Queens Day / Koninginnedag : or is it Orange Crazy Day – for the House of Orange.

The shops are full of Orange merchandise right from 1st April – not just for the week prior to the big day. My memory from last year is obviously a bit out of tune. Is that short term or long term memory loss? (just checking being of the older age spectrum).

I have seen – Orange Stetsons, Orange boa, Orange eye lashes, Orange G Strings, so totally Orange sunglasses (worthy of Elton John), Orange pendants, flags, balloons, candles, Orange hats with Orange flowers, T-shirts, belts, Orange wigs (2 types even), Orange gumboots, aprons, Orange socks, and clogs, Orange crepe paper, Orange origami cranes, Orange bunting, posters, skirts, flowers including tulips, Orange Chefs Hats. In fact one could be forgiven for thinking one is in a vast stand of heavily laden Valencia orange trees and a mighty wind just blew all the oranges down to the ground and we are to be lost and swallowed under a mountain of Oranges or should that be under a mountain of things Orange. I think the later is kinder, a mountain of Oranges may not be so good for the bones.

Orange is so important, that if it can be made, it can be made in orange.

All these photos were taken on Sunday afternoon in Haarlem

I have bought myself the perfect Orange hat with Orange flowers on it and when I have a photograph taken of it with me wearing it, I shall post it here. I am really not sure if silver grey hair and an orange hat will go well together or not. You can let me know later.

We have bought a couple Orange glass candle holders with candles. We did use them last evening, just testing the effect of Orange ambient light – and it was okay. We have not bought 3 foot high candles designed to be pushed into the ground and lit at the right time as we have absolutely no ground in which to put them.

I have bought Orange acrylic yarn – and if I can get it done in time I will create something knitted in Orange for out there in the world – for a small Orange yarn bombing, graffiti art knit (maybe not art) thing or two. trouble with Orange yarnbombing is that it may never ever be noticed amongst all that floaty, floating, flowing, flowering, flimsy, fragrant, fragile, and fresh Orange everywhere on April 30th.

On the day – there will be Orange food, not just Oranges – but food with Orange colouring, Orange cakes, Orange icing, Orange marzipan, Orange names of menu items, Orange menus, Orange boats, people wearing all sorts of Orange items (not all could really be called clothing, especially as this event is also part of the gay festival season as well as the celebration of the Queens birthday). It will be the Orange Party of the year – as of course every year it is the Orange Party of the year and the party will continue over the weekend.

This year we have noted that the Amsterdam railway station is having issues with its cleaners and the cleaners are on strike. The station is an absolute shambles.

Last year the day after Queens Day we were in Amsterdam and it was one largely orange covered place. I hope the cleaners will not be on strike in the streets of Amsterdam as well as those on strike at the station because then Amsterdam could be Orange for many many days – because Orange Day and the amazing party that happens creates soooo much Orange litter.

Which is of course why every year there is new mechandise to be purchased for this amazing event and celebration.

Queens Day / Koninginnedag : or is it Orange Crazy Day?

April 30th – Queen’s Day is a national holiday here in the Netherlands. It is a celebration for the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands (Queen Juliana’s birthday). The date has been retained as Queen Beatrix birthday is in January – not good weather for a party in all the streets of the Netherlands.

Queen’s Day is also world famous (in the Netherlands?) for the Orange Craze.

These pictures are from “About.com” Take a look to see more.

People wear orange clothing, hats, orange boas and other quite interesting creative orange accessories. The Royal household is the House of Orange so there will be orange banners, orange coloured foods & drinks, orange cards, orange everywhere. So if you will be in the Netherlands on April 30th do bring at the very least your orange t-shirt. If you should forget there will many orange offerings for sale on the street from g-strings, to cowboy hats and everything between.

