Misjudged or a lack of judgement?

Misjudged.  Or was it lack of judgement.  Or a severe lack of judgement.  But probably a total lack of judgement.  I know impatience and frustration came into it. Also forgetting for a moment I was in a motorhome. The consequence. Drastic. 

A damaged motorhome. Due to hitting the corner of a stationary truck. An Arnolds biscuit truck.  Not that I got any biscuits. 

Back to the beginning of the story.  Always best.  I collected Jackson and Isabel from their home, destination a campsite in Milton Keynes. It had been raining and was very overcast.  Not an excuse, I know.  Just depressing weather.

We drove along the M25 until we got to the A2 juction.  Traffic was banked up and slow moving.  Trucks, trucks and more trucks.  I managed somehow to get into the third truck lane.  There were four lanes and three of them were full of trucks.  I know I was driving a van with a luton, but I still like to keep with the cars.  

Just before the tolls the three truck lanes came to a standstill.  And the fourth lane had cars that were moving.  Then I saw a gap.  A large gap.  I decided to move the van into the gap.  A huge mistake.  I was too close to the truck in front, it seems, or I did not not turn the van sharply enough.  Or both. I put my foot on the accelerator and swung out, crash, bang, I found I had hit the back corner of the truck in front.  

The truck driver jumped out and took some photos. I sat there stunned. Jackson put his head out of the window and informed me the luton was damaged.  We were now holding up the already slow traffic.  After that the truck driver and I managed to drive our vehicles through the maze of trucks, and through the tolls, until we came to a truck stop.   Where we exchanged addresses and telephone numbers. 

Jackson and Isabel were highly excited about it all, and Jackson proceded to use his phone to take photos to send to his father.  But not before I rang Steve.  

The truck driver and services patrol driver were both very reassuring, and helpful.  I felt so embarrassed.

It turns out the side of the van, just in front of the expensive side mirror, was pushed in.  The side mirror which costs £250, was undamaged.  That was a blessing.  We have had to replace two of these already.  Interestingly the metal on the cab crumpled and did not damage the truck.

But the corner of the luton, constructed of fiberglass and foam, made a dent in the truck.

My lovely bedroom, in the luton, has now huge cracks in it.  Daylight is visible.  I feel so sad.

But there was no way we could continue driving to Milton Keynes so we had to turn around and go home, 10 minutes drive away.  Well, in fact I followed Walter home as he brought the motorhome papers to me, but not needed as it turned out.

Walter had been looking forward to two days on his own, painting the front porch and watching loud movies that I don't like.  Now he had three of us at home too, plus damaged motorhome.

Walter was very understanding, and kindly rang the insurance company, and the motor home repair company and put plenty of strong white plastic tape on the luton to keep the rain out.

So our van will be out of action for some weeks, and our premiums will rise, no doubt.

 Isabel is intending to use the accident for her news about the holidays. Exciting news.

I feel so embarrassed.

A transformation in the house

Over the past six weeks we have changed our house somewhat.  I know we have been away for three weeks, but nevertheless we have been busy, and especially so in the two weeks leading up to our departure to the Netherlands. 

The transformation was also due to Patrick who worked tirelessly during the long weekend at the beginning of May.  

But on with the story and photographs.

After travelling around all the local furniture stores, we decided we did not like the chunky oversoft furniture in them.  So off to our favourite furniture store, IKEA, where we found plenty of stylish slimline furniture.  But a suite as a whole was a difficult decision to make, given that our needs were different.  I wanted a couch to stretch out on, and Walter wanted a chair with a footstool.  So in the end we chose a black leather lounge, and two dark grey material chairs with footstools.  All the furniture has sprung bases and firm seating.  No soft spongy seats to ruin our aging backs.

And to add to our new look, we chose a black metal coffee table and side table.  All so airy and uncluttered.

Delivery time.  We moved out the old furniture and rung the council to take it away.  Great.  The room looked clean and bare.

I forgot to mention the new chair, and cushion covers for the existing chair, in the conservatory.  Blends in with the outside!

Once the new furniture arrived, it was time to put it all together,

and hey presto we had a new look in the furniture line.  Unfortunately I could not sit in the room for the next week as I found the new furniture caused an allergic reaction. Headaches, sneezing and sore eyes.  What do furniture makers put in their furniture?   But all is well now, thank goodness.

