Dutch family time, made in Made

19 - 26 June

I arrived at the tiny train station of Lage Zwaluwe, where my Oma, Opa and great auntie Tante Cock were waiting for me - thankfully - since the tiny train station is in the middle of nowhere! Cock lives in the tiny town of Made, in the Dutch south, a very quaint little town that became my base for a week. My time there was very enjoyable, and I got treated to some very nice hospitality. It was very comforting staying in a proper house again, even though it had only been 10 days since I last did that in Vancouver.

It was relaxing not feeling sort-of obliged to head out and experience all the tourist sites - instead, I was experiencing Dutch breakfasts (nice meats, cheeses and chocolate hail!), Dutch villages (Made is pretty small, but still has a huge old church and bells chiming every half-hour), Dutch language ("Dank u wel", or "Eet smakelijk"), and Dutch countryside on several walks with Opa. Since all four of us are avid bridge players, we also sat down for a few games of bridge.

Out and about in the Dutch countryside with Opa

A game of bridge after dinner

The Hoop Doet Leven molen (windmill) in Made

Kroketten for lunch in Drimmelen on a typical Dutch summer's day (i.e., windy and cold!) - Opa, Tante Cock, Oma and I

A very important appointment for Opa and I (but not the ladies) - All Blacks vs France!

On the Sunday, a big Scheffers family reunion was organised on Oma's side of the family. She has three sisters and a brother, who where all there, with most of the next 2 generations down as well - about 40 people in the end. There were more 2nd cousins and 1st cousins once removed than I could keep count of!

It was a very enjoyable afternoon & evening, and despite being the only one who didn't speak Dutch, no-one seemed to mind and everyone was very welcoming and happy to talk to me. Once again, speaking in English was not a problem for anyone and I was very grateful for this!

Three generations of Scheffers. This is what happens when five siblings, all their children, their children's children and the various partners all come together!

Meeting some of the relations

The 4 Scheffers sisters - Oma Miep, Tante Thea, Tante Cock, and Tante Bep

We went for a couple more excursions as well, including a day where we visited the gorgeous little town of Geertruidenberg (try and pronounce that properly!) and then to Leerdam. In Leerdam we went past the Wipwatermolen windmill, where the young molenaar (windmill keeper) showed us inside and got the waterwheel going for us. It was very interesting inside and fascinating seeing the old wooden cogs groaning around. Standing up close to the shafts is a bit frightening when they're going at full speed!

Leerdam Wipwatermolen

Opa at the Wipwatermolen

The Wipwatermolen in operation from the outside...

... And from the inside.

After that we wandered around the town briefly, having lunch there, then headed for the Nederlands Bridge Museum. It was set up by a private collector, who had a very impressive collection of cards, trump indicators, crockery, books, and many other items from the last 100 years (he even had collections of the New Zealand Bridge Magazine!).

On the Prinses Wilhelmina Brug (Oma's name is Wilhelmina!)

Opa and I in Leerdam

One of the items on display at the bridge museum - will probably only be funny to bridge players!

My final day, we headed together to Amersfoort, where Oma and Opa were due to stay for 3 days with Opa's sister, Tanta Wil. There were some interesting sights in the town, and we had a bit of a look around before a nice lunch in the main square.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwentoren (The Tower of Our Lady) - if you look carefully you can see Oma, Opa and Wil at the doors at the bottom!

Amersfoort town gate

I only came to Amersfoort for half the day to meet Wil, before catching the train to stay with my great auntie and uncle (Tante Trees and Oom Kees) in Rhoon, near Rotterdam. So I left them mid-afternoon and caught the train to Rotterdam then the metro to Rhoon, where I was for the next three days. Those stories will have to wait!