Temporary Nomad

Ah, Delft! Back at last, after three years away. In some ways it feels like we never left. But there are a few subtle changes, like, for example – it’s summer! And that other giveaway – I now know the location of a lot more playgrounds, and the child-friendly cafes. Kobus Kuch on the Beestenmarkt actually has a sandpit – how is it that I never noticed that before?

Since we arrived, we’ve been throwing ourselves into all the old favourites – biertje on the Beestenmarkt, poffertjes on the markt, and of course catching up with lots of friends.

Freya has been quite a trooper. The flight over was more tolerable than expected, thanks to a less than full flight on the first leg, which meant a free seat next to us, and then the welcome discovery that she is still just light enough to fit in the bassinets – we’re keeping her on a strict calorie intake to ensure she still fits on the way back!

A particular highlight so far has been a trip to Den Haag, which included a visit to Het Mauritshuis, one of the loveliest small galleries in the world, and home to Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”.

Het meisje met de parel, Johannes Vermeer, circa 1665-1667.

We have a print of it on the wall at home, and were quite impressed when Freya, on seeing it shouted out “Earring! Earring!” in obvious recognition.

Later on, we wandered through the annual outdoor sculpture exhibition in the Lange Voorhout,

Freya and Helen at Javier Marín - Mexican Sculptures, Den Haag Sculptuur 2009.

where Freya gave a new meaning to taste in art:

Freya shows her taste in art.