Then we decided a big sort out was needed.  So first of all we attacked the books and magazines that were stored under the old, very long coffee table.  All those recipe books.  Diet ones.  Off to the charity shop.  The rest of the books are now on the bookshelf in the study.  The magazines went into the recycling bin.   We collect so much reading material.  More than we can read.  And now it is all on a digital format anyway.

Then we started on the CDs and DVDs, which are now on clearly labelled shelves in the cupboards at the front of the loungeroom.  And some went off to the charity shop.  Multiple copies of CDs!

On Saturday morning of the long weekend Patrick arrived, together with drop sheets, plaster, paint and brushes.  And all our new furniture was covered in preparation for the makeover.

The walls were not in good shape.  Paper peeling off, poorly repaired cornices, and plenty of stains on the edges of the ceiling in the hallway where the people upstairs had had problems with the boiler and bathroom, which we did not do anything about  at the time.

Patrick had to spend a considerable amount of time on repairs to ceilings, cornices and walls before he could start painting.   He also had to put on many coats of paint to cover the blue paint on the doors, which I painted 22 years ago.  I am so pleased to get rid of the blue paint.

Patrick at work on the ceiling and cornices.

We left Patrick hard at work when we departed in our motor home, destination the Netherlands.  And when we came back, the paint smell had gone, and the new furniture smell had gone and all we had were two wonderful looking rooms.  A transformation.

The spotted material I bought in Utrecht was put on the small chair in order to see if we liked the effect.  We cannot resist a little bit of blue.  The chair is now at the upholsterers, with the new material, of course.

The paintings have been moved around and look much better in their new positions.

A new look in the hallway too.  And a brighter light.  It all helps.

Now for the carpet.  The blue carpet has to go, to be replaced by a carpet with a neutral colour.  Later on, though, as we need to let our bank balance recuperate.  And there is a need to rest a while, in between our travels.

But in the meantime we are enjoying the new look in the house.

Tanned, fit and healthy = riding a bike in the Netherlands.

Bikes in the Netherlands.  A part of the landscape.  It is a way of life as well as a means of transport.  Regardless of the number of cakes and sweets that are consumed, people in the Netherlands look tanned, fit and healthy, which I am sure is due to being outside, riding bikes, in all types of weather. 

Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and now Raphy, ride their bikes everywhere.  And of course when we are there we ride our bikes too.  We love it.  So much easier than driving a car.  So much freedom.   And fresh air.   And calorie burning too.

Raphy standing among the assortment of bicycles at the front of the house. Seven bicycles including the Bakfiets, a long two wheeled bicycle with a huge box in the front part.  The Bakfiets requires much balance. 

Mia and Abi's bikes.  The sit up straight types.  Mia now has a delivery style bike, with a front tray, very popular now with the older children and teenagers.  Great for doubling friends. Although Mia did dump her friend into a hedge, accidently.

 Sadly Kylie had a delivery style bike too, until the Saturday we went to Utrecht.  Someone else also fancied it, and when we went to cycle home, there was just an empty space.  Apparently it was easy to disable the lock.

Raphy dressed, with a bag on his back, all ready to go to school.  The last look at Kylie's delivery style bike, on the left of Raphy.

Raphy at 4 years old, is a very competent rider.  'Look Oma, I can ride with my legs sticking out sideways'.  Next it will be 'no hands'.

The morning ride to school can be frantic, with children, parents and workers riding in all directions. Hence, no photographs.  I have trouble trying to avoid riding into someone, let alone taking photographs too.

Raphy rides in amongst the cyclists without a care in the world.  His little legs move fast, as he ducks in and out, and tries to ride over the bridges without stopping.  There are many other 4 year olds also riding to school, and once Raphy and another child stopped suddenly on a bridge causing a chain reaction with all the parents travelling behind them.   I think the Dutch must have an inbuilt ability to stop suddenly without falling off or hitting anyone.

We went for a bicycle ride through our favourite woods, which I think are called Niewe Bos.  A favourite area for runners too.  There is an adventure playground there, plus a water play area.

The shadows in the young trees were really impressive.

Of course our bike ride in the sunshine was for a reason.  Destination, our favourite cafe, Vroegt.

For appeltarte and coffee.  We shared the cake of course.  Must watch the waistlines.

And on Saturday we loaded our bicycles onto the back of the motorhome, said our goodbyes, and reluctantly set off for England.

