June-October 2019 Kuwait and Holland to UK

 

July 17, (happy birthday Jen!), and its been a whirlwind time with Liam and Shani visiting us here in Kuwait then travelling altogether to have 3 weeks with family. We also found out its time to move on from Kuwait..no idea where we are heading to next! Watch this space.

Before holiday we took an evening to an Iftar (breaking the fast during Ramadan) at Naif Palace. It was a very welcoming and humbling experience. The canon is fired on a daily basis to signify that it's time to eat. Once the canon was fired we were offered delicious food and water and shared it with the many families who attended, many who sat on the grass. A recommended treat if you happen to find yourself here in Kuwait during Ramadan.



Naif Palace and Liberation Tower

Thanks to Natalia Bobbin-Martin for this shot...we missed the exact moment

Kuwaiti and proud

On May 26 we had the great pleasure of picking Liam and Shani up at the Kuwait airport. It was a hot and humid few days together however we enjoyed each others company and Charlie especially loved meeting the family.

Our two sons

On May 31 we flew to Amsterdam, picked up our hire car and drove the 2 hours to Hengelo. Wonderful to see Pap and Mam and especially, that Liam could see his Opa and Oma again and introduce them to Shani.

With the 6 of us, Pap and Mam kindly vacated to their holiday house for the 3 weeks while we holidayed on Albert vander Meerstraat. Excellent!

Loved having time together

Pap and Mam with Jeroen and Rakker

As is usual in Holland we ate lots of delish food - Monchoux tart from Anouk, special summer salads from Mam and Shani treated us to a home-made, invented in NEW ZEALAND, Pavlova. Perfect, Shani!

The chef did have a chuckle over the 'white basterd sugar'

A boy and his Opa

We found love at Number 10

Liam and Shani in Anouks' music studio, waiting for a song

The Piano Teacher

More tasty treats from Tinka who made Tiramisu

We all enjoyed meals and walk and chatting together in Hengelo and the holiday house.
It is the season in Holland for school bags to be hung out on the Dutch flag to indicate a student in the house has passed their exams and finished secondary school.

He passed!

As we've done a few times now, we hired a boat for the week as we wanted to show Liam and Shani how we love to spend our time in Friesland. It was a great time full of fun and adventure.

A big boat this time



 

This year we decided to try out a bigger, higher boat which we knew would limit our route a bit, not being able to tootle under the lower bridges. We had a few minor 'what happens on the boat, stays on the boat' mishaps however it was mostly a relaxing and rewarding trip together, the four of us.

In and out of the Dutch villages

Always time to stop for a coffee met...

Aye, Aye captain!

Kapper stop

Beer speaks, People Mumble

Village sculptures

After mooring the boat back at base we took a detour trip to Giethoorn before heading home to Hengelo.
An extremely busy day there!

A fantastic time visit out of the rain to the Tuba's café and treated to this happy band of chaps

Nearing the anniversary of Dad being gone one year (June 15) we raised a beer in memory of him.

Café Tuba's

Always a pretty spot

The glass sculpture garden

Beautiful Dutch front window displays

A happy snapper

 

A cloggy fence

Big cheese rounds

Back to Hengelo and its more time with the family including a trip to an art market around the local pond, a barbecue at the holiday house and outings on our bikes (or roller blades!).

This outing was to a local windmill. We were lucky the owner let us inside and we climbed to the top

Having a chat

A visit to Hengelo always includes a trip to Twickel Castle.

A very special outing was to take a day trip to Utrecht, Jeroen's old university town to meet our dear friends from Wales, Helen and Guto with Lewys and Lydia. A wonderful reunion and time catching up and making the world right.

Me ol mate Helen.

Jeroen Guto and Liam chatting with Lydia in the background

A beautiful day

This one's for you, Shani and Tinka!

 Shani sat with Tinka and Jelle chatting about strange Dutch expressions. One of them was stofzuiger snake....vacuum cleaner hose!

A family walk near the holiday house.



Liam, Jeroen, Engelbert and Pap with Rakker

Every year there is an art market set around a pond, near the home of family Brinkman. This year we got to go!
Loved it.

Mandalay on display

Shani took a few skates around the neighbourhood

Street art Hengelo

Photo from Liam - family van Dijk/Brinkman

And so the time to say goodbye. Again. Always the happy feeling we've had a good time together mixed with a bit of sadness in not knowing when we'll next meet.
Back to Kuwait and first outing to Hotel Hilton where Jean, one of the BLS ladies lives.

Another outing in Kuwait was to the Bait Alothman museum showcasing Kuwait's pre-war history.

