Weekend = family time!
Although my boyfriend spent years working 6 days a week, some time ago, the Saturdays were cut from the schedule because he wanted to enjoy more time with us as well as have days to relax from work. And so he should, I noticed he was well overworked many weeks because his weekdays also usually are 10 hour days, sometimes even more if the team he manages requests assistance (which is an ongoing thing) and therefore the two days off are quite needed for him to unwind from work.
This summer it seems that he will finally be able to pick up kitesurfing again after a way too long of a break, and living in an appartment that sees the biggest kite spot in our area from our balcony. Meaning he often longs to be there on the water but his kites need some repairs so this will happen in the near future. If he were to work 6 days, he would never end up on the water and I think it will be great for him to pick it up again as it will bring more quality of life for him.
Lots of windy weekends
Although our winter surely wasn't as windy as the previous one here at our coast area, we sure had some windy weekends lately as we had last year. Thankfully, this year the worst thing that happened was some moving furniture on the balcony and me not being able to dry my laundry in the weekends (gosh, I hate that!) so in terms of wind, we can't complain too much.
That moment that spring arrives..
But I have to say it sure feels good when that first weekend filled with sun arrives where you know you don't need to bring a vest or scarf or summer coat to make sure you won't get cold sitting on a terrace in the afternoon hours. That weekend, always marks the start of spring for me, that moment when you enjoy the sun, know you'll be a bit more tanned (or burned) after a few hours, have an icecold drink and some good food and company, that's the feeling of the good life!
I value these moments a lot and it's such a great reminder of where we came from, even though we're still not where we would want and need to be. Treasuring the good moments is important to keep going and know what you're doing it all for.
2025 spring kick-off
For us was during the final days in March when the weather forecast looked amazing and I had the feeling that this was going to be the day that we'd be able to have some good food somewhere and not need a jacket or coat anymore while sitting there. We booked a table at our favourite restaurant and had our favourite food. It was surprisingly calm for the great weather it was that day. I don't mind though, all we needed was a good table in the sun and our favourite food to be served, haha.
Stew with fries and a small salad
Mixed skewer with pepper sauce
Our daughter always sticks to either the Dutch sausage (frikandel) or sometimes when she feels bold she orders stew, but it's too much for her alone so I don't mind her sticking with a few snacks instead.
Let's go for a road trip!
While we enjoyed the weather so much my boyfriend said he would love to go touring a bit so it was up to me to decide which direction. You can go really wrong here if you just go driving because often you end up in the middle of greenhouses (not kidding) and it's not a pleasant sight at all. I decided to direct us into the direction of a small town 40 mins from here more or less.
While expecting a lot from it, and seeing quite a bit of people there, the wind picked up and it wasn't really comfy walking on the boulevard anymore as I was cold in my t shirt, haha. A few hours time can make such a big difference here in feeling hot in the sun and then feeling cold when the wind picks up or when walking in the shade.
Although the drive towards this little town was well worth, lots of greenere scenery which I would like to capture another time (I forgot my camera at home, sigh) so this time I will just share with you the beach picture as I really have nothing cool to share from that afternoon.
We surely weren't hungry so we sat down for a drink and left not long after to make the drive back home. In the end forgetting my camera wasn't that bad because we didn't sit inside all weekend and explored a new area (to us) which we should have explored a long time ago. We shall be back in the area soon to check out for the hotspots and then take my camera!
The first ice cream picture of the year
As per tradition, since we moved here, we capture our first ice cream of the year from the same place with the sea in the background to mark the kick-off of summer. This ice cream was from the next day though, as we were way too tired that Sunday to get one so we picked a more quiet Monday evening after work to enjoy my personal favourite yoghurt ice cream with strawberries and kiwi topping.
As per tradition: a picture on the beach of the first ice cream of the season, hello spring!
Normally, my boyfriend complains they are too expensive so he never wants one and we share a medium sized one instead, but this time it was his request to get a second one because now he finally really appreciates them as much as I do. Thankfully, they have this saving system so every year we end up getting at least one free ice cream and often a half filled savings card we can use again next year. I love it when they don't put end dates on these cards so your spendings won't go to waste at the end of the season.
April weather
Although we're a few weeks further now, the wind has definitely been a daily thing lately and currently making it less attractive to grab some food somewhere. In a few weeks the heat will probably slowly pick up to not leave again for some months.
Time for some crafting with the little one now, have a great day!
All pictures above are mine.