Boekel Skating under Darkened Skies

Tuesday, 31-May-2011 - Boekel - Gerard was still recovering from a knee injury, so he sent us off--Kees leading the fast group, and Bart leading the intermediate group. Twenty skaters-good for 20km. pics (34)

Memorial Day Monday

Monday, 30-May-2011 - It's Memorial Day in the United States. I took it easy in the backyard. On my way to the grocery store, helped an 80-year old man who fell from his bicycle. pics (19)

Saturday Skating to Keldonk

Saturday, 28-May-2011 - Veghel - Washed the outside windows on the attic floor (photo). Nearly all Fun-on-Wheels skaters were in Alphen aan de Rijn for a skate weekend, so I skated alone to Keldonk and back--good for 16km. pics (58)

Dinther Skating

Thursday, 26-may-2011 - Nistelrode - The sky was darkening. I wasn't sure if the rain would pass around us. This evening we hopped in Magda's car and drove to Nistelrode, this evening's starting point. We headed for Schaijk. Wim lost a wheel, but skated to the coffeebreak a the 3 Heere without it. We came back through the Herpse Bos nature area. Seven skaters--good for 25km. pics (66)

Boekel Skating

Tuesday, 24-May-2011 - Boekel - This evening we headed for de Rips. 25 skaters--good for 28 km. pics (70)

Blauw-Geel Soccer

Sunday, 22-May-2011 - Veghel - Marij and I went to watch Gilbert play soccer. A selection of Blauw-Geel champion team players got to play against the first team. A Turkish team tournament was also being held on the other fields. Delicious food made the day complete. Pics (91)

Inspiring Furniture from Firewood

Saturday, 21-May-2011 - Loosbroek - This morning I had the pleasure of meeting Rik Ruigrok (photo), innovator and owner of Herso. He and his team have a passion for turning waste wood into beautiful furniture. "A work of art is hidden under each table surface." He is commited to taking good care of our planet. He truly practices what he preaches. It's not just furniture, it's a way of life. I was inspired. Pics (25)

Saturday Skating Fun

Saturday, 21-May-2011 - Veghel - Today our tour took us by the Kilsdonkse Molen (foto). Four skaters--good for 16km. Pics (45)

Boekel Tuesday

Tuseday, 17-May-2011 - Boekel - The sky was threatening, but it only shed a few drops before we got back. 27 skaters--good for 26km. pics (30)

Saturday Sligro Skating

Saturday, 14-May-2011 - Veghel - Did some yardwork in the morning. We headed out against the wind in the direction of Schijndel. Five Fun-on-wheels skaters--good for 23km. pics (90) swaying trees (14 sec)

Skating Around Den Bosch

Thursday, 12-May-2011 - 's-Hertogenbosch - After meeting at de Toren in Dinther, we drove to Den Dungen to start our tour around the city of 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch). Wim planned this super-smooth route. It was dark when we got back. 10 skaters--good for 34km. pics (118)

Den Bosch City Walk

Wednesday, 11-May-2011 - Veghel/Den Bosch/Uden - We had a nice rain last night. Our new dishwasher would arrive at the dealer today--the old one had served us well the past 15 years. As I was finishing breakfast, Rosan ask me to drive her to appointment in Den Bosch. It would be more than two hours, so I walked around the city to enjoy this bright sunny day. I was fascinated with the color, architecture, and sculpture against the blue, cloud-filled sky. I was amazed when the wings of the dragon (foto) turned red before my eyes--a city bus drove under them. The When we got back home, I found out the dishwasher could be installed this evening. A police helecopter circled above. There had been a helicopter crash and fire nearby. No one got hurt. Drove to Uden to officially close the volleyball season with my Marc's Bar BQ teammates. pics (206)

Boekel Skating

Tuesday, 10-May-2011 - Boekel - Missed last week, but glad to be back. 25 skaters--good for 25km. pics (73)

Colorful Uden Market

Monday, 09-May-2011 - Uden - Marij and went to Uden to by material for Katherine's nursery. While we were enjoying a crab salad sandwich from Vrijhof, we met Nel (foto). pics (8)

Sligro Skating

Saturday, 7-May-2011 - Veghel - Five Fun-on-wheels skaters--good for 19km. pics (56)

Liberation Day Skating in Dinther

Thursday, 5-May-2011 - Dinther - Elly, Betina, and Wim joined us this evening. The route took us through Mariaheide (foto) on our way to Uden. 11 skaters--good for 29km. pics (46)

Liberation Day

Thursday, 5-May-2011 - Veghel- Flying the flag at full mast, the Netherlands celebrates the liberation of of the Netherlands from Nazi German occupation during World War II.

After a dental appointment, I rode my bike to the town square to say hello to Marij, who was working at Vrijhof Vishandel at the weekly open-air market. I then rode to the AA-Broeken to see what it was like in springtime. pics (128)

Remembrance Day

Wednesday, 4-May-2011 - Veghel - It's Remembrance Day in the Netherlands. At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence is observed throughout the Netherlands.
remembering

Jubbega

Tuesday, 3-May-2011 - Veghel/Jubbega - Got up at 0500 to go to Jubbega in Friesland. John had to pickup a rental trailer at de Vries. It was cold riding my bike to meet John. We headed out shortly after 0600. We saw the sun come up as we left Veghel. Got to Jubbega at 0900, and were back in Veghel at 1245. pics (5)

Sunday Afternoon Baseball

Sunday, 1-May-2011 - Tilburg - A beautiful sunny day. The brisk wind was blowing out to left field. Carribean music was coming from the clubhouse. Today, Marij and I went to Tilburg to see Chris and Dudley play baseball. The Yellow Rangers were hosting the Vos Cardinals. Chris had just finish playing a game with Heren 3 (Mens 3) in Boxtel. I met Chris in the dugout. He was a reserve player for this game. It was the bottom of the first. When the Rangers took the field, I spoke to Dudley in their dugout. He was recovering from a hamstring injury. We sat in the sun on the Rangers side of the field. It was a high-scoring, exciting game. My thoughts took me back to when I played and coached myself. The score ended up at 8-13 for the Cardinals. I left with great respect for both teams. pics (142)