Dear readers, sorry for the radio silence. But what with the lockdown and commuting between Amsterdam and Nijmegen, and spending far too much time on Marktplaats sniffing out bargains, I have let my blog slide. So I thought, why not make MP a subject of my blog. Plus I am snowed in and can’t go anywhere anyway!
The Thrill of the Chase
Marktplaats is a much-loved, online trading place for everything and anything. Most sellers live in the Netherlands and as far as I know the concept hasn’t been rolled out beyond our borders. Unlike eBay it doesn’t charge the buyer or seller for using its forum and it’s pretty user-friendly. Having bought mainly larger items we have picked up cupboards, lamps, and rugs in our van so you get to meet the owners of pre-loved items and that is usually a nice experience. You can also search locally and it was an good ice-breaker in our street in Lent when we bought a table nearby and our neighbour offered to pick it up for us because he had the use of a trailer for the day.
I’m a firm believer that objects pick up their previous owners’ auras (yes, I have watched ‘Surviving Death‘ on Netflix) so we like to feel that the previous owners are pleasant. And like every online forum these days you get to review each other so it’s important to remain polite.
Good for the Environment
Since the lockdown, Ikea has been so busy that they don’t accept online orders anymore. For larger objects they charged a 50 euro delivery fee anyway. So MP is pretty much the only place you can get reasonably-priced items and view them beforehand. Plus buying second-hand items is better for the environment, reduces packaging and waste.
Eats your Time
The whole business can be rather time-consuming though. And before you know it you’ve spent a couple of hours searching out the right item at the right price in the right location and you still haven’t scored! My list of favourite items is ridiculously long. Often sellers don’t bother replying to inquiries or ask daft prices. Many people don’t realise that if you shop at places like Ikea or Made as soon as you purchase the item it devalues. Anyway, those are the downsides, but the upsides far outweigh the negatives. Here are a few photos of aforesaid bargains, or ‘koopjes’ as they say in Dutch! Plus some pictures taken around Lent, Nijmegen and de Waal. Before and after snowstorm!
Kelim carpet 185 euros
Bevelled mirror 25 euros
Zenza lamp 80 euros
Corner cupboard 10 euros
Copper lamp 15 euros
Oak veneered cupboard 100 euros
Amsterdam Oriole 
Hi Angela
Good to see you are keeping busy!
Not much news from here, we’ve both been jabbed and are feeling more optimistic about going out and about, when we can
Current snow forecast is missing us so far but Chris and I had a few flakes when were out this morning. The wind chill is another thing! Lots of extra layers. We’ve missed a few days riding because of the ice but fortunately not many
We are staying in our bubble with Ian and Annette, our lockdown lodgers, and take it I. Turns to do Wednesday supper and Sunday lunch. It’s been very good for the cooking skills as we try to keep doing different things.
About to do my Sainsbury’s on line order for tomorrow so that there will be something to cook for Wednesday. Erie been having an order bout every 10 days and supplementing from Pengethley farm shop for veg, meat and their amazing bread flour. So life’s not all bad
Look forward to more posts n due course. Have you an actual moving date yet?
Jan xxx
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Lovely to hear from you, Jan. No jabs here as yet! I’m glad you’ve had yours. I hope the snow doesn’t come your way. It looks pretty on a Christmas card but not nice if you have to go out and work in it like C&C. Plus you won’t get much riding done then… We don’t have an exact date as yet. It’s a huge step for both of us. So taking baby steps. xxx
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As you say, Angela, snowed ,in, locked in, and always in! But in spite of that some great stuff. And lovely pics. Watching the snow here, whipping up into drifts with Beast from the East. But they do say a good tough winter is good for ??? wel, something anyway, not immediately apparent! Cheers
Sally
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Thanks, Sally. Yes, a doctor once told me the cold was good for killing off viruses but I have heard that Corona thrives in the cold. It was quite funny to say all the children’s sledges outside the local supermarket here in Lent. The Dutch seem to love the cold and chance to skate. I don’t mind for a few days, long as the cold snap doesn’t last too long!
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Good blog as ever!
Why is Frank in sun and you’re in snow?
Chris
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Thanks, Chris. Frank has his own little ray of sunshine wherever he goes! Ha ha. No, the sunny photo was taken two weekends ago, and my snow photo was this weekend just gone.
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