Weekend in Nijmegen

Nijmegen

Tante Mien on her balcony

Photo of the Willems sisters

Tante Mien and Jose admiring the neighbours garden

Tante Mien showing me her Wall of Family

Looking at photos of her 85th birthday party (but she's now 88)

Baby clogs

Maya

May and Jose

Maya in her and Jose's apartment, Nijmegen

Super cute birdhouses in Jose and Maya's neighbourhood

This weekend I caught the train down to Nijmegen for a long overdue visit to see Jose and Maya and also Jose's mother (and Oma's sister) Mien.

I stayed with Jose and Maya in 2002 when I first came to the Netherlands and Maya was only about 8 then. Now she's 14 and taller than me! Maya is into street dancing (hip hop dancing) and is apparently doing really well at school. Her English is really good- and once again I felt a bit silly that despite my Netherlands passport- my dutch is niet zo goed!

Jose drove us to Tante Mien's place- and we had coffee on her balcony- and enjoyed the sunshine- we actually had lovely weather (very exciting) and Jose patiently translated for Mien and I. We talked about the NZ family and Mien showed me photos from her trip to Morocco that she went on this year with Jose and Maya. Tante Mien seems to be in very good health, both physically and mentally. She has great spirit and energy!

We had a lovely dinner on Jose and Maya's roof terrrace- and Jose and I went for a bike ride around the city. Nijmegen is really pretty and we had the perfect weather! The country side across the river from Nijmegen is so picturesque.

On Sunday we were all super lazy and had a big late lazy brunch and Jose and I talked about all the family. We decided to do some further investigation by digging out some relatives over here. I'm keen to go and meet Tanté Jose who I haven't met yet and her children.

I had a lovely weekend and big thanks to Jose and Maya who were amazing hosts! They send their love to everyone in NZ!

Family Photo

Martin Nagels B.E. (Honours) Graduation Day 8 May 2009

ACADEMIC CORNER 8 MAY 2009

 

Here are a selection of photos taken on Martins graduation day.

Martin graduated from Auckland University with a Batchelor of Engineering Degree (Honours) in Engineering Science.

 

Also in photos are parents with past quals i.e. Helen B.A (Otago) & LLB (Auckland) and Peter NZCLS, NZCE civil, Dip Bus (Akld).

And Katherine too.

 

It was a big day out.

April 2009

Mum in Auckland day before I flew back to Saudi.

Jason now in Dominican republic about to go sailing

March 2009

Girls lunch at the seaside cafe, Makatu

I was lucky to be In Tauranga a lot in March

More photos from Peters function 14 February 2009 at TGA NZ

14 Feb 2009 LUNCHTIME Function at TAURANGA - 50-something and counting !!!!

HELLO All

 

On 14 February 2009 a lunchtime happening was held in Tauranga NZ to highlight Peter's milestone / significant birthday.

Yes facts are undeniable, and still hard to believe...

 

Like any normal day, I woke up and HEY..!!! the 'over the hill', magic (??) 60 had arrived.

Is this old codger territory??

There was nothing I could do to reverse this chronological fact.

Gee this kinda feels odd.

Not too long ago I was a teenager. TRUE...(and still am sometimes)

 

Anyway 14/02/ 09 was a cheerful happy family celebration at Tauranga.

Many of the whannau bro's were in attendance, including white haired elders.

Talking of speaking, hot air subjects were also a feature of the function as I said a few words.

 

I would like to thank all those who attended to join in  to celebrate (but not salivate or be celibate) for the kind sentiments and fun.

And regards to those in the clan who were unable to attend.

 

Still ticking and in good nick.

 

Peter Nagels.