tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53934550208552009882024-03-14T13:42:08.820+10:00Return JourneyAfter arriving in Australia as an 11 year old child in 1957, I am finally making the return journey at 68! The years that have flown by have been filled with love, life, family, births, deaths, friendships, weddings, journeys, joy, fun, holidays, work and much more.
I intend to take you on this, my special journey - hoping to write regularly (time permitting) and posting photos of people I meet and places of interest, as well as beautiful scenes. Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-84766922430879534642014-05-21T00:29:00.003+10:002014-06-06T21:45:57.704+10:00It's time...<br />
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Yep, the time has come to write the last post of my Return Journey.<br />
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Well, I arrived home on Wednesday 14th May, after a 24 hour journey, which went very well. Incidentally for those who feel Australia is too far away, or conversely, Europe is too far away, it really is only ONE day of your life to get there. Just 24 hours. OK, it might be a little annoying to hang in the sky for 21 hours (with a 3 hour break in Singapore) but hey, in 1957 it took our family 6 weeks to travel from Holland to Sydney in a refurbished troop carrier without stabilizers. It included 14 days on the Indian Ocean between Capetown and Fremantle, a very frightening storm in the Great Australian Bight and lots of seasickness before we finally and safely docked in Sydney to begin our Australian life. But that's another story, maybe a story for another blog...</div>
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So there really is very little left to tell. The last few days were spent attending Mieke's church and visiting her garden house once more in the pouring rain. Because of the wonderful spring temperatures this year, the shrubs, annuals and salad greens have just grown to maturity in no time at all. Most of the ground was still very wet and bare when I first arrived, but now the ground is covered in greenery with many plants growing very tall and wide.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden is growing like crazy!</td></tr>
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The little garden cottage is coming together inside too, with just the need for some kind of heating to be able to stay there overnight during summer nights and window coverings.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Dutch evening meal of veggies and oh! meat. :-)</td></tr>
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On Sunday afternoon we visited our friend Sita at Bruekelen once again. She cooked us a delicious typical Dutch meal of vegetables and meat. If you ask a Dutch person what they had for dinner, they will name a vegetable eg: we had (green) beans,whereas an Aussie will always name the cut of meat they had.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Sita at her home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much stuff to pack!</td></tr>
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On Monday 12th May, the day before I left, I needed to pack! I had not taken my own advice to travel as light as I said I would. Well, in one way I had, because I only took a smallish case with me, plus a soft carry on bag, but both of those were fairly full (<a href="http://myreturnjourney.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/suitcase-is-almost-packed-hard-to.html" target="_blank">see my case here</a>) and I wore almost every piece of clothing I brought during my stay in Holland, but I could have done with a bigger case really. I bought a fair amount of souvenirs/gifts and also some boots and clothes to take home with me. Anyway, long story short, Mieke, who is a master packer because she has traveled so much and has packed so many cases, came to my rescue. She managed to pack EVERYTHING in the 2 bags and some extra bits and pieces went into a shopping bag. All packed and we did some more shopping, home for a coffee, then over to Nelleke's place for a beautiful home cooked dinner. (Thanks Nelleke for your hospitality! Truly appreciated.) On our way home we took a detour into the countryside to watch the sun set over the many waterways, the farms and a church steeple in the distance. Then home and off to bed for my last night in Holland.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last coffees at Schiphol Airport</td></tr>
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Flying home day dawned pretty early for me. I think I was up at 5.15 am and was showered, dressed, breakfasted and ready to go by about 7.15! Off in the car by 7.50 and guess what, we got stuck in the 'file' or the queue, or in Aussie, peak hour traffic, but we had plenty of time. After arrival at Schiphol, luggage check in and a long 'gezellige' coffee with Mieke, we said our goodbyes with many hugs and even a little cry...it has been so special getting to know each other again after all these years and I was so well looked after by her. (Thanks and hugs Mieke!) <br />
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A final wave after going through customs and I was on my own to find my flight departure gate. The flight was slow to get off the ground and left about 45 minutes after scheduled because of the heavy airport traffic. The flight to Singapore went well.. I watched 3! movies! and they certainly keep you occupied by feeding you well! Singapore air staff are just wonderful and look after everyone with such patience and lovely smiles. After a three hour stopover in Singapore I was off to Brisbane at last.</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10157392_10152440843124759_8921334507892766118_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10157392_10152440843124759_8921334507892766118_n.jpg" width="225" /></a>How wonderful it was to come out of immigration to be greeted by not only Ross, but ALL my 4 girls! Their smiling faces and love for me blew me away and I couldn't help but cry and embrace them all at once, even with the barricade between us!<br />
We headed to Tonia's house for tea/coffee and lots of happy laughter, chatting and giving out my souvenirs. Happy and tired we headed off to finally be home and in my own bed!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful family</td></tr>
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It's a week on now and I'm still trying to get over my jet lag. Hope it goes away soon, because I'm really tired of falling asleep at inappropriate times of the day.<br />
I'm back at work and driving my lovely special needs boys to and from school again. So all is just about back to normal routine.<br />
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And with that, I will put this blog to bed. For good.<br />
It's been an amazingly wonderful journey.<br />
It was a journey of many emotions, and some of these were:<br />
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<li>The first time I saw the Dutch flag flying high in the sky above Keukenhof gardens.</li>
<li>The first strains of the St Matthew's Passion in a beautiful old Amsterdam church</li>
<li>Walking through my home town</li>
<li>When I heard the pipe organ played by my second cousin Klaas, especially for me, in my childhood church</li>
<li>Meeting up with family members and old friends after many decades</li>
<li>Travelling through the flat Dutch landscape with its many waterways, green meadows, church steeples, dairy cows, sheep, windmills and quaint houses</li>
<li>Walking among the throng of celebrating thousands in Amsterdam on the first ever King's Birthday </li>
<li>Coming back a second time to my hometown to attend morning church service. So special</li>
<li>Standing in the building which was once my home. The place where I was born</li>
<li>The kindness of everyone I met. It was overwhelming. Simpy wonderful</li>
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As I wrote in a card to thank my sister Mieke:<br />
"I feel rather teary as I write this (I even had a little cry during the night) - after all, this quaint country was also once my home and I reckon my roots are actually pretty deep, deeper than I thought."<br />
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Will I return once more?<br />
Only time will tell...<br />
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Hugs and love to all my readers.<br />
XO</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Waterland, near Amsterdam - last evening in Holland around 10.30pm</td></tr>
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Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-79995813499741643632014-05-10T19:57:00.001+10:002014-06-06T22:09:35.875+10:00On the home run...Hi everyone,<br />
This will be the last blog before flying out from Holland next Tuesday 13th May 2014. My return journey has come to an end. The weather has changed from amazing spring weather to rain, wind and cooler temperatures more suited to a regular Dutch spring.<br />
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Well, since my last blog which told about the first Koning's Dag (King's Birthday), incidentally, the first Dutch KING since Prince Willem lll in the 1800's.( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem-Alexander_of_the_Netherlands" target="_blank">Read about King Willem-Alexander here</a> ).I've been busy re-visiting my home town Wolvega and back to Gouda to see my cousin Henk and wife Sonja. <br />
With two weeks still to go in Holland and having seen and done most of the things I had planned to do, I wondered what we would do during that time. Mieke and I planned a trip in Friesland but then I had a strong, nagging feeling that I wanted to go back and visit my hometown once more. I'd only been there three days, and felt it wasn't enough somehow. So I made plans to go back and my friends Jaap and Florence kindly invited me to stay with them again.<br />
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The week before I went back I spent some time resting at home, visited Amsterdam city again and took an hour's tour by boat through the city's canals, which was fun and informative. The driver/guide asked which nationalities were on board and then did his commentary in Dutch, English, German and Spanish. Pretty clever I think. He had funny little jokes which made us all laugh. It was a perfect Spring day and actually quite hot in the sun - I really enjoyed that. One of his jokes was that in the Brouwer's Gracht (Brewer's Canal) where all the ancient breweries were located, they used to use the canal water in the brewing process. He said that they ofcourse don't use it anymore these days, only now they just use it for beer that's exported! :-)<br />
After the boat ride I walked into the inner city and enjoyed browsing the quaint streets with so many small shops everywhere. Lots of fashion stores, coffee shops (both those selling coffee and the smelly ones selling drugs, with lounging, bleary eyed young people in the windows), restaurants, ice cream shops, even a hardware store which occupied 3 store fronts with a different department in each. I bought some tops for myself, some souvenirs and walked and walked up and down long and short streets. I found a very cute 1950's coffee shop and enjoyed a quiet sit down with a drink and some free wifi.<br />
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We also spent some time at Mieke's garden, which is really coming on nicely. There is lots of work to be done like weeding, planting, watering, as well as setting up the cottage. Mieke is really enjoying working there, while I sit and read or do some minor gardening that doesn't involve pulling out weeds. I'm lkely to pull out the wrong plants, seeing I don't know much about Dutch plants.<br />
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Saturday week ago, I once again took the bus to the city and caught the train to Wolvega. I really enjoy watching the flat Dutch country side roll by, filled with dairy cows, windmills, little houses and farms and of course lots and lots of water in the form of large canals with large barges on them which transport all kinds of cargoes. As well, rivers meander through the landscape crossed by many bridges.<br />
I spent a lovely few days wandering around the township with my friend Jaap who explained where things were in the 'old' days, and where we played as kids, where we swam at the pool (now no longer there) and other places of interest. We met a few people along the way from the old days who we had a chat to, which was nice.<br />
On the Sunday Florence and I headed off to church - the church where we went as a family. It was as if time had stood still in all those 60 years. This is what I shared on facebook: <span class="userContent">Church service in my home town church. I sat
on the cross benches under the windows, where I sat with my mum and dad
and sisters. It was all there: the traditional psalms and songs; the
beautiful pipe organ; the minister in his long bl<span class="text_exposed_show">ack
toga with white collar standing in the high pulpit. A child's offering
coins still rolled on the floor and the peppermints came out and were
shared just before the sermon began, just like when I Was a child. Lots
