Hotel De Wiemsel

Poaskearls

by pieter_jan_v

Each year at Easter in Ootmarsum the traditional vlöggelen by the poaskearls takes place.
It all starts at the friday before Easter, when 2 new bachelors join the six remaining poaskearls.
On saturday the poaskearls take a ride with carriages to collect wood for the Easter bonfire.
On Easter sunday there are a lot of activities. The first one starts at 8AM and it involves singing traditional songs. The 8 poaskearls make several rounds through town this day. The day ends after 8PM at the Easter bonfire.
Easter monday is a repeat of the previous day with this difference that there is no bonfire; only the ashes are inspected.

My 50th birthday - part 1

by pieter_jan_v

May 31, 2003 was my 50th birtday. We also celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, but the actual date was december 14. Swanèt and I met because we were fans of the same radio station (Radio Veronica), that broadcasted from a ship on the Northsea outside the territorial waters. 25 years laters the diehard DJ's are still radio active; have a look (and listen to) www.radio192.nl.

We invited some family, co-workers and internet friends. ATLC had to cancel and I really missed her. We started with a lunch and a local storyteller told us about witte wieven and more....

After lunch we went out to visit the Los Hoes open air museum (see Must See tips). It was amazing nice weather and we made slow progress just enjoying the sun and the stories by the museum guide.

Here the guide explains the ins and outs of the Los Hoes barn.

Swanèt's co-worker Judith shows one of her many talents: modelling. The sculptures are a part of a temporary display of art from Zimbabwe.

Frits is talking to Tom Blomefield, who in 1966 founded the artist village Tengenenge in Zimbabwe after the goverment stopped the export of chromium.

Our guide was well equipped with stories of the barns on display and all the items involved. Once you can tell about underwear, you are an expert.

Part 2