Vendelier Gives Start Sign for Inline Skaters

Saturday, 16-June-2012 - Oirschot - After breakfast, I checked the weather radar:  slight chance of rain.  I knew it was going to be a great day. I rode my bike to Mariaheide to catch a ride with Hélène and Louis and Mieke.  We headed to Oirschot, the starting point of today's tour.  Fifteen Alphen aan de Rijn Omni and nine Veghel Fun-on-Wheels skaters met at the home of our host, guide, and vendelier (guild standard bearer) Pieter Smits.  Pieter greeted us in his Sint Joris Gilde uniform.  We enjoyed coffee and pie as  he explained the history of the guild and treated us to an athletic performance of vendelen, also called vendelzwaaien (flag-waving drill). After 53 km super skating, we enjoyed a shower in a nearby sport complex, returning back to Pieter's place for a delicious barbecue. What a great day! Special thanks to Pieter. pics (213)  vendelen 1 (6:42) gps-tracked route--part 2