Week 15 A tough Week


Week 15

The Netherlands had more wet days last year and above average precipitation, as Europe registered again record-breaking temperatures, a report by the EU Earth observation programme Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reveals.

According to the European State of the Climate report published on Tuesday, Europe is the fastest-warming continent with an average temperature last year 2.4° Celsius above pre-industrial times (1850–1900).

Data analysed by Copernicus and the WMO shows that 2024 was the warmest year for Europe, with “a striking east-west contrast in climate conditions”. The east saw “extremely dry and often record-warm conditions”, while the west had “warm but wet conditions”.

If you want to test a man’s character, give him power. This was obviously about Trump, but it gave me pauze for thought as I realised I've encountered other failings before...some don't fail, of course.


The boat
I had to buy 2 batteries for the boat - I bought the same as last time - their website remembered me even after 8 years - not bad! - and they were delivered on the SAME day. I was a bit dismayed to realise that they are American made as I am (rather futilely) thinking of at least making some effort to buy European alternatives for as much as I can. A BBC chap wrote a story about just how hard it will be - who owns what? being a big part of the problem. (but I can't find the story now, as usual).



Anyway, the batteries cost €180,00 each, which wasn't too bad considering that a boat business at our haven has them for sale at €264,00!

Tough Times
1. I shouldn't go into any detail, but one of our clients was "taken away" during the week - with psychiatric problems. We had noticed a decline and finally had to ask for help - so he is now in the right place - and we have his dog to look after! We'll be taking the dog for a visit this afternoon - in Heerenveen.
2. We're part of a group of Care Farms in North Netherlands (BEZINN). Janny got news that one of the owners has to stop because of serious illness - taking 2 years to (having) to make the decison. It's such a nice place - much more modern than ours. Very sad and a bit of a reminder that we're also getting older...
3. We had kids for this (Easter) weekend. Janny and the personnel had some nice things planned - but we made the mistake of sending 3 kids and one leader to the shop - so that the others could hide easter eggs and get things ready...
The leader came back in tears because the kids had started racially taunting a coloured kid in the shop (I can't believe that I am even writing this). Needless to say, Janny blew a gasket and decided to send them all home. We've been thinking of stopping with kids as they keep getting older...this may well be the end as we let it sink in.
I'm not even sure that the parents even care - therein lies the problem, of course.
So, we're both feeling a bit fragile at the moment...

Again thankfully, Around the Farm
The ever so humble Garden Shed (100% recycled)
Tjeerd and Rudi love working together - so it's nice to have little projects to keep them busy.








The grass is going quickly now - after a little bit of rain.


A new day...

The student girls finished off their 5 week project - making Easter flowers with the clients...


The fencing project continues...

Old friends...

I sometimes have the words of a song in my head "old friends are better than new friends - they can see where you are and they know where you've been" ...except that I did a search for the lyrics and couldn't find it - so maybe I just made it up :-) It's probably something to do with wishing that old friends could see what we're doing now...
The point is that we have (another) old friend visiting from next Sunday - so we have to clean and tidy up even more than usual and try not to look too old!
How we look now...















Comments

  1. Horrie & Evon's Travels20 April 2025 at 21:49

    Hi Ken, as always good to read your blog, a bit sad (the Racial Bit) but it appears to be a sign of our times, don't think people are taught respect for others. As for growing old, you are both way behind and we don't need masks to look that way. Much as I dislike growing old, it is much more preferable than the other option. Best to you both. Horrie & Evon

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