Saturday - Tea time, me time

When I first read that in Boskop you can pluck and drink your own tea, I was a bit puzzled and slightly worried about the speed at which climate change is happening.

However it turned out that we are in fact talking about herbal teas and infusions.

Imagine a pretty botanical garden on a small green island, boats that get you to shadowy picnic spots under willows and an high tea in the green house (if it rains).

In brief, a perfectly reasonable to way to spend an afternoon...

http://www.pluktea.nl

Friday - Watermuseum in Arnhem

As every Dutch schoolgirl (and boy) knows, this country's link with water is strong and has ancient roots, so it's no wonder that in Arnhem there is an entire museum dedicated to it.

Loads of interactive displays and games for the kids and some food for thoughts for the grown ups too, with water at risk of becoming as expensive as oil in a not too distant future.

Sobering thoughts but the museum offers ideas for some innovative solutions as well.

Since the museum's official page seems to be experiencing some issues today, I paste a couple of other links in English as well.

http://www.watermuseum.nl

http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/article/the-netherlands-water-museum.htm

http://www.arnhemnijmegenregion.com/netherlands-water-museum

Public water tap (Korea).

Thursday - Street Art Amsterdam

Not everyone is a fan but indeed street art is nowadays very prominent in the art world panorama, with a scraps of wall spray painted by Banksy fetching up to thousands of £££.

Often we walk around and watch, without seeing, the many amazing and thought provoking things that the urban environement can offer.

The contrast between old and new and gezellig and urban is even more visible in Amsterdam and provides excellent raw material for great pictures.

This tour offers a different perspective on the been there/done that feeling given by your average walking tour and will surely contribute to increasing your knowledge of the city, appreciation of contemporary art and, of course, your street cred.

https://www.facebook.com/StreetArtAmsterdam?directed_target_id0

In Utrecht, but street art nonetheless.

Wednesday - Fietzerria, or On the itinerant pizzeria.

If you see a guy biking on the fietspad or on a country road with a massive stone oven on his bakfiets, worry not, but rather start following him, as you might have a chance to savor some freshly made pizza.

Renato is a Brasilian architect living in NL with a passion for building ovens and baking pizza and he is currently touring the country.

Upon request, he can park in your garden, entertain kids and grown ups and teach you how to bake.

The results, of course, are yours to eat!

PS: the website is quite yummy too.

http://mypizzaoven.nl

Tuesday - L'addition svp!

Till the 14 July (ca va sans dire!) it's French Restaurant (long) Week!

Possibly to honour the ongoing Tour de France, 100 French bistro, brasserie and restaurants scattered all over the country offer a 3 courses dinner for 30 euro, plus free aperitif.

Check on the website for one close to you.

Sadly, view on Montmartre not included.

http://www.franserestaurantweek.nl

Monday - Life is a beach

There's only one advice I could possibly give to anyone today and it's the following: leave your work as soon as you can and head to the nearest beach, pond, river, park or whatever spot of open air you fancy and make the most of these wonderful summer days, as you never know here when it's going to be over (or if it will be summer ever again).

Personal favourites: Wassenarse Slag, for not having any concrete building in sight and Meijendel, near the nudist beach in front of the bunkers, for at safe distance from Scheveningen's madness.

Burgh Haamstede Zeeland or one of the Wadden Islands when we want to make it a weekendje weg.

http://www.kustgids.nl

http://www.beachpedia.eu

Sunday - Metropolis Festival Rotterdam

Festival season in full bloom and this weather calls for spending time outdoors without worrying about the raincoat you didn't bring.

Rotterdam again today, with the free entrance Metropolis festival in the Zuiderpark (not far from the Ahoy).

Pop, indie, rock, hip hop, world music and more.

Several bands who played here in the past went on to become internationally famous superstars.
Think Radiohead, The Killers, Interpol, Gossip and more recently The XX and the Black Keys.

So who knows? You might chance upon the next big hit!

http://metropolisfestival.nl/

Picture taken at an unrelated NERD concert in Rotterdam.