We didn't get started until about 1:00, but that's our style. Our plan was to drive up to the town, explore, then drive across the dyke and shop at the Batavia outlet stores on the other side for a replacement suitcase. We seem to keep our suitcases too long and end up needing to replace them when we get here in The Netherlands. This is the second time for looking for a replacement suitcase at these outlets.
Upon entering the town, we started looking for the center and an information center and a parking place. We found the center and a parking place but no visitor center. So we just started wandering down a shopping pedestrian street toward the water. It was a little cool even though it was a bright sunny day. We found tables in the sun by the water and had an espresso. Linda has switched to sparkling water 1/2 of the time to get off the caffeine. After that, we decided we were hungry and ordered a carpaccio to share. We seem to be eating a lot of this because it meets all of our eating requirements. We are getting REALLY PICKY.
Oh yes, and some french fries. About the french fries - they come automatically with mayonnaise on the side and we eat them that way. And no salt - I like that. When we first arrived, I was ordering frites because I thought that was what the Dutch called them. No - its french fries. I thought seriously about having a beer, but finally settled for water. My, my what is this world coming to?
After taking an abnormal amount of time asking the waitress Dutch questions and just sitting, enjoying the sun, we walked back through town to the car taking a few pictures.
As we drove out of town there were a few more scenes worthy of photographs.
Linda liked this house's landscaping because of the flat trees. We see a lot of manicured landscaping around these towns and also in Soest.
Outside of town and onto the main road we
were on the dyke across the Ijsselmeer. Part of the North Sea on our left and the lake on our right on a two lane road. The North Sea water was choppy. The lake side was calm.
were on the dyke across the Ijsselmeer. Part of the North Sea on our left and the lake on our right on a two lane road. The North Sea water was choppy. The lake side was calm.
Its about 34 kms across the dyke. This was our third trip across and our first with blue sky and no fog. The visibility was perfect. The fishermen use nets and you see the poles where they attach their nets.
Once across, a few turns to the right and we were at the Batavia Outlets. This is the entrance. You have to pay 3 euros to park. The place looks like it has undergone a facelift since the last time we were there. A bit more upscale. But Linda was disappointed to see many of the same stores we see in the States: Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, McDonald's, Ralph Loren, and many more. We were able to walk past Lindt's Chocolate.
We checked out the luggage store but it was only high end - too expensive for us. We already knew our price point and the Hema price was better.
Forty-five minutes later using A8, A7, A27, and A1, we were home. Before 7:00 and the sun still high in the sky.
A few days ago, Kees had called and told us they had lost my iPhone that I had lent them. He was very upset. Well, this evening he called again to tell us they found it under a pillow on the lanai. He was so relieved. I told him we have done the same thing with all sorts of things tens of times. It really is strange how you can lose things in a small house.
A few days ago, Kees had called and told us they had lost my iPhone that I had lent them. He was very upset. Well, this evening he called again to tell us they found it under a pillow on the lanai. He was so relieved. I told him we have done the same thing with all sorts of things tens of times. It really is strange how you can lose things in a small house.
Thursday - Another Thursday street market day in Soest. Linda looked for the Dutch pants she buys every year but ended up with a nice blouse that will go with almost everything.
We went over to the Proef on the main street and had to sit inside because all the outside tables were occupied because of the street market. I went in first while Linda was still shopping. Our regular waitress came over and suggested two espressos, since that is what we always order. I told her just one because I didn't know when my wife would be coming in. As Linda came in, two espressos arrived. The waitress said that since she saw my wife entering the shop she went ahead and prepared two.
After that we decided we were hungry and ordered one roast beef sandwich to share on non-gluten bread. Our waitress had told us previously they had such a thing. It was delivered by a nice young man who we struck up a conversation with. He visits his dad and sister in North Carolina near Wilmington from time to time and gets to practice his English.
We stopped at a brand-new grocer called Goudrinet - something to do with apples. It has a large selection of fresh produce and nuts and seeds and a few other things. Kees and Joke take note. Its only been opened two weeks. On our way out they told us to pick up a bag of free apples. We like this place. We think it might be organic. If not, the produce is certainly fresh.
Later, while we were trying to decide when to eat dinner, Linda went next door to see Liesbeth. It turned out that Liesbeth needed to attend a practice with her singing group and had to leave at 6:00 and her babysitter was not going to arrive until 7:00. Peter is in Germany visiting his sick mother. We volunteered to fill the gap. So, after dinner, we walked next door and played with the kids for an hour: Linda and Noor working with paper dolls and Duco and I playing chess (I won one out of three) and then throwing around a miniature American football and then a baseball. The kids moved over to the trampoline that is permanently positioned in the ground so you just walk from the grass onto the bouncy surface. Both kids do flips. Duco taught Noor how to do flips and was proud telling us that. A different evening.
Linda went for a walk without me. Along the main street, over to the Windmill and back through the corn fields. This is what town looks like at 7:00 to 8:00 in the evening.
Houses with beautiful gardens and well-kept.
We went over to the Proef on the main street and had to sit inside because all the outside tables were occupied because of the street market. I went in first while Linda was still shopping. Our regular waitress came over and suggested two espressos, since that is what we always order. I told her just one because I didn't know when my wife would be coming in. As Linda came in, two espressos arrived. The waitress said that since she saw my wife entering the shop she went ahead and prepared two.
After that we decided we were hungry and ordered one roast beef sandwich to share on non-gluten bread. Our waitress had told us previously they had such a thing. It was delivered by a nice young man who we struck up a conversation with. He visits his dad and sister in North Carolina near Wilmington from time to time and gets to practice his English.
We stopped at a brand-new grocer called Goudrinet - something to do with apples. It has a large selection of fresh produce and nuts and seeds and a few other things. Kees and Joke take note. Its only been opened two weeks. On our way out they told us to pick up a bag of free apples. We like this place. We think it might be organic. If not, the produce is certainly fresh.
Later, while we were trying to decide when to eat dinner, Linda went next door to see Liesbeth. It turned out that Liesbeth needed to attend a practice with her singing group and had to leave at 6:00 and her babysitter was not going to arrive until 7:00. Peter is in Germany visiting his sick mother. We volunteered to fill the gap. So, after dinner, we walked next door and played with the kids for an hour: Linda and Noor working with paper dolls and Duco and I playing chess (I won one out of three) and then throwing around a miniature American football and then a baseball. The kids moved over to the trampoline that is permanently positioned in the ground so you just walk from the grass onto the bouncy surface. Both kids do flips. Duco taught Noor how to do flips and was proud telling us that. A different evening.
Linda went for a walk without me. Along the main street, over to the Windmill and back through the corn fields. This is what town looks like at 7:00 to 8:00 in the evening.
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