On Queen’s Day there is also a “freemarket” (Dutch: vrijmarkt) all over the country, where everybody is allowed to sell anything they wish in the streets. Last year the streets of Haarlem were lined with stalls and groundsheets and tables laden with everything and anything that you could imagine for sale somewhere. Children selling toys they have outgrown, people baked cakes and sold them, oranges, orange juice, clothing, books, records, videos, cd’s, tapes, car bits, tv’s, kitchen stuff, jewellery, junk – absolutely anything can be sold on this day. There were miles and miles of sellers.

They do not allow garage sales here – so they have this free market day once a year as well as other fleamarkets where you can sell your surplus whatever that might be. Queens Day was great and this year I am really looking forward to it. Last year we didn’t know quite what to expect – even though we had seen people preparing for it for the week before by starting to wear orange items and many shops had wonderful orange displays.

If you come to the Netherlands at the time of any one of their amazing celebrations – check out the shop windows, they make such an effort and the art and design of them is quite incredible. We had been told the Dutch are stoic and do not know how to celebrate – that is a serious lie. I have never seen so much celebration.

Maybe this is just not the right day for a Knit art Graffitti installation on a Ball in Haarlem.

It was a beautiful day here in Haarlem and we just had to go for a bike ride. The weather report suggested rain – but it didn’t happen.

Because we have not been on our bikes since the end of September, or maybe early October we decided on a short ride without any hills (there are not very many hilly sections here but for the old and unfit any hilly bit is not a joy to behold). We also hoped the ride would be with the wind behind us. Our experience so far tells us this is nigh impossible and true to form, the wind was in our faces on the way out and the same on the way back. Our ride was about 17 k’s (we have a widget that tells us so).

We rode up to Spaarndam to the Cafe Terras Fort Zuid and had lunch and then carried on out onto the polders.

We saw many courting birds, some solitary ones – like the heron and the magpie, and many many birds grazing like sheep on the fields, and some that seemed to be nesting already. We also managed to get a photo of the Magpie. It is such a beautiful bird here with irridescent blue in its wings.

Grebs acourting was wonderful to see. The dance is like a ballet with dips and turns, and floating across the water to meet at the chest and rise up to turn (a graceful pirouette). There were ducks nesting, solitary herons standing, coots, huge geese, and ducks all grazing on the new fresh grass, a graceful pair of swans and much wheeling, singing, screeching and fighting amongst themselves for many of the birds not yet established in a relationship I guess.

We met a beautiful horse, saw many cyclists and walkers – people just out enjoying the gorgeous day.

On the way home we stopped at the park where the tree wore a scarf over the coldest winter for 60 years. Once there I forgot about the tree, I was just overwhelmed by the flowers – snowdrops, crocuses, everything purple and white and then a bright little foreign group of orange crocus, almost a natural graffiti here where the colours were to be purples and whites against the green. The park is so beautiful.

Jusst so you know the Keukenhof Gardens are now open – so if you are coming to the Netherlands in the next 6 or 8 weeks – you must include the Keukenhof Gardens. I know there are churches, canals, and bikes, and museums, and galleries, and architecture, and wooden shoes, and birds and then there is the Keukenhof Gardens. Seriously do not miss it.

My body is asking why I do not have a special seat to protect the nether regions, and my legs are saying “what are you doing to me?” I can’t say old any more – so the unfit are showing they are a little unfit today.

It was a great day.

We came home and wandered down to the canal to feed the local birds our oldish bread. They were not so interested anymore, there must be so much food about now. We then meandered back home via a little side road and there we heard music, live music. So we just had to have a quiet drink and listen to the music for bit at a bar we have not been to before.

Wild Salmon steaks for dinner. Got to go.

If you have enjoyed visiting this site Old Fart Expats – which has the stories of our adventures as two older people working, living and travelling in the Netherlands, and in Europe, then please consider checking my other site which is about my designer and knitter life.

