IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD!

Finally, the weather we've all been waiting for - long may it last! It's been a busy month, but now the schools are winding down and everyone is ready for a break. If you are not planning on jumping ship for the summer, there's lots going on in Leiden over the holidays.

HOME IN LEIDEN GIRLS NIGHT OUT -This Thursday!

HomeinLeiden enters a new phase

This June was HomeinLeiden's first anniversary! After a year and a half of set-up support from Fonds 1818 and Oranjefonds, we are now ready to go it alone. Enormous thanks to everyone for all their hard work to get it to where it is now:

And now.. HomeinLeiden needs you! The more people who would like to write/research/organize events/brainstorm new ideas/be a mentor for new people the better. I'm hoping to organize a meeting soon so that we can discuss plans over a glass of wine. If you would like to get involved , please email me on harriet@homeinleiden. We' also looking for people who would like to write a homepage over the summer , giving their take on living in Leiden - again, email me if this sounds like a fun opportunity to practise your writing skills!

Favourite places for a summer's day

Apart from the Hortus and Leidse Hout, of course, my two new favourite places to hang out are Cronesteyn, and specifically Cronesteyn campsite: see www.stochemhoeve.nl (see above) and also the organic garden de Groene Cirkel (see below), which is tended as part of the therapy for patients of the GGZ. You can pick your own strawberries and flowers, and buy very good value organic veg and plants there.

CRASH COURSE DUTCH for absolute beginners!

There will be a week-long crash course in Dutch in Amsterdam from 9 th - 13 th August, 8.30-5.30. At the end of the course you should be at level A2 and able to start talking to those around you properly! It is run by Roos Naeff and Inge Hendrickx , who are both qualified linguists specializing in language trainings for professionals. I think it sounds like a great plan for those who are struggling to get started learning Dutch - for more information contact Roos on nt2@online.nl 06-208.52.820 or Inge on inge.babel@gmail.com 06-535.32.787.