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Speeltuin Groenendaal with Papa and Opa

Speeltuin Groenendaal

Perfect view of all the options

Papa, Opa and Jana took me to a ‘speeltuin’ (playground) near Opa’s house in the Netherlands. It was called Groenendaal. That must translate to scrapes, bumps and bruises because the contraptions caused many injuries and crying kids as a result. Whenever a child cries I run over to make sure everything is ok and it was a busy afternoon for me. I also got an ice cream.

Let me run you through my favourite hazards equipment.

First stop is this roundabout. This one caused some injuries, one from one of the boys in this picture.

It's safe in the middle

It’s safe in the middle

I love the Netherlands. I want to move here. There are basically no rules. For example, I was tall enough to ride this moterbike. No supervision whatsoever. They basically put the parents in charge and with Papa and Opa around that’s not a guarantee for success.

Who's the easy rider now?

Who’s the easy rider now?

The absolute highlight of this playground was a deathtrap merry-go-round. This picture was taken 20 seconds before I slit down and go my feet dragged over the ground. Papa saw it coming and was quick to the rescue. Maybe he knows what he’s doing after all.

Going round, feeling merry

Going round, feeling merry

Speeltuin Groenendaal was a scream. Literally! Did I mention I got an ice cream?

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The Christmas market in Innsbruck with parents

Playing hide and seek at the Innsbruck Christmas market

Playing hide and seek at the Innsbruck Christmas market

Innsbruck is located in the Austrian alps and is the capital of the Tirol region. I’ve been to Innsbruck twice already. The last time was in December during Christmas season where we visited the famous Christkindlemarkt.

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A stroller tour of Berlin with parents

Taking a bottle break in Berlin

Taking a bottle break in Berlin

Last year I took Mama and Papa to Berlin. Berlin is a fascinating city with a lot of history and a vibrant modern culture. There are lots of things to do. It was March and pretty cold but Mama bundled me up so I was snug as a bug. Mama has a fascination with the second world war and Papa with the communist era. Both well represented in Berlin. I have a fascination with pretty much anything so there was enough to do for all of us. I couldn’t walk yet so I sat back and watched the scenes and history go by as we went on our stroller tour.

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Petting zoos in Amsterdam with parents

Papa giving goat petting instructions

We spent a few months in Amsterdam and Papa and I went on a quest to visit every petting zoo in Amsterdam. I love petting zoos. I like avocados as well. And my yellow boots. After visiting nearly all petting zoos my conclusion is that people in Amsterdam really like goats.

De Dierencapel

running with the pigs

This one is on the side of a canal on the bickersgracht in a small neighbourhood near ‘het IJ’ where we lived close by. It was my perfect for my size. They have a few goats, ducks, chickens, geese, sheep, bunnies and pigs. There’s also a little playground right next to it with a slide and some tricycles. It’s not very busy and I liked it a lot. Tips from Papa: This is a perfect little set-up for small children. The playground is completely fenced in so you can chill while the kid plays.

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Rotterdam Zoo with Papa and Opa

Many strange ducks in this pond, including Opa.

Mama doesn’t like zoos and I went with Papa and Opa to Blijdorp in Rotterdam. I like animals and there were a lot of them in all shapes and sizes. I have a book at home with a lot of animals and I knew a lot of the sounds they make. I was yelling sounds every time I saw an animal even if I wasn’t sure. Papa and Opa were playing along with my game.

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The boulevard of Oostende with parents

Flying into the Oostende sunset

A few weeks ago we stopped in Oostende in Belgium on our way to the UK. Oostende is a seaside town in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium (Flanders). We were only there for about 12 hours but the place left a good impression.

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Windsor Castle with parents (and some Queen spotting )

Windsor Castle made me feel very small

On the same day we visited Stonehenge, my parents took me to another playground called Windsor Castle. It’s where the Queen lives. Well, sometimes. It’s close to Heathrow Airport and planes flew over all the time. I like planes a lot and I point it out every time I see one just in case my parents miss it.

Papa expected the castle to be in the middle of a large park or something but it’s right in the middle of town. We parked almost in front of the castle where I got strapped in my stroller. Walking up to the castle, the streets were lined with people. They told us the Queen was about to pass by. How exciting!

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Plane spotting at Schiphol, Amsterdam with parents

Planes are as much fun to watch as to travel with

I like planes. Every time I see or hear one I will point it out to Papa and Mama. We’re in the Netherlands right now and there’s a lot of them everywhere. Pointing to the sky is a full time occupation for me. Papa calls me a planespotter and took me to the place where they go into the sky! Apparently it’s a populair thing to do in the Netherlands and Oma is a big of an expert. Mama said we were nuts.

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Stonehenge with parents

Mari at Stonehenge

Stonehenge is just a pile of rocks but Papa and Mama liked it.

It was a rainy October morning when Papa and Mama hoisted me in the car again. We were leaving a lovely place called the New Forest where mini ponies walk around freely. I like ponies. They were taking me to a place called Stonehenge. Doesn’t sound exactly like a playground.

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