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Travel

Travel

Biking, Farting & Lighting: 3 Weeks in The Netherlands

by belinda January 15, 2021

We’ve been here 3 weeks! How guys, how. And it’s been a steep learning curve. Some days have felt like a struggle. The hardest part has actually been trying to manage the home schooling and get some work done ourselves. Lockdown here (and the closure of schools) has meant that our family of four is kept inside in close proximity for around 8 hours each day, as you attempt to get all the schoolwork completed in time.

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January 15, 2021 5 comments
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Travel

A Tale of Two Christmases

by belinda January 3, 2021

We’ve been in The Netherlands for over a week now and I’ve spent much of it decompressing. Undergoing a release from the most intensely stressful few days before we actually arrived here. Remember when I wrote this? Well, that was nothing. Covid yanked the pressure switch up a notch, for everyone around the world really, but the timing was such that the switch got yanked just around our departure date.

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January 3, 2021 5 comments
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Travel

Moving Countries (as a Feeler)

by belinda December 2, 2020

It’s been a whirlwind. A rollercoaster. All those handy cliches. I will also say though, that these past few months have been some of the hardest of my life. I’m hesitant to write about my personal struggles, because it seems so self-absorbed. Everybody is under severe stress this year. My feelings are nothing unique. Plus, it seems that when I see people lately, they always ask about me and I’m tired of talking about myself.

But writing is what I do. It’s how I process my world. So here’s what it’s been like planning this move to Europe from an emotional perspective, in the hope it can help some of you if you’re going to be doing the same.

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December 2, 2020 6 comments
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Landscape Cottage
Travel

Soaking it Up at Gabrielskloof

by belinda September 16, 2020

Sponsored post

Let me tell you a little story.

When I was six I was sent from our farm to boarding school in Grahamstown. There weren’t a lot of girls in my Sub A class, so most of my friends were boys. Every break time we tore around that massive playground playing catches and even though I was pretty fast, I wasn’t a match for some of those boys. But I kept trying. And I have such a specific memory of running through this patch of trees chasing after my friend Grant and feeling this huge well of frustration because I couldn’t catch him – he was too damn fast.

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September 16, 2020 0 comment
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the hague
FamilyTravel

Moving Mountains

by belinda September 13, 2020

Sorry (not sorry)…had to use that title – ’twas inevitable. So, we’re moving to The Netherlands soon. With the debacle that is COVID, our exact timing is difficult to lock down at this point, but we’re planning for late December, so the kids can start school in January. They will be going to an international school that is partly subsidised by the Dutch government, so they’ll be taught in English. These types of schools were established in order to encourage expats like ourselves to settle in The Netherlands for a bit, build businesses and contribute to the economy and society generally.

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September 13, 2020 3 comments
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kauai
Travel

Wanderlust

by belinda April 21, 2020

As we sit at home, I suppose it’s natural that I’m thinking more about travel these days. All the places I’ve been. If I’ll be able to go to other places I’ve always wanted to go in the future. I don’t know exactly how this pandemic will change our lives moving forward, but I do know that it will change things. Will we still be able to travel the globe as easily? Will we still want to?

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April 21, 2020 3 comments
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About Me

About Me

Belinda Mountain

Writer. Blogger. Overthinker.
Likes to eat/read/exercise.
Asks good questions.
Cannot tell a lie.
South African currently in The Netherlands.
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Instagram Corner

belindamountain

Home schooling & lockdown totally kicked my ass th Home schooling & lockdown totally kicked my ass this week (limping over the finish line here). But the sun is shining and the sky is blue. And the PM here says it is their “highest priority” that primary schools go back on 8 February - so we live in hope.
I’ve been wanting this book of poems by @katejba I’ve been wanting this book of poems by @katejbaer since it was released last year but could never find stock in South Africa - really excited to finally get my hands on this🙌🏻. Poetry is having a renaissance lately, from the inspiring words of Amanda Gorman at the recent US inauguration to poetry simply being shared more increasingly on social media these days. I read an article saying how during this pandemic, “poems are springing up like daffodils”. In difficult times, it seems humans rely even more on the redemptive power of art (if you’re a reader, I also recommend following @baerbooks for Kate’s great book recommendations📚) #poetry #whatkindofwoman
I think it’s fair to say that we’re all strugg I think it’s fair to say that we’re all struggling a bit right now, even those who are lucky enough to have not suffered severe losses due to this pandemic💔. If our lives used to be these whole juicy oranges, a solid & comforting sphere in our hands, they’re now full of gaps. There are so many missing segments. Maybe it’s the segment that was time with your best friends, you know those catch ups where they nod along at everything you say & tell you your hair looks great? Maybe it’s the segment that was traveling to a new place, the thrill of discovery, the wonder of something new? Maybe it was simply laughing (in person) with a colleague about something that happened that day. Or just an hour to yourself, for reflection & rest. We’re all incomplete oranges right now. We’re all feeling pap. So don’t beat yourself up if your life doesn’t feel juicy. It’s not a full life right now and this is so much bigger then we think. One day we’ll be a bit more like this orange again. One day we’ll be a bit more whole. Until then though, get your vitamin C & go eat some fruit😊🍊
A dreary day weather-wise, so this beautiful produ A dreary day weather-wise, so this beautiful produce is cheering me up (I didn’t realize that the Dutch are the 2nd largest food exporter in the world & are known for their innovative agricultural techniques). I plan to eat everything.
A poem about what I can see from my bed right now A poem about what I can see from my bed right now (yes I know I need to get up😆), but also a poem about colour & country. #poetry
Overexcited Saffers in snow! First time for the ki Overexcited Saffers in snow! First time for the kids❄️ #snow #thehague
“So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay “So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.” (The Fault in our Stars)
Bright eyed & bushy tailed. #haagsebos Bright eyed & bushy tailed. #haagsebos
New yellow raincoat to counteract the grey 💛. I New yellow raincoat to counteract the grey 💛. Is it frivolous that I miss my clothes? (& my books). I can’t help it, they’re like my friends 😆. I packed spectacularly badly & only have 3 pairs of jeans, 2 jerseys & some exercise gear. Everything else is on the ship & will probably get here in March/April. Meh, at least I am warm & dry 🌧
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  • The Light Years & the ‘Beautiful Awful’ posted on October 9, 2019

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Read more about me, my career and why I created this writing space.

Recent Posts

  • Biking, Farting & Lighting: 3 Weeks in The Netherlands

    January 15, 2021
  • A Tale of Two Christmases

    January 3, 2021
  • Moving Countries (as a Feeler)

    December 2, 2020

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