A week before the actual anniversary date, which is Sept 11, a few of us celebrated with Donnie and Jean in the Common Room at St. Peter's Court. Because it was a working day, unfortunately some were unable to be there. Barb and her brothers did a wonderful job of decorating, organizing, and preparing food that even their Mom was able to enjoy. And enjoy it she did! Here are a few pictures taken on that day.
Sister-in-law Brenda gave them a really nice picture, which Jean obviously enjoyed.
Barb having a chat with Uncle Warren.
Jean was having a really good day!
One of Jean's good friends, Mae Ito and her husband Rick. She really lit up when she saw them!
Mae getting a shoulder massage from Donnie - jealous!
Checking out one of the beautiful cards.
A yummy cake and a wedding picture. What a handsome couple!
Barb helping Mom with a delicious bite.
A heavily laden table filled with scrumptious food!
Oldest son Fred saying a few words.
Oldest daughter Barb speaking.
Younger son Donnie speaking on behalf of himself and his twin sister Deb, who was unable to be there.
Barb's husband Mike didn't want to be left out. A great tribute from a son-in-law!
Donnie is never at a loss for words!
Jean's brother Warren said a few words as well.
Some of the friends who were there.
It was a lovely room for the occasion.
Paul and Royce McCracken solving some of the world's problems.
Jean's sister Brenda and Joan McCracken chatting.
Ready to cut the cake!
Barb with Mom and Dad.
Using a utensil that had been Jean's to cut the cake.
Thumbs up!
We can't always be serious, can we? So sorry Deb was unable to be there!
A lighter moment with Donnie senior and junior.
Beautiful yellow roses which Jean loves best!
Thanks Barb and boys, for a wonderful tribute to your Mom and Dad!
Huge apologies to Jean's sister Liz, who helped lots that day, and somehow I almost missed this picture of her and brother Warren. And now, being the non-techie that I am, I don't know how to insert it in the right place. Liz was actually the six-year-old flower girl in Donnie and Jean's wedding, and is a great support for her sister at Streamway. Sorry Liz.
I'm finally getting the blogs from our River Cruise finished! Our last day was certainly one of our most memorable and moving days! May 5 is celebrated all over the Netherlands as being the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the occupation by Nazi Germany was ended - largely by the First Canadian Army. And do they ever love us Canadians! What a treat to be able to celebrate with them on this 70th anniversary! AND to be able to celebrate it in the "City of Liberation", Wageningen, where the German Commander-in-Chief, Johannes Blaskowitz was brought at gunpoint to sign the agreement which was reached with Canadian General Charles Foulkes the day before. It is always a celebration, but every 5 years it is an especially BIG celebration, and this was one of those years.
After a lovely morning cruise, we docked in Zaltbommel, a city that is over 1000 years old.
The gangplank was lowered, and we had a bit of time to tour the town before lunch.
And what a lovely town it is!
Paul and Barb Rusk, a new friend from Cobourg, walk into the downtown area through this old gateway. May 5 is a national holiday in the Netherlands, so there was nothing open that day. It seems we often toured towns on Sundays or holidays - didn't have a lot of shopping time. Oh well, there was no room in the suitcase anyway.
Barb posing with some McCain's "frites".
The Da Vinci proudly flying the Canadian flag!
Bevrijdingsdag - Liberation Day in Wageningen - and we were so privileged to have chairs saved for us right at the beginning of the parade! This was the first truck through!
A Canadian band with a great many walking soldiers following behind.
We were not told, but I wondered if this little guy's dad had died in action somewhere and he was marching in Dad's hat. Just wondering..... he was all by himself.
We saw a LOT of Canadian flags that day!
This Belgium flag has the same colours as the German flag, except the stripes are vertical, and the German flag's stripes are horizontal.
Paul just really liked this old vehicle.
Fort Garry Horse Regiment represented.
There had to be at least 100 kids in this band! And although it is called a teen band, there were some kids who didn't look that old! They sure represented our country well!
The parade stopped for awhile with these kids right in front of us. They were amazing!
There were several fly-bys of old planes during the parade, but unfortunately, most of them were behind the trees for us. There's a 4th plane to the left.
Because we were obviously Canadians, flying lots of flags and all, this was the sort of reception we received from everyone in the parade!
The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.
Canadian Veterans marching. There were quite a few veterans on the plane going home with us the next day, and they were treated with a great deal of respect by KLM Airlines as well.
Well that's it for this trip. Thanks for enjoying it with us.
....until next time....
On Monday, May 4th, we were privileged to visit the famous "Delta Works" on the man-made island of Neeltje Jans. It was an amazing feat, started after the devastating flood in 1953. This series of dikes, dams, and water-work control systems allow the Dutch to control the flow of the North Sea.
Wandering the grounds outside the museum type building, we came across some seals swimming in a tank.
Inside, there were several sculptures showcasing garbage that had been found in the sea.
On the way out to the Storm Surge structure, we came across this unusual bird which I discovered was called a Jackdaw.....
.....and this unusual duck, which I never did find a name for.
It was very difficult to get a good picture of the structure - an airplane would have been useful! When the sea surged in 1953, the water was 4.2 metres above sea level, and these are designed to be able to shut the sea out once it is at 3 metres, thus avoiding another flood such as happened in 1953, killing a great many people and animals, as well as ruining soil with salt water for many years.
A beautiful sea bird.
And a lovely pigeon.
These beautiful wild geese are called Brent Geese.
And of course, the lovely merganser!
Back on the boat for a cruise to Zierikzee.
A lovely approach to the town.
I hate backing up our boat, and the captain, with the use of the "joy-stick" had to back the Da Vinci about a mile down a canal, ........
.....and through a VERY narrow opening - barely wider than the boat! I realized later why he backed it in and not out - because we left before daylight the next morning!
Along the canal, as in almost ALL the rivers and canals, is a bike path. So many bikes in the Netherlands!
Also along the canals, we see the "lawn mowers" - the sheep. What a great idea!
And another lovely sea bird!
Another fantastic windmill - I believe it is taken care of by students.
And another Jackdaw - I love that name!
So decorative!
I believe this is the town hall in Zierikzee.
Everywhere the flowers! A beautiful park!
Who needs a truck?
.....until next time....