Hopefully, tanned, fit and healthy.

Avond Vierdaagse

Avond Vierdaagse is a major event for primary school children, all over the Netherlands, and takes place sometime between May and July, depending on the region.  It literally means walking for four days in the evenings, 10 kms for older children, and 5 kms for younger children, each night.

It is based on a major event, which started at the beginning of the 20th Century,  This event consists of a gruelling four day walk in Maastrict during July.  I think it was a military activity initally, and military personnel still take part, but they walk with backpacks, for 40 kms per day.  There are otber options for people, such as 40 kms or 30 kms per day.   As the walk is very popular, people have to apply to go on it.

In Houten, the evening event takes place during the third week in May.  During the past three years we have walked with the children on some of the evenings but have never stayed for the final walk, which is spectacular, to say the least.

The preparation for the adults organising the walks, involves marshalls on roads, leaders for each school, people to organise refreshments for the half way break, and the route plan, which remains the same each year. 

The preparation for the parents is very involved, early dinners as the walks start between 5.30 and 6.30 pm.  But the most difficult part is organising an adult to walk with their child/ren.  It is especially difficult if the family has an older child, a younger child and one too young to walk.  It also means parents have to come home  early from work, and not all firms are keen to allow this.  But parents are committed and juggle work, meals and parenting in order to ensure their children take part in the walks.  Parents give each other support and grandparents are invaluable.  

The children put on their school tshirts, and in the case of Mia and Abi, obs De Brug blue t shirts.

They organise their half an orange, with mints, wrapped in a cloth, to suck as they walk.  Mind you an awful lot of sweets are also consumed, which negates the healthy activity.

On the Tuesday and Wednesday I walked with Mia, on the 10 km walk.  The pace was reasonably fast, and the children walked purposefully and quietly, and time went by very quickly, also helped by the interesting conversations with other walkers.  Of course they had to speak English, which was easy for me, but more tiring for them.

On the Tuesday, I took my poncho out of my bag before I left, even though storm clouds were gathering fast on the horizon.  According to the more enlightened members of my family it would not rain until 9 pm.  Well at 8 pm the clouds opened up, and it poured, together with thunder and lightening.  A little scary too.  But the Dutch are a hardy lot and carried on, although we all did try to seek cover under the eaves of a building for a few minutes.

Mia and her friend, loved it all.

On the first two nights we walked through fields and woodland.  All very picturesque.

On Thursday I walked with Abi and Walter on the 5 km walk, which was much slower and noisier.  The children covered twice as many kms as they dashed around, in and out of people, over grassy mounds, and along walls.  There are always accidents with this group, although nothing very serious, thank goodness.

Abi taking a breather.  Now where did Abi get thoe bag of sweets from,  not from home, certainly.

More country walking, although Houten has such a lot of parkland, which makes walking around the suburbs very pleasant.

The big night.  Friday evening.  The last walk, and it appeared that the whole of Houten took part, either by walking or lining the streets,  the atmosphere was electric.  The sweets were there, in an over abundance.  They had been parcelled up and sold in fancy packets in the shops.  Hundreds of them. There were also ribbons, flowers and balloons everywhere.   It is tradition to give the children sweets and flowers as a recognition of their achievement in walking for four evenings.

Initially Aaron and I walked with the older children for 6 kms.  After this all the schools in Houten met in the sports grounds to walk the final 4 kms.  Older and younger children combined.

A much needed rest before the next walk.

The refreshments, organised by the staff and parents of each school, are always appreciated by the walkers.  Filtered coffee and biscuits for the grownups, and juice and fruit or biscuits for the children.

But first, the giving out of medals,

including a special home made one for juf Emma, who rode her bike to various points along both routes so that she could cheer the children on. A much loved teacher at De Brug.

Mia and Abi proudly showing their medals.  On the final evening the children wore their medals from the previous years, and then got a new one for that year.

Finally, all ready to go but there were thousands of children, and adults, to get organised to walk.  There were also bands, loudspeakers and plenty of noise.  Our feet were very sore, due to standing. A long wait.  De Brug was the 10th school to leave, at least they were not the last to go.  Excitement abounds.

One of the bands, assembled and ready to leave.

And out onto a bicycle path, lined with people, many with fancy packets of sweets, and flowers to give to their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.   The pace was very, very slow.  Oh my feet ached.  But so exciting.

