Families of the Low Lands Part One

Painting of a cat family – Dordrechts Museum

With Dordrecht as my Oasis-base for the triple reunion-visits planned in nine days, I feel at ease in my country. After all, it’s my sister Nathalie’s home. Oasis, as Dordrecht is rich in water and one of the greenest cities of the Low Lands, the Netherlands that is. It seems that this time I only visit cities either at a river or at canals. A typical Dutch environment.

Boy with falcon (detail) by Jacob Cuyp 1649 – Dordrechts Museum

This is an all train journey, from Marseille to Dordrecht, Utrecht, Bavel, Hillegom and Maastricht. Fascinating cities with a deep history. The first reunion starts in Utrecht at my cousin’s home in a quiet and central corner of the city. Family of my mother’s side. Our characteristics are playing musical instruments, painting, illustration and other creativity.

At Victorine’s home with my cousins and two sisters- Utrecht

Maid and kitchen interior by Cornelis Bisschop 1630 – Dordrechts Museum

Although mid-June, the weather is clouded with light rain, no obstacle for us to take a ride with a boat through the canals of historic Utrecht. With almost everyone being above the 70 conversations can alternate between hobbies and ailments, from lengthy bicycle tours to rapid palpitations and whether one should consult a doctor or not at all.

Our Oma Cornelia, left, and our Opa Eduard, third of right – Archivist Eduard

Son Ary at his easel by Johan Scheffer 1807 – Dordrechts Museum

(L-R) August, Eduard – Dorothé, Trudi – Aaron, Victorine and Petra – Photo by Jan Hendrik

Who will be part of the next reunion, all of us, or minus one or two? That’s a question that you get at this age. I think, once you have lived your life departure becomes a minor thing. Not everyone agrees. What you also get with this age, younger generations seeing us as old. Do they know we are revolutionaries, from the breakthrough years of the Sixties?

Tea Time at Victorine’s place in Utrecht

Asparagus, strawberries and gooseberries by Adriaan Coorte 1698 – Dordrechts Museum

The second reunion takes place in Bavel near Breda, at Nathalie son’s family – Bart and Kathleen, whose son and daughter celebrate their 21st and 19th birthdays. We meet plenty of the related families, never or rarely seen, hard working adults with happy children. It so happens that this is the day of the football match between Holland and Poland.

At the table of abundance – Pablo (L) and Florence (R) with friends – Bavel

Portrait of duck Sijtje by Albert Cuyp 1647 – Dordrechts Museum

Sun! It’s time for outdoors. Children prevent adults from becoming too serious when talking. They find their own ways to amuse themselves and rather ask you to participate. Skipping rope is not only for the kids as my elder sister Petra proved, but watching others jump is also fun.

Jalou jumps the rope whipped by Florence and Stan while others watch

Karin and her children Stan and Jalou get a surprise visit from dog Woody

My plan for taking a group photo is derailed for some time as finding the self-timer on the camera is a memory test. The final decision to take two photos, one without me and one without my nephew Lars as the second photographer rescues the idea. Let’s all laugh for a minute (V. Havel).