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.
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
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