Hi there!

Hey Nagels clan- just a little message to let you all know that Toby and I are expecting a baby this year. I'm 13 weeks pregnant, and this little one is due on the 1st Oct, one day after Max's 2nd birthday. We didn't want to drop the news at the wedding - so - now you know!

Pencil in April 13th, 2013

Dear family,
Just a quick note to let you all know that our wedding will be on Saturday, the 13th of April, 2013! We've booked a lodge in Whangaparaoa, just north of Auckland. Will let you know more once we figure out the rest.
Love, Sonya and Toby
(and Max says hi too!)

All welcome!

Max's birthday party

Max is nearly a year old! We're having a party on Saturday 29th of September for his birthday. We haven't finalised the details yet, but it'll be from about 11am-2pm. All are welcome! There will be a casual lunch provided, and additional yummy things are much appreciated!

John and Dan in Amsterdam

At Albert Cyup market

Lekker broodje haring

At de Taart of m'n Tante

Remembering Oma

We remember Oma a year after her passing.
While in Amsterdam recently, Sonya took me to a cafe called De taart van m'n tante.
(The tart from my aunty)
It was like a shrine to the decorating tastes of Oma - carpet table cloths, plastic flowers, multi-coloured handmade blankets, tulips, random ornaments - just like Oma's conservatory! And of course we had a slice of the ubiquitous dutch apple tart because Omas would have!

The Ardennes

Hi there,
For those of you who aren't on Facebook- here's some pics of Toby and I during last weekend in the Ardennes, in Belgium. Also including some shots of the bump- now 31 weeks- only 9 weeks to go! Yikes! The Ardennes is in the French speaking part of Belgium- it was a nice little trip to get out of Amsterdam and we even had some sunshine. June and July here in Holland have been rather rainy. I'm sure it's going to get really hot though in a month- right when it becomes a bit uncomfortable for me!

 

Baby bump

So the baby is now at 21 weeks. That means I'm over halfway! There's definitely a bump and the little one is kicking strongly. Strong enough that it stops me in my tracks sometimes. I'm feeling really good and enjoying the pregnancy a lot. No weird cravings, but lots of fresh fruit. Today I had to eat a lot of pineapple for some reason.


Yesterday we had the scan where any odd developments could be picked up. Everything looks normal. The technician lady kept saying "beautiful heart, beautiful spine". I wasn't too worried but it was nice to hear.


We don't know what the sex is- we asked not to find out. So you all have to wait till it's born too!
Also, we STILL don't know where it will be born- NZ or NL? But the decision has to be made very soon- hopefully by next week, and then I'll let you know.


Amsterdam has been unseasonably warm this spring- we even got up to 29 degrees this weekend. It was the hottest place in Europe! Tulips are everywhere. You can buy 50 tulips for about NZ$6. Mum said she could by 3 for NZ$5 in Hamilton! 

Memorial in Katwijk

 Oma's photo in the Lourdes grotto in Saint Martinus Church, where her and Opa were married.

 Tanté Jo lighting a candle for Oma

 Tanté Jo  and Tanté Mien

The grave of Joseph Willems and Lamberta Bardouel, Oma's parents.

Also buried there is her sister Marie and her husband Herman.

Flowers for Oma

 Tanté Jo with her son Jos and his daughter. 

Sonya with Tanté Mien, her daughter José and her granddaughter Maya.

 Coffee and biscuits at René and Gonny's after the memorial, in the house where Oma was born.

On Saturday there was a memorial for Oma haeld in Katwijk, thoughtfully organised by Trudy and Thijs and Reneé and Gonny. Oma's two sisters Jo and Mien were both able to attend as well as many of the family and close friends.

René said some kind words for Oma at the memorial and Trudy read a beautiful poem in Dutch, which I also read in English. The poem (and an English translation) is below. Everyone expressed their sincerest sympathy for Opa and all the NZ family. Adriaan recorded the day and I'm sure he will make copies available to any who wish to view it.

