Rijsbergen, Holland: 17-18 August 2019
Gits Attending = Keith, Nick, Alan & Anne, Andrew & Sandra, Patrik & Marijke, Bob & Carole, Karl & Sara
Monday 12 August - Keith left Teston at 7:00am to do a bit of shopping at Tesco Extra Ashford, with Alan & Anne,
before catching the 10:30 ferry from Dover - then on to campsite at De Korenschoof, Pikoreistraat 7, Reusel, Netherlands.
Tuesday 13 August - Good Morning! Sunrise at Korenschoof Campsite - Time for a few arty shots!
About this time, Andrew & Sandra were catching a ferry from Dover...
Keith had breakfast in Holland, then visited Arendonk windmill, and a water mill at Retie
Of course there was time for a beer or three with an old friend... and time to wonder
if the "Oldtimer" traction engine event is close enough to visit - only 30KM from Rijsbergen
Wednesday 14 August - Kaith said "We sampled 3000 beers today!"
Patrik looks as if he is on a serious mission at Prik & Tik in Arendonk...
while Nick James just looked happy to be there, in those alcohol-laden surroundings!
Keith displayed his usual skill in finding pretty bottles...
They even did a bit of other shopping... Well I never.... slot machines for mushrooms!
Then back to the campsite for a jolly good Git Meal - with a few Git Drinkies!
Anne gave a Masterclass in Washing-up - Marijke recognised an expert technique, but it was all new to Nick!
Thursday 15 August - Today we decamp and make our way to Rijsbergen kite festival site!
Tom Greenfield has taken some great photos!
Keith does like his shadow photos!
Sunset over the Festival Site - Looking good already!
Cottage pie for the troops tonight, courtesy of Andrew & Sandra
That's forward planning for you - Potato mash to be applied then into the freezer
"If you want to know - just ask!" ... Thank you Andrew!
Full moon over Git Camp - what could possibly go wrong?
Friday 16 August - Weather Good, wind good we are looking forward to a nice weekend in Rijsbergen
Friday Night Shenanagins - our Dutch friends have no idea that things are about to get messy...
Keith made lots of new friends in his Friday Night Tutu - and then a pole dance with Peter...
Saturday 17 August - Great group photo by Elke Buijs of Rijsbergse Vliegerdagen
Nice to think they were inspired by the GOG "Absent Friends" bench!
This was probably the best day for kite flying - the sky was full - even a flock of phoenixes!
Keith and Bob were drafted in to help
Karl and Nick were delighted with their trophies
Sunset over Rijsbergen. Looking forward to the night fly
Keith reports:- wind non existent early on had to get very high, so light line and length of field launch,
as evening progressed, the wind became stronger. So needed both hands on kite reel and I feared the line would give way.
But luckily it did not.
Sunday 18th August - as belated thanks for the splendid, fiery and unforgettable performance by Rick Toonen in 2017,
Dicky made these special "Git Goggles" for this talented young man - let's hope he likes them!
Facebook Video HERE
Sunday weather was not good... "Everyone hunkering down in campers and caravans - Nothing flying - Nobody about"
So it's likely that this fabulous group photo was taken on the Saturday...
Monday 19th August - They think it's all over - This morning's shadow, goodbye Rijsbergen!
Keith & Nick went exploring (sans caravan) to Kinderdijk World Heritage Site Website to check out some iconic 18th-century windmills.
Its water-management network has 19 mills and 3 pumping stations, plus dikes & reservoirs to control flooding in the polder (low-lying land).
Waterways, footpaths and bike trails crisscross the area, leading to the main visitors center and museums in preserved working windmills.
Keith's photos from this visit (with Nick James for company) may be seen HERE
Then back to the Risjbergen festival site to collect the caravan, and off to Farm Campsite Old Heille in Sluis, Netherlands
Nick thinks he is going to like it here - comfy chair, nice drink and a month supply of crisps...
Keith lost no time in behaving like a hyperactive kid... as usual!
Supper tonight will be Caravan Lasagne, followed by Liquorice Allsorts (and maybe a small nightcap)
Tuesday 20th August - they plan to visit Brugge (Bruges), and find Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, and then Chocolatier Dumon!
Let's hope they have time to visit the iconic Friet Museum
Well... they found it... but it seemed a bit pricey, and the queues for the canal boat tours were too long...
so they just meandered...
and somehow ended up here...
Wednesday 21st August - Keith & Nick plan to visit Ghent... yep - they made it
Not too much exertion today, and now they want something not too far away for Thursday
(not Antwerp, as Keith's van does not meet their strict emission controls)
Suppertime! Keith loves his caravan oven!
Pasta bake all gone - time to fly a few angels as the sun goes down...
Thursday 22nd August - Today Keith & Nick visited Blankenberge...
Nick clearly needed a caffeine transfusion ..... Aaaaah - that's a bit better?
Let's hope he does not ask for some fava beans and a nice bottle of chianti...
Time for a walkabout and see the sights of Blankenberge...
nice big beach - room for lots of kites here!
For a last evening meal, they decided to push the boat out, and went to De 6 Linden in Sluis.
Not sure if Nick's glass of Genever was Aperitif or Digestif! Keith stuck to a nice Craft Beer
Let us suppose that they were in a very happy mood after that lot.... and so to bed.
Friday 23rd August - Homeward Bound! But first... time for that Last FEB
Waiting to board at Calais..... and then 90 minutes after sailing... waiting to disembark - FIRST IN LINE!
Thank you Nick, for guarding my duty free gin so carefully!
Facebook Photo Albums:- Rijsbergse Vliegerdagen + Special Moments by Clara +
Peggy Vissers + Roy Martin + Bert Maetens + Rene Baremans + Dimphie Kuppens
Other Photo Albums:- BN DeStem Nieuws (30 sec video) + Viswa.nl
