A delay, our first castle and grocery stores

Posted on September 27, 2009 by Dawn

Our RV was delayed and got to the dock in Amsterdam on Friday but wouldn’t be unloaded in time for us to get her until Monday morning.  I’m so anxious to get her.

But we are enjoying our time at the farm and in our very comfortable apartment.  The kittens continue to be a major love affair for Marissa and Shane.  Not sure if I mentioned that this is an organic farm – the cows get to walk around the pasture all day and come to get milked when their ready and no pesticides etc.

The children saw their first castle today.  Kasteel de Haar – http://www.kasteeldehaar.nl/

It was beautiful with interesting history, there is still a noble family living there one month out of the year.  We took the train and a bus there and back and that also was a first.  Pretty easy when you’re doing it with friends who know their way around.  Thanks again Monique!

One of the real adventures has been grocery shopping – it’s very different.  You rent a shopping cart, you weigh and print your own price tag for your produce, they don’t take credit cards and the food is very different.  I was able to make some homemade soup and garlic bread with salad that turned out well.  They have the biggest carrots I’ve ever seen as well as carrots that grow in little balls.

We wont have TV soon – but it is fun to watch Dutch tv – very different.  Some adult stuff at night that has me laughing out loud and Disney channel – really funny to hear Mickey Mouse in Dutch.

We also learned about pay bathrooms from .10 to .50 euros.  But they have automated seat cleaners.  For some reasons one of them started to clean while Marissa was still sitting there – her eyes were as big as pancakes.

We do seem to have less stress even though we are out of our element.  All this walking and fresh air has us all sleeping really well at night.

We are having so much fun with our friends, Monique, Rembrand, Leandra, Quinn and baby Micah.

Tomorrow water park, relaxing and laundry.