tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840778610664425412024-03-05T09:23:21.299+01:00The Shell GalleryADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-11420326825113036622022-10-08T18:57:00.003+02:002022-10-08T20:50:33.467+02:00The end of an era<p>I am briefly reopening this blog to report the death of my father at the end of August 2022. He reached the grand age of 88, but had suffered rapidly declining health throughout this year. Due to the restrictions occasioned by Covid, I had not been able to visit since 2019, but did see him for the final time five days before he passed away. </p><p>Between 2008 and 2019, I would always stay in my father's house when I came to visit; usually over Christmas and New Year. There were other visits through the year as well. Sometimes, I'd travel to see other relatives in the country, or join my dad for little holidays in his favourite holiday island, Vlieland. He managed, with assistance, to visit that little place again in July. Staying in his house was a reminder of my mother, who predeceased him in 2008. </p><p>Now that my father has passed away, it really is the end of an era. He had lived in the same house for over 50 years, and it held many memories. Both he and my mother were keen gardeners in their day, but the front and back gardens were an arid wasteland due to a summer drought. There is now little if anything to go back to in the little village, apart from the grave where they now both rest. </p><p>This is the Shell Gallery signing off. <br /></p>ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-52977408707615186582018-10-02T07:00:00.001+02:002020-08-09T13:45:19.763+02:00ClosureWhen this post is published, I shall be closing the Shell Gallery blog.
It used to run in tandem with the Atlantic Lines blog, which will be closed at the same time (with a parallel post). My years of
going back and forth between Scotland and Holland, the way I have done
for the past ten years, are over.<br />
<br />
It is 10 years and five months since I opened the Shell Gallery, following the death of my mother. With a degree of sadness, I am closing it this morning.<br />
<br />
A new blog is now on-line on: <a href="https://cobbled-road.blogspot.com/">https://cobbled-road.blogspot.com/</a>ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-20056368476530980592018-05-03T23:50:00.001+02:002018-05-03T23:50:12.979+02:00Skating - 3 March 2018<img alt="P3031318" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_970" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4780/39832342685_9e530f0d15_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031317" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_998" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4790/38917226290_ec5d487477_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031316" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_1045" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4784/38917235830_f8655c6bbb_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031311" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_1076" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4771/38917280220_a1f9eba53c_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031307" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_1115" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4778/25856150167_d0739cea1a_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031305" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_1142" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4799/26856235798_4db4518bf7_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031301" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384066044_1190" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4786/39832462465_e034a330a4_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P3031300" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384196802_946" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4796/38917345820_34239235b1_m.jpg" width="240" />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-64624509976762127722018-05-03T23:48:00.001+02:002018-05-03T23:48:30.012+02:00March 4th - 31st, 2018<img alt="P3311513" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383681558_1039" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/815/41362426741_fd0ccb7fae_m.jpg" width="240" /> Woeste Hoeve - memorial for 117 executed<br />
<img alt="P3311509" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383681558_1071" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/805/40648453734_c1e35eca57_m.jpg" width="240" /> Cerviduct, Terlet<br />
<img alt="P3301505" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383783280_973" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/812/27491187908_2f869ebec4_m.jpg" width="240" /><br />
<img alt="P3251481" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383804070_969" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/822/41319165382_b6b431a5e8_m.jpg" width="240" /> Bridge, Westervoort<br />
<img alt="P3221450" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383831720_951" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/804/40946843332_05fe8bae40_m.jpg" width="240" /> Inspecting the nestbox<br />
<img alt="P3211446" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383859768_975" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4774/26117731537_72a3c00607_m.jpg" width="240" /> Robin<br />
<img alt="P3121386" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383921514_960" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/802/40095889545_2abe61bd15_m.jpg" width="240" /> Airforce museum, Deelen<br />
<img alt="P3101371" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383981492_958" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4781/39832001555_13bfb015a4_m.jpg" width="240" /> Stork<br />
<img alt="P3101363" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383981492_1054" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4782/40016907894_0d1b858882_m.jpg" width="240" /> Crocus<br />
