Den Haag

Yesterday we packed our bags and drove to Den Haag. We are staying here until Friday as Adam is working on his big client and I am having a holiday. Yesterday evening was Eveline's 40th birthday party and we had a nice couple of hours. Great buffet and Eveline is absolutely blooming. Edward is recovering from a cold and so didn't really enjoy the other children at the party. There was one horrid little girl who kept taking his toys away. Poor little Edward didn't know what to do - just stared at her. We need to teach him to stand up for himself.

We are staying in a great little serviced apartment, called Hotel Plato. Very clean, not too expensive and great bathroom.

The only catch is the check-in. The reception man started out by warning us that if we broke anything we had to pay for it. Vigorous nods from Adam and myself.

He then pulled out a few forms and showed us some lists of things that are (allegedly) in the apartment, with the corresponding Hotel's valuation of them. He said that we had to do an inventory of the room, sign the sheet and hand it in on Monday (today). Well, it lists things like 1 sofa, 1 bed, 2 pictures, 1 mirror, the loo is called a "Sanitary".... and the kitchen list has 4 forks, 4 glasses etc. But! I did the list very diligently last night, and 2 of the kitchen implements are missing (1x soup ladle and 1x bake-oar). I have no idea what a 'bake-oar' is, but whatever it is, it is not in the kitchen. I'm going to hand the list in tonight so hope we don't have an argument with them about the soup ladle and bake oar.

OK so we thought that was the end of the check-in. But no! The receptionist took us up to the room, opened the door and started pointing out things that were expensive. Eg "this is the curtain. It costs 1000 euros. Very expensive. Do not break it." "This is the microwave. Do not put metal things in it. Do not boil milk in the kettle. It is for water only. There is a first aid kit in the cupboard. This is to use if you are hurt. Do not take it home. If you take it home, you will pay for it. It is very expensive..... etc etc"

I unfortunately got the giggles... and he eventually left.

This morning I took some clothes to the laundromat and it was snowing! Pretty, but very, very cold. After Edward's nap we took a tram to Centraal Station and then walked to Jan-Maarten and Leo's house. Den Haag is lovely. It is relatively clean, is not too crowded, has lovely shops and lacks the horrible grime of Amsterdam. Didn't see or smell a single dope-cafe, such a relief!

JM and Leo are well and Edward had a lovely cuddle with JM.

Well, Adam is home from work and we are making dinner. Edward is sleeping off a 6 (!!) hour play in our bed and I am keeping an eye on him. He is still quite snuffly and I think he needs a few more saline nose drops (aka the Anti-Snot).

Hoping that the lead up to Emma's wedding is going well and we are thinking of you all.