Week 48
Walking
The freulevijver
The red markers indicate historical photos coming later. This is a regular 5 km walk behind our place. We walked there late on Sunday afternoon and I finally took the trouble to read the information sign.
Which says that the Oude Bosch (Old Forest) was planted around 1880 by the Lycklama family from Nijholt. Obviously a wealthy family, they used the forest for wood production and as a "private park". The Oude Diep is a creek which runs nearby. The banks were damaged and a small " vijver" (lake) was formed. This was later enlarged by the family and used as a feature of their park, with a boathouse, an island and rhododendrons which survive spectacularly to this day.
Some historical photos - mainly saved by Durk - a now 75 year old farmer who came to my "Conversational English" classes in 2012
Boathouse, 1924
Royal visit, 1935
"Teahouse", 1937
"Teahouse", 1938
and again, 1940
1960
1962. This photo shows a groom going to pick up his bride at the front door. The house was next to the freulevijver and was later removed by the Forestry Commision
Now my photos from "late" on Sunday afternoon - 1600hrs and already getting dark.
We had a few hours "off" on Friday...
....so went for a drive on a newly completed 4-lane "By-Pass Road" from Burgum to Dokkum. In one stretch of 16 kms, I counted 22 bridges that we went over or under. These included bicycle bridges, waterways and roads to the many by-passed villages along the way. It represents a significant time reduction, increased safety and of course, our road taxes at work = infrastructure!.
For some reason, there were several "tall ships" in Dokkum
Around the farm.....
Going to pick up Lucas on Tuesday...
When it's this cold, we let our "drifter" sleep inside. In fact, that's what happens throughout the Netherlands; shelters are opened for the "homeless" and the Police round them up from known sleeping places.
Tree down in June....
Firewood for (end) 2018 - the oak needs 2 years to "dry".
and, of course, the leaves!
From the Newspaper
There is a proposal to ban SMS and whatsapp(ing) in the car. The Bureau of Statistics says that there are more than 600 deaths or injuries caused each year by use of mobile phones. Authorities are investigating, among other things, a device to be fitted to cars that will automatically stop some functions of the mobile.. Apart from the deaths and injury, there is also a major concern over the traffic jams that can occur from even a minor collision. ie the traffic jams are already a problem without the extra complications.
When looking up the Road Toll in the Netherlands, I found this.
The Road Toll in 2015 was 621. Again, about 25% being cyclists. It really looks as though it is dangerous to be a cyclist! But, of course, with so many cyclists, the number is bound to be higher. One argument says that they should be calculated by including the number of kilomtres travelled, to give a fairer indication.
From our Asia Correspondent
Ben writes an occasional Blog for his University in Zwolle. His latest is titled "Hong Kong's Top 5"
In Dutch, here
Google Translate does a pretty good job....
1. The Surroundings
Before I came to Hong Kong, I had no idea that there would stand an incredibly beautiful nature outside the city with towering skyscrapers and millions of people. If you take a bus from Central Hong Kong you can be on the beach within 10 to 15 minutes. Take a little longer time to travel out of town, you can do a hike with a phenomenal view and arrive on untouched beaches. While hiking in the Netherlands is almost impossible, I'm going to find it a fun weekend activity here.
2. The food
In Hong Kong is to find an endless supply of good food. Virtually all types of kitchens are fully represented, but the local specialties are surely my favorite. So you have the egg waffle, waffle that looks like bubble wrap with chocolate or other filling of your choice. You also have the famous hotpot, where you cook your vegetables on the table itself. The most delicious food, however, is the dim sum: different steamed or fried snacks with vegetables, meat and fish. You could describe it best as Chinese tapas. There are even dim sum restaurants with a Michelin star, where you can eat cheaply unwise, and here we are also often found.
3. Public Transport
Another great point of Hong Kong (is the) public transport. The metro network is extremely easy and very cheap. We live in Kowloon, an island opposite the centre of Hong Kong, but with the subway, we are 20 minutes away on the other side. In addition, Hong Kong everywhere introduced the so-called Octopus Card. This can be seen as a kind of Ov-card. You can use it to pay for all public transport; but here you can also use it to pay in the supermarket, with candy and drink vending machines or at the cinema. Handy!
4. The Nightlife
In a city like Hong Kong, the nightlife is certainly in the "top 5". The most famous place to go out is Lan Kwai Fong (popularly LKF), a street of bars and clubs in the centre of the city. Often meeting people at 7/11 (a kind of Albert Heijn (supermarket) to Go) drinks and dancing in the street - and drinking. LKF offers you guaranteed a fun night, regardless of the day of the week. In addition, Happy Valley, where the races are held, a popular place to go out for an evening.
5. The Skyline
Last but not least in this list is the Hong Kong skyline. No matter how often you see the skyline, beautifully lit, iconic buildings, you will not be bored. In particular, the views of the skyline from the harbour side are breathtaking. There are also plenty of rooftop bars where you can enjoy a drink while the light show "Symphony of Lights" (daily 2000 hours) illuminates the skyscrapers. And if the smog is not that bad, we could even get a glimpse of Hong Kong's "business card", from the roof of the university.
Hi Dad..... So far in Victoria this year out of the 267 fatalities, 49 are Motorcyclists. Unsure of number of cyclists.
ReplyDeleteAlways liked Dokkum.
Any sign of the old Teahouse now?