of good memories. I'm glad I took the time to go back to Wolvega this
weekend"".</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">In the afternoon I spent a lovely couple of hours with Henk Pesman and Esther and their cute children. Coffee and 'taartjes' with lots of 'room'. Whipped cream is something the Dutch love - in cakes, with dessert and in their coffee. :-) Also of lots of talking, looking at old historical and family photos. Henk kindly walked me 'home' and I lost (and luckily found) my glasses (thank you Florence) on the path along the waterway. Very grateful that I found them, seeing I can't see without them.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Stayed another 2 days with Jaap and Florence...lots of talking, good food,(and late night wines), walks on the outskirts of town along farms, fields full of buttercups and freshly sown crops, lots of waterways, and the obligatory windmill, as well as horses, cows and sheep. You can walk late into the evenings because the days are getting longer and warmer each day. </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Jaap and Florence drove me the 2 hours to his sister Sita's home at Breukelen. Her garden adjoins the river Vecht at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breukelen" target="_blank">Breukelen. </a>Lots of pleasure craft sail by regularly and you can sit right at the river's edge on a nice day. We had a lovely time chatting, eating (of course!) and the next day Sita and I strolled around the very quaint village, browsing the shops and then a lovely lunch with Laksa with prawns for me and a cheese and tomato toasty for her.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> All too soon I needed to get ready to catch the train to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouda" target="_blank">Gouda</a> to say my goodbyes to my cousin Henk and his wife Sonja. That night we ate a delicious old style Dutch meal of Stampot of Endive with rook worst. (Raw endive mashed into hot cooked potatoes, onions etc served with rook wurst) YUMMMMO. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone fisherman.</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Next day we walked along the paths and the dyke which runs along the <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/282537/IJssel-River" target="_blank">Nederlandse Ijsel.</a> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonja and I among the wild rhubarb growing along the river</td></tr>
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A really lovely walk, with wild rhubarb growing along the river banks, someone enjoying a quiet spot of fishing, boats plying their trade, the lock where the boats wait for the water to equalize. We even saw a long funeral procession with lots of bikes (and cars too) with the undertakers wearing tails and high hats! <br />
Again time to move on. Henk and Sonja drove me to Amsterdam, back to Mieke's house. They stayed for afternoon tea and then we ate a hearty meal of Dutch pea soup with sausage and healthy bread and cheese. Mieke had to go out to a meeting, so we three finished off with a coffee before they headed home.<br />
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To all my wonderful hosts here in the Netherlands, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your care during my stay with you. Without you all my 'return journey' would not have been what it was. I really would have been completely lost without you all - would not have known where to go or how to get there; what to see or do without you either taking me or pointing the way. Thanks for all the meals, wines (wijntjes), walks, drives, beds to sleep in and above all, the talks about the old times when I was a child; the history lessons about my forebears and about Wolvega town.<br />
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I loved seeing old friends and family again:<br />
<ul>
<li>Jaap, Sita, Afke and Jan Sleyt</li>
<li>Henk and Klaas Pesman</li>
<li>Tante Tinie </li>
<li>Henk Dijk</li>
<li>Bert Dijk</li>
<li>Piet v/d Hoef and his family (thanks for the tompoucen!)</li>
</ul>
I loved meeting and making new friends too:<br />
<ul>
<li>Nelleke Bosshardt (friend of Mieke's) - thanks for the meals and coffees</li>
<li>Florence Sleyt (thanks for your hospitality - it was simply amazing)</li>
<li>Els Dijk (heel gezellig!)</li>
<li>Sonja Dijk ( so hospitable and kind)</li>
<li>Cor and Paula (cute house in the Tuynwijck -thanks for the tea and chat!)</li>
<li>Henk and Ria (visited their fabulous house in a river ship - thank you!) </li>
<li>Mariella and her family (Henk's daughter in Gouda)</li>
<li>Marleen (Sleyt) and her farm they are renovating at Ter Idzard...what a job! wow!</li>
<li>People at Mieke's church - very friendly</li>
<li>People in shops, coffee shops and restaurants - always helpful and friendly. Didn't come across one who wasn't. Even the bus drivers greeted us!</li>
</ul>
Most of all I THANK my wonderful sister Mieke who shared her home with me and put up with my cases (and at night my bed with me in it :-)...) in the corner of her dining/kitchen. Without your guidance as to language, etiquette, what to see, where to go, taking me here, there and everywhere, my 'return journey'would have been really hard going. You made it easy, fun and so enjoyable. Thank you soooo much.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday morning I fly out. Someone suggested I could now cross this off my bucket list. Yes, I can but it was so much more than that. Something like this trip is not just a wish to cross off a list. It's something that I mulled over I guess, almost all my life. Something I may have needed to do earlier, but it never seemed the right time somehow.<br />
Now that it's almost over I am so glad I went when I did. People were able to spend time because they are mostly retired, so didn't have to go to work, or take kids to school etc, So that was a major plus. The weather has been unseasonably mild with minimum days of rain. The tulip gardens were flowering in early April, instead of in May. There were lots of sunshiny days where a coat was unnecessary, so even though I didn't come for the weather, it certainly was a plus to have great days to go out in. Another plus is that I was still young enough to be able to do the lots of walking and climbing stairs you do here. People ride (bikes) and walk everywhere during the day. To the shops (groceries), to church, for fun (as if they need to). In the cities people ride their bikes very fast. Your really have to watch out as they have right of way over pedestrians and cars! People also walk fast, are nearly always busy with something - either in the house, the garden or outside it. They walk fast, talk fast, act fast. It's a small intensely busy place, especially in the cities...I found the country life much more relaxed though.<br />
<br />
So there you are my lovely readers. There should be one more instalment and then this blog will be just floating around in cyberspace, finding it's way onto someone's laptop, tablet, phone or whatever communication device is created in the future, who googles 'The Netherlands' or some related subject.<br />
<br />
Photos below of some of the happenings this past week:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNANJFLRn-L5SQxaKAVseaMfwjqWRFhmHyJdLPW8jA5WyA0dXUPLVIt4OSOYdudR72O8sTiBaZVQPKoQS9Pz4seN1NaMyDCsTWmgi0N-ck5X36zYfcPEdcsxNPskmgqhi4de9OAy4T0tpT/s1600/20140508_114726%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNANJFLRn-L5SQxaKAVseaMfwjqWRFhmHyJdLPW8jA5WyA0dXUPLVIt4OSOYdudR72O8sTiBaZVQPKoQS9Pz4seN1NaMyDCsTWmgi0N-ck5X36zYfcPEdcsxNPskmgqhi4de9OAy4T0tpT/s1600/20140508_114726%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Henk at the lock where the boats wait to go down stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GZUxgkPy0BjpbLA5I4zHUAKHXyvvqhrl9CEmzDqyLhI3cnqdK_HIITh1sgUu0fwhqJ3hIBc9woQ4HO4G77EiRgCjhXKoM6ROLw1f6fVxZzdWqBckqfcskhgCM6Ao_v-adqYxjqxFM7ae/s1600/20140508_113953%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GZUxgkPy0BjpbLA5I4zHUAKHXyvvqhrl9CEmzDqyLhI3cnqdK_HIITh1sgUu0fwhqJ3hIBc9woQ4HO4G77EiRgCjhXKoM6ROLw1f6fVxZzdWqBckqfcskhgCM6Ao_v-adqYxjqxFM7ae/s1600/20140508_113953%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the stairs to the top of the dyke next to the river</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLtjvhMcomKv4B8cePm5-7Y7NjHEwFhm99Y9hzLk9BOfvjyGEcaiVGuGpmn2x0WnllgrP-YBF0H_0wwA2Q80A61jRvmBNpZGbJ6ivmbTTeyVy61OI_4HZBkpAgasOfHYsTj92nOZtqDHJ/s1600/20140507_144303%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLtjvhMcomKv4B8cePm5-7Y7NjHEwFhm99Y9hzLk9BOfvjyGEcaiVGuGpmn2x0WnllgrP-YBF0H_0wwA2Q80A61jRvmBNpZGbJ6ivmbTTeyVy61OI_4HZBkpAgasOfHYsTj92nOZtqDHJ/s1600/20140507_144303%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute pussycats in the window in Bruekelen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUMSz1uHd0eNV62LhkQWXK8mC7WTI9jb_g5ykfVewwwOYutWI6ZJySSc6sPahW5lwekZlwaCAD80Fkb5Xmk6RgpyJ-s-CD7cxMkT0y1EksgtgMk6Z7Msh_-_SGGoxj2esvp6zrV36Bsv1/s1600/20140507_144439%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUMSz1uHd0eNV62LhkQWXK8mC7WTI9jb_g5ykfVewwwOYutWI6ZJySSc6sPahW5lwekZlwaCAD80Fkb5Xmk6RgpyJ-s-CD7cxMkT0y1EksgtgMk6Z7Msh_-_SGGoxj2esvp6zrV36Bsv1/s1600/20140507_144439%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sita </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGQXW9afMM5nX3GrWBt9UCuES3oOIopplQWT_xkttk3gv74IHIv4cuwhPsrxIdnB1GDe6vXthpa17bcsFjE3SFndUV9tTg-zlW9C-stI_e_Uu4mC4HxhKvc7pCwTpeENs-f1sZAEV9btP/s1600/20140507_135045%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGQXW9afMM5nX3GrWBt9UCuES3oOIopplQWT_xkttk3gv74IHIv4cuwhPsrxIdnB1GDe6vXthpa17bcsFjE3SFndUV9tTg-zlW9C-stI_e_Uu4mC4HxhKvc7pCwTpeENs-f1sZAEV9btP/s1600/20140507_135045%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laksa soup - out for lunch with Sita</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuZ-f2Rjlm17ffGkmbh7MfaCqhu5e_p6BazSYQN5GthE6kFCszd-zmenrzpIambrmtTllVSc_8RX2fdLzzj9uM7Oi1A9IHEQddxSGJa-0RWyvkGd7xeE71AVHNUyCUOvdtYd-rnqGz4lO/s1600/20140506_171249%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuZ-f2Rjlm17ffGkmbh7MfaCqhu5e_p6BazSYQN5GthE6kFCszd-zmenrzpIambrmtTllVSc_8RX2fdLzzj9uM7Oi1A9IHEQddxSGJa-0RWyvkGd7xeE71AVHNUyCUOvdtYd-rnqGz4lO/s1600/20140506_171249%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sita's beautiful garden at the river Vecht</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsPE6Q_LLAKU4R8wodtE3WHpbQNpmxyJixZ02fQWktexhRxsTaKGcegvkfCjqPn1t568wKrxnj9s_Ag1CV_puPuj12TPm_CzCpU8G5s9DUnjcS5cnCMslo_-9nebMh5COiqHfX-q2jf9t/s1600/20140505_131403%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsPE6Q_LLAKU4R8wodtE3WHpbQNpmxyJixZ02fQWktexhRxsTaKGcegvkfCjqPn1t568wKrxnj9s_Ag1CV_puPuj12TPm_CzCpU8G5s9DUnjcS5cnCMslo_-9nebMh5COiqHfX-q2jf9t/s1600/20140505_131403%255B1%255D.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My auntie Tinie's house where I played with her kids when I was little</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9RpDgDw-yetGEKdq1z5DfrOwO3lQs7rb2u7BDcMyfyYNBPSLfWY7PFnjmKjHNkmHryLgAuLKkncVjUCoDybvU9b2Gvp4OptY-YlRG_9BypTIFzvT-s96FbGlIWl25JrGgys6ysADOn_f/s1600/20140505_114303%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9RpDgDw-yetGEKdq1z5DfrOwO3lQs7rb2u7BDcMyfyYNBPSLfWY7PFnjmKjHNkmHryLgAuLKkncVjUCoDybvU9b2Gvp4OptY-YlRG_9BypTIFzvT-s96FbGlIWl25JrGgys6ysADOn_f/s1600/20140505_114303%5B1%5D.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the steps of Lindenoord, recently restored - we used to collect chestnuts under the old trees here.</td></tr>
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<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-7157016596230555952014-04-28T16:20:00.001+10:002014-04-30T03:55:06.036+10:00Home sweet home...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-jz0VkxTg3M7DOCpy_9QtQkMfrGVGnM3u3dCpRlOTpYa-3CVaiyKEXfRqIFRt-o4FaTigyDQaOoLGtq-G8qXyvPGXhLCX9gdMEmsdmzpCwRUK8TbO_tuipyuwDkZ8eWyokjBXulTGuLC/s1600/20140425_162411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-jz0VkxTg3M7DOCpy_9QtQkMfrGVGnM3u3dCpRlOTpYa-3CVaiyKEXfRqIFRt-o4FaTigyDQaOoLGtq-G8qXyvPGXhLCX9gdMEmsdmzpCwRUK8TbO_tuipyuwDkZ8eWyokjBXulTGuLC/s1600/20140425_162411.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a>My return journey finally reached it's destination this past week.<br />
That is, I visited the town in which I was born.<br />
Really, that in the end, is ultimately what this trip was about...to revisit the village where I was born, spent the first decade of my life and made my very first friends in life.<br />
<br />
I'm going to be lazy and copy and paste some comments I've made on fb during the past week...so if you are on fb, this will look familiar. If not, it will be news to you, but I will modify and add lots more info as I go... <br />
<br />
Day 1: (fb) I w<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">oke
up early today (Tuesday 23/4) after another full day of visiting a family friend in Bruekelen.
Got home at 11.30ish and still had to pack my case. Feeling I need a
rest day but ain't gonna happen, as today I am finally off to Wolvega,
the town where I was born and spent the first 9 years of my life. I will
be staying with family friends whom I haven't seen since we left! More
new experiences and LOTS and LOTS of talking I'm sure. My Dutch is
improving to the point where I hope I don't come home with an accent!!
