Week 22
Crikey, driving in Amsterdam
350 students all having to leave on the same day! Luckily, we found a parking spot.... all were free in order to help everyone with moving.
The new rooms in De Jordaan....
We had to pay €12,00 for about 3 hours parking (on a Sunday). One interesting aspect was that we had to key in the number plate at the machine. Their way of checking it is to drive around in one of these cars, presumably scanning all the number plates.
Ben's room is in the building with the two red doors. Not really the best fire safety setup - the best way out would be to go upwards to the roof and across - assuming the stairway is unusable. (Sorry, can't help it even after all these years). The shared kitchen is the red door on the left - but I suggested that Ben might like to buy pizzas rather than dare to use it - or give it a good clean up first! It's only for a month and it's all very exciting.....and different!
The view from the roof. Note the church in the background - which wakes Ben every half hour - until he gets used to it!
Thunderstorm and rain
...and tree damage close to our old hayshed. There didn't seem to be much wind in the storm - but enough to topple one of the bigger oak trees in the forest next to us. Once again I am amazed at the shallow root systems of even the largest trees. (We'll probably be able to "buy" the tree from the Forestry Commission - at least it's not far from the wood shed!).
Photo taken at 2149 hrs - after the storm. Love how it stays light until almost 2300 hrs at this time of the year.
and in our spare time.....
It always seems somewhat of an anachronism to me but once again I find myself helping out with making a "float" for our local "Moomba" Parade aka the Village Fair. Each "neighbourhood" in the village prepares a float and/or other activity, this year the theme being "Countries of the World". Ours is The Netherlands......
Tulips and clogs (Made by De Twa Buken)
The Windmill....
The Big Cheese. Also made by us. These will be placed on a traditional cheese carrier (as used at the Alkmaar Cheese Markets - for tourists to see how it used to be done).
So we'll have one of these running alongside the float.
I've also spent half a day building a Red Light District "lounge room" on the float! (to be manned by Janny on the day).
Refugees
The Local Govt. are still dragging their feet. Their latest thing is that they want us to supply the sheets and blankets. I guess it won't be a deal breaker but these seem to be a personal item which would be better "acquired" by the people themselves - they will need to get them at some time, so why not as soon as they leave the Centre?
In any case, I feel like saying "fine, but the price will have to be adjusted accordingly. no?". The costs would also include dry cleaning for the next lot..... We wait, as usual. The new woman in charge does not seem as competent as the first one..... So much really does come down to people's ability "to get things done".
Other works
Landscaping (tiles, drainage and lawn) arranged and planned for week 24.
Driveway ordered. To be constructed using asphalt taken out of some roadworks nearby. This is to be done by a major construction company - on their timeline!
Oh, and varnishing the bits for the boat..... about as close as I'm going to get for a while....
Only June too....I miss that sunlight.
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