Crocus Break Mini Getaway to Dordrecht

As the lockdown continued through February, it was clear we would not be going anywhere for the Crocus Vakantie. We had booked flights to Malaga in the fall in hopes that things would improve and we could continue our tradition of a Spain or Portugal sun escape. Those tickets have now been exchanged for flights to the UK in October. Will we even get to go there then?!

Needing a change of scenery, we booked a last-minute overnight an hour South in an area of the NL we had yet to explore. We spent a lovely sunny day in Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. It is located where a number of rivers merge and used to be the most important port city. 

We felt the history right away as we entered through a beautiful town gate to reach the harbor. 

As with most Dutch towns, lots of waterways, boats, and cute bridges lined by gabled canal houses. There isn't much in the way of commercialism in the old town (especially in COVID times) so it was a very quiet area to explore. 

Check out that Golden Age Portrait on the wall.

A boat about to pass under city hall

The front of city hall

Real-life Disney Land

We stumbled upon this playground smack dab in the middle of the street and learned by reading the placard that it was the first "speelstraat" (play street) in the NL, which came from a sit-in protest in the street to advocate for a safe place for the local children to play. Power to the people! 

We drove south to our hotel for the night in Raamsdonksveer. We choose it based on last-minute availability of a family room. The kid's loft was so very Dutch up a crazy set of stairs (that did have a child's gate at the top). 

We walked to the neighboring town of Geertruidenberg, which was really charming and had a yummy take away Italian restaurant. Pete scored us some gluhwein while we waited. We were there at 6pm when the three town churches rang their bells. It was extremely peaceful with the sun setting. 

Ministry of silly walks through town

Southern NL is Catholic territory and we were in the reported "Bible belt." I was excited to see the statue of Saint Gertrude (my paternal grandmother's namesake). 

We are still in take-away only land over here so picnic dinner on our hotel room floor it was. Proost! 

Wintertime!!

It took almost 7 years in the Netherlands, but we finally got a real winter back in early February! There was the first major snowstorm in a decade and then freezing temperatures, which worked their magic in freezing the canals (and most other waterways). The storm blew in on Sunday with strong, drifting winds. Enough snow accumulated that we finally got to walk to what may be the only hill in our town to try sledding.

Pete's snowman pancakes were on point!

Gearing up

Maeve's joy in the snow was short-lived once she realized how cold it was. 

A hill! 

The snow drifted around our car and onto our sidewalk 

Hot cocoa break

It was Superbowl Sunday and while we don't watch the game, we were inspired to have some comfort food- buffalo chicken dip

Monday was supposed to be the first day back at school for all kids in the NL under age 12. Instead, we had two snow days at ISA. I'm glad we got some extra time to enjoy the snow with the kids, but was equally happy when they got to go back Wednesday! 

Pete was very excited to build an igloo!

Later in the week, a walk in the neighborhood revealed that some of the canals had already started freezing! 

Skaters in the distance

On Friday I wanted to see the city in its winter glory so I took the opportunity to spend the day walking the city, catching up with friends along the way. And keeping warm with all of the to-go gluhwein that cafes were selling. It was freezing! 

PC Hooftstraat- Amsterdams high-end shopping street, boarded up from all of the anti-curfew riots in the city

Our kids went home from school with friends for a double sleepover, so Pete and I had the night to ourselves.... until curfew, which snuck up on us, leaving us running to catch the last tram to get home on time. 

On Saturday, canals and waterways were legitimately frozen and the Dutch came out in masses. Maeve wasn't feeling the cold and I was still hungover from gluhwein so us girls stayed home while the boys met with friends on de Poel in Amstelveen. 

We didn't make it to the bosbaan, but what a sight (this is the oldest artificial rowing in the world)

We knew that Sunday (Valentine's Day) would be the last day of the freeze. We spent the morning on our local canal with our neighbors. They had some extra kids skates so Jude got to practice and was quite persistent despite the constant falls. He could go from one edge to the next, hurling himself up onto the grassy sides to stop himself. 

Some sibling love. Maeve pretending to be a zombie, eating Jude's face.

Pete was able to borrow skates Sunday afternoon so we went in search of any remaining ice. Vondelpark seemed a safe bet where the ponds are shallow in case of an ice break! Still plenty of people out enjoying it. 

And then 4 days later, winter was basically over. Short and very, very sweet.