Half-Term Trip

As we enjoyed our February half-term visit to Center Parcs so much last year (click here if you want to read all about it), we decided to book up to go again this year.  This time, we went to De Huttenheugte (near Emmen, in the Netherlands). 

Our little chalet was lovely!  As our trip was our Valentine’s Day gift to each other, we decided to book a ‘VIP’ chalet.  This meant that we got lots of nice little extras, like a Jacuzzi, a sauna, and a lovely lakeside location.  

The weather was still VERY wintery while we were there.  The lake was frozen over, and we had a few flurries of snow.  As snow always does, it made the water and forests look even prettier and more magical!

Of course, we hired bikes for the week, and got a lot of use out of them.  Our sunset bike rides were my favourites!  

  

We also played a bit of table tennis, went for a few walks, visited the farm animals, fed the ducks, and did lots of swimming (well, floating around on the ‘lazy river’ and whizzing down water slides more than ACTUALLY swimming if I’m perfectly honest).  There were some wonderful, hot outdoor pools too.  I think my favourite bit of the holiday was swimming outside, while it was snowing! 

This Center Parcs trip didn’t involve much  other sportiness.  We spent the rest of the time drinking hot chocolate, eating pancakes (it was Pancake day while we were there), watching movies, and snuggling up in our chalet. 

Of course, I did a bit of crafting while we were there (more of that to come in another post).  I also took LOADS of photos.  I wanted to experiment a bit with the news lens Simon bought me for Christmas.  I lured in lots of little birdies with tasty snacks, and they made the perfect test-subjects!  I really like the photos I took of them.

We had a wonderful, relaxing week!  The only thing we didn’t like was having to leave!!!  

Why do holidays always whizz by so quickly???

Now we’re looking forward to our next one.....

Carly

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Giveaway Winner

We’ve been having some very strange weather here this week!  It was lovely and sunny last Sunday and Monday, and it really felt as though spring was on its way.  Since then, though, it’s been snowing pretty-much constantly.  BUT the snowflakes have been teeny-tiny, and never enough to cover the ground completely.  On a couple of occasions, it even snowed while the sun was shining brightly! 

When we got home from school on Friday, it started snowing quite heavily.  The flakes were dancing around in the sky, as the sun was setting.  It was so pretty!  It reminded me of the Waltz of the Snowflakes music from 'The Nutcracker' ballet (have a look at THIS).

So, I had to act quickly to draw the winner for my giveaway (before it got too dark to be able to take decent photos). 

I put all of your names into one of my new blue IKEA cups (we bought them a few weeks ago – I couldn’t resist the pretty colour).

I gave them a good shake up.  

Then I got Simon to pick out a winner.  

And the winner is.....

Congratulations, Helen! Your prize (Donna Hay's 'Chocolate') is all wrapped up, and will be on its way to you soon.

  

  

I’ll be back soon, with the final instalment of ‘100 Random Facts About Me’.....

Carly

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Schloss Burg

Last weekend, we had friends visiting from England.  Usually, visitors come to see us in either in the summer or during the Christmas markets.  And we have our regular visitor-itineraries all planned out for these times of year.  But, it was quite a challenge to think of somewhere to go on a very cold and wintery Saturday in January.....

In the end, we decided on Schloss Burg.  I LOVED being there in the snow (despite the chilling winds as we walked around the outside of the castle).  It was so picturesque, and we only saw a handful of other people there all day long!  

We found a cafe and had some lunch (potato soup, followed by hot chocolate and a waffle), had a (quick) walk around outside, and then spent a couple of hours exploring the maze of rooms and staircases inside the castle.

Luckily, I remembered to take my camera along.....

Isn’t it BEAUTIFUL?!?  We’ve visited Schloss Burg lots and lots of times, and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.  When the weather’s fine, there’s a chairlift going up to the castle – which is a fun adventure!  But I’ve decided that I like it best in the snow!!! 

If you’ve been getting snow in your part of the world, I hope you’re enjoying it and managing to stay safe and warm!

Hugs to you,

Carly

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