Boating in Leiden...

The final 40th birthday event was an informal breakfast at Reinhart and Inga’s house. We then picked up the keys to take Bootjuh out for a spin, which was conveniently located on a dock much closer to their house. 

It was awesome that the timing worked out for Terri...

…Johanna and Frank, who had recently moved back to The Hague from Houston, to join us. We had a great time catching up!

Although I appreciated the name of this ship as Leiden still felt like home, I was nervous when it came towards us. Luckily Captain Jimmy stayed calm and avoided a collision.  

I enjoyed the view of these lovely cherry blossoms both from the river...

…and as we walked back to the train station. 

The tree in front of the first house we rented when we moved to Holland was also in full bloom.  

When we took the ferry that night, we were happy to have a room at the end of the ship with an extra large window. 

Jimmy went straight to work the next morning, while I made my way back to our flat. Instead of taking the escalator, I took the inclined elevator at Liverpool Street Station for the first time.  
 

Leiden Boating...

It was a bit tricky to get on and off the boat; luckily the folks in the boat next to us were helpful when I had to climb down from this brick wall to meet up with the boys.

It was a beautiful night!

 

A Beautiful Day for Boating...

On Monday afternoon, we all went boating. 

Always love it when the sky is blue and the waters are still. 

Check out this funky old car!

It’s nice to see groups of Leiden University students setting up their own tables for group meals along the sides of the canals.

Always happy when we manage to get a family shot.

The backpackers left the following day for Exeter, where Veronica would stay for a few weeks.
 

More April Boating...

The following day, we were back in Leiden for some more boating...

…with Gerlof, whom Jimmy had worked with at the Dutch Ministry of Defense, and his son, Floris.

Although only 12 years old, Floris was already an accomplished skipper since Jimmy had taken them out once before and gave him a lesson.

 

Boating on Easter Monday...

That same afternoon, Jimmy, Kati and I headed to Leiden to go boating with Maria, a hash friend living in Einhhoven. I must admit that I’ve found it ironic since moving to Holland that the US considers itself quite religious, but the average corporate employee doesn’t get any time off for Easter, while Dutch employees get Easter Monday off even though this country prides itself on being secular. Anyways, not going to complain because it meant that Jimmy and Maria had the day off and we could go boating.

It was a beautiful spring day with lovely columbine flowers growing along the side of the canal...

…and geese invading our dock who were quickly removed by Kati.

Some ducks were happy to follow us...

…until Captain Kati scared them away,

 

Last Boating in Winter...

Later that afternoon, we went out for our final winter boat ride in 2022. 

As you can see, Veronica was pretty relaxed...

…and the winds were mild.

 

A Rare Dramatic Sunset...

We dropped Terri off in the city center so she could catch a train back to The Hague and then did a final cruise around the canals to take in the dramatic sunset.