FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Only too quick the weekend was over ! On Monday Toby went to school and the parents to work. I kept the house, I wanted to go window shopping nearby, but it was so cold and windy that I preferred to stay home and worked a bit on my little travel computer and got angry because different things didn't work and I have absolutely  to have that arranged before I fly to Egypt end of the month.

At 3.30 pm I picked up Toby from the day care. He told me that his school was too far for me to walk but his day care very close to the house. Very cute of him. He goes by bike, but one of the parents always go with him. Driving your child to school I thought it was by car, but no ever since he bikes, its per bike. The parents go to work by bike too ! Everybody in this area does so.

Punctually I was at the day care which was very nice and had a big football (soccer) ground in front. The door was open and nobody there, so I had time to look around and see the very well furnished rooms with modern games. Finally I saw a girl who was cleaning up plates and she came out with me to call Toby who was busy with his football game ! This area is so secure that there is no danger to let the kids play outside alone. Only I could have stolen some nice games inside .... nobody saw me and I saw nobody. Strange.



Then we walked home. The way is very nice across the canals and there is only one big main street which is dangerous. Once this street crossed, I gave Toby the keys and told him to ride home as old grandma was so slow. He was very kind looked always behind to see if I follow and then when he arrived he opened the door put the alarm off and I saw his head stretching out to look for me. I was really touched that he took so much care of me, finally it was as if he was babysitting me and not the other way around.

We spent the rest of the day choosing something to ask Father Christmas and watched a bit TV then the parents arrived.

The next day I had to get up very early because I had to take the Bus to Brussels and I had to be at the bus station at 8 am.



The bus arrived punctual I said good bye to the canals and watched the cars, all people going to work.



I left behind my nightmare !

Mr. G. picked me up at the Waterloo station and then went playing cards and I went to Nicole to play Scrabble. We made one game, ate two cakes and I told them my weekend in Amsterdam.



In my painting class I tried again a "Pouring" painting and when I saw the result I was very satisfied ! I was the first one to be surprised ! You never know what is coming out.

After painting class we went to the Lunch Garden and had lunch there. Then we went home to do our shopping or household scores.

In the evening I went with Monique to the cinema, she wanted to see "The wife". I was a bit hesitating because women who give up everything they love only because they marry, I just can't understand.



But it turned out that it was a beautiful film very well performed and I can only recommend it.

I had seen an advertising on internet for glasses to wear when it is dark. As I am blind like a mole when I drive and are blinded by headlights, I ordered them just to see how it worked ! And I am delighted ! I can see now so clearly it's amazing. Even the strongest headlight doesn't bother me anymore and I can see people and side streets which I couldn't see before ! I always avoided to drive in the dark. But now in winter I have too so I am happy to see like an eagle, and don't see trees where there are none !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

NORTHERN TOUR - AMSTERDAM - HAMBURG - COPENHAGEN

Finally I find some time to write a bit about my Northern Tour adventure.  The next day after our arrival arrived the others to join the group. At 5 pm we finally were all together and the presentations could begin. Our tour leader is a young woman from the UK. The travelers are from all countries : The United States, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Malasya, Philippines, and finally us, the two Europeans from Belgium.

Then we all went to our bus to start the tour with a Pizza cruise on the Amsterdam canals



The pizza was very good and we enjoyed the landscape passing by.



We also saw this old ship and the museum of science. Of course we saw a lot more, but my time is restricted.



The next day on our way to Hamburg we stopped in a farm where we also visited a clog maker. As I had seen this already before, I preferred to stay in the stable, the smell there reminded me of my childhood. One of the cows loved or loved not my red outfit, because she bumped all the time against my arm. I tried to pet her head, but that she didn't like either. She apparently wanted bread, but I didn't have any.

The trip was very well organized, we stopped each  two hours for a "comfort stop" because a bus driver is not allowed to drive more than 2 hours.

Meanwhile we knew each other better and the ambiance in the bus was very funny. Some coming from far fell asleep because of the jet lag !

