Vernederlandsing: Koffiemelk

The Dutch word vernederlandsing means "the assimilation into Dutch society" or more simply "becoming Dutch". It is a word I learned in one of my Dutch lessons and it got me thinking. Are there any things I have been doing that is particularly Dutch? This gave me the idea of a series of "Vernederlandsing" posts, whereby each time I spot myself doing something Dutch I will share it with you all!

The other day, out of curiosity, I bought myself a bottle of koffiemelk to put in my coffee. This seems to be the preferred choice for coffee over real milk. It turns out to basically be evaporated milk. And I have to say I do prefer it over normal milk!

If there is anything 'typisch Nederlands' that any Dutch readers might suggest then put feel free to suggest it in the comments!

Let op! Sneeuw!

"A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water." - Carl Reiner

Early morning snowfall in The Hague

This was the view that greeted me last Tuesday. This was the day that I was to discover that it's not just the UK that seemingly gives up as soon as a flake of snow falls. Most of it fell overnight and, as an indicator, these are my feet in the snow.

I should have invested in boots...

After a 30 minute wait at the tram stop, two of my colleagues and I concluded that it wasn't going to come. This was despite seeing several trams go past in the opposite direction! After trying an alternative tram station, there was only one course of action. We had to walk to work. Because of the absurdity of it all, the 7 kilometre walk wasn't as arduous as I had expected and, dare I say it, quite fun.

It would seem I was not the only one that was caught out by the snow, with some 1000 kilometres of traffic jams throughout the Netherlands (a new record!) and many tram lines in The Hague not running. It was also evident at work that a lot of people decided to work from home!

Not a bad view from my office window!

By the afternoon the Dutch authorities had overcome the initial shock of so much snow and the journey back home was luckily problem free!

There is, however, one upside for the Nederlanders to all this cold weather. This year may be the first time in 16 years that the Elefstedentocht can take place. This is a massive ice skating race that takes place in the north of the country whenever the canals are sufficiently frozen over to take the weight of thousands of skaters!

Finally, as I write this the snow has started falling again, the trams and trains are operating a 'snow service' and my balcony is receiving a fresh blanket of snow. I've learned my lesson now. If it looks bad, I'm working from home!

While you're there...

"Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." - Brad Paisley

Happy New Year from Newcastle upon Tyne!

First of all, dear reader, I hope you had a nice Christmas and New Year. Like me, you probably went home for Christmas. But for me I had the added joy of being able to gorge on all the British food and drink that you don't easily get in the Netherlands. This is a list of my top 5 (in no particular order) whilst I was in Blighty...

Curry

Hmmm... Chicken Balti!

Now, I know what you're thinking. Curry isn't British. Well, let me reassure you that it has pretty much become a British institution! The one thing I brought with me to the Netherlands when I moved over here was two jars of Patak's Curry Paste. I love eating curry (the Indian sort) and here in the Netherlands it just isn't as popular. So when I was visiting the UK, the first meal I had was a takeaway curry with my Dad. Perfect!

Pint of Bitter

Refreshing pint of bitter at The Forth in Newcastle

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, bitter is that warm, flat beer we drink Britain. As much as I love a refreshingly cool biertje, be it Heineken, Grolsch or perhaps even La Chouffe from over the border, there is still nothing like a good pint of Deuchar's IPA, Timothy Taylor's Landlord or a Rivet Catcher!

Fish & Chips

Having spent a delightful afternoon in the Friet Museum in Bruges, there is very little I don't know about how a potato is chipped. But there was one thing they missed out. It's best served with salt, vinegar and a large battered fish!

Fish & Chips at Banny's Fish & Chip Restaurant in Colne, Lancashire

It wouldn't really be a trip home if we didn't go on a family trip to a fish and chip restaurant. For those less familiar with British cuisine, the green stuff is mushy peas and the white paste is tartare sauce!

Full English Breakfast

Famous throughout the world for basically being a heart attack on a plate, it is obviously not the meal to start every day. But every now and again, having a full English breakfast is an indulgence that has to be done! It is especially good after a heavy night on the beer. I was especially lucky to have it cooked by my Dad on one particular morning, meaning I didn't even have to get out of my pyjamas.

Christmas Dinner

Last, but by no means least, it has to be the traditional Christmas dinner!

Christmas dinner in the Goode household