasons, but they are not very distinct. Some years our winter feels like autumn. Also happened: a spring that felt like winter or the opposite, spring like an early summer. So we do not have an extreme climate, but what we do have is a lot of rain and wind. In summer the days and daylight seem endless, while in winter there is only daylight from around 9.30 am till 5 pm.
It’s dark at 5 pm in winter. I live near this canal in Haarlem.
During these past winter months in the Netherlands, we had it all: rain, storm, hail, snow, blue skies, grey skies.
Despite the fact that I hate winter and cold, I succeeded to have a good time in Holland. Whatever the weather is outside, inside my house it’s warm, comfortable and cosy.
Mmmm, warm and cosy in my house…
There was Christmas and New Year. Ofcourse with a real, huge Christmas tree in the living room.
How I love Christmas ornaments!
There were gatherings with family and friends. With way too many dinners, resulting in way too many kg’s.
Top picture: my family at my parents home in Belgium. Bottom picture: Frits’ family in a restaurant in Deventer.
Typical Dutch delicacies of the season (like oliebollen and hot chocolate with whipped cream) also did not help with our weight control! Yummie though;-).
I gained 2 kg and Frits even 4 kg!:-(
Left: dutch ‘slagroom soezen’ and ‘oliebollen’ aka fried dough balls. Right: hot chocolate milk with whipped cream.
We drove in our car through the whole country and beyond (since my family lives in Belgium) to visit people and enjoy historic town centers. Sometimes it rained, other times the light was beautiful.
There were warm and fun moments with dear friends who stayed over at our house.
Beautiful historic center of Zwolle.
I went to the beach a number of times, accompanied by sun, wind, clouds, rain and even snow. Totally different looks!
One of Holland’s coolest and most popular charity events was held in Haarlem this year. For once sleepy Haarlem was the epicenter of the country, hahaha. I DJ-ed and tango-danced for this charity, as part of a tango-marathon.
Serious Request, the charity, is a charity from a radiostation. For the occasion this statue received a light guitar.
DJ-ing and dancing during the tangomarathon for Serious Request. The organization collected 3500 euro for the charity.
And there were more DJ-stints. DJ Anja indahouse;-).
DJ-ing at the New Year tango matinee salon from Libertango in Leiden.
So even in winter I was able to have a good time! Yay!
How was your winter? What do you do during the winter months? Winter sports? Staying in? Did you gain weight? Or is that not an issue for you?
This was a lovely post. I will steal a picture and link to your blog. oK?
Greetje
Ofcourse! Always.
I’m delighted you manage to still enjoy the winter. I had no idea your parents live in Belgium.
I managed to gain weight over the holidays due to all of my baking. I sometimes go a bit overboard and of course there is only the two of us to eat them all.
We don’t get outside at all now. It’s just too cold. So basically I can’t wait for Spring…which is still another 2 months away. Thankfully we are heading out this week to escape winter in CayoCoco. I cannot wait!
bisous
Suzanne
I hope you had a lovely, warm vacation in CayoCoco! And let spring hurry up a bit!