Holzhaus am See

Friends from Holland are visiting with their three small children. It is still burning hot in Berlin, so after three days of walking the city looking for some cooling we decide to flee the city and rent a house near one of the lakes. With a party of ten, in the middle of vacation time, it is kind of hard but we manage to find a great house overlooking the Zerndorfer Lanken See: Holzhaus am See. A small beach just 500 meters through the forest away – or five minutes by boat – where we can swim have beers from the neighboring campsite. A surrounding garden with swing and a small scaffolding down at the lake. Four days of swimming, playing outside, boating and late night barbecues. There even is a small fish shop 'fischerei Aurora' down the lake where we can buy fresh trout from the lake. Renting this house was one of the best decisions we could have made.

Sale e Tabacci

An evening out together we decide to go to Sale e Tabacchi, an, as far as we’re concerned, authentic Italian restaurant. We love to go to Italy, especially the area around Lake Como, and here it feels as if we’re there in their small patio garden. The respectable elderly gentlemen, in their impeccable white shirts, who serve us. The Italian couple dining at the table next to ours. Last but not least, their lovely Italian food. If only for their fantastic Insalata di Polpo I will definitely return here.

Sacrower See

Last time we were at Slachten See with our kids a lady came up to us to tell us there are other lakes in the area where the water is much cleaner and brighter. She told us to next time go to the Sacrower See, a lake she used to go when she was a kid herself. So we did today.

We parked the car at Landleben, a restaurant along the lake. Behind their terrace is a small beach. Indeed the water here is crispy cold and clear. It’s perfect for a swim on this very hot summer day. Sitting in the shadow of the surrounding trees, taking a swim every now and then, get warm again in the sun and getting some beers, apfelschorle and flammkuchen at the kiosk.

Office

We were visiting daddy’s office today. Can you find the little faces?

Flowers

In Berlin we don’t have the florist I’m used to in Amsterdam. What there are in the summer though are loads of field bouquets, which, in my opinion, makes up for the lack of flowers the rest of the year.

The End

Ending a week in France with bread and cheese on the stairs of our lovely holiday home

Girls flying high

In the French sky

Oysters

Today we have a family outing with just the five of us. My parents have camped in Normandy just a couple of weeks before us and for my mums birthday they went to the town of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to eat some of their famous oysters. They have found a perfect little place just beside the harbor and since they’re so enthusiastic about it (and since we love oysters) we can’t help but visit.

After strolling around the village, having coffee in the harbor, picnicking with just baguette and camembert, we go down the harbor again to end the day with white wine and oysters. Whenever in Saint Vaast please visit the small Yellow oyster shop to pick a plate of their delicious oysters in whatever, they offer five different, size you like. The girls weren’t absolute fans of the oysters, but we definitely were. Writing this I’m wishing I was there again to order another plate.

Normandy

From the silent beaches in Zeeland we move to even quieter ones in Normandy for a family vacation with the in-laws. We found a fantastic house in the middle of the dunes near Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, again with an enclosed garden so all six little girls and the dog can run and climb around as they please. It’s just a small fence separating us from the beach. The weather in Normandy, at least in this time of year, is not the kind that you can lay down on the beach and enjoy the sun, you’ll simply just be blown away, but is perfect for beach walks, building sandcastles, searching for sea snails or afternoon dips.

Birthday

Today is my dad’s birthday. He actually isn’t a big birthday celebrator. Since it’s his 60^th he decided to celebrate it, but only on his terms. This means this day is about four little leading ladies in his life. This means we celebrate his birthday at big playground Oud Valkeveen.

We used to come here often when I was a kid myself, so we all have good memories here from our childhood and now we will make those good memories for our little ones as well. We have a great day, picnicking in the sun taking turns going on the slides, trampolines, swing or merry-go-round with the girls.

Bye Frankrijk Noord

It’s our last day again in Zeeland. Last bulky breakfast made by Lille. Last time playing and rolling on the meadow after this breakfast. Last time taking the wagon full of girls for a walk on the beach. Last time watching the chickens in the orchard. 

Oma and Opa came down, with our sweet little niece, to join us for this last beautiful day abd a last quiet walk on the silent beach.

Until we meet again :-)

Ecoscope

Today we’re visiting my aunt and uncle again at their Ecoscope in Renesse. We’re so glad they’re still in business. Last time I just brought one of the girls, today it’s all three of them running around on the premises, chasing chickens, throwing sticks for Kit the Bull terrier. We have a wonderful day drinking juice and coffee, collecting eggs and making little boats out of bark and feathers.

Reza is so happy again that everybody here can understand what she’s saying again, she’s talking for hours. She’s even mingling in the conversations my uncle is having with his visitors.