Europe beckons

If truth be told, it's a strange kind of feeling when you're flying to Europe for a break, rather than returning ''home''. Of course, to us, Holland and England will always hold a special place in our hearts, ahhhh, but for the time being, anyway, Auckland and New Zealand are home. So, after nearly 15 months on the road, we readied ourselves for a tail-chasing fortnight, catching up with family and friends, the likes of which we'd never undertaken before.

First off, Holland. A great few days with the Halls and Robens in Lekkum, Friesland, home of Ina and Bernard. Zoe and Mark, fresh from their Christmas engagement, tagged along for the ride, eager to taste England's North Sea neighbour for the first time. As you'd imagine, it was an emotional time. Yet, not once did the past intervene, for all it seemed as though we'd never been away. Oh, and how good was it to tuck into bitterballen, Heineken and boerenkool met worst - all resoundly missed during our many months away.

It was fantastic to see everyone, and for the Halls to visit Leeuwaarden for the first time. Ina and Bernard, as always, were super hosts, Jane, at times, lost when told to sit down and relax. Time was spread evenly over meals out and in, wine glasses over-flowed and beer bottled were drained. Joreen and Martijn hooked up for a few days, adding further fun to a great break for all. It was such a shame it had to come to an end, as is always the case when you're running amock abroad.

Bernard couldn't wait to dust off his Land Rover, piling us all in the back for a trip to windy Harlingen, a small fishing town where we got stuck into raw Herring and came face-to-face with the ''lucky'' little lad who, before English slang ruined the fabel, saved Holland from flooding by sticking his finger in the dyke. It's where we bid farewell to Zo and Mark who, eager to sample the delights on offer in Amsterdam, disappeared into the sunset with Joreen and Martijn.