Sunday Walk at De Treek

I love a good walk in the forest…the fresh air especially after the rain always brings that feeling of being in a whole new world that's full of surprises and possibilities.

Our usual family outing this Sunday was pretty special because Opa and Oma arrived early to join us as well.  Francesca was squealing in delight as she saw them by the door and completely forgot the resolve to have her afternoon nap.

We headed to De Treek in Maarn, a forest that's less than 10 minutes drive away because we intended to have drinks and some snacks after the walk at the pancake house by the forest entrance.  My in-laws are familiar with this area as Mam Sil spent her youth in neighboring Leusden when her father was assigned there as a pastor and would often cycle with her siblings to this forest.  Dad Wout on the other hand, was with the cavalry in his younger days and did his military exercises in the adjacent military ground.

Francesca loved the walk and being among her idea of family…opa, oma, papa and mama.  She enjoyed playing hide-and-seek behind the big trees, hunting for mushrooms and traipsing through rainwater-filled potholes which was just fine as she was wearing her waterproofed rubber boots.  Weather may not have been perfect with the sunlight interrupted by intermittent rain and cloudiness but we nonetheless enjoyed every bit of the day.

We always look forward to rewarding ourselves with drinks and light snacks at the pancake house after a good walk.  At the pancake house, Dad Wout and I both ordered cola with "slagroomsousjes", Siefko had his coffee with applecake topped with whipped cream, Mam Sil just asked for coffee and later shared Francesca's "poffertjes".

The sky again brightened up after our snacks at the pancake house so on our way home, we decided to stop by the cemetery in Leusden to visit the graves of Siefko's grandparents Opa Siefko and Oma Tjetske (parents of Mam Sil) and cousin Paloma.  It was nice to drop by as a family, to say a little prayer to these departed loved ones who are still very much in our hearts and thoughts.

By the time we arrived home, we were again very hungry despite the snacks not so long ago.  On a chilly autumn day and after a good walk in the forest, chicken tinola and friend chicken were just amazing.