Tomorrow Astrid and I fly to England for 6 days, which means I won't be doing a post here next week, so because April 30 was still this week, here's 2 posts in one week since forever and my first post ever on Queen's Day. Let's just say I finally did something about it.
That's Queen Beatrix in the top-right corner above. She's 74.
Lang leve de koningin = Long live the Queen.
The Netherlands has been an independent monarchy since 16 March 1815.
The monarchy is governed by the House of Orange-Nassau.
Thus the color orange on Queen's Day! It's everywhere.
Orange takes precedence over the red, white, and blue of the national flag.
(click to enlarge to see the orange "banner" attached to the flag)
(click to enlarge to see the orange "banner" attached to the flag)
Young and old alike celebrate the day. It's a national holiday.
It's also the one day of the year when you can sell all your junk, like one huge city-wide flea market.
First come, first served. Just spread out your blanket and sell away.
Astrid and I bought 7 DVDs for €4 total, and a new Beatrix Potter book in Dutch for €,50.
How can you say NO to that!
How can you say NO to that!
(I threw in that too-cute dog on skates for fun.)
Besides the flea market, there are all kinds of activities going on.
This lady was advertising her sculpture classes.
You're never too young to earn a buck or two, right?
Astrid made sure we got the e-mail address for these 2 buskers.
After all, she and I both played the clarinet in our day!
(And yes, we both wore our orange shirts on a gorgeous, sunshiny day!)
What was it Winnie-the-Pooh said:
"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon!"
A little bit of something for everyone,
especially if you're not of Dutch heritage.
As you'd guess, this little family stole the show for me.
How can you not get into the swing of things on such a grand day!
"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon!"
especially if you're not of Dutch heritage.
How can you not get into the swing of things on such a grand day!
By the way, this particular Queen's Day was maybe more festive for the Dutch than most. More festive because of its sombre nature, if that's possible? This past February Beatrix's 2nd son, Friso, was buried in a snow avalanche while skiing in Austria and has been in a coma ever since. Few believe he will make it. He's 43 and is married, with 2 daughters. The Dutch came out en masse on Monday to show their love for the Queen and what she's going through.
Lang leve de koningin = Long live the Queen.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Update on our neighborhood renovation (remember the bats?):
A week ago we were minding our own business when we heard a commotion outside.
All the glass windows/doors on ground level are now boarded up because...
yup, you guessed it. They've run out of money and need to wait.
They're hoping the boards will keep out strays of whatever sort!
But now I wonder if the bats will come back to roost?
But now I wonder if the bats will come back to roost?
To be continued.....
