Tag Archives: Netherlands

Leidens Ontzet

Posted on by

Today is Leidens Ontzet which is a day of celebration in the town I was born, I’ve written a post two years ago about the siege of Leiden in 1574 by Spanish soldiers during the Eighty Year’s War. Oddly enough I do miss my herring and I was supposed to celebrate this Friday but had to cancel. I’ve joined the organisation for Dutch expats here in London and they will serve herring that day along with a typical traditional meal called ‘Hutspot’ which can be best described as a dish of boiled and mashed potatoes, carrots and onions with a long history in traditional Dutch cuisine.

I haven’t been well for weeks caused by the Chinese tea which is basically a total detox and because of that my body rejects any kind of food or liquid. So I’m afraid I won’t be eating any herring or Hutspot this year. I have to admit I was really looking forward to that evening of indulgence so yes I’m slightly disappointed. But I guess certain things happen for a reason, perhaps next year will be a better opportunity…

Great! …

Posted on by

I thought I’d left them behind when I left the country, but I guess I was mistaken… These creatures used to show up at the Vondelpark in Amsterdam each summer. It was just plain gross! And guess what…
——————————
A potentially deadly caterpillar – whose bristles can trigger asthma and allergic reactions – has arrived in Britain from the Continent. Nests of oak processionary caterpillars have been spotted in dozens of trees in London over the last few weeks.
The discoveries have prompted fears that the species – normally found in the Mediterranean – has settled in the UK for good. They are covered in 63,000 poisonous hairs which can trigger allergic reactions and conjunctivitis if they are touched. Even if they are not handled, the bristles can break off and be carried in the air. If inhaled, they can trigger asthma. In extreme cases, they can even trigger anaphylactic shock.
Although spraying kills them, the caterpillars release thousands of hairs as they fall to the ground. The presence of these hairs – and the fact that the toxin in them can survive for up to a year – means the risks remain even after the caterpillars are destroyed. Last year, officials at Kew Gardens in West London were forced to use hairspray to stick the nests together before burning them with blowtorches.
The creatures first appeared in Britain last summer after they were brought into the country on trees imported from the Netherlands.
Watch a gross BBC movie here

Small but potentially deadly:
The hairs of Oak processionary caterpillars can trigger allergic reactions
© Daily Mail
——————————