When we arrived in Hamburg it was very, very hot ! 36° C ! Bunny and I didn't want to walk around more than necessary in this heat, so we followed our guide for a short visit of the city but then took a sightseeing boat on the Alster.



This had been the best idea ever, because on the boat it was not so hot and we had a nice breeze and we saw the skylines of Hamburg, interesting buildings and the captain explained what we saw ! It was really very nice.



Before walking back to the bus, we had a nice supper at the river, enormous portions !

The next day we crossed the border to Denmark and had to show our passports for the first time. As Denmark had no Euros, we payed everything by card, not to have foreign coins in our pockets with which we couldn't do anything.



Copenhagen is a beautiful and interesting city. We followed our guide for a tour through the city and saw the famous Mermaid, which is a little disappointing and we couldn't understand why it had become so famous. We also saw the house of Christian Andersen the storytellers for the kids (and adults) and then had supper at the seaside. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the restaurant. Believe it or not I had fish and chips !! Copenhagen is very expensive for a small beer you pay 9 Euros and for a coffee I payed 5. The food too was very expensive. I think I have never eaten such luxury "fish and chips" in my whole life.

We were quite exhausted from the long day and went back to the hotel with our bus at around 7 pm, while a few others stayed in the city to see a bit of the night life, especially when they heard that it one street you are allowed to smoke canabis !

I sorted out my pictures and wrote this text, tomorrow morning we are off to Stockholm !

AWAY IN AMSTERDAM

Tomorrow I am going to Amsterdam to be the body guard of nearly 7 year old grandson Toby.

It is about time that I leave home for a few days because I think it is bewitched or I am. It started Saturday when I switched the coffee machine on and after a while as the water was still cold, I told Mr. G that the machine didn't work anymore. Of course it still worked ! He had seen the button red and had turned it off, as he thought I had forgotten to switch it off ! Without my cup of coffee I am not in a good mood and Mr. G. preferred to disappear in his office.

Then I switched on my computer and found a folder in my photos which I had never seen. The title was "photos".  At least that was logical that photos are in the photo folder. I opened and saw all my photos. I couldn't understand why I had them twice now and deleted the folder.

A few minutes later I got a mail from One Drive"
We noticed that you recently deleted a large number of files from your OneDrive.
When files are deleted they are stored in your OneDrive recycle bin, and can be restored for 30 days. After 30 days, deleted files are gone forever.

So I put them back again although I don't know for what use. As long as it is free of charge it's OK.

This problem solved, my computer suddenly started to speak. He told me everything what I have to do "shift", ctrl, and so on. I continued typing but this female voice got on my nerves and I really still not understood why suddenly my computer talked, I suppose there is a function for maybe blind people ? I did a restart and the voice disappeared. Sigh.

At supper time I wanted to make scrambeled eggs with a lot of vegetables, the light went on and then disappeared. My oven was dead ! While I pushed on all buttons, Mr. G checked the fuses in the basement. I tried to follow the cable which connected the oven to the plug and noticed that it was loose ! I gave a hit with my fist and the oven worked again ! Probably my cleaning lady had cleaned too well.

After supper I thought that now my miseries would end and the ghost would go back in his ghost world, when suddenly the phone rang. It was Ilona she asked me what I wanted ??? I hadn't called her since yesterday and I didn't want anything. Now who called her ?? It wasn't me because my phone was far from my hands. It couldn't be a cat as the phone is in a case. It will remain a misery.

So I am happy to leave tomorrow for Amsterdam



to keep an eye on this little man. I think we will have a lot of fun together as he loves also to paint and create things. I bought modelling clay to make little animals or other things




and have pebbles to transform into cats or dogs. So if the weather is bad we have a lot to do.



It is a very modern part on the outskirts of Amsterdam, only existing since 2002 I will certainly go back to this nice restaurant at the port to eat a good pancake with cheese and ham !

I will certainly be short in comments ! 

MY WEEKEND OF JULY 12

On Saturday morning we drove to Amsterdam to celebrate my birthday with the family !



