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SailingPegasus.nl - Zeilen met de Pegasus - Blogdetails
Datum: 18-04-2018    Just to the Netherlands
 Friday 30 march to monday 16 april
It is time to go to the Netherlands to arrange a number of things. My driver's license had expired and had to be renewed. Furthermore, all kinds of checks had to be done in the medical field, I also wanted to visit the dentist and have my eyes checked for any new glasses. Of course, this was not only the only reason to go to the Netherlands. I also wanted to spend as much time as possible with my children, granddaughter, family and friends. The trip was soon planned, I would go to the Netherlands for more than 16 days. With all the studies I had a pretty full program and in between as much time as possible to arrange to meet with my children, granddaughter and friends. I had given myself the luxury to fly back and forth to the Netherlands non-stop. In addition to a carry-on suitcase, I also had a baggage suitcase on the way there, including small gifts for friends and family. Before my departure, we had ordered all sorts of stuff in the Netherlands that we will not be able to get or do not have in the coming period. Including a new wind generator, which alone weighed 7.5 kg. All ordered items arrived at Anneke (my good friend) she was already very worried about how I could take everything back with me. Fortunately, I had already booked extra checked baggage for the return journey. Thank you for the welcome and all the space it has occupied with you! I would spend a few days with my eldest son Steven in Amsterdam (spread over the period) and so also with Anneke with a day to other family and friends. Dressed in jeans (at least a year ago), vest and closed shoes, I was ready for departure. Fred brought me to the airport of Banjul with our regular taxi driver "Screw". On arrival at Schiphol, not only Steef, but also Vincent was waiting for me. Super nice feeling to see my two children again. Of course, Vincent had been with us in Gambia until so long ago, but I had not seen Steef again since June last year.

Looking back on these days I have seen my children with great pleasure and spent time with them. Steven and I spent time together with Bobby several times. Luckily the weather was not so bad and it was even pleasantly warm for the time of the year. We went to Burgers Zoo, the playground, eating ice cream and playing at home. She is now 2 ½ years old and is already a real toddler. Because we skype and video calling I was not a complete stranger to her and it was soon "Grandma of the boat". They were great days with Steef and Bobby. With Vincent I spent an afternoon at the beach near Noordwijk and there at a fireplace at the wine with cheese board and in the evening eating a fish on the boulevard.  
 
Together with Steef and Vincent drinking a beer on an Amsterdam terrace and then eating at home together. These are all special moments that I cherish! In addition, I have agreed with several very good friends to have lunch and spent a good time with. I got a wonderful book from Johan. He had sent this to Tenerife for my birthday, but it had never arrived there and after 4 months he received the package. So I got my birthday present. At the sister of Fred and her family I was warmly welcomed and enjoyed a delicious meal that Ingrid had cooked. Especially for me: beef what we call in Dutch "draadjes" that I love so much! For dessert a homemade apple pie according to the recipe of Ma (she died in January). Thank you dear Ingrid!
Other friends, where I stayed for a night, also prepared a nice meal. All things that I love. It was very nice to be able to talk a little bit with everyone and spend time together. Of course, it is always short, but there is nothing to do about it. Unfortunately, the "business" appointments were not all planned in one day, so I eventually had to travel from one place to another. I did a lot of public transportation because my driving license had expired, so I could not rent a car. But in addition, Anneke was so kind to drive me around several times. At Anneke I had a lot of trouble to get all the purchased stuff well in the suitcases / bags. I did not want to exceed the number of kilos, which forced me to leave behind a number of things. Fred goes to the Netherlands in September and then he takes back the rest of the stuff. Now I hope that I would not have problems with customs with all that stuff and for half a year of medication with me.
During this period, I have been spoiled by all sorts of tasty things that I have not had for a while. That while I had just noticed that I had lost more than 12 kilos last year. Of course I know that it is not sensible for my health, but I could not resist the temptation. There is a lot of things like the Tompoes, Moorkop, Apple pie, Uitsmijter (2 slice of bread with veal & a fried egg on top), a roll with croquette etc .... Fortunately, it turned out afterwards that this had less effect on my weight than I had thought. But what can make a person happy with something as simple as that!
Anneke brought me to Schiphol in the early hours on Monday. With a cart full of 3 suitcases / bags I stood in line a few minutes later to check in. That back and forth trip takes it out of me, I was tired. In 8 hours I would be "at home" again with my love. We really missed each other. In recent years we have been together a lot and not used to being alone for so long. Fred found it very quiet on the boat without me and listened to music a lot. Kit also missed me and asked Fred's attention and stayed close to his neighbourhood. He felt supported by the locals, because they too missed me and so he was regularly asked how I was doing in the Netherlands. For me, time went faster because I was distracted. In the Netherlands I regularly received WhatsApp from "Screw" with questions about how things were going and I sent him pictures of typical Dutch things, such as the bulb fields, boats and houses along the Amsterdam canals, Central Station in Amsterdam and the meadows with ditches (taken from the train). It is special to have such contact with your taxi driver! You will not easily encounter that in the Netherlands anyway. So you see how you can be admitted to the local people in a relatively short time. The Dutch landscape caught me a lot more since we left the Netherlands. I was able to enjoy the things that other Dutch people have passed in their lives for a long time. I also noticed that people no longer have time to greet each other. Everyone is busy, is rushed and everything has to be done on time. Are we already fully aware of that ?!
After landing, fortunately I had no problem at all with customs and Fred and Screw were already waiting for me. After a warm embrace by my love and even by Screw we were fully loaded back to Lamin Lodge! Sigh ...... finally home again! At Lamin Lodge I was once again warmly welcomed by Gi and Ed (Englishman who also has a boat there). Also by the other locals I was greeted and asked how the children and Holland had gone. And now? I only go to sleep, sleep and sleep ............... Thank you dear family and friends for your warm welcome in the Netherlands. I love you!

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28-04-2018, reactie van Ludmilla
Het was heerlijk om je weer te zien, zusje, al was het maar kort. Maar je had ook zo'n vol programma... :)
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