Keukenhof Gardens- Netherlands

April 12- 15, 2007. We took a weekend trip to the Netherlands for Springtime!!! The last time we were there in the spring was when we met in 2005. This trip we stayed in a B & B on the Herrengracht for two nights and then went to see the cousins for a day and 1/2 by train. Friday day we shopped a little and then took the train and bus to Keukenhof Gardens just outside Amsterdam. If you ever go to Amsterdam in the spring this place is a must. Breathtakingly beautiful :) ahhhhhhh spring has sprung!

Brighton- Day Trip

Saturday April 7, 2007 Jeff and I took the train from London Bridge station to the Brighton shore. The train ride was about one hour and 15 minutes outside the city. A lovely day. We walked on the pier and watched people on crazy fun rides be thrust in the air over the ocean. We took a train ride on an old electrical train (jeff took these pics- soon to come to the blog) We had a fish dinner at a nice restaurant, window shopped,had cappucino, had a pint, took pics of the pavilion and saw two people wearing bunny ears. It was the day before Easter and the weather was great. We truly enjoyed ourselves:). oh yea... i forgot to mention the two hotdogs we ate. (not so great- but had to be done)

To Market,To Market,To Market

Team Oak Tree spent Saturday February 17, 2007 at Borough Market near London bridge and Broadway Market near our flat in London Fields. We just couldn't get enough of the market scene so Sunday the 18th we headed to Columbia Road Flower Market.





















We just love these Posh Bangers at the Borough Market. First stop eat then shop for our bread, meat, cheese & veggies.


































Yum Yum Yum, mulled wine is perfect for keeping warm while looking over what to buy.






Pigs heads were not on our list... but we just had to share this with you. Jeff looked behind the heads.. I dare not. eweeeeee gross.















Yummy Bread.













Jeff counting the dough for buying the dough.



































Cheese! We just LOVE cheese!



























London Fields sign on way to Broadway Maket by our flat on Martello Street. This is one of our favorite places to go on Saturday mornings. Next is the bike path we walk to get there.





















This place gets packed with young families enjoying their Saturday mornings. It is a very relaxed vibe and no one seems to be in a hurry.

















Chunna Butteta Lady. This was the first food we ate at this market and some Saturdays I wake up and crave her food.


















Grass fed cows lead to yummy eats.

















Columbia Road Flower Market. We bought Tulips and daffodil bulbs. So pretty.

The Netherlands

Team Oak Tree in the Netherlands
February 8-11






We had to make a trip to the Netherlands to renew my UK family Permit. Mission accomplished! We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Boogaard's B & B www.boogaardsbnb.com



















We then took a day trip to see the van Eek family in Goudriaan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goudriaan). It was an amazing day. Jeff wanted to see the inside of a windmill and cousin Peter pulled over and asked the keeper of one if we could go in and they said yes! It was raining and the blades were spinning really fast. So cool and scary at the same time. It was built in 1898(?)





































The fast spinning blades through the window view.




















Marnie & Kendra a little tentative to step outside ...as it was wet and rainy and one small move..... off with your head!
















Jeff checking out the structure






















Then we went to the Kinderdijk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinderdijk) and saw one of the most breathtaking views of about 25 or more windmills. There was a fog on the horizon and it was glorious.

























Cousin Peter, Renza, Kendra & Oom Peter



















Jeff, Marnie & Kendra























Archimedes' screw: A machine historically used to transfer water from a low line body of water to a higher level. In this case up and out to the river.



























(c) 2007 all windmill & Archimedes' screw photos
by Jeff van Eek