tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199514432008-05-19T16:00:35.562+02:00Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-67097893963120570962008-04-28T23:41:00.005+02:002008-04-29T00:50:54.639+02:00

Krabbegatsluis, Houtribdijk-Enkhuizen Lately the Dutch Department of Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat) runs a big advertisement campaign in the papers. Rijkswaterstaat is looking for new staff: stewards who will support the lock-keepers of the most frequented locks during the crowded periods in the spring- and summer- season. The Steward is the "visting-card" of Rijkswaterstaat in the locks and

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-14645583608555752222008-04-20T20:24:00.001+02:002008-04-28T01:15:59.193+02:00

"Every organism is looking for other organisms to survive, the same applies to man and chicken" - Koen Vanmechelen. Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen makes iconoclastic sculpture, paintings, glasswork and installations. His daring expeditions into contemporary science, philosophy and ethics have resulted into several internationally acclaimed projects. Most known is The Cosmopolitan Chicken

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-73924532264010699992008-04-16T23:29:00.005+02:002008-04-18T15:34:19.637+02:00

Water temperature along Dutch coast is around 8 degrees Celsius at this time of the year. Pretty cold for a swim, but no excuse for a good training session. I invited a group of seakayakers for a paddle in the Voordelta and explained that dealing with the cold-water would be the central theme. Wet sessions included. As I told the participants about the programme - not only a wet session in the

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-42809127427030310772008-04-05T18:29:00.008+02:002008-04-05T22:19:00.727+02:00

Jörgen started his sponsor-tour for the Clinic in Moldova this morning. Jörgen and his support- team have had a hectic time during the last weeks. The "Smiles for Moldova"-action got a lot of attention by local and national press, yesterday evening Jörgen was on Dutch Television. It must be a big relief for the team that the tour now finally started. It was a good start: a great farewell party

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-56935715658388415912008-04-03T00:01:00.004+02:002008-04-03T01:31:42.854+02:00

Jörgen at the NKB Vlieland kayak week, 2005 It's better counting the hours than the days before Jörgen starts his 4000 kilometre-kayak-adventure across the heart of Europe, from the Netherlands to Moldova. Jörgen isn't only putting himself to the test, he also wants to attract attention and to raise funds for the work of Dr. Rob van Oort. Dr. Rob van Oort is an expert in the field of

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-5748835025436587982008-03-29T21:54:00.002+01:002008-04-16T23:06:08.934+02:00

It's a good tradition of Kayak club de Kromme Aar to make open house of the last pool session of the season. Everybody is invited to have a look at the kayak activities and to go for a swim in one of the pools. Part of the festivities is an open rolling contest. And despite the fact that I am not a very competition-driven person I can't resist to compete and feel obliged to protect the reputation

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-48397028618106590782008-03-25T22:46:00.005+01:002008-03-26T08:48:42.191+01:00

Dagblad Dag 25-03-2008 / www.dag.nl There is a world of tragedy behind this small report in the sideline of today's newspaper: Dutch skipper kills kayaker Rhine - A Dutch skipper has probably killed a kayaker on the Rhine near Mainz in Germany. The remains of a kayak were found under the propeller of his ship and a Swiss kayaker is missing. DNA research must prove if the human tissue that is

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-62170344193501339212008-03-24T23:27:00.006+01:002008-03-25T00:55:51.440+01:00

Desperately looking for any occasion to work on personal fitness ;-), I said yesterday to Janine and the kids that I would follow by bike - as they would visit (by car) friends of us in Tilburg (= 80 km's from Woerden). It's a nice route to bike through traditional Dutch scenery, crossing 3 rivers: the Lek, Merwede and Maas. I planned to cross the Lek by the bridge near Vianen, but as I passed "

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-87785978712630681882008-03-23T17:01:00.003+01:002008-03-23T18:11:15.612+01:00

This is my interpretation of a great "Paasontbijt" (Easter breakfast de luxe) on location. I was a bit frustrated being so busy lately with work that kayaking (and kayak blogging ;-) got a bit neglected. I desperately needed to go out. So - in good agreement with the family - I got up early for an extensive paddle instead of the traditional luxury breakfast and egg-search-quest of the first

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-1964121931190548462008-03-20T19:29:00.000+01:002008-03-23T17:01:14.569+01:00

Woerdense Courant, 20 maart 2008 Kayakclub Wyrda started this year with activities for youngsters. In seakayak-practice I spent most of the coaching time working with adults. Pool sessions with kids are new for me - a great pleasure to do. Kids ask for a different approach for a stimulating, inspirational and fun event - I learned kids are no "mini-adults" and should be treated in a respectful

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-38791000432172202632008-03-13T21:33:00.000+01:002008-03-23T16:28:36.782+01:00

As far as I know: no stranded vessels on the Dutch beaches this time. The fishing boat on the boulevard of Scheveningen is put there years ago as a decoration referring to the rich fisherman's tradition of this part of The Hague. Today I had a work related "heissessie" in the Carlton Beach hotel in Scheveningen. "Hei(de)" means "uncultivated land with sandy soil and scrubby vegetation", but a "

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-19512961132613721032008-03-12T16:01:00.002+01:002008-03-12T16:21:44.788+01:00

Storm in Europe from Meteosat MSG (Source: Eumetsat) For Wednesday-morning and this afternoon a severe weather warning is given out: Dutch coastal zone, West 9 Bft., gales, showers. Today's storm is expected to be more powerful than it was Monday. Ad reported he had a great ride in his kayak on the river the Lek this morning. It's a brave guy!