Antiques on display in the 12 pavilion hostel where guests can stay overnight

Martyr's room - a humble room in memorial to the victims of the Kuwait invasion

Kuwaiti trade

Pearl diving season begins here in Kuwait soon, a tradition being revivied - The Gulf was once the unrivalled supplier of pearls providing 65-80% of the worlds pearls (approx. 1665).

The Summer Gals group

Many expat spouses, particularly those with school-age children, leave the region and hot summer for several months. The British Ladies group evolves into The Summer Girls group with weekly outings planned.

July 24 and its getting closer to leaving - the house people want to move us into a hotel, packers want to come and we still have no idea where we will go! Exciting.
Moving on means farewells to other expat friends. We enjoyed a farewell to two couples, Alice and Robert and Janis and Jim. Hoping we'll still get to see Natalia and Barry with Alfie before we leave.

Robert, Barry, Me, Janis, Natalia, Alice, Jeroen and Jim clockwise from left

 This week I've been backwards and forwards to the Hadi clinic to receive physio for my longstanding neck problem. The other day I saw a dead body being wheeled nonchalantly through the public on a trolley. I think death is not frightening here in Kuwait.

I decided to take myself off to visit the Tareq Rajab Musuem of Islamic Calligraphy in the area of Jabriya. I enjoyed my time at this beautiful museum and believe it's my top spot in Kuwait.

A delicate touch is needed

Demonstrating the art of calligraphy

Luminous lamps

Calligraphic peacock

Detail in the peacock

A photo showing the intricate process of decorating the rugs

Massive rugs

Beautiful script

October 15,  And a whirlwind few months! With only a few weeks to leave Kuwait and no job or home, we made the decision to move to Holland and have time with family. Exciting and all happy, despite there still being uncertainty. The packers arrived a week before our end of visa deadline and that night while sitting amongst our belongings all packed up, Jeroen received a phone call - he has a job. In Baku, Azerbaijan and time to get the atlas out again. Crikey, plans change quickly. With another Eid holiday we enjoyed a few days of downtime and trying to explain to Charlie we wouldn't leave him behind.

Don't forget me!

They won't forget me if I lie on top of their boxes

The night before flying to Holland (we decided it was easier to stick to the plan and be in Holland to get paperwork in order to enter Azerbaijan) and Jeroen receives another phone call; we should go to the UK to do a temporary assignment while the visa's are processed. Whew, I can't keep up.No looking back. Bye Bye Kuwait.  Time to let Charlie know he really is coming with us. Such a calm cat, not stressed or bothered by being in the cage right from house to airport before boarding (4 hours), 6 plus hours flight plus pickup/border control and then car pickup and drive to Hengelo. And then, pop, out of the cage and ready to meet the family.

To get the new temporary assignment going we both needed to have medicals done and so we travelled to Rotterdam.

Rotterdam port, once the biggest in the world

At the clinic for our medicals

Vicar Cat, loving grass for the first time ever

Oh, what's in there?

What dat?

Charlie adapted very well to living in Holland. Within 24 hours he was outside, happily on his lead, where we walked around the block. Within 2 weeks he was taking himself off for his jaunts.

Nothing better, coffee with cake and Charlie on lap

Out and about near Rotterdam

Look really hard and you will see a big orange cat on his tethered lead in the garden

Dutch man talking to Dutch man about cheese

Hundreds of young cyclists go past

One of the first meals we enjoyed, courtesy of Mam. was the traditional dutch dish, Stampot. Always the question; what to do with the leftovers? I decided to create 'stampot patties' with a hot salad and egg. It turned out tasty!

Stampot patties with hot salad and egg with crispy bacon bits

And Charlie, is he ok? I think so!

Finding a place to snooze everywhere

A visit to Roetgerink fashion store with bonus band

A train of cars - on our way to UK

We made the decision to head to UK and Charlie to stay in Holland. Time to find an apartment and get settled first before bringing him over. What a mission! Thanks dear Pap and Mam for looking after our Tiger.

Mam sends many photos of Charlie looking comfortable in different spots in the house

You can tell he's stressed with us not being there

And so we find ourselves in Richmond, Greater London again. How nice to be back where we lived 7 years ago. I love walking, fresh air, hearing English spoken, shopping and being free, not relying on a driver or taxi. Wonderful bonus.

Our little house on Park Road

Floral tributes

 We found ourselves priviledged to attend the memorial service at Kew Gardens for Robert Lambert, Jeroen's boss and friend who had died 3 weeks previously. It was a sombre and happy time to be there, learning more of Robert and to support his dear wife, Jess. RIP Robert.