Ah, Kylie cheering us on, and Raphy looking for Mia and Abi.  Kylie very generously gave Aaron, Walter and me an orange garland of fake flowers.   Very patriotic.  She had sweets in long packets to give to the girls.

We shuffled through The Rond, past all the drinkers sunning themselves outside the bars and cafes, and through the throngs of people lining the path.  The atmosphere was amazing.

The walkers separated a bit, and it was time to 'hi five' the mayor, who did not wear as much regalia as a mayor in the UK.  He must have become a bit tired of 'hi fiving' so many children.

And the one solitary policeman, a young recruit I think.  The only policeman we saw the whole of Friday evening, even with the huge crowds. Says something positive about the Dutch culture.

Then a slightly faster walk back to the sports park. My feet no longer  belonged to me.  Standing still, followed by a slow shuffling walk, equalled very sore yet numb feet.  And finally, our bicycles came into view.  The relief to be sitting and peddling again.

Back home and time for a photograph of the happy walkers.

The eight medals, belonging to two girls, numbered in the years they have been taking part in the Avond Vierdaagse.

Raphy, who still needs to be in bed early on school nights, did not take part this year.  But he has a very sweet tooth.  He got up very early on Saturday morning, saw the girls' sweets, and helped himself to an assortment, which he put into a bowl.  He was found sitting in front of the TV having quite a feast.  Poor Raphy got into so much trouble.

But next year Raphy will be able to walk too and then he will get his own sweets.
Something to look forward to.  Roll on 2015.

Utrecht plus big decisions

A trip into Utrecht, where purchases were to be made, namely material to cover a chair at our house, and a new coffee machine for Aaron.  Big decisions.

We woke to glorious weather.   Perfect.   We split into two groups.  The girls, Kylie, Mia, Abi and I rode our bikes, because it was a beautiful day and we wanted to go to the fabric market.   The boys, Walter, Aaron and Raphy took the train, because they needed to carry the new coffee machine home. 

After looking at many, many pieces of fabric I made a decision, with the help of Kylie, Mia and Abi.  The choice was the spotted material in the photograph below.   As we now have a very conservative black leather lounge and grey chairs, a bit of colour  and pattern was definitely needed.  So we intend to cover our remaining chair with this fabric.  Then I had a bright idea, why not make some cushion covers to use on the new lounge suite.  Well we now have enough material to make cushion covers for the whole family, due to my difficulties with estimations. I think the stall holder appreciated my very large and expensive purchase.  

Then it was time to meet up with Walter, Aaron and Raphy for lunch.  Great cafe, with the most delicious sandwich fillings.  Not expensive either.  I forgot to mention the excellent apple tart, shared of course.  Too many calories there.

The Dutchman man, who owns the cafe, used to live in Adelaide, and he had a wonderful, very large, photograph of the Central Market hanging on the back wall.  Unfortunately, no photograph, due to a large group of people sitting at the table, right underneath the photograph.  I am quite sure they did not want to be part of the photograph.

Then it was off to the shop that sold coffee machines in order to obtain our opinion, Kylie's and mine, that is.

I was fascinated by the hand pump coffee machines.   All very glittery and showy and difficult to use.  Training was definitely needed in order to use these machines.

Aaron and Walter looking at the huge array of coffee machines.   Such a difficult decision, trying to find a machine that makes perfect coffee.

The big discussion outside the coffee machine shop.  Serious business.

Meanwhile I took advantage of the beautiful day to take photographs of the local scenes, people sunning themselves outside the cafe, parked bicycles and

beautiful canals bordered by fresh green trees.

Mia and Abi pretending to be bored!  I love the furniture in this shop.  So many colours and designs.

The new coffee machine sitting in the corner of the kitchen.  And yes it does make delicious and hot coffee.   Perfect.

But on Saturday we set off home, Aaron and Walter, with caffeine overload due to many, many coffee samplings from machines.  But a decision had been made, they also carried a machine with them.

Raphy, probably had a boring day, although he had eaten plenty of hot chips, which are his favourite food, other than ice creams.

We, on the other hand, had a slight problem, as we were one bicycle less on the way home, due to someone stealing Kylie's bicycle.  A major problem in this country. So Kylie rode Mia's bike, who rode Abi's bike, and we had turns about doubling Abi.  Such is the way of life here.

But on the whole, a very successful day.  And very enjoyable too.