I know I have mentioned such things as ball warmers and trees with scarves – so you do have some idea of my other life. But that is the outrageous nearly knit art graffiti life – oh and we are planning an installation maybe on April 1st – April Fools Day. I don’t know if that is a term used here in the Netherlands so the installation may not benefit from that as it might in New Zealand or in the UK. It does depend on completing the piece and it will not be in Haarlem. Just in case I forgot to mention this – the Haarlem Balls are nearly back. They are waiting to be installed once more. So maybe on Queens Day – will that be a good day for an installation here in Haarlem? Will keep you posted on that one.

But I am also a bona fide knit designer and I am also thinking of a sculpture – metal piece with knitted wire (thin wire). The creation of it could be very hard on the hands – but I have discovered of late that anything is achievable should you think of it then you can do it.

I digress again.

If you are a knitter, or want to be a knitter. If you love colour work, or just love colour – maybe exploring my designer knit site Connielene Knit Designer will stir in you the need to knit again or to learn to knit if you do not yet, or just might enjoy some of the stories there as well. I do also have 2 etsy shops which I add patterns and pieces to as I am able to. There are a few beret and cape patterns should you be interested. The links to Connielene Etsy shop is here as well as the link to Unique Boutique Knits where my patterns and other pieces are available.

Oh and if you also use Facebook then I would love it if you would “like” my page there as well ConnieLene Unique Designs & Knits

We all need fans in our lives, I hope you will “like” my facebook page there enough to be a fan – the old Facebook parlance – they do keep on changing things. But if you like it please tick it – Thanks

Queens Day / Koninginnedag : or is it Orange Crazy Day?

Orange Boat - orange guests

April 30th – Queen’s Day is a national holiday here in the Netherlands. It is a celebration for the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands (Queen Juliana’s birthday). The date has been retained as Queen Beatrix birthday is in January – not good weather for a party in all the streets of the Netherlands.

And it is a big street party, everything is Orange for the House of Orange, and everyone can sell anything they wish to anyone else.

So it is a birthday celebration, a freemarket, street party, costume party, Orange Fest. Bring something orange to wear if you are here on April 30th, or buy something orange to remember the day with.

We went to the Cafe Pitcher to watch the French / Italian game today, and what a game that was – all that passion on the field, and me, being me, I am so glad it was not a walkover.

But there you go again – I am digressing. To get to the Cafe Pitcher today we walked there via the Grote Markt, (town square), and there right across the square I could see the concrete balls.

That is the cold concrete balls of Haarlem are now sitting on the side of the road waiting to be reinstalled. Some of you are aware of my Balls in Haarlem story and some not. So if you do not know the story do check out the link and see just what the Balls of Haarlem are all about.

But back to the Rugby, which had actually been the original intent of this post, Rugby football.

Where are all the expats? This is a great venue, you can actually see the rugby on the very large screen, and you can actually hear the commentary. Don’t stay away – we do not want to lose this link to Rugby in Haarlem, and we will if you do not join us.

So far we have had an audience of a Dane, a Frenchman, a Fijian, a New Zealander, and 3 Dutchmen with serious rugby interests and interesting English and Irish accents, and a few assorted others who did not let us know their background. We need many more people at the Cafe Pitcher to view the rugby next Saturday.

What will you do when the Southern hemisphere rugby is on – go into a crowded, noisy pub in Amsterdam? Why? You can’t hear it, although you can see it if you are lucky.

We have done that and this is so much better.

We have taken down the scarf – it took longer than our estimated 5 seconds and we left the scarf hanging over the tree supports for someone who needs a newish scarf. There are spring bulbs showing their new leaves already, and some are in flower. I don’t know the flower and have taken a photo – so will post the photo and name when I know what it is.

Best Beloved did take a video – but the camera locked somehow and the video didn’t process so no video recording. He really did do a great dramatic rave as I snipped the threads to remove the scarf. We have learned something from our previous videos. It is a shame it will not be heard.

