The Ooijpolder, the War Cemetery in Uden, Amsterdam and the last days in The Netherlands

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Sunday seemed a nice day for a walk and Leonie suggested we go to the Ooijpolder, as Ferdie's niece's daughter had mentioned it as a nice recreation area.

In a way it was a beautiful place for walking and cycling, but it had been raining, and was still threatening to do so some more, so it was hard to keep our feet dry.  As it was, the walks were not on paved pathways or bitumen roads, the led us through the fields.

Luckily the walk we had chosen because of the weather was not too long.  We took a few pictures of the surroundings and next climbed into the car to find the restaurant Oortjeshekken.  My former class mate Marlies had mentioned it as her son is the manager there.  Unfortunately he had called in sick, so we didn't get to meet him.  The restaurant must have been very well-known among the locals, because it was the busiest I have seen for a while.

 

The appletaart is not soooo small! It's half eaten. :-)

Afterwards we visited the War Cemetery in Uden where Leonie's great-uncle was buried.  Nobody of the family had ever visited his grave, so Leonie took plenty of pictures. He'd fought with the Australian Air Force.

Monday, September 21, 2015

On Monday we visit Dieuwer in Vreeland.  If you recall, I stayed in Vreeland with Patricia.  Leonie hadn't been there, but knew Dieuwer from her 6 weeks in Australia, so it was nice to visit and also show Leonie around, because it's such a pretty place.

In the afternoon we went on to Moenie and Paula in Purmerend where we were going to stay for a few days.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Neither Leonie nor I had been to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam so we thought it would be nice to spend a few hours there.  We caught the bus together with Moenie and Paula and were awed by the collections in the museum.  As it is, you can't spend hours and hours strolling, at least my back isn't up to it, so at about lunch time we left the museum behind and found a nice restaurant opposite to fortify ourselves.  In the afternoon we took a boat trip through the canals to finish off our trip to Amsterdam nicely.  It rained, but left enough for us to see.

Not to be missed: Rembrandt's Night Watch

Beautiful leadlight

Some sulptures

 

Various pieces of furniture

Antique dollshouses

 

The library

Entrance hall

Outside

Some views around Amsterdam

The 'Amsterdam' VOC ship

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

And the last day of our visit we spend again at The Zaanse Schans and Marken, to show Leonie around.  At Marken we have lunch amidst plenty of house sparrows.

A heron in the distance, watching the fish

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Thursday was another day well spent.  I went to visit Jose in Den Bosch for the last time while Leonie pend a quiet morning by herself at home in Wijchen.  In the afternoon Rina and William came to visit me, while Leonie received Ferdie's niece from Nijmegen.  They had dinner together at home while I went to the pancake restaurant Olleke Bolleke with Rina and William.  Afterwards we still had time for a chat at home and then we had to finally say goodbye.

Friday was another day at home.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

This was a day I had been looking forward to for a while. Another visit to the Efteling! This time with Leonie as well as the whole family: Wim and Gerrie, Heidi and Pim, Tom and Su with our little Julia.  For her it was the first time. Just wonderful to see the new experience. Photo's hopefully to follow when I receive them, because I didn't take many.  Just enjoyed the day!

Assepoester

A peacock in the gardens

Carnival Festival

Sunday, September 27, 2015

It was lovely weather and I took the bike to ride to an address in Wijchen.  I was to meet a lady who may be interested in a house exchange in a few years time.  A lovely meeting and chat and after a cup of coffee (or two...) I rode back via the shopping centre in Wijchen where a lot of bands were preparing to play music in the afternoon.  A pity I had to go home and also that we didn't have two decent bicycles to ride back in the afternoon to watch the bands play.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Our final days this week.  On Monday Moenie and Paula come for a last visit.  They hadn't been to see me in Liempde last year, but made it this time and were in awe of the place we were staying at.  We had a lovely time together, including lunch and then we had to say goodbye.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Truly our last day!  As we have arranged to get a cleaner to clean the house we don't have to do anything but make sure we are packed for Wednesday morning.

Leonie suggested we go to Nijmegen for a few hourse, which we do.  We walk around the now familiar streets and do a bit more than just window shopping.  In the end we find a cute little restaurant which serves small portions of anything you order.  What a novel idea!  In particular for someone like me, I can't eat much and still have choices!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

And then finally the day arrives.  Jack is at the door at 6:30am and we make good time to the airport.  We're there at the planned time of 8 o'clock. We are finally to catch the plane home, but first, as always, the highlight of the day, being waved goodbye by the family.  Wim and Gerrie, Heid and Pim with Guido and Tom with Julia (Su had to go to work) all are at the airport to have a final cuppa and a chat.  Julia was in the mood to learn how to take pictures, so here's a selection of photos taken by her, including a selfie! :-)

Julia's selfie! :-)

Thursday, October 1, 2015

We land in Singapore early in the morning and spend a few hours at the airport, walking and resting a bit.  I check the butterfly garden out again for a geocache, but unfortunately this one keeps eluding me.  No excuse of it being too dark this time.  So, hopefully I will have some better result next time I land in Singapore.  Both plane flights are uneventful but not unpleasant. We land in Brisbane a few minutes late and after I have been through customs I have the pleasant surprise of seeing Stephen, Mady, James and Kevin waiting for me! Some homecoming!! :-)

And that, my dear friends, was my last update for these three months.  Keep an eye on the blog, as I am planning to travel again in three weeks time.