Keeping the positivity going.

I am a positive person by nature. That doesn't mean my state of mind doesn't get challenged.

In a time of the uncertainty facing the world today in the form of Covid19 I, like many people I suspect, long for a bit of recognisability, stability and continuity in this strange world we live in. There are so many changes going on. New rules. In the short term too. Waking up and seeing or reading or hearing that everything has suddenly changed does nothing to create confidence or peace of mind.

But we (hubby and I) have little to complain about. Although like many, we too have our frustration moments. We are dry, warm, have enough (too much 😉) food, clothing, regular income, a beautiful house, a beautiful view and our families are also healthy and well. If all those things are ok one has a tendency to look further, right? Call it human nature. We can move within our country: BUT we have nowhere to go. Attractions, cafes, restaurants, theaters - nothing available. Not here in the Netherlands anyway. The comforting part is, we're all in the same boat. So..

... I prefer to look at what is possible.  My husband has been shopping for groceries since March 2020. The reason being that I was sick the first week of March. Out of commission for quite a while. Because the world around us changed so drastically at the time, he kept doing the shopping. He, because sitting inside became too much for him, she, "because I didn't dare to go 'out' there."

We went to a Landal house holiday park twice this winter. Oh how wonderful. Houses far apart, you don't meet anyone in the supermarket on site and you walk a different route in a different area. (See video links at the below.)

Hubby has polished and updated his cooking skills again. How cool is that? Sometimes I just have to book my cooking moments. We enjoy the sharing and because he does the shopping anyway, hubby often determines the menu. Fine. I love to cook, but I don't need any pre-planning except for 'real planned' dinners. I mainly cook "whatever the cupboard and fridge have to offer".

Shoes: Since recently we can make shopping by appointment moments: by booking a time slot. With my forst outing I thought it was very exciting.  I was nervous. Yes, I went shopping for shoes. My shoes, after all that forced walking, really needed replacing. I was done in 20 minutes. Two pairs. With memory soles. At least then I know where I've been or where I want to go to. 😂😂😂!

Garden center: This year we will be picking lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries. I really missed out last season when the garden centers opened and everyone went crazy and wanted to convert their gardens, planting vegetable gardens, etc. realising home was the place to be, holiday money had to be spent, it went to upgrading things around home. Because of my reserved attitude at the time, we were too late to purchase the seasonal plants I wanted on my balcony. Everything was sold out. Very unfortunate. Now, in a 30-minute time block, I purchased what I desired. It was so neatly arranged. You could fire a cannon at the garden centre and not hit a soul. My neighbour mentioned it so I had looked at the site that morning and 18 slots were still available at a time that suited me. Bingo!

Rug: Off to the Volero showroom. A fun, well thrilling ride, in hail and snow. You don't buy something like that online. Well I don't anyway. What a fun outing. We also got served coffee. Just like "in the old days". And we made it an outing. Round trip. Not the same route home. That's how we got through the day. It was fun.

Shopping is NOT my favorite activity. Still, it's inevitable. No, I didn't book them close together. Not sensible I thought. The past 3 weeks I booked one a week. That also gives peace of mind. If I would have been infected with the virus, I would have noticed it after 5-7 days. I'm careful about that. If I felt at all uncertain I would have cancelled the time slot. I didn't need to.

So yes, there are possibilities. It is not the freedom that I am used to, but also not the oppression that forces me to house arrest and prosecution. I am free and safe. That everything is not as I would classify as normal is another story. I/we need to focus on the positive aspects of this period and breath in, breath out, breath in breath out and hang in there. It, the pandemic, won't last forever. Changes will happen. Life does go on. Just differently and maybe we might become more reflective, less impatient and more compassionate. 

Who knows!

Summer versus winter

It has come to my attention, that the winter weather Down Under has proven itself as a more Northern Hemisphere style winter than what NZ-ers are used to.

Let me then tell you, that the Northern Hemisphere summers are more like those I experienced in my years of living in NZ.

Topsie Turvy seasons at best.

Summer is my least favourite season. Yes, you read that correctly. I prefer the somewhat cooler temperatures that Spring, Autumn and even Winter brings. Not that I dislike being warm, a gentle 20-24 tops, is more than enough for me to feel as if I am in the tropics. No, I am not complaining but stating a personal preference weather wise. There are lots of things one can do, despite the weather, and still get the most out of life.

And that is one of the challenges I think. To make the most of any given opportunity and see what a richness in experience it brings. That is exactly what happened here last week.

Every year we enjoy a 3 day weekend away with friends. Each couple ( there are 4) takes turns in planning, arranging and organising such weekend. We've enjoyed 11 such events to date. The latest being last week. The only difference this time was that we spend Friday to Tuesday in each other's company.

