Blog Feed: From a Dutch corner in New Zealand I post photos, poetry and lots about New Zealand
| Home | My Account | Directories |
Blog Hiatus and RC
Published on 2012-04-24 03:35:00
I have so many things going on at the moment that my head is spinning. I considered to stop blogging but thought that isn't an option. I tried it before and failed. To keep sane I leave you till after my trip to Holland (end of July) and will return with lots of treasures. I have met many wonderful blogging friends over the years and a special one is Bob McKerrow a New Zealander, who has lived in Christchurch. He is doing an amazing job for the Red Cross and for the people in Sri Lanka. We are [..] > read more
Picton and Malborough Sounds
Published on 2012-04-11 03:21:00
Autumn what's that ? All > read more
With a tour guide around Orana park
Published on 2012-03-31 01:12:00
Orana park is a zoo with 8o hectares of ground about 10 minutes drive from the airport in Christchurch. It is a open range sanctuary where endangered animals have lots of space to walk around. A young friend is a volunteer at Oranapark and works > read more
Butterfly delight
Published on 2012-03-30 00:46:00
More sunflowers today but the focus is this time on the butterfly who is posing patiently for me long enough to go inside grab my camera and make a picture. > read more
Christchurch in 1952
Published on 2012-03-24 22:28:00
As I have to divert my attention to other matters at the moment, I leave you with a promotional video about Christchurch from 1952. I noticed that 60 years ago Christchurch had pretty much the same laid back atmosphere and people engage in the same activities as > read more
Lyttelton to Diamond harbour
Published on 2012-03-17 22:53:00
In Christchurch new buildings, new websites new everything is popping up. One of the new Christchurch websites is called therefore Popup city Christchurch The website shows things to do, new places to visit etc. From this site we got the idea to take the ferry to Diamond Harbour. We have done this many times before but haven't done that since the earthquakes as our beloved Godley House cafe , which was the landmark of Diamond Harbour,has been equalised with the ground. But the weather was gorge [..] > read more
The magic sunflower
Published on 2012-03-10 01:13:00
Sun rays, enlighten creating a glowing golden crown of a sun flower towering above little plants far down This shiny yellow shuttle Sits proudly on the top resting in peace on its stem holding it's glorious head up Sun flowers dancing in harmony together Rocking on a lullaby waving in windy weather Isn't the world a feast doesn't beauty give you power especially when your garden is covered with that magical sunflower > read more
About a Dutch family in Christchurch
Published on 2012-03-08 01:30:00
Ok I know, I normally don't do this, posting an only Dutch language video. It is about a Dutch familie living in Sumner, a part of Christchurch. Sumner is one of our favourite places around Christchurch. Since the earthquake we haven't visited it as much as we wanted. Anyway I can relate to this family so I posted this for my family, friends and Dutch bloggers. I also have the news that You Tube is for all and we in Christchurch have Our Tube. Lots of videos about Christchurch. Uhh yep you are [..] > read more
The train station
Published on 2012-03-05 02:07:00
I hardly write poems anymore. I started to write when I befriended a blogging poet about 4 years ago. At that time I only worked 2 days a week. Now I nearly work full time and can't settle down to write but one day I will have the time again, and I look forward to that. Here an oldie The Train Station by marja Blom I watch them pass by and catch a glimpse of the playby the actors of live who's props are newspapers suitcases and cellphones The lines in their face and the light in their eyes re [..] > read more
The Dutch
Published on 2012-03-01 18:16:00
I bumped into this picture. Although I have become partly kiwi I will always stay Dutch as well and inside I feel sometimes a little yearning to everything Dutch. Recognition flamed up when seeing this picture and I'll give you my perspective. what younger tourists think we do When I talk to young people in NZ, they do think Holland is all about drugs, and they get excited about it. Right.... not. Although there are many coffee shops in the Netherlands. I never went to one but people come there [..] > read more
Quote of the week
Published on 2012-02-25 19:57:00
Belonging
Published on 2012-02-24 20:09:00
He has got his roots planted in Christchurch For many, many years I felt rich to live in Christchurch because I could choose a different track to walk every week. We have a Mediterranean like place like Sumner at our doorstep. We went on summer Sundays to the Art centre listening to music while eating something from the stall. I felt very lucky to live in such a beautiful place and wanted to stay.Now nearly all tracks are closed, Sumner and the Art centre are a bit munted,and the city is closed. [..] > read more
Container shops
Published on 2012-02-20 03:42:00
We had a coffee yesterday in the city centre. One main street is open and the shops have been replaced with containers. Looks smart. Last week we got the message that demolitions are halfway. 600 buildings are torn down and 600 still have to go. Then they still have to rebuild. Nearly one year since the damaging earthquake. We are fine and we stand strong together.Although not all are fine. There is still lots going on like people having battles with insurance companies, people living in bad hou [..] > read more
Festival of flowers
Published on 2012-02-19 02:12:00
Every week there is something in the park. This week the festival of Flowers started, with floral art everywhere. There was also a car show, theater, and a band. They keep us entertained. One of the many topiary animals in Hagley park A carpet to heaven An old timer show in the park I laughed seeing the squashed bear. Our cathedral is gone but an 11 year old boy made this one Display by local floral artists Flowers in a small version of the chalice which used to stand on Cathedral Sq [..] > read more
