The Hague Archieven - Verita's Visit Holland

Cow-outside-first-time-veritasvisit cow dance koeiendans

Cows going outside for first time

In different areas throughout the Netherlands there are cows going outside for first time in 2020. Mid-March a farmer in Flevoland was the first to let out his dairy cows in the green pastures. Living in The Hague and being a big fan of the dairy and cheese farms in Leiden area, I searched for a chance to see the cow dance in my neighbourhood.

Cow Dance

Cowdance, in Dutch called koeiendans is the frolic jumping, twirling and running of cows let out in the meadows for the first time in spring. I saw the cows going outside for the first time at different dairy & cheese farms in Hague/ Delft / Leiden area in previous years. Boerderij de Vierhuizen is one of my favourites. It's an amazing farm with calfs, lambs and there's a lovely atmosphere.

Dry land, fresh grass

I've had quite some conversations with the farmers on when it's the right time to let the cows dance. Cows can't dance when the soil is still soggy, cows can't eat grass when grass hasn't grown yet. If the farmer lets his cows out to early, they trip in the soggy soil and will need to get back into the barn again as there is no grass yet. It's actually quite animal unfriendly to let them out too early. You will surely enjoy the cow dance more if you wait a bit.

Cows going outside first time in spring the Netherlands Verita's Visit on tour — A little race going on between cows going outside first time in 2019.

frolic cows in spring dance Verita's visit bike ride — April is generally the best month to let the cows out. The grass has then grown high enough and the land is not that soggy anymore

Sometimes it's just great showing your excitement, even when all other cows have finished jumping around.

Be a Dutch cow in spring workshop Verita's Visit — Just really getting connected with the ground & the fresh grass

Life gets back to normal. Here's a poor lonesome cow on a long long way from home. — Life gets back to normal. Here's a poor lonesome cow a long long way from home.

This beautiful video by Midvliet TV was made in and around the cheese farm. In the spotlight the cheese farmer, the happy cows and....me :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFDHeivB8yk

Cow Alert

Land van Wijk en Wouden, in Leiden area gives you the opportunity to register for a 'cow alert'. This way you receive the latest updates on when and on which dairy and cheese farms in the area between Leiden and Zoetermeer you can see the the cows going outside for first time in 2021.

Vockestaert, in Delft area also has a cow alert. They publish the dates you can see the cow dance on their FB page.

Do you want to know more about the cheese that is made out of the milk given by a cow that has eaten fresh grass again after a long time? If you want to find out, just get in touch.

Peaceful place in The Hague to remember- Waalsdorpervlakte

At Peace in a Quiet Place in the Netherlands

It's May holiday. Today I just want to get away from the city a bit, visit nature and enjoy the silence there. There's a special reason I'm looking for a quiet place in Holland today...

it's Remembrance Day. Throughout the Netherlands memorial services and silent marches take place to commemorate those who gave their lives for our freedom during WWII, but also in wars and peacekeeping missions after 1945.

Freedom to enjoy nature

On this day, the 4th of May, I take my bike and cycle to the Waalsdorpervlakte, to just sit in the sand with nothing around me but birds and trees. This is the most peaceful place in The Hague for me. I lay down and look up into the clouded sky and I realise how fortunate I am to have the liberty to just be here and enjoy the Dutch nature. Freedom seems such a common thing, untill you stop for a moment to think about what you have.

Nature around The Hague

Waalsdorpervlakte is a beautiful natural area, near the Nordsea coastline & the dunes. It's a peaceful place in The Hague. It's also an important historical marker: many Dutch resistance fighters were executed here. It is one of the mayor locations in Holland where a memorial service is held. A big bell will ring. Except for this year, 2021. A small ceremony without public attendance will happen. The Dutch people are requested to stay at home and watch the ceremony online.

Two minutes of silence

When the clock strikes 8, the Netherland observes two minutes of silence, to remember and honour those who died for our freedom.

Visit the website of the tourist office The Hague for more information on the memorial service at Waalsdorpervlakte.

This is a list of all memorial services in The Hague in 2019 (in Dutch)

For more information on the Dutch Rememberance Day and Liberation Day on the 5th of May, go to 4en5mei.nl

These websites are in Dutch. If you are interested in a specific activity, do let me know, I do my best to find more information.

If you would like to visit Waalsdorpervlakte and surroundings with Verita's Visit, contact me for a personalised tour.

by Vera ter Beest