Our Backyard

Unfortunately, the record 3-day heat wave we experienced upon our arrival has been followed by two weeks of cold, unpredictable weather. We have learned to expect just about anything within a 24-hour period in Amsterdam - beaming sunshine, sticky humidity, gusty winds, imposing black clouds, and torrential downpours - sometimes all at once! Coming from Vancouver, where it's essential to carry your sunglasses and umbrella with you at all times, we're not completely out of our comfort zone; however, there is still a small sense of disappointment having to endure such cold and wet weather in the middle of summer.

That being said, a sprinkle of rain each night keeps our new city fresh and green. Balcony and terrace gardens overflow with well-tended flowers, while hanging baskets on canal bridges bloom with beautiful colour. In what we like to consider our backyard - the Vondelpark - lush green grass and healthy weeping willows provide a pleasant escape for locals from the sun or the rain; whatever the flavour of the day.

The Vondelpark dates back to 1864 and spans across 45 hectares of the city's Oud West neighbourhood. The park hosts over a hundred tree species, a wide variety of local and imported plants, an excellent rose garden, paved bike paths, narrow waterways, ornate bridges and a bandstand. During the summer, free concerts and theatrical performances are regularly hosted in the park's specially designed, open-air theatre. When we can predict some warmer evening weather we look forward to having a picnic dinner in our new backyard!