Chinese lantern Festival in Christchurch
Published on 2012-02-12 01:23:00
Christchurch has a big Chinese community. The best way to bring different cultures together is through sharing their customs to create understanding. An ancient festival from China was celebrated yesterday and today. The Chinese lantern festival and it was amazing. The Lantern Festival began in Han dynasty(A.D. 25 - A.D.220 )There are many legends associated with this festival. One of them being that celestial spirits could be seen in the first full moon of the lunar calendar.To help them find [..] > read more
Inspirational quotes
Published on 2012-02-04 20:40:00
Too many things on my mind. Picasa has some new tools so I enjoyed playing with them. I took some of my photos which never made it to blogger and had fun and spiced them up with some quotes. The best cure..... True creativity is impossible without some measure of passion. Teresa Amabile Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things. Robert Brault We Don’t See Things as They Are. We See Things as We Are. Anais Nin When I was 5 years old, my [..] > read more
A party in Wijchen
Published on 2012-02-02 19:59:00
Recently my mum turned 80 and she will have a little party in Villa Sterrebosch above, this Sunday. It is freezing in Holland at the moment so I hope all will be able to come except me of course. These are the moments that you feel far away. As far as the other side of the world. In a bit more than 4 months however I will step on Dutch grounds and we will celebrate it all over again. I can't wait. I hang on the phone with my friend where I will stay one night and I will stay with my cousin for a [..] > read more
A change of conciousness in the air
Published on 2012-02-01 02:07:00
The beginning of a new day Photo by MaykeA lady told me a while ago that her daughter was terrified because she believed that the end of the world was coming in the end of 2012. I told her that I had read about the Mayan calendar and that it only means the end of a period and that the Mayans believe that it will be a time of big changes and the start of a new conscious. She asked me to tell that to her daughter to calm her down. I did. I hope it helped as I felt sorry for her. I also heard about [..] > read more
Another day at Akaroa
Published on 2012-01-22 01:00:00
As my daughter and her friend had the plan to swim with the dolphins we offered to bring them to Akaroa. Akaroa is 75km from Christchurch and is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Friends heard about our plan to go to Akaroa and joined in. Next their daughter and friend joined in. It was hot all week but the weather forecast was rain. We went anyway. I have shown Akaroa already a few times in the sun. Here it is on a rainy/cloudy day. It pour [..] > read more
quote of the week
Published on 2012-01-20 14:39:00
Wow the world of wearable art
Published on 2012-01-19 21:40:00
My parents had a fashion shop so I have been to Amsterdam many times with them, where they bought their new collections. At the beginning of every season there was a fashion show. I have seen many, but nothing was even remotely like WOW, the world of wearable Art show. It is held in September every year in Wellington and started in 1987 in Nelson. It is a magnificent 2 hour show, where designers and artists from all over the world show the most magnificent designs. It is unique in the world. A s [..] > read more
From havelock to Christchurch
Published on 2012-01-15 00:05:00
Driving through the South Island of New Zealand as we did on our last trip for 4 1/2 hours is very relaxing. Not a lot of traffic, no traffic lights, you don't need a map as there are not many roads and the scenery is beautiful. here a few impressions along the way Who need shops The shoes grow here on the fence A walk along the way to get some fresh air. We had a great view of the magnificent coastline you drive along and there is also some free camping as you can see Just in time to sp [..] > read more
A modern West Side story
Published on 2012-01-11 23:53:00
If you are my age or older you probably know about West Side story. A musical where Tony and maria fall in love which is problematic because they belong to different gangs. The musical has fantastic dans scenes and beautiful music. Most young people of today unfortunately don't know about West Side Story. Relax and don't worry. There is now a modern version on the internet which ties in with the culture of young people today. They will love it. They can relate to it. A contemporary Maria and Ton [..] > read more
Havelock
Published on 2012-01-10 01:29:00
The second day of our trip in the holidays we stayed in Havelock. Havelock is a little town situated in the Marlborough sounds and is the gateway to the Pelorus Sound and the Kenepuru Sound. Havelock is the place in the world to eat mussels as there are hundreds of mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds where they cultivate the Greenshell mussels. A mussel restaurant in Havelock where you can eat them from the roof Colourful building with a Tuatara painted on it A view from a locomotive p [..] > read more
A few photo's from Christchurch
Published on 2011-07-04 03:44:00
Bad times continue as the process of recovery is slow in Christchurch and more people think about leaving Christchurch behind. One of them is my best friend, who lives now halve of the time in America and half of the time here. I hope she finds > read more
One sunbeam lights a room
Published on 2011-06-24 22:34:00
I am not as tough as you think. After a week of everything breaking down at work, a 5.4 earthquake under our house, a cancelled flight because of the Chili dust cloud, a child that stubbornly does the opposite as what is good for it and an > read more
Christchurch earthquake Pie parody
Published on 2011-06-18 03:05:00
Found in a local newspaper: Many thanks to Dave for this joke Gerry Brownlee walked into a bakery to get a steak pie. There were none left so the baker went out the back for fresh ones. On the way back he dropped the tray on the floor and some of th > read more
And the winner is..........................