<img alt="P3061344" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525384024886_953" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4775/40684321702_c5d453b062_m.jpg" width="240" /> ZypenbergADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-33669088163258784152018-05-03T23:41:00.002+02:002018-05-03T23:41:37.765+02:00April 1st - 14th, 2018<img alt="P4151702" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383279162_973" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/906/41062056494_e2bb7e56ae_m.jpg" width="240" /> River Rhine, Westervoort<br />
<img alt="P4141686" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383311950_942" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/905/26911107797_baaa84b2c5_m.jpg" width="240" /> Migrating toads<br />
<img alt="P4131681" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383311950_1023" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/870/41060426024_456bfb6b23_m.jpg" width="240" /> Fire watch tower<br />
<img alt="P4131674" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383311950_1076" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/978/39971991360_3449656096_m.jpg" width="240" /> Lower a man cannot sink (<i>Teerose II</i>)<br />
<img alt="P4121667" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383421014_987" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/870/39972072100_373606d008_m.jpg" width="240" /> View from the Elsberg<br />
<img alt="P4111650" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383467828_955" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/947/39972235110_b9f3357738_m.jpg" width="240" /> River Rhine between Driel and Praets<br />
<img alt="P4111639" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383467828_1067" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/909/39972317810_708cf7a707_m.jpg" width="240" /> River ferry, Driel / Oosterbeek<br />
<img alt="P4081606" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383529990_1002" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/900/41361979861_04f5320fcf_m.jpg" width="240" /> Havikerwaard, Ellecom<br />
<img alt="P4081596" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383561862_942" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/812/41318445972_c5d061b144_m.jpg" width="240" /> Friendly puss<br />
<img alt="P4071582" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383561862_1045" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/818/27490815108_1dae1351fe_m.jpg" width="240" /> IJsselkop, Westervoort<br />
<img alt="P4051557" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383616670_966" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/797/41362221361_081bab92fa_m.jpg" width="240" /> Flying tree<br />
<img alt="P4021535" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383652386_959" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/880/27490998548_074eb9ded3_m.jpg" width="240" /> Bridge, DoesburgADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-91103023525811831932018-05-03T23:33:00.001+02:002018-05-03T23:33:07.368+02:00April 15 - May 2, 2018<img alt="P5021890" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382831702_948" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/946/41823828322_1bbdb3fe92_m.jpg" width="240" /> Railwaystation, Velp<br />
<img alt="P5021891" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382831702_968" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/970/41149545234_db2328e5b3_m.jpg" width="240" /> Bicycle factory, Dieren<br />
<img alt="P4271866" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382909052_979" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/830/26909731587_53877b563e_m.jpg" width="240" /> Flags out for King's Day, 27 April<br />
<img alt="P4211815" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382957142_971" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/962/26909959367_9a16414947_m.jpg" width="240" /> Giesbeek<br /><img alt="P4211810" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382972424_979" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/823/39970797190_9314a74b7e_m.jpg" width="240" /> Doesburg<br /><img alt="P4211804" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525382972424_1039" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/974/40879151875_e622e6845b_m.jpg" width="240" /> Olburgen<br /><img alt="P4201789" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383010940_967" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/831/41778328001_b600c328f9_m.jpg" width="240" /> River ferry, Rheden<br /><img alt="P4201768" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383041674_957" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/974/41737338562_2e398fc5f4_m.jpg" width="240" /> Canal, Dieren<br /><img alt="P4191749" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383069716_966" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/971/41778674871_b6a4ec2128_m.jpg" width="240" /> Eerbeek<br />
<img alt="P4181736" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383105532_979" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/910/41061742844_a8bff1b22d_m.jpg" width="240" /> Deelerwoud<br />
<img alt="P4151709" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1525383129290_973" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/955/41779048281_c839d5132f_m.jpg" width="240" /> DuivenADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-23481027168390576412018-05-01T23:42:00.004+02:002018-05-01T23:42:58.164+02:00Ten yearsTen years ago today, my mother passed away. This blog is dedicated to her memory, as stated in the sidebar. I miss her every day, but would not have wanted her to have suffered any longer than she had to. This week, we shall visit her grave, leave some white roses there and reflect on the passing of the years. She shall remain there, in the sun-splashed corner of the village cemetery in the woods. We shall go on, because that's what she would have wanted us to do. ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-16412120691412276952018-01-31T11:46:00.000+01:002018-01-31T11:46:57.498+01:0031 JanuaryThis day is one for celebration - but at the same also one for commemoration in the Netherlands. The celebrations are for the 80th birthday of (former) Queen Beatrix, who abdicated the throne in 2013 to give way to her eldest son, Willem Alexander. A very private person, Beatrix still mourns the passing of her husband <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Claus_of_the_Netherlands">Prince Claus</a>, who died in 2002; as well as the loss of her son <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Friso_of_Orange-Nassau">Friso</a>, who died in 2013, a year after being severely injured in a skiing accident in Austria. I experienced Beatrix as a slightly distant monarch; her son is by contrast very open, without forgetting about the deference due to him.<br />
