With no summer holiday planned for this year, we’re continuing to make the most of the lacklustre Dutch summer by making the occasional day-trip. The weather for Saturday was forecast to be good, so we all piled into the car and drove north, crossing the Afsluitdijk to the Frisian capital of Leeuwarden (or Ljouwert, as it’s known in Frisian).
Our destination was Aqua Zoo Friesland, a place that I recall visiting about ten years ago, when I’m pretty sure it was just an otter park. These days, however, it’s evidently a significantly expanded affair, with beavers, seals, turtles, raccoons, primates, birds of many different varieties, and many more species of animal that I can’t recall at this late hour. In short, it’s now a fully fledged zoo.
We had a fabulous day there and the weather cooperated, too. Eloïse thoroughly enjoyed herself, although she was constantly changing her mind about whether she wanted to walk, be carried on papa’s back, mama’s back or mama’s chest. Thus, we were constantly putting on the sling, removing the sling, putting on shoes and socks, removing shoes and socks, etc. It drives you mad, but that’s par for the course with a two-year old who doesn’t yet know her own mind.
We left the zoo mere minutes before closing time, so it made sense to drive into town and have dinner in Leeuwarden, which we did at Spinoza.
As planned, Eloïse was well and truly knackered by the time we left the restaurant, so she fell asleep in the car within minutes on the way home and was easily transferred into bed upon arrival.
Sarah and Eloïse fly to Chicago for a few weeks next Thursday, so I’m hoping we can have one or two further day-trips before they go.