Robert's photographic artwork was displayed amongst the botanical drawings of Kew Gardens

Along the Thames

Richmond street art

In memorium

Mansions along the Thames

Sunny weeks in Richmond

Under renovation

The allotment

Popped into the pub for a pint

I would walk most days into Richmond and this is one little courtyard I passed through

A favourite spot, the dog-friendly café at Marble Hill park

Marble Hill House

Moody day overlooking the Thames

Cheery chap

Sun's over

Beautiful day in Richmond

3 hour walk through Richmond Park



So close

Old fella

 

One of the other things its been wonderful to do is meet up with this lovely lady. Sandra and I met in Angola - first time to say hi in a couple of years. Nice.

Old friends meet at London Eye

 



A trip to Salisbury

 Ever since I wrote to a clergyman in the small Somerset village of Kingsbury Episcopi I have wanted to visit. A kind person replied to my 14 year old self seeking any knowledge of the Satherley family, my Dad's clan.  And so we took a long weekend visit to Salisbury to connect with our roots.
Firstly, we searched for a little known Salt hill drawing, The Kiwi.

The Bulford Kiwi

A terrific large chalk Kiwi was created by soldiers waiting to be repatriated to New Zealand after the end of WW1 in 1919. Stationed at Sling camp, Bulford on Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain and with little to do, the soldiers became restless so the idea to give them a focus project was resurrected.
The Kiwi was designed to be seen from a certain vantage point, within the barracks, and therefore we were unable to spot it. Pity. Here is some more history written by a Kiwi seeking to clarify it's history.

Next, we tootled off to Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city.

Walking through the city

Housing the cinema

Market days

Ye olde post office



Salisbury is home to the famous prehistoric standing stones, Stonehenge

A visit to the Cathedral with the tallest spire in the UK (123m)

The Cathedral's foundation stone was laid in 1220 and took a remarkable short 38 years to complete. Jeroen took a Tower Tour up through the hollow spire with its ancient wooden scaffolding to a view over Salisbury.

Up close and personal with the stained glass

Ancient graffiti

Jeroen up in the high bits

A very narrow viewing ledge

View from the top

 I stayed on solid ground, chatting to the clergy and browsing the chapels.

Under restoration - Jeroen would like to return and hear these in action

Grand scale with Harvest altar offerings

The Cloisters



My namesake! AKA Barnee

A seat for a Bishop - note, no cushion to sit upon

One of the world's oldest non-dial clocks

 Several Dutch clockmakers were commissioned to build this clock in the 1300's. Said to be the world's oldest working clock, there seem to be other claims to this fame.



Valid claim or not, still fascinating

Spirit of Justice

 Issued in 1215 Magna Carta simply means 'Great Charter'. It is famous as a symbol of justice, fairness, and human rights. This copy is one of only 4 remaining in the world. It is recognised as one of the worlds most important documents.



Floor detail in Chapter house

Stained glass in the Cathedral

The Cathedral is a living church

Outside many people, young and old, were sketching the Cathedral and buildings nearby.

Artists at work

 

Three English Saints

St Thomas' Church in the city

 This impressive church is 800 years young and still living. The church houses an impressive 'Doom' painting, the largest and most complete example surviving in the UK. It was obscured by scaffolding when we visited. A grand place.

Take a pew



And finally, we take a trip to Kingsbury Episcopi - a dream come true.
Kingsbury Episcopi (e- pis- copy) was once home to generations of Satherley's before our branch emigrated to New Zealand. Nana and Grandad, and my Dad would have loved to see and hear about this trip. RIP.

Show me the way to Kingsbury Episcopi

This woven fencing was a prominent feature throughout the area

And there it is; St Martin's church where many Satherley's were baptised, married and buried

 Walking around the corner and spotting this grand old church, with its tumbling gravestones and resident rooftop crows, brought a tear to my eye. Thanks to Dad's cousin, Janet Leeks for the information about St Martins. I hope you get to visit one day, Janet!

Is there a Satherley gravestone?

Many stones have fallen and details erased by time

A small and faithful community keep this a living church

 Thank you to the church warden, Barbara for showing us around and Assistant Joan for your contact and offer to further my family search. A very warm welcome to St Martin's church.

Yes, a coffin carriage

Glorious tapestry

 Back to the cemetery where Mr Leave-No-Stone-Overlooked Jeroen found two Satherley headstones...pretty cool. None in the older cemetery though.

