Drive NL: Naarden

We hope to drive and discover some new place at least once a month.  Naarden was our first for 2012.  We didn't manage to go anywhere in March, but we have something planned for April, so stay tuned.

Naarden lies in North Holland and is a star fort,

a type of fortification first seen in mid-15th century in Italy.

It has many fortified walls and moats.

From the air, it would have looked like a star.  

At ground level, it was just stretches of peaceful waterway.

It was a quiet and peaceful little town.

Thanks to friendly customers and tolerant waiters, we managed a three-course french lunch in this little restaurant which had no baby chair.  The above picture is just for show, he of course ran everywhere and touched everything.

The last remnants of winter...

... and the first promises of spring.

Winter Round-Up

I love the early spring days when the temperature is cool and wild flowers bloom everywhere as they welcome the end of winter.  That didn't happen this year.  It went from cold to hot in a matter of days.  Temperatures have been in the high teens/low 20's.

Seeing that winter has flown past us, here are the last of our winter shots..

"Please can we go outside, mummy?"

"Somehow the slide is not as exciting indoors."

(maybe it's because you are standing at the wrong end, silly)

"This is more like it - freedom!" (running wild)

"To be one with nature." (or dirt)

"Strollers are for pushing, not sitting, mummy." (shorty)

(Not one of his best wardrobe days - but he doesn't care, so long as he gets to go outside and play)

(Oops, can't blame this one on daddy)