... any way the wind blows ...: Una Casa Abruzzese, and Two Aussies

30 Jun to 5 Jul, 2022 - Goes, Ellewoutsdijk, Amsterdam, Heerhugowaard, Leiden, Nieuwegen, Utrecht, Best - (The Netherlands)

The pace was far more hectic than either of us would have chosen, but trying to arrange visits with family at times which suited each household did add a difficulty factor to the planning.

A significant reason to come to NL was to bring a tiny urn of my father's ashes to his land of birth. On a cold and blustery summer morning (yes, I said it right), we reunited him with Zeeland.

With Ronald, and Cousin Inez
Inez is the about the only cousin on my father's side of the family with whom we have any contact. We stayed with them in Goes, close to where my father was born and grew up.

Stefan and Joep
Breakfast time.

Goes

Returning my Father to Ellewoutsdijk
So, we had a very small amount of my Dad's ashes in a tiny urn, which we decided to bring to his home town of Ellewoutsdijk. In classic Zeeland fashion, the blustery wind brought some cold rain showers, adding an appropriate atmosphere to the occasion. So we left him there, on the dike, where he would have played as a child and first dreamt of taking to the sea.

Dinner, Abcoude
Dinner with Oom Jan, cousin Vera, and her kids Tessa and Dion

Cat joins an Exhausted Tessa
During our long evening, Tessa slipped off to sleep. The cat decided she would be comfortable.

Breakfast at Vera's
With Dion, Tessa, and Nick.

Street Artist Sand Sculpture
In the street, Leiden, the guy was making a most extraordinary sand sculpture. A real dog came over and sniffed a little apprehensively at it.

Leiden Waterways

Catch up with Sharon
Sharon, a friend from years ago in Melbourne. Currently living in her home country, she came to Leiden to meet us for lunch, a walk, and plenty of eating and drinking.

Leiden Canal and Windmill

Cousin Daan, with Bobbie

Utrecht Central Library
Formerly the post office, this magnificent public space was a fun place to spend an hour or so. Lots of nooks to explore, and details only noticed when looking through a room for the third or fourth time. Although the building pre dates the period, the overall feel was quite Art Deco (although some features did make me think more along the lines of Art Nouveau).