Memorial Day

Monday, 28-May-2012  - Veghel - In the Netherlands, today is the 2nd Day of Pentecost, a National Holiday.  In the United States, it's Memorial Day.

Water First, the Rest Comes Later

Friday, 25-May-2012 - Veghel - Water First, the Rest Comes Later.  That's what the Dutch Burn Foundation (Brandwonden Stichting) recommends for treating burns.  We got these flash cards in the mail today.  The focus is on burn wound first aid and prevention for small children. I added an English translaton.

Dinther Inline Skating Fun in Den Bosch

Thursday, 24-May-2012 - Dinther/Den Bosch - It was a warm sunny evening--super weather for skating (and taking pictures).  After meeting at Cafe de Toren, we carpooled to our starting point across from the Dungense bridge on the outskirts of Den Bosch.  We stopped at coffee the Verkade Fabriek for cappuccino and iced-tea, and a group photo.  Nine skaters (Ad, Annieck, Gaby, Johanna, Magda, Monique, Wim and I)  and two bicyclists (Bettina and Margret), were good for 31 km.  The terrace was full back at de Toren.  Inside, it was decorated in orange, ready to support the Dutch team in the Eurocup.  We hung around and enjoyed each other's company. pics (93)

No Skating on Acension Day

Thursday, 17-May-2012 - Dinther - We got rained out last week, and it would be dry this evening, so I hoped to get in 30 km of skating.  Got to Cafe de Toren at 1900--no one was there.  Sent some text msgs to find out what was going on.  I waited for 15 min before heading back home. Found out later in the evening that "we never skate on Acension Day." I was new to the group and didn't remember this rule.  Oh well--no harm done, I was good for another 14 km. pics (4)

Vat-Oe-Fiets 2012

Thursday, 17-May-2012 - Veghel - It's a tradition in Veghel and also in the Weiss Family:  the annual Vat-Oe-Fiets (Hemelvaart) Accension Day bicycle tour. Beautiful sunny skies--perfect for bike riding.  Chris picked me up and we rode to the town square.  We took the 25 km route to be back in time so Chris could do some bricklaying in Keldonk for his friend Richard. This year's route took us to the outskirts of Uden, along some bike paths I'd never seen before.  Saw some familiar faces along the way, including our neighbors Hans and Marie-José, and Boekel skaters Netty and Willy. pics (68) gps tracked route

Car Boot Sale

Sunday, 13-May-2012 - Erp - Marij and I got up at 0500 this morning.  It was a great day for a car boot sale. pics (80)

Rained Out in Dinther

Thursday, 10-May-2012 - Dinther/Veghel - It was really warm, and it had been rainy of and on throughout the day--not too much, and the warm air helped evaporate what did fall.  Around 1730 the last bit of rain had stopped.  There were some more clouds headed our way, but I headed to Dinther on my bike anyway, hoping the rain clouds would blow over or go around us.  Got some raindrops as I entered Dinther.  Bart and Monique were already at the Cafe de Toren meeting point.  I asked inside at the bar about the weather radar reports:  we were in for some more rain around 2000.  No skating this evening.  We said goodbye until next time.  I put on my rain jacket on the way home.  At 2000 we got a good downpour.  I was glad to be inside.  pics (16)

Boekel Inline Skating

Tuesday, 08-May-2012 - Boekel - The sun came out for a few minutes as I was driving to Boekel.  Two photographers (Jos and Jule) arrived early to take a group photo.  Jos wasn't skating this evening, so I stayed with the third group. As we were nearing home, the fast group came whizzing by us.  Twenty-two  skaters we were good for 22.5 km. pics (50)

Liberation Day

Saturday, 5-May-2012 - Veghel - Flying the flag at full mast, the Netherlands celebrates the liberation of of the Netherlands from Nazi German occupation during World War II.

Backyard Birds

Friday, 4-May-2012 - Veghel - We have quite a bit of activity in the backyard now.  The koolmees (Parus major) chicks have hatched, and the parents are flying in and out of the birdhouse, feeding the chicks caterpillars.  The adults fly like small fighter pilots, skillfully maneuvering in and around small trees. pics (11) video