<br />
Sixty-five years ago today, a violent storm struck the Netherlands. The northwesterly winds combined with a storm surge, which elevated water levels in the southern North Sea. This caused flooding in the Thames Estuary in England, as a result of which 300 people drowned. The flooding in the southwestern Netherlands was catastrophic. Warnings had been issued by the Netherlands Met Office (KNMI), which were broadcast too late in the day (radio broadcasts ceased at 11pm each night, and TV was in its infancy) to reach the authorities in the southwest. Only local people were aware of the dangers, when waterlevels at low tide were at those normally experienced at high tide. The dykes breached, flooding large areas of the provinces of Zeeland, southern South Holland and western North Brabant. More than 1800 people drowned, as well as thousands of heads of lifestock. A major flood prevention scheme, the Delta Works, were initiated, only completed in 1986. <br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zUEfU0P92Ws?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-14002501368668564842018-01-30T16:15:00.001+01:002018-01-30T16:15:27.826+01:0030 January 2018Two and a half months have now passed since I returned to Holland. My uncle was buried a week after I came back, and his affairs have been put in order. The house he rented for more than sixty years was cleared in the space of a few weeks, and returned to the landlord. A major refurb will be in order before anyone can move in. The house is close to my father's, and I frequently pass it on my way through the village. Just this week, I noticed the snowdrops and crocuses near my uncle's house are budding, the distant beginnings of a new spring. Before his death, my uncle gave me his old bicycle to use, which I have done: quite a few miles on various runs around the heathlands and woods that adorn this part of the world. The highest point is about 350 feet / 105 metres above sealevel, and against expectation perhaps, this part of the Netherlands is anything but flat. <br />
<br />
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4624/28113065239_2f6550472a_m.jpg" /> <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4711/39183252494_a68d955f61_m.jpg" /> <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4697/39861402942_853218bb45_m.jpg" /> <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4656/39861613642_bde421df57_m.jpg" /><br />
Two weeks ago, the Netherlands was visited by a violent storm. It claimed two lives, created transport chaos with no trains running, trucks overturned on the motorways and people bowled over in 70 mph gusts. Highest gust was 90 mph at the Hook of Holland. Thousands of trees were blown down, blocking roads and hurting if not killing people. <br />
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4710/26020425368_ac84d97226_m.jpg" /> <img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4605/39183486594_1d3afc4a92_m.jpg" /><br />
Last week, I visited the town of 's-Heerenberg, 25 miles east of here, on official business. It is a quaint wee town, right on the German border near Emmerich, with an old castle and church.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/39893749411_f92bfa3158.jpg" />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-55654273143208146322017-11-22T11:25:00.003+01:002017-11-22T11:25:49.400+01:00Autumn colours<img alt="PB170166" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346233337_807" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4549/38467637942_dcd44f6b33_z.jpg" width="480" /> <img alt="PB180216" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346167952_694" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4548/38467223452_8d86a97736_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB180213" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346167952_728" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4549/38467256692_5d3e1e70b5_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB170200" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346167952_810" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4550/37784274604_bfa87e3811_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB170206" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346167952_771" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4576/37612713595_05cd7a83a6_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB170173" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346233337_702" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4566/26723803629_f1a1a82e49_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB170172" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346233337_744" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4573/24627521158_a87b515388_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="PB170170" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1511346233337_777" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4521/38499530971_536a39823c_m.jpg" width="240" />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-59699753417360440772017-11-18T15:22:00.004+01:002017-11-18T15:22:42.425+01:00Saturday 18 NovemberLast Thursday, I took the plane to Holland in order to be with my
family. I had been aware that my uncle had been terminally ill with
cancer, and the illness was moving towards its inevitable conclusion.
