SO, last weekend I once again packed up my things and took the train to Hoogkarspel for another weekend full of fun times! This particular weekend the Schalm was hosting the annual Westwoud Volleyball Tournament, and I was invited to join.

I was hesitant when I first said I would play because we all know what a great athlete I am . . . Meg would have been a much more talented player to invite to the team. Also, everyone in the whole town plays volleyball.

When we first arrived at the Schalm, Kim and I stood on the sidelines to watch some of the other teams play. In my opinion they were very good. Kim turned to me and asked me if I thought they were good, but I could tell by the look on her face that she did not agree with me at all. That's when I started to really question what I was doing here.

Earlier I had explained to Kim that I was not the athletic one of the family and I had never really played volleyball on a team before. She assured me that it was all for fun and not to worry. But I was worried.

By the end of the night, we had played four sets and I must say that I really surprised myself (and by the end of the game, the rest of the teams) with how well I was playing. Although my arms are still bruised from the ball, I have found a new sport that I really enjoy playing.

Now the question is: Who’s up for a day at Spikes when I get back to London??

The rest of the weekend was spent drinking at the Schalm and spending time with Fred and Nellie, my neighbours from London and my second parents. They are in Europe for a wedding in Italy and to visit their family, the Ootemans, who I have begun to refer to as my Dutch family.

On Sunday we spent the day in Hoorn, a small town between Hoogkarspel and Diemen. It is a really cute harbour town with lots of ships and really old buildings. The town also played a big part in a war . . . I can’t remember which one. We had a chance to look at a lot of local art in the market and stopped at café’s and bars along the way.

This weekend will be spent in Diemen, as my presence has been requested since everyone here is getting sick of me leaving for the weekends. Lucky for us, Diemen’s fair is this weekend and it is located at the end of our street!