I'd like to thank everyone who was able to attend for their kind wishes. It was an honour to be there.
xx Sonya


Het is voorbij

Het is voorbij
de dagen zijn gegaan
getijden van de zee
kwartieren van de maan
een boom vol vruchten
en een huis vol zomer
het is gedaan

U keert terug
tot wie U was
een vrouw alleen
ontdaan van bloesem
en van blad
scherper getekend aan de hemel

U hebt de wereld niet gewonnen
de sterren niet bestormd
het werk heeft U ter hand genomen

nu bent U
tot Uzelf gekomen
jaarringen sieren Uw  gelaat
de nevels nemen toe
een grijze winter staat te komen

ik weet het
U gedenkt de stormen

maar.......
gedenk de lente
en de zomer
die te wachten staan


It is over                                              


It is over                                                      
the days are gone                               
tides of the sea
quarters of the moon
a tree full of fruit
a house full of summer
it is done


You go back
to who you were
a woman alone
without blossom
and leaves
signed in the sky


You did not win the world
nor pluck the stars
You did your work


Now you have come
into yourself
lines from years
on your face
misty clouds around you
a grey winter is coming


I know
You remember the storms


but....
don’t forget
spring is waiting
summer is coming

(free translated by Sonya and Trudy)

Weekend in Rhenen

On the Blauwe Bever with Gonny, Marie-Jose, Renee, Sonya, Toby and Reinout on top.

Gonny reading a copy of Alledaags, Toby's book.  She has recovered very well. She will start working fulltime after the summer holiday.

Trudy and Sonya in Trudy and Thijs' erf (garden)

Toby and Thijs' summer hutspot met gehaktbal. Heel lekker!

This weekend Toby and I went to visit Trudy and Thijs in Rhenen. It's high summer in the Netherlands at the moment and Trudy and Thij's house is surrounded by wildflowers, it's so pretty! They have completed renovated their house, so it is very different to when I visited with John in 2002.

Thijs volunteers on board  "The Blue Beaver", a boat which takes educational excursions down the beautiful northern shore of the Lower Rhine. Renee and his family joined us and we took a lovely tour through a local conservation project: 1500 acres of riverbank that has been allowed to revert to it's orginal state.  Rare plants and animals such as otters, beavers, black storks, dragonflies and fish live here.

Thijs also made us all dinner- a very dutch meal of hutspot- mashed potatoes and carrots and onion, which was so yum. In the evening we played poker and Toby won! Not a lot of money, but a lot of fun.


On Sunday we relaxed in the garden, but poor Toby had to leave to go to work! Trudy showed me her little studio and Thijs showed me his honey house, where he keeps his hives. We called Tauranga and spoke with Wim and Fonsa, which was very nice. 


Trudy and Thijs sends their greetings to everyone!

Alledags- A year in Amsterdam.

Hi Everyone,

Toby has just published his first book - Alledags- A year in Amsterdam. 

Alledaags is a unique collection of illustrations recording a year in the life of an ex-pat in Amsterdam. In January 2009 Toby began a daily sketchbook diary documenting his life and his observations of his adopted city. Alledaags collects 333 of the drawings and covers everything from canal boats, hair gel and the madness of Queen's Day to Vondelpark picnics, Zwarte Piet and blunt Dutch service. Also- lots of drawings of ME!

It is available here.
The cost is 30 euros. All profits go to the Guy Champney Memorial Fund. (Guy was a good friend of Toby's who passed away last year. The fund is for the education of at-risk youth in Liverpool, UK)

A message from René about Gonny

René sent this message out today to most of the family in the Netherlands. I do not know if any one in NZ was contacted- but his original message is below (in Dutch).

Loosely translated he says that Gonny has had a heart attack. Gonny had been complaining since Easter but the doctor on duty dismissed her complaints. Yesterday her personal doctor called her back to insist that action must be taken immediately. She in hospital and they are investigating the size and damage of the attack. She is comfortable and can be called on her mobile, but maybe it is best if you contact René (+316-16908186, email: recro45 at gmail.com). He sends his greetings and thanks in advance for all the expressions of interest, on behalf of Gonny.

(For you cousins who aren't in the know- René is the son of Tante Marie- Oma's sister. Gonny is his wife.)

I had emailed René about Mary Anne. He was saddened by the news and said that he has passed the news to Trudy. He will make contact with the NZ family when he is able to. Bep also sends her condolences. I believe she has been in touch.

Love to all,

Sonya

Hallo allemaal,

 

Gistermiddag werden Katwijk & omstreken opgeschrikt door een ambulance met loeiende sirene op weg naar de Gansakker.

