Bitterballen and Birthdays

Some days you wake up in a foreign city and you don’t expect a birthday celebration but this is what I got today in Nijmegen! 

Here we have Dineke and Kees waiting for me to walk in to the kitchen and there were Birthday decorations, a present and breakfast ready! 

Happy Birthday in Dutch 

Next we went for a walk- 14.5 kms! It was outstanding. The weather was cool but no rain and the forest was beautiful. 

We are looking very happy and healthy. 

The forest reserve seemed huge, lots of trails for walkers and mountain bikers. It also supplies water to Nijmegen and region; the sandy soil that grows trees so well also filters drinking water. It’s a lovely place for all.

This forest has many Christmas trees and the public is allowed to come each year and cut down a tree for the holidays. The fee for taking a tree also raises funds that go back into preserving the forest.

Yellow Bunny is hiding in one of the small trees, not yet ready for Christmas. Those below are ready for someone.

A place to get out of the rain.

Mushroom, so many colours on an old stump.

After about seven kms we stopped for lunch at Grosbeek. It felt good to sit down and the food was amazingly delicious. I had a honey chicken sandwich with pomegranate seeds, mango, tomato, lettuce, green onions and sauce! 

Norm had a chicken club sandwich with mango, spek (like bacon) and bbq chicken on dark bread. Again yummy

Back to the forest to complete our hike of 14.5 km. A perfect way to spend a birthday. Thanks Kees and Dineke. 

Back at the house we were now offered tea, beer and bitterballen, little croquettes, hot and scrumptious.

And to finish off our evening, Dineke made a scrumptious pasta dish with basil, pine nuts, tomatoes, cheese. 

Followed by a yogurt, honey walnut dessert. 

It has been a perfect birthday today (except for missing family).Thanks to all who sent wishes. And especially to Kees and Dineke.