HAHA. (fb)</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I caught the bus to Centraal Station right across from Mieke's place (so easy!) with my trusty pink case in tow. Caught the train withoout any fuss and enjoyed the 2 hour journey to Wolvega, seeing the different towns along the way, as well as the now familiar farm houses with fields filled with cows, sheep and of course tulips. Just a side note: train travel is not cheap here. A 2 hour journey is EU 22.10 (32.89AUD$) compared to $11.30AUD! and that's not even pensioner rate...</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcSb744n535bjSp0OXugL_nke5-t4kx1_5d_bZyLvsLjz_IxlVB3S6libpsnEaPrU-VTyOBvx93NPpnvzWx8GsCOepLTBJg5YGI9L9W0-PXcF_T9pFDzqaMgkLNY8XH4pkQoa3fOHn3Xh/s1600/20140422_163533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcSb744n535bjSp0OXugL_nke5-t4kx1_5d_bZyLvsLjz_IxlVB3S6libpsnEaPrU-VTyOBvx93NPpnvzWx8GsCOepLTBJg5YGI9L9W0-PXcF_T9pFDzqaMgkLNY8XH4pkQoa3fOHn3Xh/s1600/20140422_163533.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giethoorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Walking down the platform at Wolvega, I recognized Jaap and it was so good to see him. Jumping into his vintage Volvo, we drove to his home where I met his wife Florence who had a cuppa ready for us. After some chatting, Jaap and I hopped in his car again and drove around the outskirts of the town to the River Linde, where my Dad and his friends swam in the summer months. Then popped into Henk Pesman's shop where we had a coffee and a chat and then onto a small quaint town called Giethoorn, where the streets are water and sometimes called the Venice of the North. We enjoyed a cool drink on the terrace of an old hotel and reminisced in the warm sunshine. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I've had such gorgeous weather here in Holland. The temperatures have been unseasonally warm and even hot, so I've been very blessed.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLVbMD-y1RQkAdlNz5IaeeznXM-56HX1R1B_ME3NeD6JaONcszS6MHA70CjLQQPCslp56W0tnx9gvK0BMJ4mNQ-SPKR52rF2_96EwfRYQKT57THeF8hTZn87JwZcLzJoQTDv2ldFzu6_l/s1600/DSCF4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLVbMD-y1RQkAdlNz5IaeeznXM-56HX1R1B_ME3NeD6JaONcszS6MHA70CjLQQPCslp56W0tnx9gvK0BMJ4mNQ-SPKR52rF2_96EwfRYQKT57THeF8hTZn87JwZcLzJoQTDv2ldFzu6_l/s1600/DSCF4186.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks at Nieuwe Aanleg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Day 2: After a great night's rest in my own room, in the roof of the house, Florence dropped me off at a park called 'Nieuwe Aanleg'(new creation{of a park} - it's no longer new of course as it was established about 180 years ago. <a href="http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nieuwe_Aanleg" target="_blank">More info here</a> ) where we walked and played as kids. I took my time walking through the park and took lots of photos.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw82wAEdyj2v6vkgmOJtKrPWeiOHZHqWEIc4NOc_dVcdopZFoHFai36Sjr4ZhEWoxEhSPJzNUARvz1t6pXJUJxW85028ypeiJIMuMqrzBDiRGzLDEuaUK3QP6UzdwUGWKFH9IzReNEbZPk/s1600/DSCF4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw82wAEdyj2v6vkgmOJtKrPWeiOHZHqWEIc4NOc_dVcdopZFoHFai36Sjr4ZhEWoxEhSPJzNUARvz1t6pXJUJxW85028ypeiJIMuMqrzBDiRGzLDEuaUK3QP6UzdwUGWKFH9IzReNEbZPk/s1600/DSCF4185.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nieuwe Aanleg (looking south)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Onto the adjoining Cemetary, where my paternal forebears are buried. It took some time to locate some of the graves, but I immediately recognized the beautiful angel statue, which stands in the centre of the old section. I always loved that angel as a child. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x-w_nE1rqXqjNJfhFx9-yKMHH8hFLUdkljX-_E0BCrlmJb-iBGlsx2-N_c2VibEZjdDm2ta9GCIlITKG7Es5jpmatytLqTlA57F-PwHP9yKNpnk9jKhPbjX-yBEVYCqMv-zGBeERDJhH/s1600/DSCF4204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x-w_nE1rqXqjNJfhFx9-yKMHH8hFLUdkljX-_E0BCrlmJb-iBGlsx2-N_c2VibEZjdDm2ta9GCIlITKG7Es5jpmatytLqTlA57F-PwHP9yKNpnk9jKhPbjX-yBEVYCqMv-zGBeERDJhH/s1600/DSCF4204.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Angel which my Dad loved so much</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wandered down to the town centre, past the old Town Hall, where my Opa officiated at the civil ceremonies every couple who marries must attend, past where my Opa's house used to be and down to where I went to school. That building also no longer exists and has been replaced by a rather ugly, low slung grey brick building. A pity I think...but everything must 'progress'.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXwRsVJpeJdUliUomIG-GCqf4WbsREweQwj9o0Xr7AFGYgpyyIVVIUeKCwup1szGC5dtLStbDADk2wk7P53El2HV0EjEw1gjeMDtqifKMGgpJ-G_vKrwT4tM2mnW6MG7jOhmAQlP_SGAB/s1600/DSCF4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXwRsVJpeJdUliUomIG-GCqf4WbsREweQwj9o0Xr7AFGYgpyyIVVIUeKCwup1szGC5dtLStbDADk2wk7P53El2HV0EjEw1gjeMDtqifKMGgpJ-G_vKrwT4tM2mnW6MG7jOhmAQlP_SGAB/s1600/DSCF4279.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old home is now a whitewashed Chemist Shop - in the doorway where our front lounge once was.</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Finally I walked up the main street to the house where we were all born. Now the red bricks are rendered a grey/white colour, the bottom of the building gutted to make room for a chemist shop. The huge 1st floor of the building, where our bedrooms were located is now completely sealed and no longer used. I bought a couple of cheap watches there just for fun. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqwaMWtLtHNUkQxikvbN-IbgMM26aa3dj0tWXF0mVx6bfhHkWAsD0qbdNKWwdbMD1eeB4QXZS_mMMdKn3dunmJL8fslU86MbHnZh-JpL8O-3_BJxvgCtwbJTiawMfhbltKWR80ATjXlXl/s1600/20140425_133407+-+kopie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqwaMWtLtHNUkQxikvbN-IbgMM26aa3dj0tWXF0mVx6bfhHkWAsD0qbdNKWwdbMD1eeB4QXZS_mMMdKn3dunmJL8fslU86MbHnZh-JpL8O-3_BJxvgCtwbJTiawMfhbltKWR80ATjXlXl/s1600/20140425_133407+-+kopie.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence and I trying on King's day hats at my old house.</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span>I spent the whole day walking and exploring til it started to rain around 5.30pm. Really enjoyed the day.<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Back at Jaap's, Florence had a great dinner already prepared and at 8pm Jaap drove me to my second cousin Henk Pesman's home, where I met there 4 children and his wife Esther. A really great night and got home around 11.30pm. Sat up with a wine with Florence and Jaap til about 2am! fun, fun. :-)</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXARQbFIPxVo1t_WLHBmMuJtf8QoVw0-P8A4wXZXQOc5Ik332AI0nia3i7VoJFjGembwlohyNErmv0NQ1gudwE6kiw6w7pu_XUChUlMUmSRGVv5HZOwUiCmK9kabJral641MYtKJRe5NG4/s1600/DSCF4260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXARQbFIPxVo1t_WLHBmMuJtf8QoVw0-P8A4wXZXQOc5Ik332AI0nia3i7VoJFjGembwlohyNErmv0NQ1gudwE6kiw6w7pu_XUChUlMUmSRGVv5HZOwUiCmK9kabJral641MYtKJRe5NG4/s1600/DSCF4260.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With cousins Henk and Klaas</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
Day 3: (fb) <span class="userContent">Third day in my 'home'town and staying with my
childhood buddy Jaap and Florence Sleyt. Have visited most of my
childhood spots walking around the village, bought something in the
store which is located in the house in which I was born. W<span class="text_exposed_show">eird
that. Visited my second cousin Henk and his wife Estherlast night here
in Wolvega. Lovely family with four young kids who loved the little
koalas etc I had brought with me for them from Australia. Today I'm
visiting Tante Tinie, a 90 year old cousin of my mum's and I'm also
visiting our old church where I will be treated to a pipe organ
recital... played just for me. (fb)</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="200" src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1959423_10152395437644759_5610423672213128188_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="111" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful pipe organ in the church I attended in my childhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="112" src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/10153778_10152395437734759_4149465928215994513_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my tante Tinie in her home (90 yrs old)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/10155421_10152395437539759_4612731038842680901_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="112" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used to sit on the cross seats under the windows.</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">(fb)This afternoon I went to my old church and was
treated to a 1 hour private pipe organ concert by my very talented
second cousin Klaas Pesman. I sat where my family sat on Sunday mornings
and cried. </span><span class="userContent">Lots of memories...it was just wonderful.</span><br />
<span class="userContent">I also visited my
90 year old second cousin, my mum's cousin Tinie. As sharp as a button
still. (fb)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">I think going to my old church and my private organ recital would have to be the highlight of my Wolvega journey. It brought up so many memories of Sunday mornings, sitting in church with my family or with my Tante Tjits. Dropping coins into the plate, or even more so, onto the floor and getting my Aunty's elbow into my side. Quiet was optimum in those days. </span><br />
<span class="userContent">Listening to my mother sing, accompanied by the organist and standing up above the congregation.</span><br />
<span class="userContent">Listening to the 'dominee' preach and in the meantime examaning the windows and the detail on the organ and pulpit. Most of all though, the organ filling the high ceiling with majestic sound today was so special that it made me cry. Cry more than I thought I would. Thanks to Klaas Pesman (2nd cousin) for playing so beautifully.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">A visit to my second cousin (cousin of my mum) Tante Tinie who is 90 and still sharp as a button. Lovely chat, reminiscing about when I was little, what funny things I did and said etc, cups of coffee and off we went, home for a meal and quiet evening. (I think...can't remember) at home. Another very late nights (early morning) and to bed.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">D</span>ay 4.<br />
Off with Florence for the day to visit her cousin and another childhood friend of mine - Piet VanderHoef and his family. Dutch Tompoesen and coffee. I couldn't finish mine (sooo much cream!) so Piet did. haha. Lots of talking again and of course reminiscing about old times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNJQgQhUjn7WApywu3xZyu-Vv8m5SP7YkyF_HmK2q7cVeYCDY2Q_istx6TRhVufmE7zday6LOv-cB85xRFf19qGFsYYMFtoeK8E6d30_cq8qAdaYKsM0O1EVtyK_CyE54Nf2TzdVf3WRl/s1600/20140425_115521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNJQgQhUjn7WApywu3xZyu-Vv8m5SP7YkyF_HmK2q7cVeYCDY2Q_istx6TRhVufmE7zday6LOv-cB85xRFf19qGFsYYMFtoeK8E6d30_cq8qAdaYKsM0O1EVtyK_CyE54Nf2TzdVf3WRl/s1600/20140425_115521.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wigher, Nannie, Lukas, Piet VanderHoef</td></tr>
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Off to the country side to check out the very old farm house that Florence and Jaap's daughter Marlee are doing up. They've been at it for 14 years and more to do. It's located in a gorgeous little town Ter Idzard, which is the highest point in Friesland at 2 metres above sea level! Funny that, I reckon. We didn't stay for coffee, so on we drove, back to Wolvega, for some more sight seeing, shopping and lunch of Dutch croquettes with mustard and mayo, washed down with a cool soda squash.<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10171271_10152397589099759_3312842683363986022_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
Back home, I added a few bits and pieces to my suitcase, another cuppa and off to the train station to say<br />
our goodbyes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10275923_10152397588014759_7424594651286429986_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="179" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Florence</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1800311_10152397585894759_3234029125219754982_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="179" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Jaap (Jake)</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"> (fb)<span class="userContent"> </span><span class="userContent">On the train from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolvega,_Weststellingwerf" target="_blank">Wolvega</a> back to Amsterdam.
What a wonderful 4 days I've had! Thanks to my hosts Florence and Jaap
Sleijt who fed me, drove me everywhere and spoilt me... enough can not be said about
your hospitality and kindness. To Klaas and Henk for the wonderful organ recital and for a great evening at Henk' s
home. Many new memories made and many old memories refreshed.</span> (fb)</span><br />
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(fb)A
lazy day indoors today after a fantastic King's Birthday Celebration in
Amsterdam City. Unfortuately I forgot my camera and my phone!! Luckily
Mieke's friend lent us her iPhone but I don't have the photos as yet.
Amsterdam is awash with <span class="text_exposed_show">orange, the
national flag and thousands of people walking the streets.Hundreds of
