Tuesday, 28 April 2015

King’s Day 2015

In spite of the dire weather forecast King’s Day 2015 was a sunny and bright day. Cold, yes, but very Dutch with billowing clouds and a bright blue sky.  The perfect weather for King’s Day. Even hardened opponents of the monarchy love King’s Day in the Netherlands. Everybody is free, shops are closed, everybody is happy. Villages, towns, neighbourhoods, they all organise events, activities, street parties. Weather permitting everybody is outside. There are “free markets” all over the towns and cities, where not just children but also adults sell things they don’t need or want any more from an improvised spot on the sidewalks. Along the canals, along streets now closed for traffic, everywhere there are children’s games, children selling things as in England they might at car boot sales. This is simpler, because the items are just displayed on an old curtain put on the sidewalks or in cardboard boxes. Children try to raise money, either for pocket money or for a charity, by playing an instrument, be it a simple recorder or a violin, cello or other instrument.
 Dordrecht, the mooring posts already painted in the national colours in honour of the royal visit

People who are not interested in those things and don't like crowds might go for a bicycle ride. It is the time of year when the fruit trees are blossoming, and the trees are coming in leaf. It can be cold as it was today, but we had the most wonderful blue skies and white clouds.
A drawbridge across the inner harbour where historic ships ar moored, eg steamers. The royal party had to pass under this bridge.
The only shops which open for a few hours in the morning are bakeries and cake shops which sell cakes with orange icing. Those cakes are enjoyed while watching the Royal family on tour. They visit a town or city. This year, having a brand new King, the programme was a bit different. The family visited Dordrecht, the oldest Dutch town on a remarkable intersection of three great rivers, the busiest intersection of waterways in Europe! It is a fascinating town with a very rich history, important for the founding of Holland, and also important for the protestant church. The big church, as big as a minster or cathedral, can be seen from far off. The best view is from across the river. It is one of the few churches in Holland with amazing choir stalls and misericords.
The visit of the royal party is broadcast live on television. It usually lasts several hours, from midmorning till after lunch. It is also interesting to see the clothes of our elegant queen and of the other fashion conscious princesses.
 The impressive church
 Inside the church: brass gate between choir and nave, choir stalls and main organ

Dordrecht is very important for shipbuilding and everything related with water and shipping. There was a “grand parade” of all kinds of ships, including an oilrig, ships used for building ports and harbours which this area is famous for all over the world. There was also a huge ship, - considered a replica - of the Arc of Noah, built by convinced Protestants. So an odd one out among the other industrial ships, container ships, and enormous dredgers.
It was followed by a boat trip through the inner ports to the church where the royal family attended a mini Bach concert. And then a long walk to the "Hof van Holland" (Court of Holland), once an Augustinian monastery but also the spot where Holland was “made”. Unthinkable for any American president that a complete royal family can walk through narrow streets lined with people, shaking hands, accepting gifts, posing for pictures with some of the people. Let us hope this will last for years to come.
 "Hof van Holland" Dordrecht
When the programme and the broadcast had come to an end, I decided to drive around a bit through the “green heart” of this part of Holland, which still has small meandering waterways bordered by dikes, old farmhouses and attractive provincial towns, some walled. It is an area just north of the big rivers and also known for its orchards. I hoped and expected they would be festive and in full splendour, but unfortunately they were past their prime although still attractive. Trees were just sprouting their young foliage. The poplars lining the roads displaying a glorious burnt copper colour, which in the bright sunlight looked as if the trees were on fire.




All five photo's above taken along the river Vlist
I drove along several rivers, two of them meandering, the main one canalised. The view from the narrow dikes was and always is wonderful: trees, farms and flags mirrored in the water. The dikes so narrow, with passing places and water on both sides, so that it was near impossible to stop and take pictures. In Schoonhoven, a walled town on the river still with an impressive gate, there was a lot of activity along the main canal in the centre. Although it was later in the day, the sidewalks along the canals were still littered with goods for sale, and the cafes spilling over on the pavements and quays. There were flags everywhere, people dressed in orange clothes, funny hats and scarves, all enjoying the sun and this happy holiday.
 Schoonhoven 

Windmills had flags on top of one of their wings or sails, which were in a special position to indicate a joyful occasion. There is also a different position to indicate mourning. They have a language of their own. An interesting piece of useless knowledge: The sails turn anti-clockwise when one is standing in front of a mill with the wind in one’s back.
In the evening there were fireworks in many places and the fairgrounds and village fairs were all having a great time. It was a wonderful and happy day.
 An old farmhouse near Jaarsveld

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers

Blog Archive