Friday 3 January 2014

New Year Celebrations - Dutch style

2014 started with a bang, lots of them in fact, and plenty of bright and sparkly lights.   The air was also laden with the smell of smoke, from all the fireworks, and a few fires.  Once it was possible to burn the old Christmas tree on New Years Eve, but that practice has been banned, although I did notice a few people lit tiny bonfires or burnt the remains of their fireworks.
But back to the fireworks on New Years Eve.   Very popular in the Netherlands, even in these days of austerity.   'Health and Safety' goes out of the window on New Years Eve.  Aaron and Walter went to the fireworks shop, and bought a little supply for us, so that we could add to the show.    Fantastic.   Great to be able to contribute too.  
Clean up time.   The next day, Emma, plus children, went out and swept up our firework debris.   We were pleased to see that the car parked on the edge of the street, was still unmarked.   It was very difficult not to include the car as part of our little firework display.
Raphy stamping on the ashes, the remains of a box of fireworks.  When we walked past the box at 1.30 a.m. it was a whole box, but someone set fire to it some time after that.   By 4 p.m. it had been swept up.   Not everyone cleaned up their firework debris though.   Raphy was fascinated by the ashes.
Playtime!
And more playtime.
And more fun time.   To be continued.

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