Farewell, NL

I'm intrigued that there are 3 different types of milk, labeled for different purposes, depending on the fat content.

Milk for everyday purposes, full milk, has 3.5% fat, coffee milk has 8% fat, and cooking cream has 20% fat. Butter has such a high fat content that it's spreadable even when it comes straight from the fridge!

There are so many Teslas here, they could rename The Netherlands The Teslalands instead. (I already think of Massachusetts as Tesla-chusetts).

I spied a garden centipede (possibly Lithobius forficatus) hurrying along the sidewalk whilst enjoying everyone's well manicured yards. It was on a mission and wouldn't stop for photos. They begin their adult lives with 7 pairs of legs, and add a new segment and pair of legs each time they molt, until they teach 15 pairs. So why are they known as centipedes?

Whilst photographing the very common catmint, I encountered a common carder bee, Bombus pascuorum, standing out very easily amidst the purple spires, but I couldn't focus on it quickly enough. It looks as if it has a lion's golden mane!

Our friend has quite an extensive collection of preserved insects and spiders, which we have found interesting to look through.

We toured the old windmill in town - fascinating and impressive handiwork and feats.

One other thing that is exceptional here is the population's flexibility with language. Dutch children learn English, French and German, beginning in primary school so there is a good general understanding of our language, even if people converse predominantly in Dutch. One therefore needs to be careful of thinking one can converse in English 'under the radar' in the Netherlands, especially if what you are saying is non-complimentary or critical.

We got dropped off at Eindhoven's "Kiss & Ride" facility at the airport - brilliant idea. Bye, bye NL, you've been great! On to the U.K.

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