So you will just have to imagine it – 2 oldies marching across the park, a tree wearing a fashion scarf, a tiny pair of very sharp scissors, a sunny day, a park with quite a few people in it and we just calmly snipped the threads and removed the scarf – no reaction.

Next winter we will need something bigger if we wish to attract any sort of attention, but then I am not sure that was the intention. I think I was concerned we would attract attention and have to explain ourselves to some authoritative figure. How do you explain this activity. I really don’t know.

I was sent an email about knit art graffiti,

I saw several cold trees in a park on a bitterly cold day, with much snow on the ground.

I had a number of scarves

2 and 2 make scarves on trees. HHHmmmmm don’t know how we would have managed any authoritative attention.

I do hope someone likes the scarf and wears it.

Our tree in Kenaupark in Haarlem, on installation day on January 10th 2010. A beautiful cold crisp day and a beautiful young tree.

Best Beloved and I have been several times over these weeks to check the tree, and to check for the continuing presence of the scarf. As late as yesterday (Saturday 6th March in Haarlem), the scarf was still there. Now we think we should disrobe the tree. (or is that dis scarf, or descarf? probably not)

We have seen the tree in its scarf – in many conditions – very wet, covered in snow, bright against the snow and frosty. Today it is in bright bright sunshine on a gorgeous Sunday in Haarlem, the temperature being around 1 degree according to Accuweather

Wet Tree & Scarf in Haarlem Park

The canals are hovering towards freezing again and for a brief time this morning the bird restaurant was in the sun.

We have had a lot of fun with the tree and scarf. It is interesting that we have received helpful comments from all over the world regarding our exploits here. But there has only been one direct comment from a Dutch person about this tree and its scarf. Thank you Camiel

So in the early afternoon we shall take our tools – (one pair of scissors) and snip the single thread that keeps the scarf from sagging unfashionably down the trunk, and then a couple of snips along the length of the scarf and it will be over. It might take 5 seconds maybe, and maybe our camera will manage the shortest video ever taken in the world.

I don’t know what we will do next winter to brighten our days as we will have to think of something else, because the Great Balls of Haarlem have been removed, and we do not know if they will return, and I am not planning to knit scarves for trees next year. So it will have to be something absolutely new and different.

Expat Voices: 25/01/10

ConnieLene Johnston on living in the Netherlands

Danish expat ConnieLene Johnston, who moved to the Netherlands from New Zealand, is ecstatic about Dutch bird life but cannot abide the way the Dutch simply park their bikes at any spot convenient to them. However, she has managed to join a group to continue spinning a good yarn or two…

Name: ConnieLene Johnston
Nationality: Danish
City of residence: Haarlem, Netherlands
Occupation: Designer, Knitter, artist
Reason for moving to the Netherlands: My husband has a position here
Lived in the Netherlands for: 17 months

What was your first impression of the Netherlands?

Grey, drab and I hated the hotel – but after a few days the sun came out and we had a place to live and it all got very much better from that point.

What do you think of the food?

Traditional Dutch food – very over processed and the source can be unrecognisable. There are many deep fried foods which are not to my taste. But there is great access to many foods from many lands and I absolutely love that.

What do you think of the shopping in the Netherlands?

Great – I love the fact that the Netherlands are not succumbing to the great mindless American Mall syndrome that New Zealand – where we come from, has. Why would anyone want to spend a day out at a mall? They do that in New Zealand.

There are not enough yarn choices here. I buy yarns in every country I visit if at all possible. But then it would not matter how many places there were that sold yarns – it would still not be enough for me.

What do you appreciate about living in the Netherlands?

I love the great public transport and my bicycle and the fact that we do not need a car–ever. Who would have thought that at my age I would be riding a bicycle? (I didn’t ride a bicycle between 15 and 61 years.) I love the terrain. I absolutely love the birds, and now that it is winter our garden is a bird restaurant. Currently–just outside our door – we’ve spotted jays, magpies, tits (Great, blue, long-tailed), Blackbirds, thrushes, red robin, wood pigeons, doves. My husband John has seen a Curlew (I am jealous of that), and I have seen two types of tree creepers. There are Dutch people at John’s work who have not even seen this bird. We feed swans, coots, ducks, jackdaws, rooks and sea-gulls. There are many birds in New Zealand but they are not common on your door-step.