medium and small, flat bottomed boats loaded with 30-50 people standing
up in them, gently motor up and down the many canals. Everyone is
dressed either fully in orange (The royal family belong to The House of
Orange) or with a touch at least of orange or red white and blue. There
are stalls everywhere in front of the houses, with regular folks selling
second hand gear from their homes - clothes, bricabrac, furniture,
soft furnishings, kitchen and table ware etc. It's loads of fun. Also
people are barbequing on the boats and in the streets, there are food
stalls everywhere loaded with Dutch goodies, fries with mustard and mayo
in a pointy bag, croquettes and ofcourse everyone is jolly with lots of
beer and wine flowing. We walked around all day, interspersed with
coffees, fries and finished off with a wine before catching the bus back
home. Thoroughly enjoyed our day. (fb)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the flowers are orange!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">Here
I am with an 'old man (wearing a mask) ad his wife with a fancy orange
hat. This shopping centre is near my sis' home and completely surrounded
by stalls and also inside the centre.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some stall holders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mieke and I enjoying the sunshine and a coffee.</td></tr>
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Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-4513687963770240382014-04-22T15:03:00.000+10:002014-04-22T15:04:00.340+10:00Visiting my home town...Easter has passed by rather uneventfully, as we spent the days visiting friends and did not get to church as it was a kid's service and neither of us felt like attending that.<br />
Visited a family friend at her gorgeous home on the river Vecht at Breukelen a village 30 minutes away from here. Lots of talking about old times and new times interspersed with cups of Dutch coffee, lunch and a beautiful old style Dutch evening meal: loads of floury, tossed potatoes, lightly steamed broccoli and beans, with a onion and mushroom jus. Salad of fresh leaves, boiled egg, tomatoes and other goodies on the side, accompanied by a lovely glass of red. Dessert was cherry icecream! YUM!<br />
We arrived back home at 11.30ish, when I still had to pack my suitcase for this week's foray back to the town where I was born.<br />
<br />
I had better get moving as I need to shower, catch a bus into the city and then take the train to Wolvega where I will arrive around midday and picked up by another old friend of our family, with whom I used to play when I was a kid. He is married to a lovely Canadian lady, who is delighted that she will be able to speak English to her guest. I'll be staying til Friday as I want to be back here in Amsterdam to celebrate King's Day. People here wear lots of orange on the day, because the Royal Family is of the House of Orange, so I have bought an orange wig (Steph eat your heart out!) which i will wear with my orange framed sunnies, my orange blouse and orange watch. I'm not sure my sis will want to sit next to me on the bus into the city, but I'm determined to be part of the fun.<br />
<br />
Ok lovely family and friends, I had better scurry along and get ready.<br />
Think of me travelling past meadows filled with dairy cows and lambs. Watch the thousands of waterways flashing by and generally enjoy my journey.<br />
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Off I go to begin the next, very much, the MOST important part of my journey...exploring the place of my childhood.<br />
<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-47057198239415410862014-04-21T17:38:00.000+10:002014-04-21T17:38:00.796+10:00Photos for previous blog...It's the next morning and I just couldn't wait for my photos to upload last night.<br />
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Here are some from the past week with my cousin Henk and Sonja, at my coursin Bert and Els Dijk's home, at the Street where we lived for a few months before travelling to Australia and at the beach on the North Sea. Hope you like them. x<br />
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PS: I'm having mega probs with loading these photos and they are totally mixed up...and we are about to go out for the day, so these will have to do. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centraal Station, Amsterdam - on the way to Gouda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpInB3SnRcYimkMbJmV8yebXrSOfNcQFvUw5Ty7vpH870U31TkAvmyhcWg8h2oWviwiOICmHV5nA4lDp4wjuxe2wywjQNLu0Utu1Xmzp2I3pdRSIlCvtfBekwqBa2GugI-mU_WfgYRz7H/s1600/20140415_101307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpInB3SnRcYimkMbJmV8yebXrSOfNcQFvUw5Ty7vpH870U31TkAvmyhcWg8h2oWviwiOICmHV5nA4lDp4wjuxe2wywjQNLu0Utu1Xmzp2I3pdRSIlCvtfBekwqBa2GugI-mU_WfgYRz7H/s1600/20140415_101307.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lonely case at Amsterdam's Centraal Station....my, it was cold!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmz4_O3n_75utWWi7dgjvIxysh4yiBeL-K5t7hBF-QY3JighewVCoxE9yU4CINVNtQxpm83UyT0bYfg91oEb7bkhxZHDQLkn5wQSKAeSiYpciDp6ugR5orEtvJcOVryBfNiyjD2b8DWK_/s1600/DSCF4075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmz4_O3n_75utWWi7dgjvIxysh4yiBeL-K5t7hBF-QY3JighewVCoxE9yU4CINVNtQxpm83UyT0bYfg91oEb7bkhxZHDQLkn5wQSKAeSiYpciDp6ugR5orEtvJcOVryBfNiyjD2b8DWK_/s1600/DSCF4075.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnnlp5xotL1bQQ8FF5M7iZqb4wfo0pMGLsnV0s5ZX86yf8WJr-t-9aVBgOoSzqq6UC3auds-qfSLOMOUZZoFpo6j8XPEWihgRlUiN3Y2Lloezr5qCX7I_5h6ul7KFGOzy1nR_U4ngsckQ/s1600/20140415_171820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnnlp5xotL1bQQ8FF5M7iZqb4wfo0pMGLsnV0s5ZX86yf8WJr-t-9aVBgOoSzqq6UC3auds-qfSLOMOUZZoFpo6j8XPEWihgRlUiN3Y2Lloezr5qCX7I_5h6ul7KFGOzy1nR_U4ngsckQ/s1600/20140415_171820.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge old churches with bell towers are everywhere in these old cities.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many mills at Kinderdijk. For some reason I cannot find some of my photos with more mills.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Gouda at the Canal and sluice. Old buildings in the background<br />
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The narrowest house in Holland. The one in the middle. It is just one door wide with 3 stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOu_nG4U4EvAbG99e2AOY3XFYuTPBO3XQTq8V07OJ9O-5nT22S_1SMuGliitxOXigIoqzBe5FpqwpDp2FvK0b3qJzCp2XDu45weDddQw_SVTFw8le1U8vPkjUH-AiBvogdBvcRNto5z_z/s1600/20140416_155256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOu_nG4U4EvAbG99e2AOY3XFYuTPBO3XQTq8V07OJ9O-5nT22S_1SMuGliitxOXigIoqzBe5FpqwpDp2FvK0b3qJzCp2XDu45weDddQw_SVTFw8le1U8vPkjUH-AiBvogdBvcRNto5z_z/s1600/20140416_155256.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Henk and Sonja at the Biesbos...bootje varen. (fun in the boat...NOT) haha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my cousins Henk and Bert Dijk, at Bert's home in Den Haag</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the dunes at the North Sea, Den Haag with Henk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert and Henk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to dining and garden at Bert's house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9YEp9ImQCiAho7au9IcTlvBLee7tJgW_YGHrnWb9rW0G8aW3fJgjYFLtp1DSAoaHavhYgpSJD2uFTcYrFaLJC5qOQdVgXJMJ58j8Kc4YSDaTqRliXehauRMpSqD3u9A07GRaG8eM6Z5S/s1600/20140417_153107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9YEp9ImQCiAho7au9IcTlvBLee7tJgW_YGHrnWb9rW0G8aW3fJgjYFLtp1DSAoaHavhYgpSJD2uFTcYrFaLJC5qOQdVgXJMJ58j8Kc4YSDaTqRliXehauRMpSqD3u9A07GRaG8eM6Z5S/s1600/20140417_153107.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a fun and loving person. My cousin Bert's wife, Els.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yazVxEp5a8B_QWVS6xBXyNRLg7IodCbHJHWH9Z4_J2ShyPBhjaHIxukbgmNsPv6DNNjSNbe6NE_excAcc4podUmGzFX_pT6oS1fFbySPCb_AUNroov3sYEt-krGPmhB5-5b1XsWKW2Ay/s1600/20140419_094028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yazVxEp5a8B_QWVS6xBXyNRLg7IodCbHJHWH9Z4_J2ShyPBhjaHIxukbgmNsPv6DNNjSNbe6NE_excAcc4podUmGzFX_pT6oS1fFbySPCb_AUNroov3sYEt-krGPmhB5-5b1XsWKW2Ay/s1600/20140419_094028.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers I gave Sonja and Henk with their gorgeous cat Olle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Kinderdijk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDGywKF_YzE8GEZ7gphOtzVoEzGsSiQINyql2V-FBsiEbtKyrvd1xbWSe653CnJrQnX9IFTah7grXfVYkMbmJsTn-_7tRQrM5PsSsG6PIGI_VHKFQD5GNZdCLhHwZmn3d-9O4gPmzEtBY/s1600/DSCF4089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDGywKF_YzE8GEZ7gphOtzVoEzGsSiQINyql2V-FBsiEbtKyrvd1xbWSe653CnJrQnX9IFTah7grXfVYkMbmJsTn-_7tRQrM5PsSsG6PIGI_VHKFQD5GNZdCLhHwZmn3d-9O4gPmzEtBY/s1600/DSCF4089.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a little holiday home floating on the water, at right Living area, at left sleeping area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXukUrYF-iB8HeLIB2TcvcvjtvhiU6-UC3Z-aZurC68taO0REReA5-yYysnlhXtctPTlfOI0JISPdApWcAJpqfWAxCt710z2Eo0YVJNaEB6-rmDcDo8of3dytsTjcuuD2biGemZyvk5iq/s1600/DSCF4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXukUrYF-iB8HeLIB2TcvcvjtvhiU6-UC3Z-aZurC68taO0REReA5-yYysnlhXtctPTlfOI0JISPdApWcAJpqfWAxCt710z2Eo0YVJNaEB6-rmDcDo8of3dytsTjcuuD2biGemZyvk5iq/s1600/DSCF4121.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Both parties to the rescue. One of the boys ended up driving our boat while the other two floated alongside by hanging on to our boat with their hands. Such nice Dutch boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Els in front of their 3 story unit - a typial older dwelling in Den Haag.<br />
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<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-2857380179771628112014-04-21T08:52:00.001+10:002014-04-21T09:16:11.675+10:00It's been a little while...It's been a week since I last wrote and what a wonderful week it's been.<br />
<br />
Tuesday saw me venture out on my own for the first time in this Kikkerlandje (Little Frog's Land - as Holland is affectionately called by Netherlanders). There is an Bus terminus just across the square from my sister's unit, so it was just a quick walk with my suitcase rolling along behind me, to catch the bus into Amsterdam city. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the terminus which is situated on the large square in front of Centraal Station. People were milling everywhere in the huge station, but I managed to find a 'loket' (ticket office) easily and quickly. Platform 4 is where I needed to be, but I still had to wait quite some time before the train to Gouda would arrive. It really was very cold, so I headed for the open end of the platform to stand in the sun. In the end I nearly missed the train as the trains have the destinations on the back not on the front of the trains.<br />
The train trip was comfortable and I enjoyed seeing the country side as we sped along. I arrived at Gouda about 50 minutes later and was greeted by my cousin Henk and his lovely wife Sonja. We all hit it off straight away and after hugs and (3) kisses, alternating between each cheek, we headed off to their home in the burbs. After a bread table lunch, we headed off into the ancient city of Gouda. It's a very old city, with many buildings dating from the 1500's or even earlier. The streets are laid with cobble stones or bricks and comfortable shoes are really a must. The Dutch mostly wear sturdy shoes and simple clothing such as jeans/pants and warm jackets. There is lots of short grey hair about and sometimes I find it rather hard to distinguish between men and women because of their similar clothing and hairstyles they wear, because of the cold and/or windy weather.<br />
Daylight saving is also in force at the moment, so the evenings are long and bright. The weather has been very mild this spring, so you can stay outside into the evenings because it is still light.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I had a great week with them. We had loads of fun reminiscing about our childhoods, parents, siblings and places we had lived. On Wednesday we went to the Kinderdijk (so called because a child was found there many years ago, drifting in the water in a basket, like Moses), where there are many windmills all in one place. Then to the Biesbos (reed wood) where we enjoyed an hilarious boat ride which ended in three young Dutch men having to rescue us from destroying the small boat because my cousin couldn't get the steering and power right, and kept steering us into the mud banks. We in turn rescued them, because their motor wouldn't start. After dropping the boys at the small river harbour, we three ended up sitting in the sunshine with a lovely white wine each for us girls and a Pils beer for my cousin, safely back on shore.<br />
<br />
Thursday was wonderful, as we visited my cousin's brother in The Hague (Den Haag), a very different city from Amsterdam and Gouda. The buildings are quite different there, as are the wide and treed avenues and thoroughfares. I had a great time catching up with my cousin Bert and his wife Els, who live in a typical Dutch, older style unit. We browsed through an album he had put together about his parents, which also contained a number of photos of my dad, my mum and even us all as kids. So many memories. I also heard some new stories about myself as a kid, and also their view on why we left Holland and went to Australia. Very interesting.<br />
After a lovely bread table lunch, we said our goodbyes and headed off to the North Sea for a walk in the sand dunes and the beach. It was special for my cousin Henk and Sonja, because it was there that they had scattered the ashed of their son, who died of MD some years ago.<br />
