And that word is "Gezellig".  The Scandanavians have a similar word, and it has no exact English translation, but means something like 'cosy and convivial'.  Anyone who has sat in a snug bar in Amsterdam on a cold winter's eveing will know exactly what I mean!

Anyway, I have just returned from a very gezellig time in the Netherlands - I should say, the Benelux countries, since we took in Antwerp as well as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Delft.  I have eaten some of the most delicious food and sampled some wonderful beers (the Dutch and Belgians excel at brewing beer) - and utterly, utterly fell in love with Delft!

If the name sounds familiar, yes it is that place where they make the famous blue and white decorated pottery!  Mercifully, the tacky, tourist so-called Delft ware is confined to a few shops around the market square, and it is still possible to buy the genuine article (even antique pieces) and to see it being made in a couple of the last remaining factories in Delft.  I even managed to pick up a beautiful Delft tile with a bear motif on, dating from around 1640.

But the main reason Delft won my heart is that it is just so unbelievably picturesque and charming.  Locals call it Little Amsterdam - and it is; right down to miniaturised canals and dinky four storey houses.  It also bristles with history: William of Orange was assassinated in what is now the Prinsenhof museum - you can still see the bullet holes in the wall! - and it was the birthplace of Johannes Vermeer. 

 Here is my husband standing outside the Lambert van Meerten museum in Delft - a kind of 'Arts and Crafts' house, containing a vast collection of Delft tiles.

 Like these!

If you ever go to Delft - and I can thoroughly recommend it - you have to visit the Cafe de Wijnhaven!!  It is gezellig to the max; small, intimate, and with great food and friendly staff.  You can even visit their website:
www.wijnhaven.nl


I shall sign off for now, but after the weekend I will bring you pictures from the AHOY Doll & Bear show in Rotterdam - the main reason for our visit!

Right now I have to go pack for the NEC show in Birmingham on Sunday - I hope some of you will come and see us on stand C6.  You can get a sneak preview of the bears I will be taking by going to my Preview page.
See you there!!
Christinex