Now, we don’t have much garden space, apartment living does have the odd downside. While the weather has been as stunning as it has, we took our opportunity to go and spend some time in someone else garden. The Hortus Botanicus.
De Hortus Botanicus
We have been to the Amsterdam Botanic Gardens! It was time for a change and something new. And so it was that we found ourselves in front of the Amsterdam Botanic Gardens early Sunday afternoon.
I had done my research and we turned up in time to sit and have coffee before joining a group for a free guided tour! This was our Guide in the process of explaining to us that though the gardens had a full grown fig tree, the fruit would never ripen as they only had one fig tree and it was a girl. (Hint: you need two.) Would you like to know more?
De Keukenhof 2013
The local crocuses have bloomed and are now withering in the turf, waiting to be carved up the next time the lawn is mowed. They have been replaced by the daffodils nodding in the breeze along the sides of the roads and canals.
With this in mind I was aware that we’d have to be getting our butts to de Keukenhof shortly! I didn’t want to miss the massive explosions of colour like we kind of did last year. If you remember, we saw it in its dying stages only, and a lot of it was being dug up when we were there.
I knew this year all the tulips were running late because of the extended cold weather we’d been having, and I was trying to time it just right while still being anxious about missing it!
As our tour bus drove us past the flower beds which should have been full of riotous colour, they were still desperately trying to come into bloom, and hence, a little lacklustre. Though you can see the red beginning to peek through here, and some yellow off in the distance. Through the rain. Yeah, did I ever pick a good day to go!
Yes, apparently this year, not only did I pick a rainy day to go, but the flowers still weren’t in bloom yet!
Interestingly we thought, knowing that Keukenhof is only going to be open for such a limited time, and the weather wasn’t playing ball, they had brought in “ring-ins” to put down the walkways. You can see them here with the still green flowerbed to each side.
Today’s Table – Crown Prince
I have picked up the Crown Prince shawl again after a year and a half. Last seen here. I thought it was about time I finished it.
I have just the top half of the sixth cross up the side to do, then the row of crosses along the top. Then I get to cast on for the edgings, graft them on, and then block. Not insurmountable, but from here it still feels kind of epic.
To fill out this post a little, and because I said I would, here are the flamingos on my balcony. They fill me with near endless happiness.
I am just waiting for the weather to warm up enough for me to share my coffee with them each morning!
Tuincentrum, Spring, Easter
Since moving to the Netherlands I have wanted to buy some plants. First we were renting and had nowhere to put plants, then by the time we moved into a more stable living environment we were spending our money on setting up our new home. Then it was the depths of Winter and I didn’t think any plants I wanted on the balcony would survive the snow and frost, so I continued to wait. Biding my time until I could … spring … into action.
Well it’s Spring now, and the call of blooms was just getting too much to cope with! The trees are just waiting to explode with leaves! I think they are just waiting for the snow to finally give up and stop falling!
I had been told about a garden centre in a nearby suburb, and when on the tram the other day had even spied it out of the window. So off we went to explore! Would you like to know more?
ghoti industries 