I bet you never expected to hear me say that it is good to
be back in Holland!! But it is! We have been staying with Marian and John Berg
in their lovely home in Driebergen and having a wonderful time. They have
driven us around, showing us the sights and treating us royally to wonderful
home cooked meals. I’ve discovered that the secret to eating well in Holland is
to stay with good cooks – both Marian and John share cooking duties – and to
have them take you to the good restaurants. We had a great lunch in a Utrecht bakery
that also served meals down in a cave at canal level with wonderful very old
brick arched ceilings and even better food. Had the best quiche EVER!
We had a
bright sunny day while they toured us around the countryside including a really
fun trip to Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum with typical Dutch houses that are
actually occupied, several windmills all producing different products – ground
spices, peanut butter, lumber – and a few businesses from more than a century
ago. Even had a wooden shoe making shop! Phil and Marian chased each other on
stilts and challenged each other at several other children’s games. Too funny!
Marian also took us to the lovely Keukenhof Gardens to see
the tulips and all the other spring flowers. It was everything I had expected
from researching it and more. Took 200 pictures on my fabulous new SLR digital
Nikon that I got for my birthday last year. It was so good to spend time with
them again – Marian absolutely loves to take the mickey out of Phil – he has
met his match!
We also met up with Arthur and Diana Dixon – our Australian
friends who we met in Holland the first year we were there. Was really nice to
see them again there and then had a meal with them later in Rotterdam where
they keep their boat. Arthur and Diana were so helpful that first year when we
didn’t know our a** from a tea kettle. Lots of good advice that we still use –
except for the one to stay in Holland and not go south. Sorry guys but the Midi
is the dream!!
Then we were off to Rotterdam to meet Robert and Christa
Bouman who toured us around South Holland, Zeeland and Delta works that hold
back the North Sea/Atlantic. Amazing, amazing engineering. When you think that
much of Holland is man-made and under sea level, you get an appreciation for
their accomplishments. Wow! The surprise of the day was Robert’s son Raymond, a
KLM pilot, taking them up in a little 4-seater to get a view from the sky. Phil
actually got to fly the plane for a short time – he loved it!! He also got a
chance to see all the dams and dykes from the air. I stayed on the ground –
thank you very much – and took pictures of the takeoff and landing.
Robert also
showed us his dental lab where he employs 11 other technicians. Beautiful well
equipped lab - we were very impressed. We then went back to their lovely condo
right on the Oude Maas where we could watch the barges making their way to and
from the seaport. What a great view from their condo looking across to the
skyline of Rotterdam. And another good home cooked meal!
We are very fortunate to have met and made such good Dutch and Australian friends that we love to spend time with. Our Dutch friends are so hospitable and generous – we can only hope that they visit us on Vancouver Island soon so that we can reciprocate.
We are very fortunate to have met and made such good Dutch and Australian friends that we love to spend time with. Our Dutch friends are so hospitable and generous – we can only hope that they visit us on Vancouver Island soon so that we can reciprocate.
It was hard to leave Holland but France beckoned and we took
the Thalys fast train to Paris where we changed to the SNCF local to Migennes
and the boat. While the weather hasn’t been great – I had to go out and buy a
jacket – we look forward to better weather as we head south. I’m sure next month
I’ll be complaining because it’s too hot.
And now for the Canadian news as I didn’t have time to get
an email out before we left – busy, busy, busy. Phil was asked to go back and
teach next year at NAIT and he agreed to one more year. They didn’t even care
that he wouldn’t be back until almost the end of October. The students were
ecstatic and we are really glad to be spending more time with the ‘kids’ and
our Edmonton buddies. But next June – for sure!!! – we are heading home to
Nanaimo. The golf course and Island
friends beckon.
So ends the first 2012 blog – we are really excited about
all we’ll see and do this year. Hope you keep reading and do stay in touch. We
love to hear from you. ( chutneycoss@gmail.com
)
Love to all – The Master Mariner and the Galley Slave