First Snow

When I clocked off work this evening, I was thankful for my gloves as I brushed the snow off my handlebars and bicycle seat and grateful that we live only a five minute pedal from the World Forum Theater where I am clerking for the OPCW Conference (15th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention) this week. I was a vision in grey business suit including hitched skirt, heels, purple gloves, red rain hat and screwed up face as I tensed all the major and minor muscle groups on my bicycle seat to avoid both the weather and a fall. Sean and I are thrilled that it’s snowing and I have found that most people are excited. When I arrive home there are kids across the road throwing snowballs (not at me!). It’s so pretty too and as I look out the window now all the cars and bicycles in the street are covered in white as are the outdoor chairs and tables at our pub the ‘Not Out’.



Our Street tonight






Today was not the first day of snowfall. On Friday night, it was only lightly snowing, when we rode our bikes to Lydia’s place for an early Christmas shindig. That’s Lydia Morton, the Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands. It was a small gathering for the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Club and their guests. It’s quite lovely actually to be at the Ambassador’s home even though I didn’t win the raffle, it was pleasing to make the acquaintance of some other Australians and hear their experiences that are the same and different to our own.




This colder weather (down to -7°C this week) elicits comfort food cravings. This is where rookwurst (Dutch smoked sausage) proves it’s versatility. After hearing how we’d had a go at a stamppot met rookwurst, Sean’s lovely Dutch colleague Marcia suggested we cook an Erwtensoep (Pea soup). The Dutch version has the following ingredients: green split peas, onion, leek, celeriac, carrots, stock and ...rookwurst. Another heerlijke Nederlandse maaltijd (delicious Dutch meal). Lekker! (yum!)