<br />
Friday I insisted on a quiet day of shopping in Gouda with Sonja. We didn't go till mid afternoon, but it was nice even so. I picked up a top and some Arnica cream for my aching hands, which has worked wonders for them. We watched the very modern Dutch live production, 'The Passion' on TV on Friday night which was totally brilliant. Talked till 3am with my cousin that night. Next day we said our goodbyes and I headed back to Amsterdam on the train.<br />
<br />
Got home and virtually immediately had to head off to the city once again, to attend a performance of the St Matthew's passion which was being held in an old Catholic church building, De Duif (the Dove). I didn't think I'd really want to go, but went because we had bought tickets for it even before I left Brisbane. The church filled up slowly and finally when not a sound could be heard, the conductor waved his stick for the music to begin. Don't know what happened inside me, but I was sobbing as soon as the first notes filled the building. It was unbelievable...just seemed to throw up a whole lot of deeply buried emotions and memories. The music was brilliantly played, the singers were unbelievably talented and 2 1/2 hours went by so easily. Could have listened longer to such brilliance. Afterwards we savoured the beauty we had just experienced over a coffee, followed by a beautiful meal. We headed home by tram and bus and got home around 11ish.<br />
<br />
Well, that brings me to today. We slept in, then had a lovely Easter brekky of cereal, softly boiled eggs, toast and cups of tea. This afternoon we walked in Het Amsterdamse Bos (woods), got lost and finally found our way to a quaint farm house used as a pancake house. I had a huge pancake sprinkled with icing sugar, some tart strawberries and an absurd amount of whipped cream while Mieke had a bacon pancake. We washed it down with coffee and tea. Really was far too much cream and ended up eating only about a third of it...way too much of a good thing I reckon. Walked back to the car and then headed off to Mieke's friend's place for another cuppa, then home by about 9pm. Loaded up photos to my usb stick, wrote my blog and now will add some more pics for you to enjoy.<br />
Night all...missing you lots, but also enjoying all my new experiences. xo<br />
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Photos will be uploaded later. Sorry..x<br />
<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-53403799432751996022014-04-14T17:36:00.002+10:002014-05-12T22:27:09.802+10:00Some quiet reflection...I'm now well into week 2 of my return journey and so far, so much has happened that my brain feels quite full! haha.<br />
I don't seem to easily remember things I've done, said or heard the day before at the moment. I am busy with planning what's next on the agenda and what to wear each day to suit this climate, that events and conversations slip into history faster than usual.<br />
So here are a few of the differences between my life in Oz and here in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>Clothing</b></u>: </div>
Dressing in clothing suitable for a colder/cooler climate, is proving to be quite complex for me. The days can start with brilliant sunshine, but within an hour or two, the clouds roll in and the lovely spring day turns quite cool. Or, a wind springs up out of nowhere, adding another dimension to the 'feel' of how cold or warm it is. So, when I'm dressing, I need to think about how my Queensland style winter clothes will be warm enough for a Dutch Spring day. I am learning fast that days can change to cool or quite warm within minutes, so I need to 'be prepared'! So, a camie first, then a tee or long sleeved light tee, then a jumper, topped by a cardigan. When going out, take off the cardy, then add a short jacket covered by a windcheater and finally a scarf. I do have a beanie, which I forget to take in my bag and not something worn here, so I may go and buy another type of head cover to keep my head cosy. Then, when/if the sun comes out to surprise us, the reverse happens and the top layers come off but never far removed because the weather can change back to cool again very quickly. Anyway, I am so fortunate to have come this year, because last year it was still snowing in April and I don't think I would have coped.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheSrewKwKnf0TrfKkgEYNf9lt-rGI1WiL3TyjvXIb_oSyoMPK8qp6rITDD_WUInsMaBZO7rdJrk7jqCxEo4Ggh4TOiT2FaK6itV-xSwxeOYlX3K7FvXV3Yx7Uq2JjXgaTE9iBEvebyLqh/s1600/20140410_170643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheSrewKwKnf0TrfKkgEYNf9lt-rGI1WiL3TyjvXIb_oSyoMPK8qp6rITDD_WUInsMaBZO7rdJrk7jqCxEo4Ggh4TOiT2FaK6itV-xSwxeOYlX3K7FvXV3Yx7Uq2JjXgaTE9iBEvebyLqh/s1600/20140410_170643.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rugged up for the cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Walking:</b></u> <br />
Who wants to walk on a 35C day? Not me, that's for sure. Who wants to walk up and down hills in the blazing sun? You got it, not me.<br />
But...here in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, EVERYONE walks EVERYWHERE. Well, at least anything within a 1-2 or 3 km distance. Maybe not 3, because then they ride their trusty, rattly, Dutch style bikes.<br />
So, seeing Mieke doesn't have 2 bikes here atm (her other bike is at the garden house) we walk.<br />
<br />
We walked to:<br />
<ul>
<li>church</li>
<li>the shops</li>
<li>to a friend's place and back</li>
<li>to the dyke and the farmlands</li>
<li>in the city</li>
<li>at Keukenhof</li>
<li>and ofcourse to the Rijksmusem after catching a bus into the city. </li>
<li>up and down the stairs to her unit which is on the second floor</li>
</ul>
So, lots of exercise for me. Luckily Holland is totally built on flat land, most of which is below sea level, so that walking is,a pretty straight forward exercise. One benefit of walking is that it makes you nice and warm despite the biting wind (at times) and makes your cheeks rosy. Mine are a little too old these days to get rosy, but one can live in hope :-)<br />
Then there are the stairs! Lots of them everywhere. In the city, at the shops and ofcourse in the unit buildings where most of the population live. Here, where I'm staying we need to get to the second floor, so there are 3 stairs to climb. There are no lifts here, so groceries and any kind of purchases need to be carried up the stairs. <br />
So it's all quite different but very beneficial. I sleep brilliantly
at night but wake up thinking about how much walking I'll be doing that
day. :-) (smiling...) self talk: "It's good for you Tricia!".<br />
<br />
<b><u>Houses:</u></b><br />
Most housing here in Amsterdam is in large Unit buildings or very small worker's cottages situated on the dykes, or rows of slightly bigger, semi detached houses. Most are very small compared to Aussie houses. Even our small houses seem larger than what I've seen here. My sister's one bedroom home is lovely and roomy though even though it essentially consists of only 4 seperate spaces - lounge, dining/kitchen, bedroom, entry/bathroom. Lots of light coming into a house is very important here as every ray of warmth is utilised and enjoyed, so houses have very large picture windows whenever possible. The curtains are rarely closed and you can look into people's homes as you walk by. This is regarded as normal as people actually like it that way. Seems strange to our way of thinking but here it is normal and almost desired. <br />
<br />
Yesterday we were at a friend home, who lives in a very unusual unit in the rounded roof space of her building. The windows here are fully sliding doors but there are no balconies! So she has installed some artistic railings to stop one stepping out into the air! When I mentioned that this would certainly not be legal in Australia, I was told that the Dutch feel they are all adults and therefore responsible for their own and their children's well being. So they have less regulations in place. Something to think about, as we have so many regulations in place in Oz. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGhZXbrtgk83DVuAzUogMwVyOAtTvfURBUgTtSv_nR5PgsrCCnpCny_BtGydXyZ3iLbSrSZQpdgXgD6R7eMiZTtcs0ZtwYkLQhhOutdHWOMdhh1xJVAK8B3rI3kqIbdxUgWWMhalDVARl/s1600/20140413_135132%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rooftop home in Amsterdam" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGhZXbrtgk83DVuAzUogMwVyOAtTvfURBUgTtSv_nR5PgsrCCnpCny_BtGydXyZ3iLbSrSZQpdgXgD6R7eMiZTtcs0ZtwYkLQhhOutdHWOMdhh1xJVAK8B3rI3kqIbdxUgWWMhalDVARl/s1600/20140413_135132%5B1%5D.jpg" height="179" title="roof top home" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unit in the roof top space of unit building- view to the Marina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8bvAog4nWCW3MyFlWlFJCpGuMFFuH44Og83R7sKfdfRD7N5zA8GdGG2QHSc0APo0h3kfisQnxyYOYR5Lh0Sf5UuLb_RIvDnVhOYAzM6EjPWdx7hgfzhND8fA4E4_Q5ClqZlj19jlfo9n/s1600/20140413_135548%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8bvAog4nWCW3MyFlWlFJCpGuMFFuH44Og83R7sKfdfRD7N5zA8GdGG2QHSc0APo0h3kfisQnxyYOYR5Lh0Sf5UuLb_RIvDnVhOYAzM6EjPWdx7hgfzhND8fA4E4_Q5ClqZlj19jlfo9n/s1600/20140413_135548%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the main bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1g3z_Nxnn1tw2GpFld7PS23gC8rWhTFhN4uqeNhLr8uncquWA6dqePAqGhfxLeTk9jaS2ijmal3GZlPyeyVHujQgM7YFVV0R6LAXR-itqz1r9BgIv2usUR24DbTX-HzdsuzZHyeZ04ub/s1600/20140413_135308%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1g3z_Nxnn1tw2GpFld7PS23gC8rWhTFhN4uqeNhLr8uncquWA6dqePAqGhfxLeTk9jaS2ijmal3GZlPyeyVHujQgM7YFVV0R6LAXR-itqz1r9BgIv2usUR24DbTX-HzdsuzZHyeZ04ub/s1600/20140413_135308%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the length of the one beddroom unit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Access is via a very narrow and steep circular staircase. For furniture to be moved into her apartment, everything had to be winched in through the front windows, as nothing would fit up the staircase space. This house is in a very sought after area in a very old section of Amsterdam Noord (North). The ancient houses are actually built on top of the side of a dyke with the front of the old cottages at street level and the back of the houses descending down the outside of the dyke, thereby giving them another one or two levels. Behind most house in this area there are small canals, so lots of water everywhere and hundreds of small bridges that can open to let the small boats through. It really is very special.<br />
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<u><b>Language:</b></u><br />
I was just<b> </b>eleven years old when I left Holland. When we arrived in Brisbane, my mum decided we would speak English at home, because she needed to learn it and didn't want to be one of those mothers who went shopping with a child in tow to translate for her. So I very quickly lost my Dutch, until a few years later a family with 6 teenagers arrived from Amsterdam. I became friends with one of the girls and soon picked up the language again because they still spoke it at home. I've never really lost it since then. However! Having said all that, now, being here, I know my Dutch is not quite up to scratch. Going to the shops asking for things is ok. Talking with people about this and that on a daily level is ok. Talking with people about politics, religion, or anything more than light conversation is not ok. I'm struggling to translate things like 'free trade policy', or finding words for appliances or IT terms etc. On the other hand people generally are amazed that someone who has been away from their country for 58 years, speaks the language as well as I do. Must say though that my head aches with all the new informations (as I said earlier) and I wake up in the morning rearranging sentences in the correct order for Dutch, as they really can say things back to front to English. Or is it that English is back to front to Dutch?<br />
As well, most Dutchies speak English very well and regularly include English words in their speech as a normal way of speaking, so that helps.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Food:</b></u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvZHeO__8irF-19suvN2627iaWS5QvaveUNmMXtjWf4kxob_z2GqVeYtHHe-Y8MPThxuStxahv_3A_vZ4C1AyVtV7-bYCKfIdg_ab1q9jgXPucpiZ1U6jfywfxG_0dt5Fh6LRqAa_uOX/s1600/20140410_163545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvZHeO__8irF-19suvN2627iaWS5QvaveUNmMXtjWf4kxob_z2GqVeYtHHe-Y8MPThxuStxahv_3A_vZ4C1AyVtV7-bYCKfIdg_ab1q9jgXPucpiZ1U6jfywfxG_0dt5Fh6LRqAa_uOX/s1600/20140410_163545.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latte Machiatte and Appel Taart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's lots of cheese about as is to be expected. Nothing new for me there, as I love my cheese and it's hard to change that in a girl from a dairy country. Coffee is best taken in coffee shops as Latte Machiato and resembles a three tiered drink - coffee, then milk, then froth - in a tall glass. Appel taart is my favourite so far, as other small cakes seem to be filled with loads of whipped cream and quite sweet.<br />
Haven't tried anything typically Dutch so far as we mainly eat at home, because my sister if gf and gf foods are very hard to find in Holland. You can ask for them, but there's not much creativity in that area, so the meals are rather basic when eating out. I hope to go eat some more Dutch specialties when I'm with Dutch rellies and friends. I must eat a raw herring at a stall, as well as some croquettes. Will see how it goes.<br />
