Blogs from Gaanderen, Gelderland, Netherlands, Europe

The years, like the seasons, like the Intermezzo's go by. They come and go, ever and anon. And so I find myself writing my 19th Intermezzo blog, or in Latin numbers: Intermezzo XIX! Who would have thought all those years ago? My travels have changed over the years, mostly in length to be honest. I used to travel up to eight months a year, now it is more like five. If I am lucky! Sometimes it is less. My Intermezzo's on the other hand have remained remarkably consistent. There is always the urgent need for money when I return, the frenzied search for a trial, the sigh of relief when I find one, and the even bigger sigh of relief when I actually manage to participate in it without it being cancelled, and the ultimate sight ... read more

My dad died. He died on Tuesday the 10th of December 2013 from lung cancer that had metastasized to the brain. This blog is about that event, but mostly it is about my father and it is dedicated to him and his life. For most people he was a friendly man, or a good colleague and friend, but to me he was papa. This simple word conveys everything that he was and still is for me. Final moments He wasn't alone when he died, my mum and I were with him. We told him we were there, not to be afraid and, most importantly, that we loved him. My mum kissed him. He reacted to us in those final moments, so we know that he was aware of us being there. He died at home, ... read more