Urban annoyances
The centre of the city is noisy, dirty and heaving with tourists so I try and stay away during the summer months. I think you’ll agree it makes sense to avoid encounters with mooning stag parties that block up Amsterdam’s cycle paths on their ubiquitous pub bikes! It’s tropical in Amsterdam this week. Temperatures are set to soar above 30 degrees. Cities are warmest of all so why not head towards the psychologically and physically cooling effects of trees, grass and water?

Urban Oasis
One peaceful, shady sanctuary where I recently went foraging for elderflower is within a stone’s throw of the city centre. In Amsterdam Zuid-Oost there’s a lovely nature reserve called de Ruige Hof. The volunteers run all sorts of nature activities for children and adults. List of activities here. On the last day of the summer holidays, Sunday 5 July, children can make art from natural materials. Modern kids spend too much time indoors surveys have shown whereby they miss that contact with the natural world. So if you live in Amsterdam and want to let your children play and be creative in a safe environment why not head down to de Ruige Hof? Even if the club house is shut it’s a lovely place to walk and picnic throughout the summer.

Natuurvereniging de Ruige Hof
Abcoudestraatweg 77
1105 AA Amsterdam Zuid-Oost

Metro 50 towards Gein, get out at Holendrecht
Parking at the golf course ‘De Hoge Dijk’

More nature reserves in North Holland.