I love the architecture – new and old, canals, polders, windmills, art, museums, bike tracks, and train travel, and the flowers everywhere. I appreciate Skype, the internet, and email in a way I didn’t before coming here.

What do you find most frustrating about living in the Netherlands?

The language. There are a lot of discussions about expats needing to learn the language, and yes they should. It is not an easy language to learn and it is very difficult to practice because when you attempt to use it – the Dutch person you are speaking with replies in English. But then you also meet people in shops in particular who carry on speaking Dutch to you even though you have said that you do not know the language well enough. They can be very rude. We have met marvellous people who are exceptions and will have fun with you and the language – us speaking English and them answering in Dutch, and us trying in Dutch or a mix of Dutch and Danish and English and so on.

The other frustrating thing is that I cannot read the food labels –everything appears so altered that you cannot be certain of what you are ingesting – so we make most of our meals from scratch. If we go out and eat John always ends up with a breakfast or a lunch – the meals here are for mountain men not ordinary people who do not work in a physical way. Thank goodness people here do lots of bike riding – otherwise there could be a real health issue.

What puzzles you about the Netherlands and what do you miss since you’ve moved here?

Why are they so rude? The Dutch park their bikes close to where they are – that could be on pedestrian crossing, on the footpath, even where the snow has been cleared to make narrow safe walking area for pedestrians. They have no sense that they should move to one side if they are in hearty discussion with others on the footpath – you can just go out onto the road or onto the bike path were you can be called things like piss pot – can you believe a woman maybe in her 40’s calling us that.

Because I do not go to work – I miss general contact with people speaking in English. I was born in Denmark, but English is the language I have been using for most of my life. I have slogged through snow in icy conditions to go to the doctor in Amsterdam – to pick up a prescription which could have been faxed – just so I can speak with someone in English without having to apologise for my poor Dutch. How sad is that?

How does the quality of life in the Netherlands compare to the quality of life in other countries that you’ve lived in?

The quality of life here is excellent, but the houses are sooo tiny, we would call them a flat in New Zealand. Everything is handy for us, living as we do within Haarlem – walking distance to everything and close to parks, the canals, the windswept beaches and the bikeways. There is great access either to places within the Netherlands or to Europe and all things artistic and creative. It is great for the soul. New Zealand has a great quality of life as well – it is just different, less history, bigger houses and gardens, great country side– just no real seasons in the North – I love the seasonal changes here – although I have had enough of the snow and ice and am glad of the respite.

Here is much more expensive.

If you could change anything about the Netherlands, what would it be?

I would teach all school children good manners so that when they are adults they will actually consider others when they go about their daily business.

I would also encourage people working in the food industry to learn to wash their hands and use tongs and gloves when preparing food for others to eat. Food regulations in other countries do not allow a person to pick up food with their bare hands where it is to be served to another person. I have seen some appalling food handling here. I watched a woman clearing tables – moving food from one plate to another on a stack, putting it down and then go and make a sandwich for another person without washing her hands.

What advice would you give to a newcomer?

Join as many groups as you can either one where they speak in the same language as you do and any Dutch groups where you have a common interest. For instance I now belong to the local Stitch ‘n Bitch Group in Haarlem. I waited far too long and would have benefited from doing so much earlier. All Dutch people are educated in English – if you have a common interest, like knitting, then the language will not be a major problem and your language skills will develop more quickly.

Would you like to add anything?

I am a passionate knitter, designer and artist. I have recently at the tender age of 62 created and installed my first art graffiti piece here in the centre of Haarlem – The Haarlem Ball Warmer.