Venray, Katwijk, Cuijk, Nimegen!

Heidi is here! And on Saturday we went from Amsterdam down to Venray to see Tanté Mien and José. We passed through Katwijk aan de Maas and Cuijk. We could (just) see Tanté Marie's house from the train. José also pointed out the house where Oma was born. 

Tanté Mien is very well. She had been a little ill this past week with a virus, but seems to have recovered well. We had a lovely lunch of bolletjies and zalm and appletart. Lekker! Mien certainly ate her fair share.

Mien showed us some great photos of her 85th birthday party and of her trip to Morocco she went on last year with José and Maya.

Mien really enjoyed seeing Heidi's photos of Johanna and Regan's wedding. It was a fantastic idea to bring along those photos. (And I really enjoyed seeing them too!) Heidi also gave her a letter from Oma and Opa which was much appreciated.

 Marie, Jo, Fonsa and Mien 

José and her brothers

Heidi, Maya and Toby

We stayed the night in Nijmegen with José and Maya. We watched Holland play Japan in the World Cup (and win). Maya took us for a walking tour around Nijmegen. José made an incredible meal on Saturday night, with Surinamese style chicken and roti.

 And on Sunday we went for a bike ride to Oortjeshekken, a cafe in the countryside. We has the best hot chocolademelk met slagroom!

p.s. there are a couple more photos here.

Books and visits

Toby's book is published! You can buy a copy here. These photos were taken at a comics festival in Haarlem last weekend. It's all a bit exciting.

Other exciting news is that Heidi arrives on Tuesday. And next Saturday Heidi, Toby and I will go to Nijmegen and visit Jose, Maya and Tante Min. It should be a fun visit.

Also- it's summer! Yes!

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)

25th Wedding Anniversary

April 8 was also Jos and Pauline's 25th wedding anniversary. Grace had kindly made them a cake.
Family and friends gathered to share a meal after Mary Anne's memorial service and later in the evening, with a bit of musical input from the Nooyen brothers, the evening turned into a celebration.

Jos and Pauline

Peter Nooyen and Oma.

Nagels and Nooyens.

Emma and Roger.

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

Mary's Words

As requested, here are some of Mary's words that were the closing reading at her Memorial Service on Thursday 8th April 2010:

“Don’t be sad, as life is not bad, and life will come to an end for us all one day.

Honesty is important, telling the truth, no lies, no deceit. Stay true to this.

Trust – being trustworthy and trusting others is of great value.

Discretion and good judgment / common sense will serve you well.


My love for Roger, Nick, Sam and Emma-Jade is never to be underestimated.


To the kids: there is so much to be said but I hope the things I have said and shown will stay with you and you will take head to what I have instilled in you.

I had a good innings. We come on this earth for a spin and I had a bloody good one”

Paengaroa

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