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-1885459401463125192008-03-09T23:56:00.004+01:002008-03-10T00:28:14.279+01:00

These pictures are from the "Spring Cleaning 2008" organised by the Salzwasserunion (SAU). The Spring Cleaning is an early season training weekend for Sea Kayak Coaches and Instructors of the SAU(and those going to be). I participated in in this weekend together with Nico Middelkoop. It was a great weekend -> thanks to Bernhard for the invitation and for the organisation! A lot of stories to

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-38255610214578978082008-03-01T16:48:00.002+01:002008-03-01T17:21:55.924+01:00

On their first meeting at the Ritz Hotel in Barcelona Montserrat Caballé asked Freddy Mercury to write a song about her home town. The result realised Freddie's dream of recording with the famous Spanish opera star who he considered to have the most beautiful female voice in the world. A hit single in 1987, it reached no. 8 in the UK, but had a second lease of life five years later when it

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-65275321908606957202008-02-27T17:03:00.005+01:002008-02-27T22:00:23.360+01:00

Itch Noun 1. A contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterised by persistent itching and skin irritation; "he has a bad case of the itch". 2. A strong restless desire; "why this urge to travel?". 3. An irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch. Verb 1. Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your insect bites!". 2. Have or perceive an itch;

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-76373703658704869802008-02-24T22:02:00.005+01:002008-02-28T00:05:29.426+01:00

Ad heading out! Though I thought I have been paddling quit a lot lately, the last real salt water experience was the interrupted one in December last year on the German wad. So today's NKB trip to the Voordelta was in more aspects a premiere: it was also my first time with the Anas Acuta in tidal waters, and a test of a new Dutch carbon-composite paddle. I emphasize this wasn't the first

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-88724105016166448962008-02-17T16:33:00.007+01:002008-02-17T17:15:13.900+01:00

The Smurfs celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2008, and UNICEF is involved. Hundreds of white plastic Smurfs, just 20cm high, will be scattered in selected European cities for children to decorate. The plastic Smurfs will be laid down overnight - waiting at the bus stop, playing around the fountain, at the schoolyard – and kids will be able to pick them up in the morning. For those who miss the

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-35802248432870754822008-02-10T22:49:00.000+01:002008-02-11T23:29:59.592+01:00

"Creatief met kurk": Kayak boy shows canoe boys what can be done with firewood. Finally the westerly circulation that dominated the weather situation (to) long is over. A high pressure zone delivered - for the first time since many weeks - a calm, quit and sunny weekend. Perfect weather for the outdoors. I had an appointment with Guus and Alex in the Biesbosch for winter-camping. They were

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-80058853346501132822008-02-10T21:30:00.000+01:002008-02-11T23:41:47.566+01:00

Guus' new toy is the pop up tent. Pitching it is incredible fast! Guus gives a non stop demonstration that makes me envious. It's a pity the Pop-Up-tents don't fit through the Valley-hatches of a seakayak!

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-27051410880959795372008-02-08T23:52:00.000+01:002008-02-09T00:56:21.714+01:00

Picture in NRC-Next, 4 February 2008 by Walter Herfst. It's old news, but as I was clearing away last weeks newspapers, I was once more struck by the fascinating image of the grounded Chines freighter "Zhen Hua 10". It's hard to believe that a vessel loaded like this can stay upright at all. It made all the way from China to it's destination in Rotterdam, and stranded in sight of the harbour last

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-71836825121329072972008-02-02T22:53:00.000+01:002008-02-04T22:09:31.400+01:00

Muiden-Marken is a open crossing of the Markermeer of about 15 km's. Along the route you find some great Dutch Cultural Heritage sites (nrs. 1-4). Early this morning I had a date with René to paddle Muiden-Marken v.v. on the Markermeer. The weather forecast for "Netherlands coastal waters and adjacent lakes and estuaries" issued yesterday evening, valid from 0.00 to 12.00 UTC, said: W-SW 7-8,

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-48738212630128764062008-01-30T14:34:00.001+01:002008-01-31T10:13:33.628+01:00

Camping, cycling, climbing, hiking, riding a motorbike and kayaking: protecting valuable paper maps, and sensitive optical or electronic gear against water has always been an issue. After a low-cost start in the 70's - when I used plastic garbage-bags to wrap the camera, the dry clothes and the sleeping bag in - a huge number of waterproof cases and pouches has passed by in my outdoor life.

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-17056325656758228942008-01-26T21:12:00.000+01:002008-01-27T08:58:36.120+01:00

The collage is a first experiment with the trail-version of Corels PaintShop ProX2. This software offers an impressive amount photo-fixing and editing tools. According to Corel it's "an easy and fast way to make professional looking photos", said so, I can't call myself easy nor fast. Making the collage has taken me hours! And the kayakers in the surf in the background are not even manipulated,

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-72356196220079857602008-01-20T23:17:00.000+01:002008-01-26T21:38:19.200+01:00

It's a stormy day. At the coast wind is blowing up to 9 Bft WSW, and here in the inland it's also quit windy with 6-7 Bft. Fortunately the region around Woerden offers a lot of sheltered paddling possibilities. I had a appointment with Guus for a relaxed Sunday morning paddle. With this wind the route Woerden-Oudewater-Montfoort-Woerden is an attractive one: the Lange Linschoten and the

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19951443.post-80702731204032265412008-01-14T23:10:00.000+01:002008-01-30T22:56:35.077+01:00

Video courtesy of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality UNESCO: Reflecting the natural and cultural wealth that belongs to all of humanity, World Heritage sites and monuments constitute crucial landmarks for our world. They symbolise the consciousness of States and peoples of the significance of these places and reflect their attachment to collective ownership and to the

Hanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303713251268545759noreply@blogger.com