Gouda

It was very cold here! The canals are still frozen, although some of them are showing signs of melting a little bit. I do not think the temperature has risen above 1 degree. Still everything is beautiful and the people very friendly. And the cold does not deter the number of people riding bicycles and without hats or gloves! The Dutch people are a hardy lot.

We stayed two nights with Hans and Jose and were very spoilt, with lots of lovely Dutch food. On Sunday evening we ate Huzarensla which is a salad made of meat, potatoes, mayanaise, eggs and peas and a salad made with fresh smoked salmon and smoked trout, North Sea shrimps and crabs. And last night Stampot, which is mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables that have been cooked in stock, plus meatballs and thick slices of bacon and a gravey made with the juices of the meat. Very fattening but so delicious.

During the day we went shopping in Gouda and spent lots of money in the sales in the Hema, one of my favourite Dutch shops.
There was a skatng rink in the town square. The children used plastic animals to support them as they learned to skate.

Jody's dog was a great success. She really liked us and wanted to sit on our knee all the time.

Now we are in Utrecht where it is even colder!