Monday 31 March 2014

And So It Begins

I'm going to throw this out there in one big ball of gushy love, and say a huge thank you for the support, words of kindness and general sweet hearted advice and messages from everyone. This journey is just beginning, and although I have made the first and potentially hardest step now, the rest is still unfolding, and during challenging moments it really truly lightens the load to have people to share the experience with.


And talking of taking those first steps into fresh newness and unknowing… Here are a few snaps from my very first weekend as a resident in the Netherlands! My wonderful parents in tow, we began by squashing my belongings in the back of our mini and off we set for a weekend of introductions, discoveries and a whole lot of food!


// And so it begins! //


// Touch down in the Netherlands, view from my parents B&B //


// Day trip to Veere, taking in the gorgeous architecture //


// Beautiful buildings and quaint shop fronts //


// Cottage chic, some serious home wear beauties //


// Easter (Pasen) was in the air with these spring time displays //


// Flowers, bunnies and piglets… Whats not to love! //


// Showing my parents around my new stomping ground,
 dad couldn't resist touching the sand and the sea! //


// Walking around Hellevoetsluis in the hazy sunshine //


// Just across from here I signed in as an official resident! //


It was such a lovely weekend, our two families became one big crazy gang and my dad kept everyone entertained with his newly acquired Dutch skills (I say entertained, he actually put me to shame with how quickly he picked it up!!). We dined like kings thanks to Rich's moms cooking and raised a glass (or two) to new adventures.


My folks are already planning their next visit over here, much to my delight, and although it has been a fairly surreal experience planting my feet firmly on Dutch soil, I have to say I am comfortable here in my new surroundings. There is much to do to continue the settling in stage, and I continue to remind myself that it can not be achieved in a day, but with the help of everyone around me and a little enthusiasm and persistence, each day feels more and more familiar.


The next step for my transition is setting challenges and goals to push myself out of the house and to build up my little world here. Continuing like a Trojan with the language, gaining a bit more confidence with meeting new people and getting re-inspired with my sewing and craft projects.




I can't wait to share more of my discoveries and snippets of adventure with you. Have you taken any first steps recently or do you have any new projects on the horizon?

22 comments:

  1. These photos are beautiful, what a lovely place you've found yourself in! I love the look of Veere and the quaint little shop fronts. And what a joy it must be to be near to the sea! Dutch is notoriously hard, so I wish you luck with the language! xx

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    1. Ahh thank you! I am currently accepting all the luck I can get ; ) Then again, what better place to learn the language than right here : )

      Being a land dwelling citizen, from the Midlands… I can not describe how it feels to be a stones throw from the sea!

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  2. I love how you take in the help and support of your gang of people :) I sometimes struggle with that and feel like for some mysterious reason I am obliged to achieve everything by myself otherwise I don't qualify as a person. Which is impossibly silly of course.
    My recent first steps evolve around unprecedented success in job hunting. I'm meeting my prospective employer tomorrow.... We'll see what happens.

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    1. Marie, I know just what you mean, and that's not a bad quality to have. You achieve so much from your own doing, thats admirable, but then again maybe it would be kinder on yourself to share the weight sometimes? : ) It's awesome the strength of character you have, but do remember to look after yourself a bit too lady!

      Now this is exciting news! Huge huge amounts of good luck!! Go for it!!!!!

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  3. Stunning views and how cute are those shops, I want a bunny. Think you may have just helped cement the Netherlands on to my bucket list :) No doubt you will be having many adventures.
    Xxx
    Http://jessdonnellyart.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Haha!! Hurray : ) You should definitely visit, so many lovely things to take in : )

      And put 'hire a bike' on the list too, for when you come here!! Best way to discover the hidden beauties xx

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  4. What a beautiful place! Glad you had a lovely weekend with your folks xxx

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    1. Thanks Josie, it was just what we needed. Took a little of the sadness out of moving away from them x

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  5. These are lovely pictures - thanks for sharing! Good luck with learning the language and the next steps of your journey :)

    Gemma

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  6. Gorgeous pictures - it looks like a stunning location! And the views from your parent's B&B are simply amazing! :)
    theemeralddove21.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ah Lauren it really is super nice here. I have to make sure I don't get complacent and lazy, and be sure to make the most of living in a pretty area! : )

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  7. Well this looks like a beautiful place to live! I would love to live by the sea. Lucky you getting to go on such an adventure. Best of luck learning the language too. Lianne x
    Rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Lianne!! It seems we both live in adopted places! How did you settle into your life up in Scotland? x

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  8. It looks like a lovely area! So glad to hear you are enjoying these first few days and I hope things continue to go well. :) xxx

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    1. Laila you lovely : ) It is pretty swell so far, only hope I can expand my wee routine, build up a few more things to do, make a couple friends, find work. Exciting things on the horizon hopefully. Oh, and maybe look for something that resembles a natural history museum ; )

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  9. These are just the pretties pictures, and the area looks like the perfect village to live in! Enjoy it! Xx

    Beauty Soup | UK Beauty Blog

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  10. Looks like you've moved to a gorgeous little town! Lovely photos, can't wait to read more of your posts :)

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    1. I may even start a Project Life scrap book about moving here! What do you think? I love the design of the pack you chose to begin with!!

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  11. Beautiful town! I would love to be in a place like this.

    http://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com/

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