Tue Feb 7

Den Haag
Tuesday February 7

Still no
internet or TV connection but we at last got the second set of apartment keys
from the landlord's mother (it's only been promised since last Friday). I'm wondering if even the application to
reconnect the cable has gone through? I
wouldn't mind being given a job # to somehow follow up over either phone or
internet (from a kiosk or a friend's net).

Today we
visited three makelaars and make progress in getting viewing appointments
arranged. More agents to visit tomorrow,
plus Thursday, and we're also fitting in some viewings. The largest problem will be narrowing down
the field because there is SO much to select from, and our price range covers
every style of residence imaginable.

My
favourite on paper is an apartment described as a penthouse, but not as large
as penthouses usually are in Australia.
This one has 115 sqm, not huge, but has a 70 sqm terrace around two
sides. It's on the 10th floor near
President Kennedy Laan and is on the boundary of Duinoord and Statenkwartier. We'll inspect it on Monday, along with some
very nice ordinary houses and maisonettes.

Did a lot
of walking today, again in the snow, and since it snowed last Friday but hasn't
since, the existing snow has become very icy and slippery making it a challenge
to walk, look, cross roads and avoid cyclists - thank goodness I don't try to
chew gum as well!

We've been
looking and looking for cafes around this area of Benoordenhout but alas to no
avail - my idea of popping into the local a few times a week as we did before
in Utrecht is not coming to pass in this leafy and pretty part of Den Haag, and
today we discovered why...around 1920 a baroness sold the land occupied today
by Benoordenhout to the local government with a caveat on it stating that no
bars or cafes could be included, and it can't be overturned until 2020. Well, we are going to look at a house close
by a lovely little shopping centre we discovered last Sunday that is still in
Benoordenhout BUT close to the western boundary so that cafes and fascinating
places like that are just a short walk away across six lanes of traffic, a
canal and two tram tracks (these wide and busy roads are quite rare here). The HQ of Shell is around the corner, so I hope
the house is not overpriced for what you get....we'll soon see.

This
evening we ventured into our neighbourhood to have dinner at a lovely
bar/restaurant called 'Runners'. It was
delightfully warm and cosy and quite busy for a Tuesday night. We got a
recommendation for a house to look at in Kijkduin, but I haven't got the chance
to check it on the net, and I'm afraid it would be probably out of our price
range, but this is a very up and coming part of the beach to live in - maybe
just a little too far away. We'll see -
tomorrow we have three appointments, at 10am, 11am and 3pm. The 11am one is on Frederik Hendriklaan
(known locally as 'The Fred') so I see a delightful lunch in one of the very
many lovely places along that street.
Roll on tomorrow!