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So that's my little diatribe for today.<br />
Today is washing and packing day, as tomorrow I head out on my own to Gouda to visit my cousin Henk Dijk, who I recently re-connected with on fb, but haven't seen in the flesh since the 1960's when he lived with us in Brisbane for two years. So that will be an adventure for me to catch buses and a train on my own.<br />
<br />
More about that next time.<br />
Enjoy your day, wherever in the world you may be this new day.<br />
<br />
Please click on the photos for a larger version.<br />
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.Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-40419458568556131992014-04-13T00:59:00.001+10:002014-04-13T01:06:00.199+10:00Some more goings on<br />
I have been in Amsterdam for just over a week and we have done so
many things already! I had a list of things to do in Amsterdam and have
just about ticked off every one of them.<br />
<br />
My wish list of things to see inluded a visit to Keukenhof, the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt's Nightwatch.<br />
The
Rijksmuseum was amazing, in that it has been thoroughly renovated over
several years and has only just been re-opened recently. The people's
entrance hall is magnificent and the structures that were built are an
engineering feat...amazing stuff. See here for <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/renovation" target="_blank">More about the renovations .</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCEoRl6Lp-4yx_yeHyI93ctonEduFj6LlflwtFJt_UYYkw-JqSZTD_FBjbsZWaeYULJ9BZq4l2vQn909q2ciTZYTT_W5hvImfN5z5Yyj-U9iuw1dIRoiq5oSpkX4JVREOoVRLxAK83aKr/s1600/20140409_132040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCEoRl6Lp-4yx_yeHyI93ctonEduFj6LlflwtFJt_UYYkw-JqSZTD_FBjbsZWaeYULJ9BZq4l2vQn909q2ciTZYTT_W5hvImfN5z5Yyj-U9iuw1dIRoiq5oSpkX4JVREOoVRLxAK83aKr/s1600/20140409_132040.jpg" height="180" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing 4 story historic Art Library recently restored and open to the public.</td></tr>
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Here are just a few photos of the hundreds I took, of our visit there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFQgtQ2LtEBd9gNAsGEvMJDocnYMMvfLOSHJwwu-nRX9vOOERGf7KH-CEkpuDWxtSGhO_tU5sm1CRd5ebeIb7xxatX0gQ8fK7kWtF8Bv0uPYkeq3tJ7yRY0Mczt4Yc1Rx0hKXwMVQY9M/s1600/20140409_134710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BFQgtQ2LtEBd9gNAsGEvMJDocnYMMvfLOSHJwwu-nRX9vOOERGf7KH-CEkpuDWxtSGhO_tU5sm1CRd5ebeIb7xxatX0gQ8fK7kWtF8Bv0uPYkeq3tJ7yRY0Mczt4Yc1Rx0hKXwMVQY9M/s1600/20140409_134710.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1770's Delft Blue Ceremaic vases. The tall ones are to display single tulip stems in the little spouts on the sides</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNyQvhV2DsR0t4Cu8qQMelHSMPH5skLq2GGD9If9xfdCelCxEQ0SgQJppnwp301Dk8H3mDjuEIUH1JBC8JhpcmULaM7WJSdLfs80V8CnEI5WOlmJwZOYwfajFbROLON3ErhXZSiLiynCp/s1600/20140409_150107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNyQvhV2DsR0t4Cu8qQMelHSMPH5skLq2GGD9If9xfdCelCxEQ0SgQJppnwp301Dk8H3mDjuEIUH1JBC8JhpcmULaM7WJSdLfs80V8CnEI5WOlmJwZOYwfajFbROLON3ErhXZSiLiynCp/s1600/20140409_150107.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new foyer and entrance court showing coffee/restaurant with store beneath (downstairs)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ8IRJD9v0YEaCRpV3nNTx4_hqymWJD0xrCRNoKA-TkFfUxEDM-XXtho8IoQn3fp0zGxeWZyKNSeWsi31Vfprf8K2JuGfj357iHhRu07Q0PI4FN5EFgLBKUWECBtUJ7f0tDGMk20ZJvIz/s1600/20140409_114317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ8IRJD9v0YEaCRpV3nNTx4_hqymWJD0xrCRNoKA-TkFfUxEDM-XXtho8IoQn3fp0zGxeWZyKNSeWsi31Vfprf8K2JuGfj357iHhRu07Q0PI4FN5EFgLBKUWECBtUJ7f0tDGMk20ZJvIz/s1600/20140409_114317.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The all important coffee time at the Rijks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvJDD28SBW4cbdqWaZRKVwo_7Qn4A7PY3U7if2WaoYXfxEYDa-PUwV5CzPQpT-DskkPJ7k8KngLUz6LbHsMumHorQe7awYmYHM0XRYVZVod4v15TWtFwT80xOaHA25jl9eIVfx5cRI494/s1600/20140409_125838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvJDD28SBW4cbdqWaZRKVwo_7Qn4A7PY3U7if2WaoYXfxEYDa-PUwV5CzPQpT-DskkPJ7k8KngLUz6LbHsMumHorQe7awYmYHM0XRYVZVod4v15TWtFwT80xOaHA25jl9eIVfx5cRI494/s1600/20140409_125838.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The visitors crowding around to see the Nightwatch by Rembrandt</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UJOb1nZeY2_JsYUWhf6SNLu3YxdbR49pLnxQ89GUwM3sPjzn0p4IO-l9KAc2AWgN-cLm5avy9QOYlJyfsGq-XnLvZm19GwA_c8fWu3-_-NSGahmwkmTZ7sL9qs6uUXu4ITqNL78N59lo/s1600/20140409_130258+-+kopie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UJOb1nZeY2_JsYUWhf6SNLu3YxdbR49pLnxQ89GUwM3sPjzn0p4IO-l9KAc2AWgN-cLm5avy9QOYlJyfsGq-XnLvZm19GwA_c8fWu3-_-NSGahmwkmTZ7sL9qs6uUXu4ITqNL78N59lo/s1600/20140409_130258+-+kopie.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me with the Nightwatch. It's a huge artwork.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFxWsH0kHRXuo2gM5pc2z_RmmdFfhGEmnOCuGtqiYRrrCU6W0w0XGIPZvyS2rKYoxzyy11u13UWWfQAtE_iqbW3knXYHLSZvhqTYya2VzM9EPnMMJLNDGkkAAkwYr554VAyuqwxqVwaTy/s1600/20140409_124826+-+kopie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFxWsH0kHRXuo2gM5pc2z_RmmdFfhGEmnOCuGtqiYRrrCU6W0w0XGIPZvyS2rKYoxzyy11u13UWWfQAtE_iqbW3knXYHLSZvhqTYya2VzM9EPnMMJLNDGkkAAkwYr554VAyuqwxqVwaTy/s1600/20140409_124826+-+kopie.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mieke with Vermeer's streetscape that Dad loved so much </td></tr>
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We have been to both in the first week. As well as that we have been to Edam, a gorgeous little town not far from Mieke's house, where they make the famous Edam cheeses.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nh1kdw6ihfw1J21DUgoxbwnLNSKVmLZXYbYEoflWpvzqFwpqcBvq1FZSNqaZerULuh7O7LYLVpxnSq_1dRFHmVxibSDezJKhlwLaX23EoQ8oR6Pjcv7qwICdGytx92FuroCLUiTxzqJ9/s1600/20140411_172947%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nh1kdw6ihfw1J21DUgoxbwnLNSKVmLZXYbYEoflWpvzqFwpqcBvq1FZSNqaZerULuh7O7LYLVpxnSq_1dRFHmVxibSDezJKhlwLaX23EoQ8oR6Pjcv7qwICdGytx92FuroCLUiTxzqJ9/s1600/20140411_172947%5B1%5D.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MS 'Ria' - on Het Ij</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzJOc3pVZnd6Qv1e7lik4B1ZJVuxjsQvtccsaLvfneQpq-g5lHq6ciwF-UFI6SEoEuk3tVxzzqUSoYIFI7dvHaMoCqH16XsirHU-4XrWMPKShalkygTkirYtufKe1hq0uanyH3xr_SuIY/s1600/20140411_173045%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzJOc3pVZnd6Qv1e7lik4B1ZJVuxjsQvtccsaLvfneQpq-g5lHq6ciwF-UFI6SEoEuk3tVxzzqUSoYIFI7dvHaMoCqH16XsirHU-4XrWMPKShalkygTkirYtufKe1hq0uanyH3xr_SuIY/s1600/20140411_173045%5B1%5D.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my new friend Ria</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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On Friday we visited the parents of a friend , who live on a houseboat on <a href="http://het%20ij/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Het Ij</a>,- in Amsterdam. They have lived on this boat for many decades and have never lived in a house. It is very roomy and comfortable and recently motored down to France in it for a holiday. How good is that, to be in your permanent home on holidays! No packing, or organising someone to look after your place. They stock up with all their regular groceries and even oil for the engine before they set off for their journey. They are a very lovely, hospitable and kind couple, and we enjoyed our visit with them very much<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi226ML3-UnYssdiC12izdj4Nahc1Y5OIzvITgOiowc1vmB-ttqiOThNcWAJUfXgTVDeVBmcNtxRD-birhWVps8DYp9Lfp-zXTfOPWXYnHKffXOGgprheANHQ5_rnCIu495UOA22aa5vAf7/s1600/20140411_173117%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi226ML3-UnYssdiC12izdj4Nahc1Y5OIzvITgOiowc1vmB-ttqiOThNcWAJUfXgTVDeVBmcNtxRD-birhWVps8DYp9Lfp-zXTfOPWXYnHKffXOGgprheANHQ5_rnCIu495UOA22aa5vAf7/s1600/20140411_173117%5B1%5D.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mieke with Ria and their keeshond</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda9vZVAsPecsLQ2Lrdh_8OE2zkJ3EGK9kQqFrtmsGWpZ6G68PgVsrTd1HL3lhaEc_ilknpet4FoFld3Bn0hsujeAsHhBa83V39Pn2LwcCC58ziMoCZobHYAB7oWzGMrs-1rr3zX2K57oj/s1600/20140405_140559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda9vZVAsPecsLQ2Lrdh_8OE2zkJ3EGK9kQqFrtmsGWpZ6G68PgVsrTd1HL3lhaEc_ilknpet4FoFld3Bn0hsujeAsHhBa83V39Pn2LwcCC58ziMoCZobHYAB7oWzGMrs-1rr3zX2K57oj/s1600/20140405_140559.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Mieke's garden house</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTLYNffGAx6-7d3nszmsy53c3wavgjRPTxsBLltA5_1Rt6QinPXGRj-J26T_vFPJQFF_qOFjfFQBZOtOUgE_rMXfaF-a2__fH67-2F2mbczh72pDZ9vlGXnL-dEgmiummpcIGfwigroXd/s1600/20140405_170458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTLYNffGAx6-7d3nszmsy53c3wavgjRPTxsBLltA5_1Rt6QinPXGRj-J26T_vFPJQFF_qOFjfFQBZOtOUgE_rMXfaF-a2__fH67-2F2mbczh72pDZ9vlGXnL-dEgmiummpcIGfwigroXd/s1600/20140405_170458.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside</td></tr>
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This past week we've also spent several days at Mieke's garden house, weeding the very large garden and planting some seedlings. There is just so much work to be done after the winter months, as well as that she was away in Australia for 6 weeks, so she is somewhat behind in the jobs that should be done in early spring. These garden complexes were opened up to the community after WWll for people who lived<br />
in flats and had no probability to acquire a garden of their own.(<a href="http://www.tuinparktuinwijck.nl/index.php?menu=9&stijl=3&id=8" target="_blank">Some history about these gardens</a>.) Each garden contains a very small house - about 6 x 6 metres each, which you can renovate however you like but you have to stay within the parameters of the rules laid down by the council governing these garden complexes. There are a number of these on the outskirts of Amsterdam and highly sought after when they are available for sale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKhBmZHnpXDcnI1AB5uPRwOOaC3WBH2y5k3mNOvZbxW-HfHEJ3DXLItdneVoGg1EcVfdoEyUdqy5R3zkyf2jX4ub_NJmOqZjERQWKzDgiClqCp6WFADZiD4-tPCf32Y5r1I_u7QXZRFcm/s1600/DSCF4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKhBmZHnpXDcnI1AB5uPRwOOaC3WBH2y5k3mNOvZbxW-HfHEJ3DXLItdneVoGg1EcVfdoEyUdqy5R3zkyf2jX4ub_NJmOqZjERQWKzDgiClqCp6WFADZiD4-tPCf32Y5r1I_u7QXZRFcm/s1600/DSCF4016.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2nc-cQJ0Fd-2b6KpNJXqPXeUKFqgRbymORRiMJiUaTg6vQlCWqkid6caMHJdtOfxAaoqHf5yTaiwOjxbnGa5Rz89Y7740Kkr_zwwnGn6W1dybN76zYuP3dy0ReTNN55XwbwOxv0r0Ioz/s1600/DSCF4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2nc-cQJ0Fd-2b6KpNJXqPXeUKFqgRbymORRiMJiUaTg6vQlCWqkid6caMHJdtOfxAaoqHf5yTaiwOjxbnGa5Rz89Y7740Kkr_zwwnGn6W1dybN76zYuP3dy0ReTNN55XwbwOxv0r0Ioz/s1600/DSCF4028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the garden</td></tr>
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Anyway, with all the sightseeing, gardening, walking everywhere we go, I feel rather tired each night so I sleep very well.<br />
The house I am staying in is a one bedroom unit but the rooms are roomy, so I sleep in the lounge or dining area and then each day the bed is folded up and put away...but it is a comfy bed and the rooms are centrally heated so it's very comfortable and plenty warm enough.<br />
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OK...It's taken me quite a long time to load these photos from my phone to my memory stick and then back into my blog...so it's goodbye folks for now.<br />
Missing all my lovely family and friends in Oz but enjoying my time here immensely.<br />
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<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-46250524880456899552014-04-08T16:51:00.003+10:002014-04-08T17:08:56.699+10:00Photos, photos...I haven't had much access to the internet, so today I will post mostly photos with comments.<br />
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Yesterday was just a beautiful day weatherwise at Keukenhof, Holland's famous tulip gardens near Amsterdam. Thousands take advantage during the 2 short months it is open during the spring time, to visit this amazing parkland filled with mainly tulips, but also other bulb based flowers like hyacinth, daffordils, jonquils etc. There are also halls filled with, tulips or gerberas, or orchids where farmers compete for the best flowers.<br />
