Here goes, finally sorted out the way we are going to "blog".
It was still rather cold for the time of year and it took us a while to get used to the climate. We have an unusual cold start to spring and summer, so I wear my winter gear! Don't know what I will wear during winter here.....
After a few days of settling in we paid a quick visit to mainly our closest relatives and as one of my brothers lives in the north of Holland, namely the Province of Friesland, I used the time to pay a quick visit to the place of my birth, Hallum. On the way we passed the " Noord Oost polders", where both Lourens and I spent most of our youth and from where we left on our adventures overseas.
Tulip fields in the Noord Oost Polder.
The farmers grow them for the bulbs and as soon as the tulips are in full bloom, they are " beheaded " so most of the nourishment goes to the bulbs!
It was great to catch up with my brother Wytse who lives in Friesland and together we went to visit the little cottage where I was born.
I love the countryside here, the wide open spaces, with the sheep grazing on the dyke and the horses grazing near the flood lands of the Waddenzee.
Interestingly, did you know that the Pilgremage to Santiago the Compostela starts in the north of Friesland near the little town of St. Jacobi Parochie not far from the little place where I was born?
My brother Wytse and me at the start of the route of the Pilgremage.
The map of the route of the Pilgremage.
Back to Veldhoven.We promised to look after the animals of Lourens' sister, Carin and her husband Poul, while they went with their camper on a 2 week holiday. She is the artist in the family and they live on a very old little farm turned into a cottage which is over 200 years old.They have a beautiful garden which displays many of her art pieces as wel as a veggie patch, where we enjoyed the first pick of the asparagus crop. The season is from early May till the middle of June. Yummy! It was great to see the trees and flowers turn greener and greener as we moved from spring into summer.
While there we celebrated Motherday and I received a beautiful bunch of flowers all the way from Australia
I managed to visit a Quilt exhibition as well, which was very interesting . Similar , but bigger than the one in Perth
For a day or so we could leave the dog Lara, the cat Roos and the chicken to the watchful eyes of the neighbors while we paid Carin and Poul a visit while they were "touring" the country side.
They did a lot of bike riding. There are many routes set out with detailed maps. A wonderful way to spent a holiday in the country .
Speaking of bikes.......... Well that will be my next story!
Take care and till the next time.
Lourens and Simone.
