My 60th birthday surprises
 

I've also posted this in the Lounge, but thought I'd share them here too.

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday with two surpr trips. The first one was to La Palma, in the Canaries, which DH organised. He told me we would be away for a week and needed to pack for warm weather. Although I suspected it was our destination I didn't know for sure until we arrived at Schiphol to check our bag.
Bear in mind that we have been to La Palma often so I didn't take photos of many places we visited, but I hope they give you an idea of the island and our trip there.
It proved to be a lovely week, visiting old favourites, and finding new things too.

The weekend sailing trip was organised by my sons. We had dinner with my eldest son, his new girlfriend and his Mate then went back to the ship, where my middle son had just arrived with his wife and boys. My youngest son and his partner arrived later - she had driven from Gent to their home and then up to Friesland.
The weather was amazing but with little wind so at first we thought it would all be motoring, and because of the forecast we couldn't visit one of the islands as hoped, but chose instead to go to the Ijsselmeer (former Zuiderzee) town of Makkum. We were able to sail right into Makkum harbour. There are no doubt a few photos of us arriving out there on the internet - there were certainly enough people taking pictures of what must have been an impressive sight from the shore. Middle son lit the charcoal grill and cooked up some wonderful hamburgers, which we enjoyed with salads made by eldest son. Youngest son made the cake. He wasn't happy with it but it tasted great.
The following morning we were able to sail all the way back to Harlingen. It was a little colder than on Saturday, but still sunny and once sailing you no longer feel the wind.

Anyway the photos are here: http://www.garafiano.nl/koken/index....rthday-treats/

Sounds great! What sort of vessel is that?

It is a Hasselteraak, built in 1901. A flat bottomed former cargo ship, it used to carry peat from the east of the country to Amsterdam and the other cities.
It can now carry 18 passengers.
http://www.landidee.nl/wp-content/up...-excelsior.jpg is a photo of her in full sail.

Very interesting. Thanks.

Lovely photos - especially like the clouds over the mountains and the cormorants.

Lovely boat, even with the boards down I guess it goes up to wind only a little bit. Takes me back to my youth.

First of all, Happy Birthday!
La Palma looks lovely. I thought it would be similar to La Gomera, but it sure isn't.

Thanks for taking us away to La Palma! Probably never going to get there myself.

Gelukkig verjaardag!!!

You have a great family. You have a few years on me so I must ensure to educate my kids like yours.

And thanks to share what is in the lounge where us Simple mortals have no access. ;-)

all very lovely hetismij, especially the sailing of course!

Lovely Makkum!

I was hoping you would see this because I knew you would enjoy the sailing menachem!

Dankjewel WoinParis. Happy to share with my Europe friends too.

Who knows it may encourage someone to look further than the usual spots ;).

i was off Libya, boating with Stichting Bootvluchteling. Not as nice as your trip, but ...uhm... interesting

<<And thanks to share what is in the lounge where us Simple mortals have no access. ;-)>>
This Simple Mortal has access. Don't you?

MyriamC,

Changes were made in 2013. People who registered after then don't have access.

Myriam, Wo change his name nearly as often as his socks so he probably doesn't have access.

Gorgeous photos and what lovely gifts.