Week 10 Improving weather

Week 10

Weather

It's still fairly cold but very little rain - which means we can tackle (the many) outside jobs.

And in preparation for my mowing season, we traded in the flail mower for one of these - a demo model(not the one in the photo) - much more suitable for my use (and my little tractor - still going after 16 years!)

After a record-breaking sunny start to the meteorological spring, winter returns to the Netherlands this week with chilly days and night frosts. (But little rain expected)

The sun shone for almost 90 hours in the first 10 days of March, and that just beats the record set in March 2022, weather bureau Weeronline said. There was also no rain to speak of, and that means a record dry start to the month as well.

Three national temperature records were set on March 6,7 and 8 and there was a new local record in Gelderland on March 8, when the temperature hit 20°, making it the first “warm” day of the year.

The thousands of shipwrecks in European waters pose a major threat to the marine environment. This is according to research by the European Court of Auditors published on 4 March.

The numerous wrecks of warships, cargo ships, oil tankers, chemical tankers and fishing vessels are all potential sources of pollution. They contain chemicals and heavy fuel oil that can gradually enter the marine environment. Also, dumped munitions from after the two world wars pose a hazard, as they release toxic substances when the projectiles rust through.

For example, the maritime research agency Helcom and scientists from the MARE Foundation estimate that at least 100 of the 8,000 to 10,000 wrecks in the Baltic Sea are unsafe because they contain fuel or hazardous substances and are less than 10 miles from the coast. According to estimates by the German authorities, there are around 1,000 wrecks in the German North Sea and 500 in the German part of the Baltic Sea. 'The German authorities are not aware of the type of cargo on board the shipwrecks', according to the report 'EU measures to combat marine pollution from ships'.

The French marine hydrography and oceanography service SHOM has a list of 4700 wrecks in French waters. These shipwrecks are all longer than 40 metres, were put into service after 1914 and are located in the exclusive economic zone of France and its overseas territories.

At least 3300 wrecks lie on the bottom of the Dutch North Sea. Customs and the Coast Guard keep a close eye on some of them, especially because they are maritime heritage. It is also the case that many of the sunken (war)ships crews have lost their lives. They are seaman's or war graves, which may not be disturbed for the sake of 'peace of mind'. Shipwrecks that pose a danger to the environment have often been dismantled or salvaged in Dutch waters.

Yet another new language....

On Monday we had a woman come to give us a Sign Language lesson. She has Lucas and his brother in a class and she also speaks to groups like ours - to promote further awareness of its role in the community.

She said that there are three (3) official sign languages in the Netherlands but they are trying to make just one out of the versions from Groningen, Amsterdam and Brabant (a Christian church version).

We have to practice all the basic stuff for when she comes back...we're doing a bit each day with our coffee

Signing "Coffee"

Position your hands near your chest, with your dominant hand above your non-dominant hand. Movement: Move your dominant hand in a circular motion in the direction of your dominant hand, as if grinding coffee beans. I only drink tea these days - the sign is also very simple - two fingers pinching a tea bag and dunking it in a cup made with the other hand.

On Monday evening I went boat-hunting in Sneek with brother-in-law Gerard. I was more taken with the house - 4 storey with a garage at the ground floor and a boat mooring at the back - underneath the 2nd floor balcony - yeah, our boat would fit :-)

(Gerard ended up buying the boat - their caravan park spot also has a mooring for the boat - near Boornzwaag, where we often go for a weekend break).

On Tuesday we relocated our greenhouse frame - it will be going further than this - down to the tree line in the background of the photo - closer to the clients. We're also going to do most things in small containers at waist height - although I will also be having yet another go at a small pumpkin patch (with seeds brought from Oz by Cheryl). It's a bit early yet, but a couple of sunny weeks have given us some inspiration...

By Thursday were were able to clean up the final location - we also had to cut off some overhanging branches from the forest next door...

A little ingenuity required - we had to throw over a line and sinker before upgrading to rope and canvas straps - to drag the half cut limb with the tractor- it took a couple of hours to figure it all out - it seemed more like a team-building exercise than work :-)

Tomorrow we'll use the clients to help pick up the frame and put it in place - fastening it to the concrete with angle iron. We had to buy a new cover for it - the last one was demolished by the wind - obvious in hindsight, so we'll take it off again at the end of summer.

Yesterday, we went to Heerenveen to get some football club socks for one of the clients' birthdays - we have two coming up this week - we do prezzies up to €15,00 - so it doesn't get out of hand - for us or the clients.

And whilst in Heerenveen we went to kick the boat(s) - also checking up on Houtrib and Kabouter (friends' boats). Sadly, Kabouter may have to be sold due to ill health of the owner - as time marches on.

Jacoba will need a bit of work at the end of the season, as usual. It's an enjoyable task - as long as I can still manage it (with my helper!! and 2 weeks instead of 1)

Kabouter

Seeing more of these around...

On Walking (In the forest)

BBC

Research has shown that immersion in nature can have a positive effect on mind and body. It can lower the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, making us feel calmer. It also increases feelings of awe, a powerful emotion that can help us put our worries into perspective.

Some doctors even go so far as prescribing time in nature as a mental health intervention. But the busy pace of modern life means that many of us don't get to spend as much time in nature as we would like.

The further travels of Ben

He was house-sitting for a friend in London and then he suddenly popped up in Lisbon - totally without warning for us!...but I suppose we are getting more used to it...