My Postcard from Volendam to my parents in Howick was sent while on holiday in Holland during the August of 1987. We took Fred's mother with us and spent some special times with our Dutch relatives, particularly Oom Piet and Tante Grada. It was 5 years since we had last visited and we now had two little ones with us.
We did all the things you are meant to do while in Volendam; bought clogs for Shawni, had a tourist photo taken in traditional costume, ate all the treats like poffertjes, croquettes, bought cheese, Indonesian specialities and 'zoute drop', stopped at windmills and dikes and as I can see from my card, my patience was wearing thin having my mother-in-law for a months visit in France.
I wonder if I thanked Tante Grada enough for her kindness, hospitality and looking after Shawni and Barry for a day, so Fred and I could explore Amsterdam.
In my next letter to Mom, I wrote that we 'walked and walked', had chips and mayonnaise along the way, pottered along the canals of Amsterdam, climbed the stairs of the Westerkerk with its wonderful views across the city and explored the Jordaan where Fred was born and lived before emigrating to Rhodesia. We stopped at a 'brown cafe' to relax with drinks and cheese, apparently these pubs are called brown cafes because of the wood panelling which dominates the decor. I felt a bit awkward that I shared with Mom our visit to 'a rather unique museum i.e. sex museum.' Definite over share.
If I did not, thank you Tante Grada and I will ask Peter to pass on my gratitude.
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| Family time in Volendam with Oom Piet and Tante Grada, August 1987 |
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