Cracking AA-Broeken Ice

Monday, 31-January-2011 - Veghel - The ice was 3 cm thick today, and the weather would be getting warmer, so it was do or die. I put on my skates and slid on to the ice. The adrenaline rushed through my body as I heard the ice crack with every stride. What a kick! I started in the center of the pond. Each round got larger and larger. I didn't want to skate over the same path. After about six rounds without breaking through the ice, I considered myself lucky, and headed for the bank. After putting my boots back on, I met Leo who showed me the Archimides screw (photo) which was once used to flood the meadow to make the ice skating pond.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/AaBroeken_ice#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b4Y2JuCTWI

AA-Broeken Daredevils

Sunday, 30-January-2011 - Veghel - I got dressed for ice skating, just in case. The ice was only slightly thicker than yesterday--about 2.5 cm now. It was still not thick enough for me, but a couple of younger guys dared to go out on the ice.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/AaBroeken_skating#

Sunset Bike Ride to Vorstenbosch

Thursday, 27-January-2011 - Vorstenbosch - The sun was going down, but I wanted to get a short bike ride in today.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Sunset_bike_ride_to_vorstenbosch#

Honus BioLogical Diary Farm

Saturday, 15-January-2011 - De Rips - Got up at 0515 today to join Johan to watch and maybe help milk his cows. Start time was 0645. I had a standing invitation. He knew I milked cows when I worked as a farmhand in Michigan. Johan volunteered to host this year's Fun-on-Wheels (FOW) family day at Honus (the name of the biological dairy farm he runs with his brother Kees). The FOW family day committee was to meet at 1000, but I wanted to get a first-hand look before then. At Honus, cows have names, not just numbers.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Honus_first_visit#
video clips:
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 1
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 2
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 3