Published on 2011-06-16 03:57:00
We are tired, I am tired. Forall people in the east of Christchurch are tired. Some have stopped digging the liquifaction from their gardens, driveways and houses. They've reached their limits. I only have expierenced a fraction of what oth > read more
Bad news from quake city
Published on 2011-06-13 02:52:00
Liquifaction pooring into the streets as you see above. Serious rock falls in Sumner and other places, people evacuated, 50.000 people without power, many without water, Buildings fell down, most luckily in the central city etc At 1 pm a 5.5 quake s > read more
Another milestone
Published on 2011-06-11 18:41:00
I moved my counter a bit up so you can see that I nearly reached 40.000 visitors. I always celebrate the little milestones on my blog and this year again one of the people who comment I will send a souvenier from NZ. I will pull one out of a ha > read more
Help a young woman with her great mission
Published on 2011-06-11 01:58:00
Above is a picture of Louella. I bumped into her in the local supermarket as she noticed me talking Dutch. Yes this lady is Dutch as well and I met her again as she walked coincidentally into my workplace. My interest in her grew as she tol > read more
5.5 aftershock
Published on 2011-06-05 17:58:00
This morning we had an aftershock at 9.09 am with a magnitude of 5.5. The quake was at a depth of 15 km in the South West of Christchurch near Rollerston. It has been said that is the 6th biggest quake since the september 7.1 quake. Lots of stuff has > read more
quote of the day
Published on 2011-06-04 21:53:00
quote Frank Tyger > read more
It's not over yet
Published on 2011-06-02 21:59:00
Christchurch has changed. Lots of residents and workplaces still don't have a place of their own. They are still in the process of demolishing buildings. The tallest building on this picture is the Hotel Grand Chancellor and a phased demolition > read more
Hamilton gardens
Published on 2011-05-26 03:35:00
On our North Island trip we didn't spend a lot of time in Hamilton but what we saw was gorgeous : The Hamilton gardens The light and the dark creates the complete cycle Italian Renaissance Garden A roman pot tucked in a corner & > read more
The ancient wisdoms
Published on 2011-05-23 01:46:00
Old Welsh Prose:The Ancient Wisdoms He who knows the ways of beasts and birds.Who can distinguish them by song and cry,Who knows the bright quicksilver life in streams,The courses that the stars take through the sky,May never have laid hands to books > read more
Dreams
Published on 2011-05-21 17:16:00
Dreams By marja Flakes of thought flutter in her mind dwelling in a place of hopes and dreams A place where a rainbow stretches towards the horizon, twisting colours in a beam of light shining on a path of marble innocence Her dreams are wrapped in > read more
Quote of the week
Published on 2011-05-09 04:37:00
Autumn
Published on 2011-05-08 04:15:00
A little poem for writers island and a happy mothersday to all mums Autumn season Dewdrops gliding downthe autumn leaveslike heavenly tearsglistening on the golden relicsof flourishing times The wind blows her kisses sending leaves to drift softly > read more
A hug a day keeps the doctor away
Published on 2011-04-30 21:58:00
I found this video on You Tube: Hug it forwards, with people filmed e.g. in Hamilton and Christchurch hugging each other. Spreading the message that the world becomes a better place when giving a hug. Juann Mann started the Hug campaign in 2004 and i > read more
Waimangu Valley
Published on 2011-04-22 02:44:00
When we visited Rotorua we also visited Waimangu valley 20 km south of Rotorua. Waimangy means "black water" On its skyline you see Tarawera mountain which is a sleeping vulcano. The latest eruption in 1886 ripped the mountain in two, increased the > read more
Beauty from Italy
Published on 2011-04-16 23:58:00
I love Italy. Having experienced that your live can change in a minute I learned we have to make the most of it and I am putting together a bucket list. My blogging friend Peggy has one on her blog and I can see it makes you more focused. So on my li > read more
Rotorua
Published on 2011-04-15 22:16:00
Christchurch might be broken but it will rise again and New Zealand is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world I think. Last summer we went for a day trip to Rotorua in the North Island which is built in the crater of a vulca > read more
Quote of the week
Published on 2011-04-08 03:44:00
A compromise.
