You may remember that, back in May, Astrid and I spent time with her family (including Jaap, her ex) at their bungalow on Texel Island, the first time we had been there since we went alone in 2011.
It so happens that Jaap needed to do yard maintenance before the coming winter months and asked if Astrid would be willing to help him (just like she had always done when they were married). Needless to say, he didn't have to ask us twice!
So, we left on Thursday morning, September 28, and returned on the following Wednesday, October 4, yesterday.
It's a 2-hour drive from home to Den Helder, where we catch the ferry to Texel.
Once on the ferry (a 20-min. ride), the vacation has already started!
And believe it or not, before going to the bungalow, we stopped in De Koog
to exchange my sheepskin slippers (from May) to a smaller size and style...
and added our first ice cream of the vacation for good measure.
VACATION!
That afternoon we went for a walk in the nearby woods,
past the "Sander" bench (for another Sander) which we've claimed as our own,
in honor of Astrid's brother Alexander (Sander).
The next day, Friday, we drove to the Texel lighthouse at the northern tip of the island,
where we stopped first for a latte macchiato and a shared appeltaart.
VACATION!
Be calm my beating heart!
The next day, Saturday, we drove to Den Hoorn,
known for its quaint little church...
which we visited after another morning latte macchiato break, of course.
VACATION!
Because it was Saturday, several members were preparing the place for a special Sunday service,
apparently with 20 violinists present (which we missed, regrettably).
But see what I mean by quaint!
Jaap arrived that afternoon, after which we ate out in the bungalow park for our first main meal together,
following which we played Five Crowns...and every evening thereafter (except one).
Sunday was Jaap and Astrid's first working day on the yard...
continued the next day, Monday. And because it rained off-n-on all day Tuesday,
it was easy to say that was enough. Jaap would finish the rest on his own, after we left.
Remains of the day!
and this time (Monday) at my favorite Catharinahoeve pannekoeken restaurant in the woods...
after which Jaap stopped at his favorite honor stand to buy sand-dune potatoes for himself.
They have a very distinct taste, he says, that he really likes.
It was fun to watch Jaap and Astrid plan things out...
Our last full day, Tuesday, when it wasn't raining, Astrid and I took another walk.
Life on the island for kids is a whole other world!
But Astrid's and my world is still about photographing what we see.
Those tiny ants actually kept the maggot from falling off the log as they rounded the tree knot!
(Sorry that the main photo is not sharp but it started the series.)
All God's creatures great and small!
Our last evening meal together was at this delightful chicken restaurant in De Koog...
finished off by another ice cream at the same place where we were on Thursday.
VACATION!
As we left yesterday morning, Wednesday, with the morning sun favoring us all,
we said our fleeting good-byes to yet another Texel "experience" in one year.
Working or not, it's a...
VACATION!
And on that note, we now prepare for our annual trip to Atlanta, 2 weeks from today. Did I ever mention that this is the time of the year when I feel like I'm sliding down to the New Year?!
My or my you, and Astrid are great yard workers. I wouldn’t mind yard work if it was on this island, plus eating all the great food and seeing such interesting sights, animals and all. I’m planning to return to GA in two weeks as well to still work on the house, but also spend 3 days near Ellijay to watch the leaves colors. Some of my bushes died last winter and I purchased a Black&Decker super hedge trimmer to cut them down. But like I fool did not open the pkg until yesterday since the brush pick-up in Nashville is tomorrow. The trimmer won’t work and it’s too late to return. So now have to use manual shears – I wish I had two friends like y’all to help me. Enjoy your fall trip; but then I know you enjoy all your trips! You certainly have the French Joie de Vivre!
ReplyDeleteI wish we could come and help you, too, Vagabonde!!! Bless you for always finding the good in life. We both wish you well.
DeleteWat een heerlijke werkvakantie was dit.
ReplyDeleteJullie hebben zoveel moois gezien en zo hard gewerkt.
Fijn dat we mee konden leven en genieten van deze 2 Texeldagen in mooie collages
Thank you, as always, Marjolein, for following us in all our craziness, wherever we go. HA! These posts are the record to which we often return to remember exactly what we did and where. The collages help to combine all the photos which are way too many to share separately, so thank you enjoying them with us.
DeleteIt’s always good to hear of your adventures. Love the bugs.
ReplyDeleteTed
Bless you, Ted, for still following us after all these years!!! Thank you.
DeleteI wish silly google would let me sign in.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize how much you would be doing on Texel Island. But of course you would! Just wonderful to see it all, the harmony, the food. You two are the best. ❤️
Sister Ruth
Oh, bless you, Ruth. You know us, always packing a lot in. But I must say that we also had our rest. Astrid even finished a Clive Cussler book, which I regretfully never took a picture of her doing while there. (sigh) It occurred to me while I was there this time that the Hart Family Cottage in Michigan is a part of my past...now "replaced" by this new family place with Astrid. We'll talk about that in our next FT.
DeleteTexel, an island that we all love to go to. It is so "dichtbij" as you would say and I am sure that in the future we will be there more often. It was great to be there for a few days before we started working on the yard. Thank you for making the collages and keep the pictures as a memory for us to keep. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Astrid, and you're welcome. I do this for us so that we can always have reference to the many details, lest we forget! It sounds like we might go back in January, God willing and the creek don't rise. I would love to be there during the winter months, especially if there's snow! :)
DeleteGinnie,
ReplyDeleteA beautiful collage of pictures from your working holiday. Like the way you put it all together…definitely have a talent for that. Very unique lovely church. The property looks so peaceful and a great place to go and relax. Tree trimming is work and satisfaction at the same time. So fulfilling when you can see the results. It is kind of like painting, the process is physical but the results are worth it.
The best part of travelling is dining out. Love the lattes. Especially pumpkin latte which we get around Halloween time.
Today, we celebrate thanksgiving. Will cook a turkey dinner and have Nicole and Allan over to celebrate with us. Pumpkin pie and whipped cream is a favorite dessert at this time of year. First, I will get everything ready and the we are off for a game of pickleball which may be our last outdoor game for the season.
Enjoy your trip and time in Atlanta with family.
Love and best wishes to you and Astrid….Val
Bless your dear heart, Val, for commenting here, and thank you. It means the world to us both!!! I love that you're having your own special time with family. Enjoy every minute of it, including all the flavors associated with this time of the year! :)
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