Deze was nodig voor Gonny en werd opgeroepen door haar huisarts.

Gonny had al vanaf de paasdagen af en toe ernstige klachten die niet door de dienstdoende huisarts, niet haar eigen, herkend werden.

Gisteren heb ik ze thuisgehaald van haar werk en heeft ze opnieuw de praktijk gebeld. Haar eigen huisarts belde terug en vond het nodig direct actie te ondernemen: de hele zaak kwam snel op gang.

 

In het Radboud ziekenhuis werd na onderzoek duidelijk dat Gonny een hartinfarct opgelopen heeft; op dit moment vinden onderzoeken plaats naar omvang en schade. Tot nu toe lijkt dit gelukkig mee te vallen.

Ze moet in elk geval een paar dagen blijven op de hartbewaking.

 

Als jullie contact of op bezoek willen volgen hier de gegevens:

 

UMC St. Radboud

Afdeling Cardiologie

Kamer 44

Route 610

 

Bezoektijden van 15.00 - 20.00 uur

Vanwege de rust op de afdeling niet meer dan twee bezoekers tegelijk.

 

Gonny heeft een eigen telefoon:

024-3618525

en mag gebeld worden

 

Ze 'klaagde' vanmorgen over een erg leeg prikbord.

Van Marie-José heeft ze gisteren een knuffelbeest als mascotte gekregen.

 

Tot zover een eerste bulletin; is er belangrijk nieuws dan meld ik dit.

 

Groetjes en bij voorbaat al dank voor de blijken van belangstelling, ook namens Gonny.

 

René Crouwers

Marie-José en Reinout

M 06-16908186

Paengaroa

Christmas day 2009. Sunset over Paengaroa, NZ. Taken at Rodger and Mary Anne's place. My heart is there now.

Love from Holland

Dear Family,
I just wanted to pass on my love to everyone, especially to Rodger, Nick, Sam, Emma, Opa and Oma.
I have talked to Oma and Sheryl and John today. I called Jose Baltussen (Tante Mien's daughter) and let her know about Mary. She was saddened and passes on her condolences. She will talk to Mien today.

Aunty Mary Anne was so strong. She fought hard. May she rest in peace.

I'm so sorry I can't be there with you all. My thoughts are with you.

All my love,
Sonya

Snow in Amsterdam.

Sonya rides her bike home through Vondel Park.
Click link above to see the video.

 

  

So So Modern in the snow in the UK...

  

and enjoying the sun in Marseilles, France. 

Summer with Sheryl!

Sheryl arrived in Amsterdam after a pretty gruelling flight- but she was ok and ready for action the next day. Toby and I took her for a walking tour of Amsterdam, checked out some markets and went to Vondelpark to relax.

Nieuwemarket

Vondelpark

Mum on my bike- the only time she ventured out on a bicycle!

Eating (the lekkerest) appeltart at Winkel in the Jordaan.

Antwerp- we went there for an afternoon on the way to Brugge. There's a great second-hand shop there!

Toby and I canal-side in Brugge- gorgeous place!

On the first Sunday of the month, Brugges hosts a huge Rummelmart- second-hand market.
Sheryl was amazed at all the blue and white china!

Venezia!

St Maria Basilica, Venice- at dusk.

Sheryl on top of St Mark's Basilica

Collecting water, it was so warm!

Sheryl on board a traghetto (gondola taxi)

Sheryl and I putting our feet up in Venice.

Venice at night. Bella!

Geting all Italian.

We had the best food ever.

St Marks at dusk.

Venice from the air.

Sheryl departed yesterday and should be arriving back in Hamilton as I write this.
It was so cool having her come over- it's been 18 months since I've been home to NZ, and I miss it so much. Toby and I are coming back at Christmas for 3 weeks, so I am looking forward to seeing everyone then. Only 6 months!

Amsterdam is great though and we are trying to make the most of the beautiful weather we are having. Mum was super lucky with the weather- I don't think she'll ever listen to me now when I complain about the horrible weather in Holland- it really is very average normally!
Venice was an amazing trip- it's like a story book city. Every turn reveals a new beautiful scene. If you could just remove a few tourists....ah well. We had a ball and enjoyed every minute of it. It was a really inspiring trip.

Love to all... sending some sun your way,
Sonya