Saturday - On the Pilgrim Fathers' trail in Leiden

While browsing the NYT last evening, I've found out that in Leiden there is an "American Pilgrim Museum", dedicated to the religious dissenters of the Mayflower's fame.

Open Wednesday to Friday, it is hosted in a XIV century house, not far from the market already mentioned in a previous post.

There is also another landmark related to the Pilgrim Fathers in Leiden: a wall plaque in the Pieterskerk commemorating the unfortunate John Robinson, one of the leaders of the group, who in fact, never made to America.

http://www.leidenamericanpilgrimmuseum.org/index.htm

Friday - Happy Women's Day in Amsterdam

It's the International Women's Day today and the University of Amsterdam is organising free guided tours through their exhibition "1001 Vrouwen".

The 1001 women in question are "extraordinary, famous, infamous and sometimes forgotten" women who had an impact on the history of The Netherlands.

On the occasion of the event, (female and male) visitors can enjoy a cup or coffee in the Museum cafe' for half the price. Not sure if the cookie is included too...

http://www.bijzonderecollecties.uva.nl/nieuws-agenda/agenda/content/evenementen/2013/03/gratis-rondleidingen-over-tentoonstelling-1001-vrouwen.html

Thursday - Ask a Dutch granny to knit your hat

I know it's a bit of a cliche, but I have the feeling that, when the going gets though, people seek refuge in the simple things in life: home made food, a walk in the forest, an hot chocolate mug and some freshly baked cookies. Which incidentally are also cheaper leisurely activities.

Handmade stuff are popular again and a Swedish friend of mine started a knitting club last year.

When it comes to knitting I am hopeless but thankfully I have a mum who is extremely gifted with needles, woollen threads and fabric.

However, for all the people out there who don't have the time or the skills or the crafty relative, in Rotterdam a group of designers have pooled a fine selection of Dutch grannies who can knit your desired scarf, hat or mitten. They are not that really cheap, but surely they are unique and can be considered as a store of value.

When doomsday comes, you will be warm at least.

http://www.grannysfinest.com

Wednesday - Looking for the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam

Just off Amsterdam's busiest streets, very close to Amsterdam's Historical Museum,  there's the quiet haven of the Begijnhof, with its manicured lawn, cute tiny gardens and pretty houses.

Among these houses there's was is said to be the last standing wooden house of Amsterdam, built around 1528. Later on, wooden houses were forbidden due to the high risk of fires.

It's perfectly preserved and maintained and on the ground floor a little information office sells postcards and leaflets.

Take the exit on the Spui and you are few steps away from the American Bookshop.

Tuesday - Go to the beach for the first stroll in the sun

It looks like it's going to be a wonderful day today: sunny and with the temperature raising above the 10 degrees bar.

Time to finally soak up some balmy air and check how the refurbishment of the boulevard in Scheveningen is coming along.

If you are stuck in the office and cannot manage to get out, you can at least check the very handy webcams showing different spots of the beach and its surroundings, 24/7.

http://www.scheveningenlive.nl

Monday - Stacked houses in Zaandam

I was browsing the library at Schiphol airport while waiting for my flight when I saw this picture.

At first I thought it was a clever Photoshop job of pasting Zaanse houses together in a collage to maximise the effect, but it turns out in fact it is an existing building.

It's an hotel recently built in Zaandam and I can't wait to see it. There are a bar and a restaurant, good excuses to give a look inside too!

http://www.inntelhotelsamsterdamzaandam.nl

Sunday - Biking on sand in Den Haag

Every Sunday, the cute cafe' Lola Bikes & Coffee on the Nordeinde, organises fatbike tours to the beach.

According to their flyer, it guarantees: "A great workhout, fresh air, salty sea, breezes, two hours of pure fun, closer to nature, new friends, cute legs", although it's not clear if this last bit is referred to the girls or the boys'...

Meeting point at 8.30 at the cafe'.

http://www.lolabikesandcoffee.nl/