Off to Houten, Netherlands, for New Year

On Monday, we set off early to travel to Houten, for the purpose of spending New Year with Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and Raphy.   Steve, Emma, Jackson and Isabel also travelled to Houten, to see the family, and to help celebrate the new year.

The weather, at 6 a.m., was as predicted, wet and slightly windy.   But when we arrived at Folkstone, the sun rose beneath the clouds.   A lovely sunrise, and not too red, so we were heartened by the prospect of reasonable weather ahead.   

This was a luxury, travelling on le Shuttle, via the channel tunnel.   A little late leaving, but efficient all the same.

A quick drive up the empty motorway, through France, Belgium and into Holland and we arrived at our hotel, the Valk Hotel Houten.   A highrise building, with flat land all around.    Great views from every room.

Our generous room, with a very large bathroom, and a Wagner quote on the wall.    We were impressed, and were looking forward to returning that evening.   Very luxurious.

Flat land, and water everywhere, and only one slightly multistory building.   The red one.   We always know when we have arrived on the outskirts of Houten, as the hotel and red building really stand out.    The building in the foreground of this photograph was the service station, and the building to the left was a distribution centre.  

I zoomed in on the Oude Dorp, which was once the old and original village here.   Now it occupies the middle edge of a peanut shaped modern town.

Then off to Aaron and Kylie's house, to meet up with the rest of the family, and to celebrate Raphy's birthday, 4 years old on Monday.   A very excited boy.   

A winter photograph of the canals.   A favourite spot for pictures.   Note the wintery sunshine.

I could not resist including this photograph of the sign in front of the immigration booths on the French side of the channel tunnel.    A bad translation?   We looked around for some chickens, or turtles, just in case they were sitting on some eggs.   We gathered that we were not allowed to drive the car onto the zoned area while waiting for our turn to drive to the immigration booth.   Much better to keep to the French words I think.