I know what you mean, Bunkie...but I have become adept at repairing the plastic and wooden ones of today. I use clothes pegs alot--in the garden and at home, so I had to find a way to get the longest life out of my pegs/pins.
I have used them Sjoerd.I used pant strechers too.To help with the ironing.I wonder if you know about them.
hahaha...no Glenda--I do not know those. What on earth must I think of? How do they work with ironing?
Love the travel-log. I am more of an armchair traveler and your trip through town was wonderful. Thanks,
I'm really pleased that you liked it, Jewell. Armchair travelling is fun too. You miss alot of the uncomfortable hassels, but get the pics and commentary. ..Perfect!
Sjoerd...Your pictures were great and so interesting....I love taking tours with you...I have never heard about the clapping hands....do you mean you don't wear the wooden shoes? Tourism here keeps everyone going....anything to draw a crowd....I will gladly take another tour with you...you make it so interesting. Where will we be going on our next rainy day? Sjoerd wrote: ...I saw some clothes pins for sale there--the all wooden ones that I knew as a child. No springs, just wood with a gap inbetween to fit down over the line and clothing. Do you know them?... I like those clothes pins the best...without the springs. I have some but I plan on buying more. The ones with springs don't last on a windy day here...I am always putting them back together...I am in a real windy area where I have my clothes line.
Fabulous tour as usual. Honestly Sjoerd, I think you missed your vocation in life - you should have been a tour guide! I would love to see the cheese market. I hav eonly been to Amsterdam once, and that was for the tulips and a huge flower parade. Mum is coming over in the spring with some gal friends so I must point her towards Alkmaar. She can bring me home a cheese or 4. I love the wooden clogs. Many years ago, my nan visited Amsterdam and bought me home a plain pair. They were a perfect fit and so comfortable, I wore them for over a year until I grew out of them. Mum is under strict orders to get me another pair - gotta be good on the allotment! Lovely pics Sjoerd. x
Thank you so much, SHERRY-- You are very complimentary. I hardly wear wooden shoes anymore. It's because I do more and more knee work, which means that I sit on my knees with curled toes. The wooden shoes do not give and bend like leather, so it is an uncomfortable pressure. Now, for pressing a fork into the ground or keeping my feet dry in the spring and fall...the shoes are perfect. Now I just wear "normal" street shoes that are too worn out to be presentable in public or some of those comfortable, inexpensive rubber ones. I have a bird house made out of one of those wooden clogs. I don't yet know where I will be going the next time. I like to just spontaneously decide to go somewhere without planning, so I can't even give you an idea to think about. yeah, those clothespins are good ones. My mum taught me how to make them into a angel with little faces on the nob at the top and glue crepe paper wings and gowns on them--an angel for the christmas tree or to hang somewhere in the house at Christmas time. Glad you liked this one, EJ--A tour guide...chortle. That's a good one. You ought to check out the friday cheese market next time you come over. I was surprized to hear that your nan (bless her), brought you a pair of clogs. I was even more surprized...no, astounded, to hear that you find them comfortable. hahaha. Further it was amazing that the pair that she bought you fit perfectly. I find that it is difficult finding a pair that fits me properly. Anyways, it is interesting to hear that your mum will be visiting in the spring. You might mention that normally we wear an "inner shoe" with the clogs.--sort of a leather thing that is like a little low-cut sockie, if you know what I mean. I just wear a thick sock with mine, though. The wooden shoes are good of the allotment in terms of keeping your feet dry. That was their original use--farm work. I have been to a wooden shoe museum and have seen some remarkable shoes fron the old days. Do you plan to get the plain ones or some with a bit of varnish on them?
As I have commented in the past,Sjoerd,you need to write a book. You could take all of your stories,travels, and photos just from what has been on Garden Stew and have a wonderful book! You have a natural talent for writing. I enjoy reading your posts as much as reading a novel or any other book. Let's see, what could be the title of the book? :?:
Thank you, TAMMY-- That is such a nice thing to say. It sounds like you already have the PR worked-out. hahaha Are you going to become my publicist?
Oh Sjoerd, you never cease to amaze me with your way with words. Your story telling is wonderful. I loved tagging along with you on your day off. Fascinating to see those little shops crammed full with goodies. I can remember my grandma having one of those carpet beaters. Not sure about chewing gum alley but as you say better than having it stuck to your shoes. Unfortunately the front of the shops in our village have quite a lot of the stuff squashed on the pavements. The photos were lovely, looking forward to the next episode.
Hello there, GardenGirl-- Always nice to hear from you. I am pleased that you like this posting. It was a good day for me, in spite of the rain. The fact that it was so rainy stimulated me to write more about inside stuff than what one typically sees on sunny days, namely the old buildings and various street scenes. So your grandma had one of the carpet beaters, eh? Well, that shows ho tightly we cling onto traditions here. hahaha...we are a pretty old-fashioned folk to be so tolerant and "modern". It is an interesting contrast.
Yes I would be your PR/publicist person, though you don't need one because your writing speaks for itself. A little collaboration with Frank,Toni,and Eileen perhaps in compiling your posts and pics into publishable(is that a word?) form. I would be the first in line to buy a copy of your book and I daresay a good number of other stewbies also would delight in having a book. Everyone seems to love your way with words, reading about your travels, and seeing the pics. Your knowledge and experience in gardening is evident. We enjoy the fruits of your labor! What title everyone??
