My dream of a White Christmas remains unrealised.  Christmas day brought depressing drizzle with thick clouds in various shades of grey.  Even the millions of tiny lights hanging all over the city couldn’t brighten the day. That was until we flew up to heaven, otherwise known as De Librije restaurant in Zwolle.  

It was an inspired idea.  We thought if you can’t be with your family at Christmas why not splash out and go to the best restaurant in the country?  We dressed to the nines.  I tried not to look awe struck as we walked through the beautiful old converted church to our table by the fireplace.  The classical pianist broke my heart and the carol singers brought along the Christmas spirit.   

I cannot describe the food.  At some points I was not sure what I was eating but Jarno and I agreed it was not simply food.  It was an ‘experience’.  Each of the 12 courses came with a wine that complemented the dish.  It was the best wine I have tasted.  Although after glass number 11 everything tastes good.  I think our wine pallets palates may have gone into shock, as they are so accustomed to the cheap Australian chardonnay we get at the supermarket.   

We enjoyed ourselves so much that even the bill seemed reasonable.  As one last surprise we walked outside to find hot gluwijn and olieballen.  Incredibly enough, Jarno still had room to eat and as we strolled back to our hotel along the winding canal covered with mist I wondered if it was possible to have a more romantic Christmas.  But then again, maybe that was the 12 glasses of wine talking. 

We vowed to go back and spend another Christmas there.  Yet with the uncertainty of our moving plans, who knows when that will be?