Amsterdam

After seeing meeting with my parents in Freiburg (previous post) we met them the following weekend in Amsterdam. The weather was gorgeous and the flowers were in bloom, which was a very different experience compared to the last time I visited in February 2012 when it was rainy and freezing cold. I guess most trips are better when the weather cooperates.

On one of the days we took the train to Haarlem, rented bikes and cycled to Zandvoort, a coastal town on the North Sea. The last day we met with our friends Joost and Karen (who we met in Nashville) and their little daughter Hannah. We also saw our friend Lex but don't have any photos with him. (thanks, Lex, for the drive to the airport!)

Canal near our hotel in the Jordaan district

Zandvoort

Cycle path in Zandvoort

Cathedral square in Haarlem

Canal tour

Ribs at De Klos

Clever window display

Cafe with Hannah, Joost, Karen and Karen's father

Freiburg

We went to Freiburg in May to meet with my parents who had just finished a boat/barge trip from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf. This was the first time that my parents had met Richard's parents, so it was a very important family gathering!

Despite the language barrier between my parents and Richard's, Sofie, Richard and I helped to translate and after a while it started to feel like just a natural conversation. Just as when you're watching a foreign film with translated subtitles, after ten minutes you forget that you're reading and just get into the movie--- that's the way the conversations worked, at first a bit fragmented but after a little while it felt very natural.

First meal together at Richard's parents place

The parents

Taking the gondola up the Shauinsland in the Black Forest 

Mom and Dad enjoying the view

Flower market at the Freiburger Muensterplatz 

It was spargel (asparagus) season while we were visiting.
The best way to eat it is steamed with some hollandais sauce!

Meal at Martinsbraeu

Pretzels and beer at the Schlossberg beer garden

Krakow

For my birthday we took an extended weekend trip to Krakow. It's convenient to get there because Ryan Air flies direct from Stansted to Krakow main airport in a little over two hours.

Krakow is a medieval city and has a lot of amazing things to see: the castle, the old town square, the Jewish quarter, cathedrals, little cobblestone alleys and lovely cafes. We stayed at Ostoya Palace Hotel near the centre of Krakow. Our trip mainly revolved around walking around to see the sights, eating all of the Polish delicacies that I've learned to love through Richard (and particularly his mom's) cooking, and learning about Polish history at the museums and walking tours.

There was a strong decorative theme among the cafes and restaurants, which I might call cosy Grandma style decor-- a lot of rustic dark wood furniture with crocheted doilies and fresh flowers. It might sound kitsch, but because most of the city seems to embrace it, the consistent theme made for a very warm and cosy atmosphere.

Cafe at the market square

Cloth Hall at the centre of the market square

Bagels were reportedly invented in Krakow! They're very similar to those you'd get anywhere, except that the dough is twisted. They also sold what I'd like to think are mini bagel necklaces, but I never saw anyone wearing one.

Garden on castle hill

Vistula River viewed from castle hill

Polish street food - zapiekanki and fries

Mleczarnia beer garden in the Jewish Quarter

Communist style "Milk Bar". Essentially a cafeteria serving simple, inexpensive Polish classics. It's the type of place that most tourists don't go because they don't have English menus and the staff aren't extremely helpful. 

Our room at the Ostoya Palace. In the corner of the room is a tiled stove that would have been common in Polish houses in the past-- now I think they've just kept them as decoration.

Breakfast at our favourite restaurant Marchewka z Groszkiem.

Couple put locks on the bridge with their initials and throw away the key

Cathedral in Kazimierz

Russian Lada (Communist era)

Rye soup with eggs, beet soup, and Galumpki

Alchemia cafe in Kazimierz

Potato pancakes, rye soup, carrot salad and celeriac salad

Bigos and Wisniowka vodka

Sampling grass flavoured vodka. Surprisingly tasty.

Market Square at night

Wales

A few weeks back, we spent some time at Bala Lake in Wales, putting in a sail or two when the weather was good. It was rather cold, but still lots of fun.

The site.

First morning. Note the texture of the water's edge: it's ice. And no, there was no central heating in the tent.

Cute lambs.

The calm lake.

When wind is needed, use your brains.

Kelsey on the way into Bala town, for Welsh cakes and coffee.

Two is company.