Golden Wedding Anniversary in Den Haag

This week we had a big family gathering in Den Haag for my parent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary.

We had booked two houses to accommodate the family from England and the Isle of Man. Ours was close to the the centre of Den Haag, and the other was in Scheveningen next to the sea. They were only a short tram ride apart, so easy enough for us to get together.

We landed in Schiphol shortly after 9pm, after a very close call nearly missing the flights due to extreme rain and extremely bad drivers down the M6/M61. We got ourselves the OV Chipkaart, used for all public transport, and headed down to the railway station. Public transport in The Netherlands is so easy, especially in the cities. A quick 30 minute ride later we were in Den Haag and waiting for the tram. A few minutes later, and a short 10 minute ride, we were at our destination.

Mum, Dad, Caroline, Malcolm, Laurence and Maddie were already there. Saskia, Nick, James, Oliver, Andy, Angela, Grace and Adam wouldn’t be arriving in Scheveningen until the next day.

Day 1

I wanted to take in the sights and be reminded of the feel of Den Haag, so Pete, Mum, Dad and I took the tram into town. We had a wander round, stopped off at the central station to top up the OV Cards and checked out some of the historic sights. We decided to walk back to the house, so we stopped for ice cream first.

Day 2

Today was the big family gathering. Mum and Dad had booked a hotel and about 45 people were due for lunch. It was wonderful to see the extended family. To be totally honest, I have lost track of exactly how I am related to some of them, second cousin is a useful term. There was lots of comparing of faces to see who we were most closely linked to. Apparently I am a Waterreus… I take after my mum’s father.

After champagne, a fantastic lunch, wine, speeches and photos, people started drifting off after about 5pm.

We headed back to the house and then decided not to rest, but take the trip out to Scheveningen on the tram to visit the other house and to go to the beach.

Laurence cleverly remembered the frisby, so the boys were entertained for an hour or so. The littlest ones (Grace and Adam) collected shells under the supervision of Angela and Maddie, and the olds sat and watched.

Then it was time for traditional Dutch food – chips, mayonnaise, croquettes, and Heineken. Pete and Malcolm weren’t impressed with the croquettes. Mum had 3!!!!

Day 3

On Monday, Saskia and Andy and their families went to the beach, Caroline, Malcolm and Maddie went to a gallery, Mum and Dad wanted a quiet day, but I was ready for some activity. I persuaded Pete and Laurence to hire some bikes and take one of the cycle paths through the dunes.

It was great fun. The bikes were extremely heavy, but as you all know, there are no hills in The Netherlands. Apparently we reached the lofty height of 4.5 metres above sea level at one point! And the lowest point being 1.5 metre below sea level!

That night, my cousin Yvonne, her husband Nick, my Aunt Martha, and their family, very generously took us out for dinner. The restaurant was fantastic – eat and drink all you want, with food from around the world. I was absolutely stuffed by the end. The restaurant was in a greenhouse – there are lots of greenhouses near Den Haag – but we’re not talking the garden greenhouse variety. Really, it was a huge glass building, with various rooms where you go to get your food (cold room for sushi, salads and deserts, grill room for steaks, another room for Indonesian delights). There were paths that took us round bonsais and Koi Carp which provided entertainment and the chance to walk off some of the food ready for the next course.

And then there were chocolates.

Day 4

I needed more exercise, so this time, while Caroline, Malcolm and Laurence went in to town; Saskia, Nick, James, Oli and Mum went to Amsterdam; Andy, Angela, Grace and Adam went to Sea World; Dad, Pete, Maddie and I went on another bike ride.

Dad was nervous, but this time the bikes weren’t so heavy. On Monday we went north. Today we went south.

We did a shorter route, and stopped at the beach for a break halfway down. After fish (traditional herring for me and Dad, fried white fish for Pete and Maddie) and chips for lunch we headed back at a steady pace.

Dad was pretty tired by the time we got back – but not too tired for ice cream!

We got back to the house in plenty of time and packed up ready to get the tram, then train back to Schiphol. It was a bit sad to go, as everyone else was staying for the whole week. Oh well, we all have to go home sometime. We were’t able to make it to Excalibur (the tallest climbing wall in the world) so we’ve got unfinished business…