In an impulse last year we decided, after seeing a group of men on a launch, that that is what we would like to do 'one day'. Well, obviously you don't cruise round on such a boat for one day- we made it four.

Staying in a hotel has it advantages that you can 'withdraw' and have some down time. On the boat that isn't as easy. The friendships are long, personal and valuable. How would they be after 4 days being constantly close and in a reasonably comfortable but confined space? Sharing toilets (2) and showers(2).

The weather couldn't have been beter. The boat cleaner. The area more beautiful. The timing was perfect- school holidays had started but not in the province we elected to be in. We were all ready to face whatever challenges 'driving' such a boat would bring. There were deckhands, washer uppers, and of course the captain and the cook. Two VERY IMPORTANT people.

My challenge was; to cook healthy, interesting and delicious meals for 8. To provide a good start to the day (breakfast), nourishment during the day ( lunch) and of course closure ( dinner).

The challenge for the captain, who has had some experience in a sloop - but never such a large vessel, to get the boat along side jetties and giving orders to the deckhands for tying up etc. And did he succeed - YESSIR! Learnt a few new tricks while he was about it too!



Obviously the deckhands/washer uppers, had their own challenges.

We had a ball. Yes, the space was limited, the facilities sometimes bit restricted but oh what a joy. What a support and co-operation. What companionship and commaderie! Sure, not all slept like they were used to. Making do with less a lesson in appreciating the more we have at home. Staying 'indoors' while the others bathed on deck wasn't an issue as I spent that time in the kitchen....!

Our ( hubby and mine) summer holiday experiences - both together in the MG with once again limited space, and on the boat has enriched us in ways I hadn't thought about. I cherish my friends even more, my bed as well and my kitchen- ooooh what a blessing!

Most of all. I am proud we all made this happen and came out stronger than when we started on this adventure.

Oh yes, and what did I spot while paying a visit to Sneek in Fryslân - KIWIS on the water partaking in a water related competition!! My holiday had it's cherry on top!

It's been a while

Last time I wrote was towards the end of April. How time flies when activities crowd the diary!

I enjoyed my time Down Under. Whilst my flight there was fraught with hassles the return trip went fine. Doesn't give me the confidence to use China Eastern Airline again though.

Before leaving to visit the (grand) children I had spent time and energy helping out my brother in law in preparation to his shift into another apartment. This I picked up as I disembarked of the plane 😄! The next weeks were spent painting, paperhanging, packing up old place, unpacking and organising the new set up. My brother in law is single and worked most of the time during this process. Hubbie and I assisted him where possible. It's what you do......!

To say it was hectic would be an understatement. To say the end result justified the means : heck yes!

Still, all 3 of us are 60+ and the energy it took has taken it's toll. So, remedy was : have a holiday to recharge the batteries. And that's what we are doing! Taking a well deserved break - away from everything and everyone. Just the 2 of us.

The European summer is starting to 'hot up' literally. For the past month the weather has been stable, dry and pretty warm. Schools are due to break for the summer break in Nederland shortly. Germany is already in holiday mode. 

Although I don't focus on who does what and why - one thing bothers me during this 'free time season' is that many people ( no, not all) appear to not only leave their work behind but also manners. This morning in the dining room - a holiday reoccuring phenomena. Lots of tables left behind in such a state - uneaten food, spilt food, disarray. It makes me sad as well as wonder how these dining rooms at home look like daily.

Most hotels and holiday resorts serve a buffet style breakfast. People can help themselves to their prefferred food type. Fair enough. But to take more than you can eat? Why not take a small serving and walk back for seconds if still hungry? Why not start with some warm savoury food and then finish with fruit or whatever - even topsie turvie if that's your thing - but to leave so much on plates untouched seems sinful - or wasteful if sin isn't your word.

Anyway, apart from that, which I thought I would mention 😉 thinking it may influence someone in the right direction, holidays are great moments to reconnect with your spouse, children or just with yourself. No plans, timetables or 'must do's! 

We have picked up an activity long not activated - climbing to great heights. Today my feet have managed to leave 15,321 behind on the track up to and down from the Wildseeloder, Tirol. Despite the 29 degrees up the top the breeze cooled us down enough to brave the trek down! Tomorrow another challenge! Now my feet need some TLC and rest...mainly rest 😄

May- full of surprises and happy events

The month of May- ALREADY??!!

Yes, it is May already.

Birthdays - Events and other stuff

The 5th month of the year - 

and just like a Monday each week - it has arrived so fast- I am dazzled by it.

I don't know whether that is because I am older- wiser or maybe not, are involved with a number of activities - or the days and it's hours seemed to have been curtailed just like the pensions, wages and job opportunities.

May- a birthday bonanza month in our family as well as in my circle of dear friends.  

Now many are remembrance days, like that of my mum. She kicks off the month- 1st May 1923, her birthdate ( she celebrated 87 in all).