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So here are some of my pics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33_X4f8O5LxX4HKaRKVmgX-c-Ci8kU-mTF1WDKxTLWPFOScZuNZ-aU7y4tA2w7R7dlRL63X39WTHNuH9D4J6Sx1EFykXTXPYw14GEvzQYRBmOr1blrgJBu-FWIuY0E11phHyCCW_DGIhq/s1600/DSCF3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33_X4f8O5LxX4HKaRKVmgX-c-Ci8kU-mTF1WDKxTLWPFOScZuNZ-aU7y4tA2w7R7dlRL63X39WTHNuH9D4J6Sx1EFykXTXPYw14GEvzQYRBmOr1blrgJBu-FWIuY0E11phHyCCW_DGIhq/s1600/DSCF3944.JPG" height="86" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGc8BU6n4oHsC_fYQAdIW4LQGl-11wKwFZCa564qApXkUzqkSGR5RVOziA4on5K6NUUEg-bmLdpQHgZlKWLuAW3n4qHjyHKvPahr5HBjtPJ-DPDI_nvYBnaWS5DuNNK2nisvO_KEwImFq/s1600/20140407_111248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGc8BU6n4oHsC_fYQAdIW4LQGl-11wKwFZCa564qApXkUzqkSGR5RVOziA4on5K6NUUEg-bmLdpQHgZlKWLuAW3n4qHjyHKvPahr5HBjtPJ-DPDI_nvYBnaWS5DuNNK2nisvO_KEwImFq/s1600/20140407_111248.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the entrance to Keukenhof</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R_sAqPdttzWvHMmbby9hwREnRSD7Xxk73Db2HGe1gh6YEPZw4bZQ37hKyE9BO_3ONm5ZzjNpEl9B4XPMpTvWIWjoHR6vuG9AuL3JcyjFSq8m2KOLYjijajsPl8-xwXSL9f1Jp_lzboyh/s1600/20140407_111401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R_sAqPdttzWvHMmbby9hwREnRSD7Xxk73Db2HGe1gh6YEPZw4bZQ37hKyE9BO_3ONm5ZzjNpEl9B4XPMpTvWIWjoHR6vuG9AuL3JcyjFSq8m2KOLYjijajsPl8-xwXSL9f1Jp_lzboyh/s1600/20140407_111401.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the entrance to Keukenhof. Here is where I found my jacket at the end of the day (after I had lost it in the late afternoon), hanging on the gate.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WVQ3lK3rC5ncyiYShEdO9KBhsi82J2W6zDc7FRECMp__7IzHkchGG3Ubtze3JOZLw9mVK-VazLDMdAnh2Joune9naRo8yR5O5giGpxkp3IDDg-qmVyNXkkPEXgzHKZ3YsNq2dJwSbaem/s1600/20140407_161837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WVQ3lK3rC5ncyiYShEdO9KBhsi82J2W6zDc7FRECMp__7IzHkchGG3Ubtze3JOZLw9mVK-VazLDMdAnh2Joune9naRo8yR5O5giGpxkp3IDDg-qmVyNXkkPEXgzHKZ3YsNq2dJwSbaem/s1600/20140407_161837.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admiring the beautiful trees and gardens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSCZ3Zr2qkoOV75dZ12ctHFI2lDQ_W8lmysZ2ptrPn4bagTm7o4bylrvBezI8B-RUX7GejnEEE_YfjDufAk3hq3AVnxZXzYI9q7m8k5Pkbys87ImXxtlQa3tpCf56clLRrcrN3laJKGSX/s1600/20140407_162553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSCZ3Zr2qkoOV75dZ12ctHFI2lDQ_W8lmysZ2ptrPn4bagTm7o4bylrvBezI8B-RUX7GejnEEE_YfjDufAk3hq3AVnxZXzYI9q7m8k5Pkbys87ImXxtlQa3tpCf56clLRrcrN3laJKGSX/s1600/20140407_162553.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful displays and layouts around every corner</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcDPBwA40kDv1zAm3SYL7qVqeuSrouTPT95QigUY1zXu_KRa_uaiLzA87bIO-ncEWsS5pnOwBn5L2kV0alaqpWSTxKIdFo-hr07qjIOYGyIavFkVFXDgb-F0rmbxh5sXoRPr1RT3PAUtZ/s1600/DSCF3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcDPBwA40kDv1zAm3SYL7qVqeuSrouTPT95QigUY1zXu_KRa_uaiLzA87bIO-ncEWsS5pnOwBn5L2kV0alaqpWSTxKIdFo-hr07qjIOYGyIavFkVFXDgb-F0rmbxh5sXoRPr1RT3PAUtZ/s1600/DSCF3663.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clogs for photo opportunities,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkSwhyphenhyphenX-sgF30VOvWVwNpiGp4Z6NYy-x-19RA2AnWdeJm4yFMCc0na4vSZqewnQ-vBKQ-HOSrn-zW80h9EGo1-ZhoyVWLtcZ_unLngg_9vfb5Hpt2t7G8sATxgnLl1ctpRZotzZgVx_6F/s1600/DSCF3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkSwhyphenhyphenX-sgF30VOvWVwNpiGp4Z6NYy-x-19RA2AnWdeJm4yFMCc0na4vSZqewnQ-vBKQ-HOSrn-zW80h9EGo1-ZhoyVWLtcZ_unLngg_9vfb5Hpt2t7G8sATxgnLl1ctpRZotzZgVx_6F/s1600/DSCF3667.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old fashioned icecream cart. This a called a 'bakfiets'. (Bike cart) I remember buying an icecream from this kind of cart when I was a child,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0maSdTCZ4JAM3fHM3b5v9fj44A-jMO3Z-ys2ELX-ziE8bJQAUV6mG3YJxvM87T0Ri86_ukTr2KDQ1PEOJDsH2unA14JNFPbxBVK7diKNgF9CVwJIuhfujHjXhrulAgIqS85bhfp5cq0tD/s1600/20140407_163137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0maSdTCZ4JAM3fHM3b5v9fj44A-jMO3Z-ys2ELX-ziE8bJQAUV6mG3YJxvM87T0Ri86_ukTr2KDQ1PEOJDsH2unA14JNFPbxBVK7diKNgF9CVwJIuhfujHjXhrulAgIqS85bhfp5cq0tD/s1600/20140407_163137.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a little shut eye after walking many kms through the gardens. This is a hall where the various farmer's flowers are judged. One of 5 halls.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmilbug9T6DGiUs-CllTvrmAACO00AyAeNpqa0Hb18eSuuLXR8cFdrvD7gnZCa2KPV72djDCb6qcK6NHfT5HuVAZ_7ikF8zHmY9cHIP_TAB_CRV0CN6h7kOQmiUT60AxSL5uBDEHkC6Gq/s1600/DSCF3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmilbug9T6DGiUs-CllTvrmAACO00AyAeNpqa0Hb18eSuuLXR8cFdrvD7gnZCa2KPV72djDCb6qcK6NHfT5HuVAZ_7ikF8zHmY9cHIP_TAB_CRV0CN6h7kOQmiUT60AxSL5uBDEHkC6Gq/s1600/DSCF3660.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colours are just glorious</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVMqK0L2qpXv_DIAMH4OO7ICHO3KVw3Vo7T3ZwsAtme2DS25WaxRLBhViSeM-VGPPgZvZRWcWYCI6hgqgHdJsaTa3a2cm9k2WoqdFla5QsdK11-A_BXrVpxenOnsy62eJ29yGTSlEdnHB/s1600/20140407_162005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVMqK0L2qpXv_DIAMH4OO7ICHO3KVw3Vo7T3ZwsAtme2DS25WaxRLBhViSeM-VGPPgZvZRWcWYCI6hgqgHdJsaTa3a2cm9k2WoqdFla5QsdK11-A_BXrVpxenOnsy62eJ29yGTSlEdnHB/s1600/20140407_162005.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another gorgeous corner. Everything is immaculate. Not a blade or flower out of place and zero rubbish anywhere.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJqBA-E6go6DZIm7jWZlpWkVCKHiBQ3OwQQ2KVwZySgJNdsz1SCc_BnplChXcVRZw3Pgg_4HLL38-uURvZwaejph1nExhyzEkixQefzMmQfcM2K51l5HQaMGGgzGZRLfxWhIR1yrQgdBM/s1600/20140407_150206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJqBA-E6go6DZIm7jWZlpWkVCKHiBQ3OwQQ2KVwZySgJNdsz1SCc_BnplChXcVRZw3Pgg_4HLL38-uURvZwaejph1nExhyzEkixQefzMmQfcM2K51l5HQaMGGgzGZRLfxWhIR1yrQgdBM/s1600/20140407_150206.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought lunch here, but ate outside. Dutch people are hardly inside if there is even a minute chance that the sun might shine. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN96n3LqBIvyOfvl1IC4E04vWbyV8S-9bbGttcxg8DSHC-jIVzM_p6PrRFUbescUHbjIa6BJPGW0Ko6l6lhomJghLIAiIkzjc_-XsUQ2xRlv-0zcWUsCbCFT8o-mtZDXDDdidnpdAOs7a/s1600/20140407_161233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN96n3LqBIvyOfvl1IC4E04vWbyV8S-9bbGttcxg8DSHC-jIVzM_p6PrRFUbescUHbjIa6BJPGW0Ko6l6lhomJghLIAiIkzjc_-XsUQ2xRlv-0zcWUsCbCFT8o-mtZDXDDdidnpdAOs7a/s1600/20140407_161233.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside one of the show halls. This one is for Orchids. The variety was enough to blow your mind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0NijELGYplSGbjhsisJnAiB3OHmw3O8HApBWrhFJIRbIycN6uGxEoxpFoSXoLYjZsU1FklbTK0wnP6-kJGh5SVrL8DdHE3YZg9LE_dmMBlV63cEf8ZTLu7ZMYfIh5SsuFDMDKX1BDyAA/s1600/20140407_142241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0NijELGYplSGbjhsisJnAiB3OHmw3O8HApBWrhFJIRbIycN6uGxEoxpFoSXoLYjZsU1FklbTK0wnP6-kJGh5SVrL8DdHE3YZg9LE_dmMBlV63cEf8ZTLu7ZMYfIh5SsuFDMDKX1BDyAA/s1600/20140407_142241.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this. It is so contemplative and set in amongst the cherry trees which were shedding their blossoms over everything surrounding them.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sO1qWSMQxZYihUtP29eUg9kcIaJITtPh6XR7t6F6muYDhtTk58blS6fIDB_wZIFD0IgQV229gug43jWNLDX8JeT_1S6OrHlhB53ChyqdGIr5du0grpzvagGJy7OgAqtO49HyuPXCPDVk/s1600/20140407_111522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sO1qWSMQxZYihUtP29eUg9kcIaJITtPh6XR7t6F6muYDhtTk58blS6fIDB_wZIFD0IgQV229gug43jWNLDX8JeT_1S6OrHlhB53ChyqdGIr5du0grpzvagGJy7OgAqtO49HyuPXCPDVk/s1600/20140407_111522.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The
Dutch tricolour blowing in the breeze over Keukenhof as I arrived,
somehow pulled at my heartstrings.When I was a child, I always remember
my parent's putting out the flag from the top story of our house on
every birthday of a member of the royal family.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdZYSJEkBvMS_znBFrQsVY14E7NZf1qwRmzq1NoFQoZdjNgjeCyevqZ8pZzmwZk-HmHaq9q3CYu_ubvGjAZJjbpSKenjJzHSsqDbQLXs1dWJouC95l2RTso_-AsLMM9V_Nm2_qRiG92FP/s1600/DSCF3759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdZYSJEkBvMS_znBFrQsVY14E7NZf1qwRmzq1NoFQoZdjNgjeCyevqZ8pZzmwZk-HmHaq9q3CYu_ubvGjAZJjbpSKenjJzHSsqDbQLXs1dWJouC95l2RTso_-AsLMM9V_Nm2_qRiG92FP/s1600/DSCF3759.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Friesian display. Lots of cow photos, clogs and daffodils here. Friesland is where I was born.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaWcm-UaWx0HoDJX5saJ6L1Z6Xxa2ucTzqNtSlb8E1d1_hIEIKljWhl4UhTXCx7kDYmYPhgKvQg03XyhOHiCa6uT-uVD9L3JRJmnqbEtedST3WoIuIvrWI_Lxt3OANp0Xgy42IzVw4p1B/s1600/20140407_142641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaWcm-UaWx0HoDJX5saJ6L1Z6Xxa2ucTzqNtSlb8E1d1_hIEIKljWhl4UhTXCx7kDYmYPhgKvQg03XyhOHiCa6uT-uVD9L3JRJmnqbEtedST3WoIuIvrWI_Lxt3OANp0Xgy42IzVw4p1B/s1600/20140407_142641.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cherry trees were spectacular. Shedding their blossoms which looked like snowy rain. Thousands of people were there,</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBbeR-TvPhTnxr5l9Vvze4q8UHj-2n78LHkQmcADjtVxo2xtlYMbza8M4QJLqD0U13kRcoBY3cmSGSSBq63UXEanaRlHdrSvNSn9VtnKXIgh3Q4NgiUt1MwCgE_OOmVTObrVlFQL9xx1r/s1600/DSCF3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBbeR-TvPhTnxr5l9Vvze4q8UHj-2n78LHkQmcADjtVxo2xtlYMbza8M4QJLqD0U13kRcoBY3cmSGSSBq63UXEanaRlHdrSvNSn9VtnKXIgh3Q4NgiUt1MwCgE_OOmVTObrVlFQL9xx1r/s1600/DSCF3690.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new queen of the Netherlands. Here she is with her footman, golden carriage and velvet chairs.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizzKsGNKTlrvD7CRqNNBEZzxe7uLGeAEVpZafegHbmVdSRBCKUrzVmlR3GpllkDjy2-hDckWawNKL5fCjt1rdyfyZXViDbQXffGEBfsAzpEzYeGFV0kkwGYgA9L1O8c7wfJZNqh2LryYm/s1600/DSCF3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizzKsGNKTlrvD7CRqNNBEZzxe7uLGeAEVpZafegHbmVdSRBCKUrzVmlR3GpllkDjy2-hDckWawNKL5fCjt1rdyfyZXViDbQXffGEBfsAzpEzYeGFV0kkwGYgA9L1O8c7wfJZNqh2LryYm/s1600/DSCF3695.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I'm in the red light district here...haha. Don't quite look the part.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlsd-TNvqo4504CVyfwmCiZ1x4ZREr-m_NlR3qRgZ3neyQZh8RByeVzo6UCDuXFKEhuhsaUPlAso1FgE2sMapxZTD7u0pRqCwP-djFRK4JsyDK3ZPhThdnWcdp-HL8OvYYWXDQjo47vqf/s1600/DSCF3698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlsd-TNvqo4504CVyfwmCiZ1x4ZREr-m_NlR3qRgZ3neyQZh8RByeVzo6UCDuXFKEhuhsaUPlAso1FgE2sMapxZTD7u0pRqCwP-djFRK4JsyDK3ZPhThdnWcdp-HL8OvYYWXDQjo47vqf/s1600/DSCF3698.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips from Amsterdam. I would like to dedicate this to my amazing husband Ross ...it's his birthday today. Happy Birthday Rossy love from me in Amsterdam.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSon0vo7A24QFhOKHgbbkajEnStazU0ithQpOIEUt_FDbRCgr0n0i0iFXxlSvaXXGplnCZW5dcDNK_dGt6hNYr0sXKIX3C4WlZBPBOud2GQoMDCAGdBZ9BjEOkdncVlR9YVYiKggf-_0ns/s1600/DSCF3705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSon0vo7A24QFhOKHgbbkajEnStazU0ithQpOIEUt_FDbRCgr0n0i0iFXxlSvaXXGplnCZW5dcDNK_dGt6hNYr0sXKIX3C4WlZBPBOud2GQoMDCAGdBZ9BjEOkdncVlR9YVYiKggf-_0ns/s1600/DSCF3705.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFv6apLJjJBVDHCys-UpTklEkaUsV5fQEGQFg2rter9qwRYsheOMfiqddRfkgiHYq6U47OuiQ847qYA4xdhRdntvSHAwNbSL6EyjjF7_vbAF2MhVw4odBFBJ8-zVz0W9e9i35r5P5D7Yc/s1600/DSCF3711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFv6apLJjJBVDHCys-UpTklEkaUsV5fQEGQFg2rter9qwRYsheOMfiqddRfkgiHYq6U47OuiQ847qYA4xdhRdntvSHAwNbSL6EyjjF7_vbAF2MhVw4odBFBJ8-zVz0W9e9i35r5P5D7Yc/s1600/DSCF3711.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what can I comment...more tulips :-)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lBN6d9QxU7aI1mUKUG1RlOubrdvpQOgaDBsJmWg5d8xy0reoJvvMyXM2anlZ20Ahv4NJyEl_f0hqjKn8WChSvQLWEuWOkChyT0hyphenhyphenS0VmDeVU5qtLfA6P-zDKGcL0sBLaVteuD_-dznl/s1600/DSCF3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9lBN6d9QxU7aI1mUKUG1RlOubrdvpQOgaDBsJmWg5d8xy0reoJvvMyXM2anlZ20Ahv4NJyEl_f0hqjKn8WChSvQLWEuWOkChyT0hyphenhyphenS0VmDeVU5qtLfA6P-zDKGcL0sBLaVteuD_-dznl/s1600/DSCF3825.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wood carving of the composer Haydn. A rather stern statue for such a pretty garden don't you think?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-LvS3eyybyzfP8pz7-uEfpAcHP11GBDkG5SeeCLBhfgBwpnlhcNH52phrutkU_z_R3ZMFKQC1KAXsa6UGqRMr9QtLim9EzQVsyCE-ISBqVrjP9oTsH0ZVUBfKcHrs6-UNogRP5_8aM6v/s1600/DSCF3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-LvS3eyybyzfP8pz7-uEfpAcHP11GBDkG5SeeCLBhfgBwpnlhcNH52phrutkU_z_R3ZMFKQC1KAXsa6UGqRMr9QtLim9EzQVsyCE-ISBqVrjP9oTsH0ZVUBfKcHrs6-UNogRP5_8aM6v/s1600/DSCF3744.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely idea. I think I'll bring back a dozen pairs!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aXnlgxn1CrANj59J5w1aRINjLiDLmaT8to-HxRsDhGHKwuOLEak3bjVIVB-iXB77CTwhRg7F-R14gf4ld0dsUun23vs19x9DqsFwO8WoHfWCJLkXvljtQ_PmRj-FFEIrGjGfHhE4rLyu/s1600/DSCF3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aXnlgxn1CrANj59J5w1aRINjLiDLmaT8to-HxRsDhGHKwuOLEak3bjVIVB-iXB77CTwhRg7F-R14gf4ld0dsUun23vs19x9DqsFwO8WoHfWCJLkXvljtQ_PmRj-FFEIrGjGfHhE4rLyu/s1600/DSCF3743.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fun idea, Daffodils in milk cartons.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdrDNkUxDdSalYu8PIIwaERRH3gZYRh1uZ1UVuSMugozuLD7LtNI1h9mJa8K-d8V6P4SQPPmvefUdp8QUXp6IzsY8u5D4vxUYzNt7CsRLmjaOZLUN6sVh352-BrryEInRbv-CVuxF5L7V/s1600/20140407_114841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdrDNkUxDdSalYu8PIIwaERRH3gZYRh1uZ1UVuSMugozuLD7LtNI1h9mJa8K-d8V6P4SQPPmvefUdp8QUXp6IzsY8u5D4vxUYzNt7CsRLmjaOZLUN6sVh352-BrryEInRbv-CVuxF5L7V/s1600/20140407_114841.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant colours. Loved my day at Keukenhof.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVyIu-KFDrgzbEcytMZ2LSjgdRp_mWHTe3gYkxALPLUCl2UNRRCmTvsu-rKBPiAxuWD7GF1Ov6kuvLWlANN3G4Y8XDmKA3mwfuzpu9HcLudKbYgn8HnD_JmmTvM8zmstZs0IR576IT9x5/s1600/DSCF3865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVyIu-KFDrgzbEcytMZ2LSjgdRp_mWHTe3gYkxALPLUCl2UNRRCmTvsu-rKBPiAxuWD7GF1Ov6kuvLWlANN3G4Y8XDmKA3mwfuzpu9HcLudKbYgn8HnD_JmmTvM8zmstZs0IR576IT9x5/s1600/DSCF3865.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLE2DsJjvr6LBAGZ1sVddv-t56r1SOeAB4MM3TNg6TGANRB_5_onXSto19UrMhnxVD47EpFF7XA8-XnjQX8kH2v8MI4fcXuQ8NhJ5J8PB2KE557C-nVLzJUS9DjUuLruqbxRzg9dPg48J/s1600/DSCF3871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLE2DsJjvr6LBAGZ1sVddv-t56r1SOeAB4MM3TNg6TGANRB_5_onXSto19UrMhnxVD47EpFF7XA8-XnjQX8kH2v8MI4fcXuQ8NhJ5J8PB2KE557C-nVLzJUS9DjUuLruqbxRzg9dPg48J/s1600/DSCF3871.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Constantly planting new bulbs...the gardens are open till mid May, then they shut down until next spring.