Published on 2011-03-27 04:01:00
That was a short break I hear you thinking. Yeh the blogging break proofed too much change. My job changed, for the good but a big change, my life changed, my city changed, blogging changed.....I felt a bit of loosing the earth under my feet and my q > read more
Ka kite ano
Published on 2011-03-20 17:24:00
Ka kite ano. See you again. I will be gone for a while as a lot of things have come my way. I am going to be very busy for a while. Nothing bad though! I wish you al the best and hope to see you again when things slow down a bit.I wil > read more
Be still
Published on 2011-03-18 19:04:00
Hayly Westenra from Christchurch (her last name Dutch)sings amazing grace at the Christchurch memorial service Be stillBe still, hear the hope rise Our hearts bleed Men lost so muchbut deep in our soula seed has been plantednourished by the power > read more
Kia Kaha
Published on 2011-03-18 01:02:00
“Kia kaha” are the words with which Prins William of Wales ended his speech at the memorial service held in Hagley Park in Christchurch today. Kia kaha, be strong. I followed it on TV, but in spirit I was one with the ten thousands of people > read more
A circle of stones
Published on 2011-03-14 22:29:00
Today the school started for the first time since the quake and it was nice to see them all getting back. I helped cooking the sausages on the BBQ and it was good to be in that environment. My daughter has a course at Uni tomorrow. Most stu > read more
Quake and Tsunami in Japan
Published on 2011-03-11 15:55:00
photo from here Yesterday night we were all night glued again to the Breaking News of the 8.9 earthquake and a tsunami with waves of more than 4 metres high. It's only such a short time ago that we were glued to the TV of the continues coverage > read more
You know you're from Christchurch when
Published on 2011-03-09 00:05:00
New Road signThe emails labelled "You know you are from Christchurch when:" keep coming in. The lists are growing and growing. Some might not be clear to people outside Christchurch but for us it is daily reality. I had a good laugh so check them out > read more
Update Christchurch earthquake
Published on 2011-03-06 15:54:00
This is man is representing one of the dean brothers sitting in one of the oldest buildings in Canterbury, Deans Cottage, build in 1843. He didn't live to see the finishing state of the beautiful Riccarton house he was building next to it. His w > read more
Rocky for sale on Trade Me
Published on 2011-03-03 16:29:00
There are some amazing things for sale on Trade Me. The most desirable thing is rocky . I copied the add here. "For sale 1 owner 25 - 30 tonne landscape feature (answers to the name Rocky) ... He is in pristine condition (just a little > read more
Christchurch full of stories
Published on 2011-03-01 01:25:00
Christchurch is full of stories. Everybody has a story to tell. I volunteered to work on Monday and Tuesday and listened to some peoples stories and hugged some people. That's all I could do. There are stories about houses and roads covered with si > read more
Great website developed by volunteers for Christchurch
Published on 2011-02-25 00:06:00
http://www.eq.org.nz/ The problems we are facing is overwelming and it is not going to take months this time to recover but years. The help people give and the help people give each other is overwelming too and keeps us going. This inclu > read more
Dark days for Christchurch
Published on 2011-02-23 02:37:00
Thank you for all your emails, comments etc. We just got our power back and I expect the power back at work tomorrow. I would love to go back so I am able to do something and give people a hug. This time it is so bad as lives have been lost, people a > read more
Reaching destiny
Published on 2011-02-20 16:32:00
Poem for writers island Lake WanakaReaching destinyBy marja I can foretell, my friendthat he, will reach his destinyHe who silently stands strong like a graceful treefirmly rooted in the earthhis spirit roaming free He who blossomsmore > read more
Weekend Walkabout
Published on 2011-02-19 22:56:00
Weekend walkabout is hosted by KB We passed this lone tree when we went hiking from Kaituna valley up the Packhorse track. The wind swept grass is t > read more
The Two Bears
Published on 2011-02-16 01:17:00
picture from here Two Bears By Hafiz OnceAfter a hard day's forageTwo bears sat together in silenceOn a beautiful vistaWatching the sun go downAnd feeling deeply gratefulFor life. Though, after a whileA thought-provoking conversation beganWhich tu > read more
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
Published on 2011-02-14 01:03:00