This came last night, just a day after I came back. At the time, my
uncle was very distressed, and I was advised against a visit. However, I did attend a brief ceremony which took place a few hours after his death, at 11 o'clock at night. The coffin was taken from the hospice, where my uncle had been cared for during the last months of life, and conveyed down the driveway and up the street for a brief distance. At the nearest junction, we halted whilst the hearse continued on its way, finally disappearing from view round a distant corner. When I last saw my uncle, he was in good health and good spirits. Just last January, we celebrated his 90th birthday. I'll hold on to those good memories. RIP. ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-36995647528139581012017-05-08T16:22:00.001+02:002017-05-08T16:22:26.944+02:00Monday 8 MayThe anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), the day in 1945 when all the forces of Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies. Adolf Hitler had committed suicide eight days previous. Europe lay in ruins, but was to be rebuilt in the decades to follow. Today, the newly elected French president, Emmanuel Macron, observed a commemoration of VE Day in Paris. Relief has been expressed at his election, as Marine Le Pen was all for leaving the European Union. However, we need to pay heed to the vote-share of Ms Le Pen, 35%. That is a substantial percentage of the French populace who would be prepared to leave the EU.<br />
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Is the EU then such a fantastic institution? No, it is very flawed, and is in need of an all-encompassing overhaul. Maybe it's too big, maybe its bureaucracy holds too much power without really being held to account. The reason why people do not wish to see the EU fail lies in history. In 1957, the Benelux countries, Germany, France and Italy established a free-trade association for coal and steel, which later grew into the European Economic Community, and since 1992 the EU. It came in the wake of two World Wars, which were sparked off by nationalistic fervour and competition between states. Western Europe has known peace for 72 years, although we have seen a vicious war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, which also should serve as a warning and reminder. The nationalistic talk of Marine Le Pen, railing against the perceived German hegemony, could so easily lead to renewed conflict. We already have to be watchful of Europe's eastern border, with Putin's Russia. We don't need to go looking for conflict within. ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-49290095596015309472017-05-01T11:23:00.000+02:002017-05-01T15:15:42.583+02:00Monday 1 MayJust found it has been six weeks since I wrote on a blog, with the exception of my more than once-daily updates on <a href="http://tropicalcyclones.blogspot.co.uk/">Tropical Cyclones</a>. Unheard of, really, but I seem to have moved to Facebook what I used to write on a blog. Facebook is a lazy blogger's heaven [cough]. The disadvantage is that you can only really write a couple of lines. So, the Shell Gallery is open for business, for a few weeks. <br />
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In the sidebar, it is mentioned that this blog was set up in the aftermath of my mother's death in 2008, now 9 years ago. This rainy day we're having today reflects the mood perfectly. ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-15737751777706420822017-03-16T23:24:00.001+01:002017-03-22T15:12:05.978+01:00The Turk and the TsarVladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan. A dangerous mix, which puts Europe in mortal danger. On April 16th, the Turks will vote in a referendum to afford the Turkish presidents sweeping powers which would turn his presidency into an autocracy. Erdogan is pulling out all the stops to get the diaspora to vote as well, some 5 million strong. His ministers are travelling the length and breadth of Europe - and we saw what happened in Rotterdam last Saturday. It was thoroughly disconcerting to see the mass of flag-waving Turks in the city, turning to rioting when their minister was sent away. And some militants claiming that the city of Rotterdam will soon be theirs. <br />
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It has been <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/what-next-in-the-europe-turkey-standoff.aspx?pageID=449&nID=110900&NewsCatID=425">suggested</a> that Erdogan wishes to reinstate the Caliphate, which ruled Turkey until 1924. He could just as easily wish to reinstate the Ottoman Empire, which (at one point) reached as far as Vienna in the 17th century. What does that remind you of? <br />
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Vladimir Putin. He wishes to reinstate the Russian Federation to within the borders of the old USSR, abolished in 1991. He also wishes to extend his sway to the whole of Europe, made easier by US president Donald Trump. He is not too bothered about Europe, and Putin knows that.<br />
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If Erdogan gets his new powers, he could just as easily foment trouble in the Turkish communities in Europe, setting off civil unrest if not worse. Erdogan could cancel the migrant deal, that has stopped the flow of migrants from Syria and other places across the Aegean Sea into Greece and the EU. Hundreds of thousands would come across, causing further instability in Europe. And, with Donald Trump not really minding what happens in Europe, Vladimir Putin could march in to restore stability on Russia's borders. In Ukraine. In Poland. In Germany. In Holland. In the United Kingdom, where Brexit will loosen the ties to continental Europe, where Sturgeon's Scotland seeks to secede.<br />
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There is one other angle on this. If there is conflict between Europe and Turkey, this also means a schism in the NATO alliance. Should this really come to pass, then Putin will have achieved his aims. We should be very worried - if Erdogan gets the majority of Turks to vote <i>Evet</i>. Yes. <br />
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<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-87989511622244518822017-03-15T11:17:00.003+01:002017-03-15T11:17:37.697+01:00Election Day 2017<div data-contents="true">
