Week 9
As we turn to March, boating season draws ever nearer.....
(as do pumpkin and mowing seasons).
oh, and BTW, we both survived 25 years of marriage!
(as do pumpkin and mowing seasons).
Dutch Word of the Year 2008
Rather worryingly, this was brought to my attention by a future crew member (?!). I've told him it is definitely NOT allowed on board.
Swaffelen
A Postcard from Williamstown
Just to make me homesick!
(from Andrew and Terry, who have this view from their Williamstown apartment). The boat in the left foreground was designed, built and operated by a Dutchman!
WATERWAYS IN THE NETHERLANDS
(www.bureauvoorlichtingbinnenvaart.nl) also in English.
The total waterway network in the Netherlands covers some 5,046 km, of which 4,800 km is suitable for the shipment of goods. Together, the main transport axes and main waterways total some 1,400 km in length. The remaining waterways provide a total length of approximately 3,400 km. Waterways have long been in existence and are not only used for navigational purposes, but also for the drainage of water. They form a complete water system.
Due to its location at the mouth of several important European rivers such as the Rhine, the Maas and the Schelde, the Netherlands is the gateway to the European hinterland. In addition to these rivers, the numerous canals and lakes that connect the major cities provide the Netherlands with an excellent interconnected network for the waterborne transport of goods.
The Netherlands and water are thus inextricably linked. On the one hand, water forms a danger, whereby we - out of necessity - have become experts in water management. This is how we keep our feet dry. On the other hand, water provides great potential for waterborne transport. Water has been used in the Netherlands as a method of long-distance transport since early history. Today, inland shipping still continues to play a major role in transport.
The Netherlands and water are thus inextricably linked. On the one hand, water forms a danger, whereby we - out of necessity - have become experts in water management. This is how we keep our feet dry. On the other hand, water provides great potential for waterborne transport. Water has been used in the Netherlands as a method of long-distance transport since early history. Today, inland shipping still continues to play a major role in transport.
Around the farm
Our second Syrian family moved to Gorredijk. A large 4 bedroom house. "Dad" has been laying floors, assembling furniture and much more, so they were almost ready when I delivered the last of their bikes.
Janny has been printing on her new plotter; takes a bit of getting used to but there is a large and helpful user community, on-line.
New overalls for some of the clients - the workers! The others will have shirts and sweaters.
Long overdue, but I have used some of our quiet time to tidy up my half of the workshed...one of the clients has the other half.
...and I've started preparing some seed boxes for the pumpkins!
We had so much rain during the week that even our drains started to "float".!
With cake and coffee to celebrate.... with the clients
Janny's sisters arranged for a local cartoonist to make the following, but with one glaring omission....
....and that is Ben, of course!....who is currently in Copenhagen visiting some friends he met in Hong Kong.
Congrats on your 25 years! We have 2 years to go to our 50th. I think Leigh and Alex reach it next year.
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