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_-gJpUskO5CsX6AYvrlumKm8bppVGKy2wcGPdmyCsU4XYIQQFuMyiV0z0zo83FwswajH8WbWNXvJhmj1Mo7tVp7rd-C5C4JUDTsl5bLN4ytvgZo6TRZqP96eYqjp41NIloRisonEk3rd/s1600/DSCF3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_-gJpUskO5CsX6AYvrlumKm8bppVGKy2wcGPdmyCsU4XYIQQFuMyiV0z0zo83FwswajH8WbWNXvJhmj1Mo7tVp7rd-C5C4JUDTsl5bLN4ytvgZo6TRZqP96eYqjp41NIloRisonEk3rd/s1600/DSCF3925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I came around the corner to see this scene (in the late afternoon) it blew me away. The white swans, the fountains, the deep colour green of the grass and the flowers in the foreground...just WOWWOWOWOWOW!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMFrT9XskqrLJ6aL3R6Wf8WlhN124qLx4eUG_QzszpqGzym8QYyk7CiYjaWfUMbJ5buIpi1E9Xpd8c9ddaouykXAjGMeP0dxmaD1Sf2sVquZDECKQE9FrTu6rgd7p4hbWz1zRP8JQQqN/s1600/DSCF3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMFrT9XskqrLJ6aL3R6Wf8WlhN124qLx4eUG_QzszpqGzym8QYyk7CiYjaWfUMbJ5buIpi1E9Xpd8c9ddaouykXAjGMeP0dxmaD1Sf2sVquZDECKQE9FrTu6rgd7p4hbWz1zRP8JQQqN/s1600/DSCF3951.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of our fave sections. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yHHak2CWcn7_SYQJzFIqmnAnuc5r5XR2O1EpLFJoPECsFIfgQzWc-qNc-oFAAPazV1vzFnleGoxwlggv5iQOcTV1wQv6wEYZZqIN2SsoTj-T8qp1qUj9I0O1OfDnvLGsrVs6hNHj4qZj/s1600/DSCF3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yHHak2CWcn7_SYQJzFIqmnAnuc5r5XR2O1EpLFJoPECsFIfgQzWc-qNc-oFAAPazV1vzFnleGoxwlggv5iQOcTV1wQv6wEYZZqIN2SsoTj-T8qp1qUj9I0O1OfDnvLGsrVs6hNHj4qZj/s1600/DSCF3943.JPG" height="164" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panaroma at Keukenhof (with my sis Mieke) looking away from the photo below.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33_X4f8O5LxX4HKaRKVmgX-c-Ci8kU-mTF1WDKxTLWPFOScZuNZ-aU7y4tA2w7R7dlRL63X39WTHNuH9D4J6Sx1EFykXTXPYw14GEvzQYRBmOr1blrgJBu-FWIuY0E11phHyCCW_DGIhq/s1600/DSCF3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33_X4f8O5LxX4HKaRKVmgX-c-Ci8kU-mTF1WDKxTLWPFOScZuNZ-aU7y4tA2w7R7dlRL63X39WTHNuH9D4J6Sx1EFykXTXPYw14GEvzQYRBmOr1blrgJBu-FWIuY0E11phHyCCW_DGIhq/s1600/DSCF3944.JPG" height="172" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what Mieke was seeing. Just a stunning setting. The flowers here are yet to bloom.</td></tr>
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<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-40865642040576736732014-04-06T16:27:00.000+10:002014-04-06T16:53:48.650+10:00I'm here!It's my third day in Amsterdam.<br />
We (my sis and I) arrived safely at Schiphol airport from Brisbane, via Singapore on Thursday morning to a bleakish 9 degrees Celcius. First stop was at an airport coffee shop (not THOSE coffee shops!) for a typical Dutch Chocomel (Hot chocolate) with a small dish piled high with whipped cream on the side and a small biscuit - stroop wafel (syrup waffle). Very yummy. Outside to catch a taxi and $82+ Euros !!, ($122AUD) later we arrived at my sister's small but lightfilled flat on the Northern outskirts of Amsterdam. Her 2nd floor, 1 bedroom unit balcony looks out over a treed area, which in turn borders onto farmland crisscrossed by the typical Dutch 'slooten' or ditches or small canals. It's quite amazing how close she lives to rural Holland. Yesterday morning we went for a long walk along the dyke with views of a typical old fashioned farming village with a church steeple popping out through the morning mist. Ducks, grey herons, geese, bustards and all kinds of waterbirds abound.<br />
Birds also feed off the seed trays that my sis puts out on her balcony. A big fat grey dove fed for some time yesterday without it worrying him.<br />
Yesterday we also visited some friends in a special garden village. It was a lovely sunny day for it.<br />
I am still feeling the jet lag and am trying to get onto Dutch time, which will happen soon I hope.<br />
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Friday we went shopping at the local shopping centre which is right next door to where I'm staying. I am amazed at how low, especially the food prices are. Even though they are in Euros, they are considerably cheaper than buying food in good old Brisbane. There is a weekly (every day) market at the end of the shopping mall with cheeses, tulips (very cheap too - 20 tulips for $4.95EU about $7.50)! and clothing...the usual market stalls that you find anywhere.<br />
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This coming week I hope to get into some sightseeing in the inner city.<br />
The weather has been very warm this spring for Dutch standards and the people are amazed at the temperatures and how early the foliage on trees has come on and flowers have blossomed. I haven't been cold hardly at all and ofcourse shops, house and vehicles are at a constant temperature of around 20C.<br />
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I''ll post a few photos for you to enjoy here now.<br />
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<br />Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-27492930968820003982014-04-01T06:00:00.000+10:002014-04-01T21:42:49.993+10:00There I go...Well, nearly.<br />
Just two more sleeps and I'll be on my way across the oceans blue, winging my way to the 'mother country'!<br />
By now just about everything I needed to do is crossed off my list, except for the photos I need to print and take with me, which haven't got onto a stick. I guess my facebook albums will have to suffice, unless I get a rush to do it tomorrow.<br />
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It's a wonder Ross still has his head on his shoulders, because I've bitten it off several times today! I've told him that I'm stressed and now suddenly we are doing stuff that will help 'in case' I fall out of the sky! What the? It's the second last day before I go, and now we are thinking about 'wills', 'enduring powers of attorney' and 'executors'. Having a mediumly (is that a word?) technically challenged hubby doesn't help, as he's constantly asking me to help with a 'lost' form or an email that's disappeared in relation to what he's doing to make us (him, our kids) secure for the future. Stress which I really don't need at this stage of the pre-journey.<br />
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OK, so a post or so ago I crowed about the fact that my case was packed! Yay! I shouted. A week later my case is overflowing to the point where it will, no way Hosay, EVA shut! I dreamed about going to Europe with two sets of clothes, one set on and one set in my school bag sized back pack. Two pairs of undies, a pair of jeans, shorts, a couple of tees and a jacket. Oh and maybe a hat. Long ago friends did this and LOVED it. Nothing to lug around, and when they got home, they just they threw those clothes in the bin. I've always advised friends "Oh, just mix and match" it's easy. Yeah, well now it's my turn and it ain't easy friends. I've come to the conclusion that my suit case is way too small. Definitely, WAY too small.<br />
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Tomorrow is D-Day and I will just HAVE to cull...and cull, and cull again. I'm tempted to go into that scary room right now, the one with the piled-high-with-clothes case. The one with the basket of leads, chargers, this and that. But I resist, desist, restrain myself. Hubby asked, told and commanded me even, that I go to bed early tonight. Well I am. I'm an obedient little thing.<br />
It's early.<br />
Early in the morning.<br />
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Night all.<br />
Tomorrow is another day.Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com2Australasia-27.371767300522894 153.017578125-34.47835630052289 142.690429625 -20.265178300522894 163.344726625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-83375455566936218832014-03-27T23:38:00.001+10:002014-05-21T13:47:25.303+10:00Getting closer...There are just 5 days to go before take off!<br />
There are still things to tick off my list! I think I'm spending more money BEFORE I leave, then I'll spend when I'm over there. Yeah, wishful thinking I reckon.<br />
Anyway... I've done something today that I really needed to do, and that I ummed and aahd about, and that is whether to go to my bank and get a Travel Card loaded with destination currency, or to just get cash. After quite a bit of research online, talking with friends and family members who travel regularly, I took the plunge and went with the travel card. I feel it's safer; it's loaded with destination currency which is locked into the one conversion rate, therefore no shocks when the rate goes down, and of course also no benefits when it goes up :-) but then that's what I've paid for: convenience; no having to go to money peddlers in a strange place - just get the cash from an atm; also no conversion rates when purchasing over the counter.<br />
I will let you know how and if it works well for me.<br />
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Funny thing (for me) but today I also posted the very last item, which I sold on eBay, of the product I had left from my party plan business (well, a kit I bought online last year actually) that I used to be involved in. Anyway, finally the end of that era..so from my point of view...some endings and some new beginnings ie: travelling overseas, something I have not done since Ross and I first were married. 1971 to be exact!<br />
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Still to do:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoREGpUfa4vPwkIx5okrS5pj3ygvIMwAN3vKRTxxh_DvchjSWw56elTHA_A2XB1eYvTVgLprjczlEW7ZGu93SHCUAPmnaeJRO-Zhu1pXbOoV2FMtZtRP3EubhWW2AeZVlIoiUwWdZCT8I5/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoREGpUfa4vPwkIx5okrS5pj3ygvIMwAN3vKRTxxh_DvchjSWw56elTHA_A2XB1eYvTVgLprjczlEW7ZGu93SHCUAPmnaeJRO-Zhu1pXbOoV2FMtZtRP3EubhWW2AeZVlIoiUwWdZCT8I5/s1600/shoes.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>
<li>Buy easy to slip into shoes boring but servicable ones like these>> </li>
<li>Comfortable and warm with a pair of socks, hopefully.</li>
<li>Print some photos off, of family to show rellies who are too old to appreciate pics on a smart phone or a screen! (hehe)</li>
<li>Download books onto my eReader</li>
<li>Buy one of those sucky bags you put clothes in and then suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner. I think that would be helpful for bulky winter items. Will see how that goes. </li>
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That's not all, but I'm sure I'm getting closer to the end or should I say, the beginning?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Hilly April 1957.</td></tr>
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Well, I'm now really baring my soul by putting up this pic of myself and my little sis, snapped on the ship somewhere between Capetown, SA and Fremantle, Aust. on our way to Brisbane.</div>
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Fourteen days of nothing but ocean blue. What's an 11 year old kid to do? Go see a movie all by yourself and scare your mother half to death because you hadn't told her and she had visions of 'child overboard'!</div>
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Can laugh about it now, but wasn't too impressed when I had to front up to the Ship's Purser, who gave me a stern talking to. Was sure quivering in my boots then!<br />
By the way... I'm sure you can appreciate my haircut! Goodness me, just as well I didn't really think about those things then.<br />
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Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com2Northern Suburbs, Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.28392560022959 152.97500610351562-27.340371600229592 152.89432510351563 -27.227479600229589 153.05568710351562tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393455020855200988.post-38190669872408379572014-03-27T21:38:00.002+10:002014-03-28T21:27:59.165+10:00Progress...<div dir="ltr">
Suitcase is (almost) packed! Hard to believe isn't it?
It's taken me the best of thirty years to arrive at this point. I should have gone years ago.<br />
Procrastination, indecision, circumstances, call it what you will, but the time never seemed quite right to make the return journey to the country of my birth.
So yep, the suitcase is just about filled with still a week to go before I fly out of Brisbane International Airport and I'm just hoping and praying we don't go missing somewhere in the southern ocean!<br />
The past few weeks I've been organizing my passport, travel insurance, warm clothes (spring temps are currently -0C overnight to around 8-10+C in the daytime)! and souvenirs for family and friends I'll be staying with.<br />
My head's been abuzz. Planning, thinking about all the bits and pieces I still have to do before I go, like copying documents, printing some photos to show rellies, visiting the bank, downloading books to my eReader... On and on.<br />
Oh yes and the cat needs somewhere to stay (I don't think you'll want your furniture ruined Ton!).<br />
Anyway, I reckon I'll be ready in good time.<br />
Now to get those butterflies in my stomach to settle down.</div>
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PS: Many thanks to my patient daughter Tonia, who helped me choose suitable outfits and cull those not needed. Mwah!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost packed! I think everything will fit nicely.</td></tr>
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Tricia Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314517410105938146noreply@blogger.com0