Avebury, near Marlborough is home to World Heritage Site ancient stone circle, museum and manor house. We spent a full afternoon here and could've stayed longer. We had both seen Stonehenge before so thought it would be a nice alternative. A worthwhile visit for any tourist, single or family.

The only stone circle with a pub and a church in the centre!

We joined The National Trust - we're only here a short time but agreed it was a worthwhile membership



A bit spooky - I still remember the 'moving stones' from telly when I was young

 

The Manor garde

 We enjoyed a tour through the Manor which was refurbished and designed so that the rooms reflected the period in which the residents of Avebury Manor lived. Tudor, Queen Anne, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century styles are reflected in the stone and plasterwork, paintings and furnishing. With many being replica pieces, visitors are welcomed, and encouraged, to sit, lie or play in the rooms.


Ah, time for a siesta Luz Alba

Fun for the kids where every room in the Manor houses play clothes

Beautifully crafted ceilings

One of the dining rooms



And another one, complete with hand painted Chinese silk wallpaper

Time for a tipple

An exercise chair

A shoe buffer

Gosh, another one!

A beautiful outlook from a Manor bedroom

More animated wallpaper

Wash day

Entrance to Manor house

View from front door

Wallpaper inside a wardrobe?

The Manor tearooms

Bunny art in the garden

And to conclude this trip we sought out one of the famous chalk hill drawings and this time couldn't miss it.

Last week Jeroen took a work trip to Aberdeen so I took the opportunity (and the car!) to drive to near Norwich to stay with dear Jo and Lottie who we met in Kuwait.
Happy days chatting, remembering and laughing together.

Wroxam village and river

Happy girls'

Back to Richmond and time to pack up and move to our new cat-friendly home. A farewell walk around Richmond first.

I'll miss you Duck Walk

Attenborough's Ark

Had to try Coffeeology in Richmond

Autumn colours

We're going to get Charlie soon but will he want to leave?!

 Sure he'll love his new big front lawn leading down to the River Thames though.



Clarendon Wraysbury Hall

Thanks for your patience. Silly old computer is on its last legs. Check back again as I will continue blog. Many thanks to all of you who commented and asked me to keep it going. I think there may be more than 12 followers now. Bless you all.

Jeroen and I drove and trained from here to Holland and back via the boat. Great adventure and Charlie, our travelling cat fared again very well.

The Travelling Cat

Driving on to the Eurotunnel to Calais

With a lot of driving between destinations Jeroen and I shared the driving...a life-long dream of mine to drive in Europe. Tick!

Charlie on his lead for a reccy-tour of the place

Then within a week out walking together

And he comes and goes now, and is content inside or out. Here, fascinated by the water and clothes doing their thing in the washing machine



Last weekend we visited Clandon Park mansion and gardens

Clandon Park mansion was built by a Venetian architect for Lord Onslow in the 1720s. As one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion it featured original stucco ceilings and marble fireplaces, the most impressive of which were in the Marble Hall.
In April 2015, a fire broke out and today Clandon Park House is one of the UK's biggest heritage projects as The National Trust remake a modern ruin.  The site was open only until end of October. With high vis vest and helmet a must, we made our way into the ruin.

The roof, ceiling and floors fell into the basement with only one room intact

Many historic pieces were lost in the fire and those that remain will require painstaking restoration

Part of the restoration

No coffee here today

Hinemihi

 When walking outside of the ruin, I spotted this little Maori meeting house (Whare) standing in the corner of the garden. Sure enough, it was an authentic relic from New Zealand, brought back to the UK in 1892 by the 4th Earl of Onslow, then Governor General of NZ. Hinemihi is said to have provided shelter to Te Wairoa people during the eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886.

Oh, I feel like I'm back at Prudence Place surrounded by ponga trees


 We took a small walk through the gardens to the timber Saxon church (circa 1180) of St Peter and St Paul church.



The Community is recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, commissioned by William the Conqueror

Inside the church we found warmth and soft classical music playing, a lovely welcome on a cold autumn day.

The Bone Dole

 These shelves holding 20 loaves of bread are a reminder of an ancient custom. John Bone Sr and his wife Elizabeth gave 20 sixpenny loaves on Christmas Day (and also the Sunday after Midsummer Day) for the poor widowers and widows belonging to the parish of West Clandon.

Beautifully carved pews

Back home and time to have a pre-Wales vs New Zealand drink before the game

Our Welsh friends, Helen, Guto and daughter Lydia joined us for a meal and camped up overnight in their MotorHome at Clarendon parking.
Nearly November and looks like we are here in UK for another month or two.