It is obvious that in 1985 a lot of things happened.
Unusual things too.
We had taken the son of one of Pieter's former students, a mushroom grower, with us on a trip to Florida.
He was here for the summer, on an exchange from Roteract youth, staying as a guest with families from our local Rotary Club.
So now, they wanted to kind of take 'revenge'...
We were back in The Netherlands and got invited:
We arrived on October 7, around 11:00 at the home of Pieter's former student and mushroom grower in Standdaarbuiten, in the Southwestern part of The Netherlands.
After a coffee, we also joined them for lunch and then they took us to the Royal Tree Nursery of Piet Van der Bom, in Oudenbosch.
After that, they took us to Oudenbosch Basilica a replica of the famous St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Then they took us by 14:00 to airport Seppe.
Vliegveld in Dutch means Airport
Daan Van de Nobelen seen to the left, the father of the Roteract youth that stayed in Georgia for summer.
Husband Pieter to the left with pilot and loyal former student(s) Dré Heestermans, and Daan Van de Nobelen
Daan Van de Nobelen, me and husband Pieter next to the little plane
Daan Van de Nobelen seen to the left, the father of the Roteract youth that stayed in Georgia for summer.
Pieter's former student, Dré Heestermans from Ulvenhout, took us one by one, up in the air for viewing the different mushroom farms from above, over the region where Pieter for years drove to from Horst, for giving classes.
Wearing my Burberry skirt and trench coat, it was autumn in The Netherlands.
Pieter let me go first...
He's always been a true gentleman, and living by the motto: 'Ladies FIRST'...
Pilot Dré, took me up first for 45 minutes, above Tholen, the area where Pieter taught its mushroom growers.
Pieter's turn
Pieter ready for take off... but due to sudden weather changes, they were back after 35 minutes.
We all went to Kreekdijk, for supper with the Van de Nobelen family and after that, around 20:30 by surprise, all Pieter's former students from that region, where he gave classes in the 1950s before he established the practical training college in Horst, triggered in.
They served hors d'oeuvres, and after Pieter showed some slides with news from the Campbell Mushroom farm, they each told their story.
Quite an experience and rather moving for Pieter.
We were in bed by 1:30 in Standdaarbuiten en after breakfast in the morning we went with the son back to Van der Bom and then we drove to Limburg where we stayed with my brother Harry and his wife.
Related post:
Yerseke Oyster Fishers got Trained by Pieter J.C. Vedder to become Mushroom Growers | post by me about nearby
Liebe MAriette,
ReplyDeleteso ein Flug mit einem so kleinen Flugzeug ist sicher toll! Danke für die schönen Bilder!
Ich wünsche Dir einen schönen Tag und einen guten Start in ein gemütliches Wochenende!
♥️ Allerliebste Grüße, Claudia ♥️
Liebe Claudia,
DeleteDanke, ja wir haben die kleinste und die größte Flugzeugen geflogen.
Lieber Gruß,
Mariette
A wonderful memory;-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteA very unique one.
Hugs,
Mariette
Buenos recuerdos de tiempos del pasado. Por suerte están las fotografía como un buen documento gráfico.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteSí, esto es precioso en un momento de la vida en el que los recuerdos son valiosos.
Abrazos,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, This whole event was quite an honor for Pieter. It seems that these days people don't show appreciation as much. It's too bad that Pieter's flight was curtailed. Were you nervous in such a small plane? My guess is not!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, that was quite an honor and we both got to feeling overwhelmed.
You are so right about nowadays seldom showing any appreciation...
Yes, Pieter lucked out of seeing 'enough' of those mushroom growers from above.
Me and nervous? Never ever; so your guess was right!
Hugs,
Mariette
We saw your comment to Katie on her Blog and are sending our purrs and prayers to Barty and for support to the family
ReplyDeleteDearest Timmy Tomcat,
DeleteThank you so very much and today so far has been the best day so far.
It seems like the prednisone is perking him up, he still needs to start eating more for gaining strength but he's happy.
Hugs,
Mariette
How cool is that, I love flying
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteYes, that sure as cool and only too bad it started to become foggy when it was Pieter's turn.
Hugs,
Mariette
That must have been a very cool experience for you both!
ReplyDeleteDearest Deborah,
DeleteYes, it sure was and has been greatly appreciated too.
Hugs,
Mariette
Those small planes scare me....but sounds like you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteWell, there is a huge difference in stability between that Jumbo 747... or other big birds!
Yes, I enjoyed the experience.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a great experience. It must have been very interesting to see the mushroom farms from the sky. Your Pieter husband is a gentleman indeed to let you go first and clearly admired by his former students. Such wonderful memories xoxo
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteIt was quite an experience to meet former students that would do this for both of us!
Pieter indeed is a gentleman and will die being one... It is heartwarming to see such student gratitude.
Hugs,
Mariette
You are very brave going in that air-plane. What a beautiful reunion with all the students.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteNot very brave but trusting someone and above all, trusting that God will keep you safe!
It was indeed a beautiful and meaningful reunion with the students from that area.
Hugs,
Mariette
That must have been quite an experience for both of you, I guess!
ReplyDeleteI have never been in such a small airplane myself!
Many hugs,
Marie-Anne
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteIt was a very special and unexpected experience indeed.
We've been in almost any size of airplane...
Hugs,
Mariette