I call it winter.

First, we get hit with the area's biggest snowfall in 25 years. 1979, people tell me, was the last time. And now this.

Minus 18.7 as an overnight low is the coldest temperature since 1845. It's not like the Netherlands is a warm country. In Winnipeg, you might go 3 weeks in January without seeing the mercury get that high.

It is interesting how the Dutch people react to this kind of weather. The bike paths are much emptier now, with reason, but a few hardy souls still pedal to work, myself included (it's faster than the tram). There is no concept of snowball-etiquette, though, as adults and children alike have no qualms about throwing snowballs at cyclists navigating the icy streets.

Pictured below is my street.