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<span data-offset-key="24p58-0-0"><span data-text="true">I just want to put my perspective on the Dutch elections, which are being held today, 15 March. We have all heard of Geert Wilders, whose cosy Limburg brogue is dressing up a toxic rhetoric against one of the great religions of this world. Mr Wilders appeals to 1 out of every 7 voters in this country. Why? Because he appears to offer a solution to a problem in the Netherlands, that none of the mainstream political parties are addressing. The Turkish president has unwittingly helped to drive some of that support away. While Mr Wilders was tweeting away on the sofa, the government was in the business of dealing with the excesses that Mr Erdogan is perpetrating. The parties of government are showing that they are actually acting on a problem. All Mr Wilders does is talk. His rhetoric has also prompted the government to take a far more confrontational approach to Mr Erdogan than would (initially) have been necessary. The Turkish ministers were way out of line to come campaigning here. If it had not been for Geert, they would have held their little rallies, the various layers of government would have dealt with it. But because of Mr Wilders' presence on the political scene, and his vilification of all immigrants, particularly Muslim ones, the government was fearing a backlash from Wilders if they allowed the Turks to campaign here - so they said no. Not the best decision, I feel, but that's just me tweeting, erm, Facebooking away on the couch. Well, at the kitchen-table ;-) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="i6gi-0-0"><span data-text="true">The problem that has produced all this support for Geert Wilders has NOT gone away. Once Mr Erdogan has held his referendum, once a new government is in post here in Holland - that's when the debate has to start how to deal with the hitherto mismanaged issue of immigration and integration. </span></span></div>
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ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-39475109279966357612017-03-01T13:36:00.005+01:002017-03-01T13:36:39.439+01:00Monday 27 February<img alt="P2276519" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_1135" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3940/32782040880_5c913dc766_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2276522" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_1166" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3802/33123225166_6b2efee67b_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2276524" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_943" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3901/32349552613_048e1c4509_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2276523" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_1195" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3929/33164640135_54db921727_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-20431679472884846592017-03-01T13:35:00.004+01:002017-03-01T13:35:54.787+01:00Friday 24 FebruaryLast night, the Netherlands were lashed by a severe gale, with gusts up to 75 mph. This caused some damage and disruption, but nothing really serious. The only visible effects in this town was the election billboard which had blown down, and a lot of small twigs and branches that had blown off the trees, littering the roadways. <br /><br /><img alt="P2246508" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_984" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/710/32782083550_25a0116e20_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2246507" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_969" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/647/33037166421_5aebf6540c_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2246511" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_958" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3686/33123198866_fa54fe05da_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2246513" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371649027_1075" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3759/33164682025_08eab90c33_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-64228669562957646212017-03-01T13:33:00.004+01:002017-03-01T13:33:51.910+01:00Thursday 23 February<img alt="P2236486" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_947" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3911/33164803455_82a6b36232_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2236487" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1152" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/701/33008458852_4dc72bcb05_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2236488" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371579209_951" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3858/32782149840_fb4a2a91b9_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2236494" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371579209_1036" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3836/32349683433_4db682c80d_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2236496" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371579209_1072" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/32319514794_a7dc163a51_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2236498" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371579209_1109" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3902/32349663193_858344db96_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-74443610959942268572017-03-01T13:32:00.002+01:002017-03-01T13:32:21.486+01:00Tuesday 21 FebruaryBack in Holland for a couple of weeks to give my father a hand who needs it at the moment. Journey from Stornoway went smoothly yesterday, 10 hours door to door. This means one ferry crossing (2½ hours), one bus trip from Ullapool to Inverness (1 hour 20 minutes), one bus trip to Inverness Airport (about 20 minutes), one flight to Amsterdam (1 hour 20 minutes), one train journey of approximately the same length. Not bad going at all.<br />
