Dear family and friends,
Our " tasting of the seasons" is coming to an end. It has been a wonderful, wonderful 9 months, a time to treasure forever and look back on with fond memories...!
The last exchange address for us is Zutphen, a very old Hanseatic town lying on the Eastern bank of the river IJssel. The town was part of the Hanseatic league, a group of towns with great wealth. The league was the economic centre in that part of Europe during those times.( 15th, 16th and 17th centuries)
In WW II it was bombed several times. The bridge over the river IJssel was vital to support the German troops at Arnhem. However many old buildings remain and it is a wonderful city to visit and wander around in, even in winter!
Wijnhuis tower.
Bridge over the river IJssel .
Part of the city wall and the circular fortress built to protect against Viking attacks.
Towards the beginning of December, the people prepare for the celebration of Sinterklaas, also called Sint Nikolaas or de Goedheiligman (the Holy Man). This feast is celebrated on the eve of his name day ( 6 Dec.) He is the patron saint of children and sailors and the celebration was an occasion to help the poor by putting money in their shoes, which evolved into putting presents in children's shoes. Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses.
Here they are, Sinterklaas and his 2 helpers.
In the very first week of December it started to snow!!! What a beautiful sight, with its own special magic, it seems the world becomes much smaller and it is soooo quiet...! You can hear your own footsteps crackle in the snow.
Trees laden with snow.
Even the bikes get covered in snow.
It can get very slippery and so the footpaths are cleared of snow very quickly, only the bike is left....!
We went for a River Rhine cruise to Germany, to visit Cologne and Dusseldorf, and to visit the Christmas markets. We went with a couple from Nijmegen, Frits and Marian, a couple we exchanged house with for the very first time in 1999 and have stayed in contact with ever since!
In Cologne with in the background the Cologne Cathedral.
The Catherdral from closer up. Officially called the High Cathedral of St. Peter.
Inside this magnificent cathedral.
The beautiful organ.
Downstairs in the Treasury , with precious reliquaries, liturgical artifacts and garments on display.
I was particularly impressed with the gold embroidery, ( I had just recently attended a gold thread embroidery workshop). This is part of the precious Capella Clementina garments of the Cologne Archbishop Clemens August Von Wittelsbach, a brother of Emperor Karl VII. He had ordered the regalia on the occasion of his brother's coronation in Paris in 1742.
In front of some of the Christmas market stalls.
We had to try a Glüwein!
And then it was time to prepare for the Christmas season, with lots of beautiful lights indoors and outdoors.
Interior decorations.
In the meantime the temperature had risen, which means a lot of melting snow and a lot of grey skies and drizzle.... And the water of the river IJssel was rising... and rising... and rising !!!
Just a little spot to stay on, to keep our feet dry..... Here at the quay of the river IJssel.
Celebrations are in order..... Lourens brother Henk turned 80!!! Lourens presenting him with an E Reader.
From left bottom row: brother in law Wim (next year 80), brother Henk, the birthday boy! sister Cathrien, Lourens. Top row: brother in law Poul, Simone, wife of Henk; Lies, sister Carin.
In preparation for Christmas lunch/ dinner. The table is set !
Everybody contributed with some dishes, which makes it a lot easier for everyone. We Aussies now that already.......! Here the starter to the meal , turkey with salad.
Dessert.... Charlotte Russe.
The next generation, Lourens nephews and nieces, surprised him for his birthday and organized a wonderful lunch for him.
Proost!!! Cheers!!!
They collected a number of old photos, from our various visits back to Holland through the years, and combined them to be made into a book with a copy for us and for Hanneke and Richard! Lourens, nephew Pieter, oldest son of Henk and niece Jose, daughter of sister Cathrien. A treasured memory of great family times!!
In the meantime the weather pattern is changing and the temperature is constantly below zero. This is our last weekend here in Holland and it has started to snow steadily.
Here in the backyard of Lourens sister Carin.
The roads are getting covered in snow...!
Snow, snow snow, if it keeps going we will have to start sweeping the pathways for people to travel to where ever they have to go. It can get very slippery!
Well, that's it from us here in Holland.
We hope to catch up with you soon, but first we will take a little break in Bali, to get used to the different time zone and to "warm up" a little ....!
Till then,
Fondest greetings from Lourens & Simone.xxxx
