Thursday, May 31, 2012

Pub Quiz Nr 3

Thursday, 31-May-2012 - Veghel - Irene and Hans joined Marij and I for our third pub quiz at de Stapperij. We called ourselves the Gamblerspics (5)

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Boekel Skating

Tuesday, 29-May-2012 - Boekel - Jos joined us on bicycle this evening.  Pics (68)

Monday, May 28, 2012

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.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Geffense Plas Car Boot Sale

Sunday, 27-May-2012 - Oss - We got up at 0500 today to go to the Geffense Plas Car Boot Sale.  We lucked out and got a nice shady spot. It was like being on vacation--a great day from sunup to sunset!  pics (125)  car boot caterpillar (47 sec)

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Saturday Skating

Saturday, 26-May-2012 - Veghel - Super weather for skating.  We headed for the Kilsdonkse Molen.  Six Fun-on-Wheels skaters--good for 15 km.  pics (52)

Friday, May 25, 2012

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.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

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)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tuesday Evening Skating in Boekel

Tuesday, 22-May-2012 - Boekel - Fun-on-Wheels skater Frans (photo) is a familiar face on Tuesday evenings in Boekel.  This evening we took a break in Odiliapeel.  We were good for 25 km. pics (49)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sligro Inline Skating Fun

Saturday, 19-May-2012 - Veghel - Super weather for skating.  I skated to the Sligro meeting point.  We headed for ice cream at the American Diner D'n Inloop in Nijnsel.  Seven Fun-on-Wheels skaters--good for 18 km. pics (93)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

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

Sunday, May 13, 2012

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)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Saturday Sligro Skating

Saturday, 12-May-2012 - Veghel - Seven Fun-onWheels skaters--good for 18 km. pics (44)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

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)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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)

Saturday, May 5, 2012

No Skating Today

Saturday, 5-May-2012 - Veghel - I stayed home today.  It had been raining today, and it was still threating. pics (4)

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.




Friday, May 4, 2012

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

Remembrance Day

Friday, 4-May-2012 - Veghel - It's Remembrance Day in the Netherlands. At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence is observed throughout the Netherlands. pics (2)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Thursday Evening Skating in Dinther

Thursday, 3-May-2012 - Dinther - It was my first skate in Dinther this year.  I rode my bike to our meeting point at Cafe De Toren, Around 1910, we headed in the direction of Vinkel.  We stopped at the McDonald's in Heesch before heading back home.  We got back in darkness at 2120.  Eight skaters, good for 30 km. pics (14)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tuesday Evening Skating in Boekel

Tuesday, 1-May-2012 - Boekel - It was my first time skating in Boekel this year. I drove and picked up Jan and Mieke along the way.  There I met new skaters Anne and Ria. Twenty-two skaters split up in three groups, led by Gerard (9) , Bart (6), and Jos (7), respectively.  We were good for 26, 20, and 17 km. pics (46)