Boekel Skating Tuesday

Tuesday, 29-August-2008 - Boekel - I got off work two hours early today so I could be on time to skate in Boekel. I rode my bike to Jan's place, where Yvonne was waiting for me with her camera. It was a perfect warm summer evening to skating. There were 16 of us. We put in 30 km. Back at Jan's place, I got to see three kittens who were looking for a home. On the way back home, I stopped at the Em-té supermarket just before it closed at 2200--Marij needed some chocolate.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Boekel_skating_tuesday_20080729

Skating from Oss to Grave

Sunday, 27-July-2008 - Grave - We had a fantastice tour today. Twenty-one skaters and Toon, our safety man, traveled nearly 40 km through beautiful Dutch countryside. The trip took us across the Maas River at the Grave Bridge.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/20080727_ossGrave

Five Men on Skates

Saturday, 26-July-2008 - Schijndel - We had five men today for our Saturday Fun on Wheels skate. It was hot and humid. The tempo was pretty high, and we made it back to the Sligro meeting point before the rain poured from the sky.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/20080726_sligroSchijndel

The Neighbor's Chickens

Saturday, 26-July-2008 - Veghel - This week, I got to take care of our neighbor's chickens while they were away on vacation. That brought back memories.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/NeighborS_chickens

Skating the Pietertour

Sunday, 20-Jul-2008 - Best - Pieter was our Fun on Wheels guide today. It was rainy the whole week. The roads were still wet in the Best area, so it was slippery from time to time, especially under the trees. Basically, it didn't rain on us, so we had a real nice skate. I'll need to clean and oil my bearings tonight. Twenty-two skaters, two bicyclists, and a moped rider were good for 44 km.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/20080720_pietertour_best

Maas en Waal Skating

Sunday, 13-July-2008 - Maasbommel - Marij worked today at the annual market of Appeltern, so she didn't mind me joining the Fun on Wheels skaters for one of the nicest routes of the season--atop the smooth dike pavement along the Maas and Waal rivers. We crossed the Maas on the river ferry to reach the starting point. The weather was great, and the countryside fantastic. We took our midway coffee break in the flower garden of a charming place below the dike. Adriaan treated us to apple pie. Since Appeltern was on the route, we made a small detour to surprise Marij. Fourteen skaters were good for 45 km.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/20080713_maas_en_waal

Slokdarm Festival

Sunday, 06-July-2008 - Veghel - When I got back from skating, I stopped by the Slokdarm Festival to see if I could spot Marij eating mossels.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Slokdarmfestival_veghel

Fun on Wheels in Grathem

Sunday, 06-July-2008 - Grathem - Brigitte, Maurice, and Marion hosted today's 38 km tour in Grathem, the town where Brigitte and Maurice live. We had 22 skaters, one moped rider, and great weather. A super skating experience!

http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/20080706_grathem

Fourth of July

Friday, 4-July-2008 - Veghel - Raised the Flag before I ate breakfast. In the Netherlands, it's just another work day. Wished the other Americans at work a happy Fourth of July. Thought about how often I saluted her, listening to the National Anthem.