Ritthem Things to Do

Father, mother and child: and how gorgeous they look!

It takes lots of time to wash, dry, iron, starche and remodel these bonnets. They are for special occasions of course: going to church on Sundays, holidays and....ringrijden to mention a few.

During weekdays they were the less elaborate head dress because these days are days to work hard.....wherever or whatever you do: in and/or around the farms and farmhouses, stables, pigstys and barns....

But a RINGRIJDEN COMPETITIONS IS PART OF LIFE......so you go there DRESSED IN YOUR BEST....

Here e.g. you can see that the farmer's wife, who wears the lance and has to do her very DIFFICULT job is.............left-handed.

Therefore the ring was hung on the other side of the rope!

These photos are so special for all their details, details are so important for your HUMBLE PHOTOGRAPHER and I hope that you will be able to take time to enjoy the details.Perhaps it will help you trying TO SMELL THE HORSE DROPPING... ....all over the streets..........and no one minds of course.

Despite the many inundations and wars, there are so many old buildings saved for us and those who visit our ptovince of ZEELAND.

Have a good look around and notice this wonderful façade e.g.: a wonderfully red door, nice STONE ORNAMENTS and of course a coat of arms, always carried by one or 2 lions....

is a most wonderful one: more pictures will soon be here for you to admire!

All over ZEELAND there are these churches, safely bedded in low dunes, protected by high dunes.

Originally they were built for Catholic services but after the REFORMATION most of them were stripped of their (often wonderful and precious) statues and paintings and are now for PROTESTANT services........

There are only few ROMAN CATHOLIC people here and few catholic churches.

%^s4 But these small, ancient beauties, heavy with the smell of salty sea waters are a joy to see............there are special ROUTES you can cycle........

filled with FAITH, LOVE, CONTENTMENT and all you need to be happy!

No swimming pools or saunas, no large lawns but......a round tube next to the front door to put into the DUTCH FLAG when something special ask for the place to hang out the flag!!!

Our ROYAL FAMILY is very much loved here, especially in ZEELAND and they show their interest in our province to come visit e.g. a SJEZENRINGRIJDENDAY......

that can make you win a 1st prize of 10 EUROS, 2nd prize is 5 EUROS and there are lots of simple prizes like: toys, a table-cloth, a bottle of champagne, some nice towels.....now don't you laugh: IT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT TRADITION AND THE SPORTIVE ELEMENT AND THE BEING TOGETHER ARE PARAMOUNT.

Have a look at my hair.......I feel good.........and yes do take a photograph!

The SJEZEN ride through the streets.

At 3 places there are rings hanging and the diameter of the rings vary from 10 till 38 mm diameter....

At the corner of the last street (and look how lovely people live here, each one in his/her own house......

Perhaps you now think: where are the lookers-on???

Well, they don't mind lookers-on, %c0 it is THEIR competition and has nothing to do with tourism / tourists!

This little horse was so funny, liik at that fringe!! It looked so "cheeky" and it was clear that it was DETERMINED to do its utmost......

The SJEZEN ride through the streets.

At 3 places there are rings hanging and the diameter of the rings vary from 10 till 38 mm diameter....

At the corner of the last street (and look how lovely people live here, each one in his/her own house......

Perhaps you now think: where are the lookers-on???

Well, they don't mind lookers-on, %c0 it is THEIR competition and has nothing to do with tourism / tourists!

This little horse was so funny, liik at that fringe!! It looked so "cheeky" and it was clear that it was DETERMINED to do its utmost......