Pirates of the Sweets

Tuesday afternoon in February on the Dutch North Sea coast. Desperately, we stare at the forecasts for the coming days. We have just returned completely soaked from a walk at the Scheldt estuary, where we marveled at the large ships entering and leaving the Port of Antwerp. The biting east wind nips at our cheeks and causes headaches, thick rain clouds swirl above our heads, soaking us to the bone.

The threatened cold air drop has transformed into a voluminous, widespread bubble, having turned its back on France long ago, and is forecasted by the weather radar to circle over the North Sea coast in the coming days. Rain, snow, and cold in tow. Not a single hour of sunshine in sight.

The caravan refuses to warm up at all in the icy east wind, and I have to temper the red wine in the Maxol Monte Carlo 3000, the divine oven.

After the Kangoo sinks into the mud upon leaving our spot at the potato field in the early dawn, the mud flies around us and sticks to the windows, we decouple the caravan in icy storm gusts to push it sideways onto the road, only to quickly slip back into the muck because the milk truck speeds around the corner, then we maneuver the caravan back onto the small road, coax the Kangoo out of the swamp, and hang the mistral back on, covered in mud from head to toe - that was quite enough excitement for me for the day.

Afterwards, we learn that in this country it is not even allowed to sleep in the car to ensure road readiness, and is punishable by a fine of 500€. Or worse: with parking claws that are only released after payment is made - as we are informed.

No hope for good weather nor for romantic sleeping spots, and at Aldi, I am reprimanded for wanting to pay with red coins. I think I hear something like 'Little things only make mess, you can keep them' from the unfriendly Dutch.

Similarly, though slightly nicer, shortly after at a Belgian cashier. Then the internet informs me that one and two-cent coins have been abolished in Finland, Ireland, Italy, and indeed Holland and Belgium some time ago. At the cashier, they simply round up or down. I can try long to get rid of the half kilo of red coins from the senior coffee fund.

The supermarket shopping experiences, though!
To explore the local culinary highlights, we stop by the local discounters. I make my way directly to the cheese aisle and while I concentrate on juggling the types Gouda, Edamer, Maasdamer, and Geitenkaas in their ripening stages, checking