Saturday - The mill of Wijk bij Duurstede

Lovers of the Dutch Golden Age painters will surely recognise the name of this village just outside Utrecht called Wijk bij Duurstede.

Jacob van Ruysdael's painting depicts a towering windmill, on the side of the river, ready to face an upcoming storm.

The mill in the picture doesn't exist anymore, however its ruins are still visible near another large operating mill, which is apparently the only "drive-through" mill in the world open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday afternoons: I bought a kilo of flour once and was quite satisfied with the outcomes.

http://www.molenrijnenlek.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=29

http://www.hollandhistory.net/holland_paintings/ruysdael-windmill.html

Friday - 1000 drawings for a colorful favela

The grand finale of "1000 drawings" happens today in Amsterdam, with a program filled with music and colourful art sessions.

The aim is to collect money to finance the renovation of the favelas, through the project Favela Painting.

During these months, since the project was launched, anyone could submit their arty-work in A5 and today they will have the chance to purchase it back, with a 10 euro donation.

Those who didn't submit anything, but would like to enjoy the evening and do something for charity, are invited too.

Throughout the nights bands will be playing and experienced artist will be showing how to improve your next submission.

Some of the workshops really deserve a mention, I am thinking of things like drawing in the dark (with Lula Hoop), drawing with blood, the pinball drawing machine, sand animation story telling...and many more!

Starting at 20.00 at the Flemish Art Centre De Brakke Grond.

http://www.1000drawingsamsterdam.nl

Thursday - The Flying Dutchman and the perks of being an expat

Two storytellers narrating the tale of the Flying Dutchman and in so doing exploring the condition of the "expat".

The three shows, starting today and ending on Saturday, are going to be performed in the Paradijs, the small theatre under the roof of the Koninklijke Schouwburg.

It has been organised by the wonderful people of STET, the foundation for the promotion of English-speaking theatre in the Netherlands, based in The Hague. Their calendar is truly interesting, varied and entertaining.

I also like the fact that they stage their shows in different locations: once we saw a play about Robinson Crusoe sitting inside the hold of a ship!

The show is followed by a debate coordinated by the Expatriate Archive Center, mentioned in another post from last week.

http://www.theenglishtheatre.nl/

Wednesday - Elfstedentoch in spring

The Elsftedentoch is the gruelling and spectacular ice skate marathon that many Dutch are hoping and praying for each winter, when the thermometer goes steadily below zero for a certain number of days.

Alas, there has not been an Elsftedentoch since 1997, however on the 20 May there's a spring version, along the same canals but for amateur and semi-professional cyclists.

The registration for 2013 is now closed, however no one forbids you to form your own peloton with friends and ride leisurely speed on your bike along the path, stopping for a picnic when the going gets tough or when you start craving your broodjes kaas.

http://www.11steden.nl

Tuesday - The Haagse Bos

The Haagse Bos is one of the largest green spaces in Den Haag and although it's actually not more than 10 minutes from the city centre, it gives the feeling of wilderness that you normally get in non man-made natural areas.

Among its sights, the Queen's (and future King's) palace and its very friendly guards who will be happy to pose for a picture, pretty lakes and very original playgrounds for kids (and when there's nobody around, even for grown ups).

Much loved by joggers and dog walkers, it has an enchanted air in winter and it's perfect for picnics in summer.

http://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/Natuurgebieden/Haagse%20Bos.aspx

Monday - Push it to the Limes

As always, on Monday shops open late and museums are closed and since the weather seems to be getting better and better (so good in fact it's almost scary), it's nice to engage in some outdoor activities.

The Limes was the border of the Roman Empire and actually its northern side was located not far from here, along the old bed of the river Rijn, which used to be much larger, ending just outside Katwijk.

Several milestones, rests and other archaeological bits testifying its presence are visible in many of the Dutch cities that were built along it.

There's even a Limes bicycle route that goes from Katwijk all the way to Regensburg in Germany, following the path of the ancient border.

http://www.limes.nl/

                                          *Totally unrelated picture of beach huts in Katwijk.

Sunday - Let's make the music and dance, in Utrecht

This month's Utrecht Cultural Sunday is dedicated to Dance and lots of events are on the program today all around the city.

There's a Dance Arena on the Neude, hosting several acts from professional dancers and a Dance Village around the Dome with exhibitions and workshops of dance schools from the whole province.

Hip hop in the Carillion Museum for the cool kids, "Dance 'n Groove" for the +40s in the Staircase to Heaven...and much more!

http://www.culturelezondagen.nl/zondag/2013/utrecht-danst