Then there is 5th May- on which my sister celebrates her birthday. She is 3 years older than I am. Give or take 2 weeks.

Cousins and aunts fill the gaps. I have something with 'dates' and they stick in my memory - better than people's names or places sadly enough.

On the 17th May my dad's youngest brother and my grandmother- on mum's side- 19th May.

Mine the 21st and my dear friend the 25th ( we share the same year as well as the month.)

My girlfriend in NZ managed to give birth to 2 children, 2 years apart on the same date - 29th May.

The month end with the birthdate of my cousin's youngest daughter.

Events- well that depends on where one resides

Religion: May the month of Mary- a Catholic tradition which I personally hold dear.

In Nederland, my country of birth, we have Remembrance Day/Dodenherdenking on the 4th of May- I hang out the flag- half mast! Taking time to be aware that freedom and peace aren't a natural occurrence everywhere- and realising that many died trying to achieve just that.

On the 5th of May we recall the European ( and then specifically our own) Liberation Day. Dan gaat de vlag ook naar buiten!

Our May school holidays are somewhat unhinged as we celebrate King's day/Koningsdag the 27 April- and connect the May hols due to the other celebrations in May. The weather isn't up to speed- so it has been aa bit chilly in the tents and caravans.

Ascension Thursday/Hemelvaarstdag  falls on the 5th of May this year - due to the early Easter we had - this too is a holiday in Nederland as is: Pentecost/Pinksteren on Monday the 15th May. 

People fill in how they want to 'use' this feast day- which in both cases is linked to the weekend- giving extra freedom to many - not all get that opportunity though. Hospital staff, police officers, ambulance personal, firefighters, hospitality services and shop staff are not all free on these 'public holiday days'.

And for those who do hold this day dear - let's not forget to mention the Mother's Day Sunday- second Sunday in May.

The OTHER STUFF

Vege gardens ( allotments- moestuintjes) are ready to receive the plants that will sustain meals the coming summer months. Spring cleaning that didn't happen in April due to chilly and wet weather conditions are on the hit list. The seasonal clothing inspection - what fits and what doesn't? Holiday plans are consolidated. The dutch ( generally speaking) receive their annual holiday pay end of May- on what to spend is decided on. A new bathroom or maybe a trip to warmer and exotic places. Or the bills that haven't been paid due to whatever reason- are dealt with.
Concert programmes for the summer months get underway as do the ticket sales. Theme parks have their programmes online and booking agents try to sell 'Last Minute packages abroad.

May, the month people shed cobwebs and show their faces to the outside world, When running in the park becomes a must- to fit back into those bikinis, t-shirts and summer jeans. Convertables are spotted driving on highways and by ways - and skeelers and skates are relaxing ways to get about.

I don't know about you- but I LOVE the MONTH of MAY.

It feels ALIVE and refreshing

Summer has arrived

The sun is out- well actually the sun is out every day. The fact of the matter is - clouds cover the sun at times so we don't feel the benefit of the sun's warm rays. But now, after a very long wait- we finally can say - Summer has arrived in the northern hemisphere, the Netherlands to be even more precise- and the population is pleased to say the least. It has been a long, cold and windy stretch. The prospect of the washing flapping in the breeze, the long evenings outside after a day's work- Joy!


A wee bit late ( everything appears to have been set back a month) we were privy to see the two wee chicks just hatched in the chicken coupe at a friend's house. Gorgeous little bundles of fluff chirping away and hiding under mother's wings. How precious and vunerable this new life is.


At my (late) father in laws holiday address the grass had reached a point it needed mowing. The sun was up high before I managed to get there- but toil on I did. A sweatband around my forehead and plenty of water I mowed the grass to an acceptable level. It will keep another 10 days now before I need to repeat the process. It is lovely to walk with bare feet over a newly mowed lawn. The smell of the freshly cut grass is a pleasure to the nostrils.


With the rising temperatures I have had to empty my hanging baskets of the lovely yellow and blue violets. A change of plants is necessary to keep the place looking fresh and colourful. My task for this week. I am also set to paint the terrace- but can only start that in the late afternoon as the sun's rays are too hot for now. I feel a surge of energy now that our natural source of vitamin E is about.

Not only is it pleasant in temperature but the salad meals give a lift too. On my terrace table I have three planters with three different lettuces. I also have an abundance of rocket ( Rucola) so I am able to pluck a fresh salad every other day and include some fresh herbs to so liven up our meals. Yummyyumyum!


Another week and the primary schools in our ( middle) region are to close for the summer. North and South are already on holiday. It is too much for all the schools in the country to stop on the same time so a rolling routine was created to spread the flow. Europe education is shutting down for the school year 2012-13.

It is Monday morning- a fresh start, a new week- a new challenge. I love challenges.

Enjoy everyone!