I was very spoiled ! I got a beautiful bouquet, a voucher for a beauty shop (I will come out looking like 17 and not 71) and a modern art painting from grandson Toby !



When we arrived they were all waiting in the street, sitting on a bench and Mr. G had to show his talents as a footballer ! I found it very unusual that it is the use that families are sitting outside at their front door on benches or on the grass between the houses and the streets. Can't imagine my neighbors sitting on the street !

After a light lunch I was invited for a cruise to Pampus. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 the Dutch government feared an attack on Amsterdam. An artificial island was built, the Pampus fortress.



We waited in the sunshine for the ship to arrive, which had first to go to through a canal lock we watched the bridge raising and then the boat arrived. Toby had to wear a safety jacket.



It was a very beautiful ride on the sea



Then we arrived in Pampus, which also has a restaurant, besides the fort. I didn't go inside this dark fortress which reminded me a bunker.  I prefered to walk on the top around it and had a wonderful view on the little sailing boats and the blue water.



In the evening we were invited to a greek restaurant, which looked so modern, that besides the painting on the wall there was nothing greek. The food was good, but the prices horrendous for what it was including a minimum service. Toby met a little girl who presented herself as "I am a witch !" !



On Sunday my son's father in law arrived with his wife and brought him all his old cameras. It was like Christmas for my son ! The highlight was a 100 year old camera which had belonged to Toby's great great grandfather ! We were happy to see each other again, last time had been on their wedding. We had breakfast and lunch together and a real nice time. They both spoke very well German so there were no communication problems, we just mixed Dutch with German from time to time.



We sat on their huge terrace which is like a little garden and chatted, while Toby played and ate his lunch.

After 3 pm we left reluctantly, but we had 2 1/2 h to drive and Mr. G. was very tired. We had very heavy showers during our trip and sometimes I had to drive very slowly I hardly could see the street in all this rain. But we arrived safely and were greeted by our cats, our neighbor had taken good care of them !

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of July 8 . If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This was quiet a special weekend ! Today is my 70th birthday, I leave the 60th to join the 70th ! And to celebrate with the family we went to Amsterdam !



Our little 2 1/2 year old grandson Toby, recognized us immediately and greeted us cheerfully. He then unwrapped the little gifts we had brought and while we were having a drink on the patio, he was playing in his private "swimming pool".



After his afternoon nap, we went by tram to Amsterdam, because it's quiet impossible to go there by car especially now where it is packed with tourists. We took a sightseeing boat, which was a birthday gift for me and had a lot of fun. Toby sat in the tram and then Nonno (Grandpa) walked him to the boat where we took a seat. The weather was wonderful, sunny and warm. Perfect for such a tour.



I was especially amused by the houseboats, where people live, some of them looked so funny. Lots of young people were in their boats and the tables were full with beer cans ! They sang and played music and had a lot of fun and waved towards the sightseeing boats. Mr. G. was delighted, there was a couple of Italians sitting with us ! So he translated for them into Italian.



When we came back my birthday party started ! I had no time to take a picture of the gifts because Toby started to help me to unwrap the packages ! Therefore I only have a picure aferwards ! I was really very spoilt, I got a selfmade drawing from Toby, a framed picture of the both of us, and a very sophisticated Kindle "ebook reader". It's much more than only to read books because it also has Internet, I can watch movies etc. I haven't read yet all the possibilities. Mr. G. offered me a lapis lazuli necklace with the appropriate earrings.


While Toby's Daddy did the barbecue, mummy dressed the table and Toby hungry waited for the first sausage. The meal was delicious and we could sit outside the whole time.



On Sunday morning we went to a little beach near their house and I had the first sunbath this year !  Toby tried out my seat, Nonno prepared a sand castle and Daddy pulled Toby in his little boat. It was like a real holiday.



After lunch Toby showed me how he put the rails of his train together and played with the little wagons, then we loaded the car and returned home.

And tomorrow I will celebrate again this time with my friends.