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<img alt="P2216474" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_985" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2852/33008518462_70835e225b_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2216475" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1008" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3768/33008509422_5802c50814_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2216473" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1043" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3851/32349799043_3540f93fbf_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2216478" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1070" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3891/32319635544_28bbcab273_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2216481" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1107" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/631/33164818895_a7680dae1b_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P2216477" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1488371471143_1085" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/33164851115_a8b9b386f7_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-61892953591129791012017-01-27T08:15:00.000+01:002017-01-27T08:15:14.501+01:00Friday 27 JanuaryI am once more returning to Stornoway today, and therefore The Shell Gallery will go back under wraps, much like its real life counterpart in the Castle Country Park.<br />
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When I'm next back in Holland, I shall resume posting here.<br />
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Until then, I can be found posting occasionally in <a href="http://atlantic-lines.blogspot.com/">Atlantic Lines</a>.<br />
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<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-78777662970847228722017-01-25T14:17:00.001+01:002017-01-25T14:17:30.256+01:00Monday 23 JanuaryIt's my father's birthday today, and after yesterday's visit he had two more today. The day was closed with a nice meal at a local Chinese / Indonesian restaurant, so the birthday boy was well regaled. ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-45718347297980163452017-01-25T14:16:00.001+01:002017-01-25T14:16:09.616+01:00Sunday 22 January<img alt="P1225987" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350131491_968" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/590/32336249172_e18788480e_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1225988" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350131491_985" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/736/32487951205_386bcbdc90_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1225990" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350131491_1016" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/642/32336234272_01e2f0b1e9_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1225993" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350131491_1028" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/296/31676313303_fe5d02b265_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-67938869333808268272017-01-25T14:15:00.001+01:002017-01-25T14:15:14.931+01:00Saturday 21 January<img alt="P1215957" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1089" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/733/32062061190_be2362530b_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215959" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1134" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/639/32400122156_f5f2c237a2_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215960" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1152" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/350/32288784782_54934d12f9_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215961" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1193" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/470/32440057115_92787424fe_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215964" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1244" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/775/31596780324_dbc82bb0e9_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215968" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350071552_1004" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/445/32288713622_a1a50b3a95_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215971" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350071552_996" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/581/32400028176_77d4b4f528_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1215978" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485350071552_1080" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/537/32288644582_8ee4d74db9_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-72844633375483500762017-01-25T14:13:00.002+01:002017-01-25T14:13:21.825+01:00Friday 20 January<img alt="P1205952" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_994" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/544/32440108875_22f6bc1887_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1205955" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349930241_1073" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/375/32400150546_72a32f4389_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184077861066442541.post-89655772902403465862017-01-25T14:12:00.001+01:002017-01-25T14:12:25.044+01:00Thursday 19 January<img alt="P1195942" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349763679_1111" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/737/32440181535_6d4ed0ee7a_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1195941" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349763679_1092" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/664/32288888282_c0a4d40e78_m.jpg" width="240" /> <br />Today at lunchtime, we were wondering about sounds of rumbling, crashing and banging on the roof and around the house. It turned out that the bright midday sun was warming up the rooftiles, and the cover of snow slid down like an avalance and landed on lower roofs and the ground outside. <br /><img alt="P1195944" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349763679_1162" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/353/32400220946_59245edab9_m.jpg" width="240" /> <img alt="P1195945" border="0" class="pc_img" data-thumbdata="" height="180" id="yui_3_11_0_3_1485349763679_1175" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/720/31596901084_5d7efe00d0_m.jpg" width="240" /> ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com1