That's my world Tuesday On the way to Tauranga in the North Island we stopped in the mural town Katikati. it has more than 40 great murals and above a selection. This man keeps on reading the same paper and is hard to move. He loves katikati T > read more
Quote of the week
Published on 2011-02-13 13:48:00
Lyttelton harbour
Published on 2011-02-12 21:31:00
&nbs > read more
World of words
Published on 2011-02-11 01:14:00
picture from here I love words. Since I was young I loved to speak languages and write stories. The strange thing is that words are at the same time a weakness. Words don't come easy to me. I know what I want to say which is just the same feeling > read more
Nor'west Arch
Published on 2011-02-05 22:34:00
Weekend walkabout hosted by KB. Again a walk on the beach because it was so, so hot and walking with your feet through the water relieved a little heat. After we had a walk on Sumner beach we drove up the hill to make a picture of South > read more
A colourful quote
Published on 2011-02-03 03:29:00
Colour stops me in the street, invites me to breathe it in and take it with me. Suzanne Partridge > read more
Phenominal woman
Published on 2011-02-02 01:48:00
When I was young it was good to be a woman. I loved to dress up to parade at night before the crowd in the pub. Being very shy I wasn't aware of anybody interested though. I wish I had the confidence I have now. As the night progressed and I got warm > read more
Te Aroha
Published on 2011-01-31 14:30:00
Post for That's my world In the North Island on our holiday we stayed most of our time in Te Aroha, a small quiet town with very friendly people. This museum is in the hot springs domain and was a former bathhouse.The domain still has private > read more
Awareness
Published on 2011-01-31 00:30:00
I stumbled upon this video which portrays an inspirational story in which a father finds a way of bringing awareness. I already knew the story but this play is done so well that I felt the emotions and made me write the following underneath. Aw > read more
weekend walkabout
Published on 2011-01-30 03:36:00
A post for weekend walkabout which is hosted by KB Today we went for a long walk on the beach. I enjoyed looking at these kiddies playing soccer on the beach. There were also a lot of kids learning to surf. How great to grow up outdoors. I > read more
Wild Geese
Published on 2011-01-27 00:06:00
Landscape seen from Pirongia Forest Park Julie, a friend passed this poem on to me today. I think it is so beautiful it touches your soul. Wild Geese By Mary Oliver You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundr > read more
Quote of the week
Published on 2011-01-25 02:18:00
Coromandel North Island NZ
Published on 2011-01-23 18:50:00
On our holiday we stayed not far from the Coromandel in the North of the North island. A beautiful area with many great beaches and wild inland. We started at Thames and had a look at the butterfly garden, which is small but beautiful We drove o > read more
Happy birthday mum
Published on 2011-01-22 22:26:00
Happy birthday xxx My mum turns 79 today. Family and friends will come over for a coffee, cake and a drink. She lives opposite the supermarket and when she gets visitors she always quickly hops over to get some fresh cake. S > read more
Ngatea Water Gardens
Published on 2011-01-21 02:55:00
On our way from Auckland airport our first stop to our holiday destination was at the Ngatea Water Gardens. As you can see it is gorgeous with lots of ponds and bridges and even a waterfall. The gardens seems tranquil to start with but there was > read more
Exhibition Ron Mueck in Christchurch Art Gallery
Published on 2011-01-20 02:59:00
More than a 100.000 people have already visited the exhibition of sculpture Ron Mueck. We were among them and it was a treat indeed. The sculptures were so realistic and perfect, it was amazing. You could see the veins, muscles and all the hairs impl > read more
A catch for the copier
Published on 2011-01-17 18:55:00
All forms of text (including text like email), drama, music, art work (including photos), sound, film and layout are automatically unregistered copyright. If any of this is produced it is intellectual property of the creator and you are not allowed t > read more
Memories
Published on 2011-01-17 00:21:00
My brother brought heaps of pictures as I had lost lots of mine. Here an old one of me (in the front) and behind me, my brother who has just left NZ, in our early career as show models, as our parents had a clothing shop. These early lesso > read more
Back in town
Published on 2011-01-15 21:51:00
Butterfly garden Thames (NZ) I am back in town and wish a happy New Year to you all. This morning we dropped my brother of at the airport after we had a wonderful time with him. Together we went on holiday to the North Island of NZ a > read more