WORLESS WEDNESDAY

more participants here








Amsterdam

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. The week started with sunshine, so I had the opportunity to plant my flowers which I had bought last Friday and which were still standing on the terrace.



I  collected a lot of snail shells, I had put a special product on the plants to kill them because this year again we have a whole snail invasion !

2. The next day it rained again, so I still have 3 pots to be filled with plants. I also had to go to the dermatologist to check a spot I have on the skin and I don't want to get skin cancer, fortunately everything was OK.

3. My son called me and asked me if I could come to Amsterdam for 2 days to babysit little Toby, because they had important things to do, where they couldn't take him along as he only goes 3 days per week to daycare for the moment.



In pouring rain I took the train, and arrived in Amsterdam at 5 pm. My son had told me to go to the left when I get out of the station and there I should ask where the tramway stops are. Of course as usual I probably mixed up left with right, but suddenly I arrived in front of a tramway, where my son patted me on my shoulder ! I couldn't explain him how I arrived at the right place immediately !

4. I started my Grandma job for the first time and asked them for the "user manual" after more than 30 years things have changed and I also had forgotten. But it came back quite quickly and we spent a nice time together. He was really a very easy baby at least when he was alone with me.



We played together, watched a little baby movie and then he ate with big appetite a whole roll with raisins !

5.


The weather was as bad as in Belgium, but fortunately in the afternoon it cleared up and we went to the "Keukenhof" which is very famous for it's Tulip flowers fields and also called the Garden of Europe.

We walked around, and admired the flowers and little Toby had fun on the playground and in the little zoo with little pigs, goats and a cute calf. Toby shared an ice cream with me and liked it very much.

Today will return home to Waterloo. I am very happy with the result of my first Grandma job. Apperently Toby got quickly used to me.

IN AMSTERDAM FOR CHRISTMAS

While you are reading this I am sitting in our car, driving to Amsterdam to celebrate Christmas in the new house of our son in Amsterdam.



It will be the first time.



For little Toby too, because last year he was just one month old.

to all of you !

CHRISTMAS IN AMSTERDAM

"messy" pictures are here

This year we went to Amsterdam (Netherlands) to celebrate Christmas there together with my son. I had seen Amsterdam in spring, summer and automn but never during Christmas time and I was quite disappointed.

The city had very poor or rather no Christmas decoration compared to other European cities. Only the shops had done a little effort. There was no Christmas market and only a few light garlands on the streets in the center. I heard that they only start to do some Christmas decoration and that it hadn't been the use at all so far.

The official Christmas tree in the Center was very poorly decorated and there was nothing else around. Finally I saw a little bit in the western area of Amsterdam. We made a walk through this area and I took some pictures.

The private houses had no decoration at all not even in the windows. I saw maybe two. The so decorative house boats were not decorated either I only saw one. I also was told that not all families do a Christmas tree and this too only starts. Christmas trees apparently were only put up by catholic families in the past.

My conclusion was, it is really not a city to visit around Christmas and get into Christmas mood !



There is almost no decoration at these houses. The place in front was covered with little metal sculptures of reptiles

The Hard Rock Café had some decoration !

and around the Vondel park which is the biggest park in Amsterdam there was again nothing.





On a little place we finally found something christmaslike and I bought a portion of Poffertjes.These are mini pancakes which are baked on this special griddle. It is served with powder sugar and tastes delicious.

This time I didn't want to see more of Amsterdam, it was too depressing ! Fortunately at our son's appartment it was really Christmas !

We use to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and start with an apertitif while unwrapping our Christmas gifts. Then we have a nice meal.

A beautiful Christmas tree


A nicely decorated table, our son even ironed the Christmas table cloth and I found it funny because I never iron anything and my table cloth is iron free ! Here we are with a couple of their friends and our son's girl friend sitting in front of Mr. Gattino.


An open fire in the Television

Jersey the dog who belongs to a collegue, is spending Christmas holidays with our son.

and even the big Buddah he bought in Vietnam was in a christmassy dress.