A sunny day

transforms the country. If you look at the sky on a random day, I would say you have at least 65% chances of it being gray. Yes, I just made up that number, but it illustrates the point. Oh but when the sun does come out it feels like there is a party. Terraces in bars burst open like flowers on those first days of spring, everyone is outside, the sky is blue. And the contrast with so much green around makes it perfect. We had a few of those days in a row. So we went to get the  bikes at my father in laws' house and came biking, about 16 km. It was like being inside a postcard image of Holland. Complete with windmills and cows and horses in the fields. Too bad the tulips were missing, because it is not the season anymore.

Then, later that day we went to the beach. There were fireworks. And those were coming from a boat. Unfortunately we could not capture any images with our little camera. You should have seen how crowded it was. As much as we had a nice time, I have to say the latin blood in me thinks it is a bit strange. I went and touched the water of the North Sea for the first time. And it was freezing. That didn't stop children from playing with the super cold water. I guess I am just spoiled/blessed having grown up being able to go on vacation to the mexican pacific that was just (a few long) hours away by car.  And I am not even talking about the turquoise transparent waters of the caribbean.

I do love how they use poles with cartoons as signals on the beach. It is sooo long that it would be easy to get lost. That way you can just say, I'll be by the strawberry or the train.