Week 28 Another long Weekend

Week 28

I noted a few little things as I hope that they are really taking the big things seriously 

Politico

The Dutch defense ministry is mulling plans to convert old trains into mobile emergency hospital vehicles capable of transporting wounded soldiers.

According to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, the ministry said large-scale military operations are not feasible without support from civilian society. The effort is reportedly part of a broader plan that could also see Dutch train drivers deployed to eastern Europe to assist military operations.

The push comes amid growing fears that Europe’s transport infrastructure isn’t ready for a potential conflict with Russia, prompting countries to explore how civilian assets could support military logistics.

Euractiv.com

Sweden considers raising the upper conscription age for former military officers from 47 to 70 to ensure its military is prepared in times of crisis, the Swedish defence minister said on Monday.

The proposal is among several options suggested by an inquiry the government ordered in 2024 – the year the country joined NATO – to look at how Sweden's expanding armed forces would be assured of personnel in a conflict.

Haircuts

I found a new hairdresser in Heerenveen, quite by accident as I was there for the boat - a haircut and beard trim for E20,00...but more than that I quite enjoyed the atmosphere. A few hairdressers from Iran, as it turned out. Almost walk in any time but I ring anyway to make an appointment. My regular told me that he has a degree in Social work - sounds like the qualifications of the people that work for us - but his qualifications aren't recognised here - which seems a real pity because they are running short of personnel in so many fields. Surely a fast-track system would be good for everyone...but I don't know the full story, of course. He said he learnt the hairdressing as a kid growing up - he used to cut the family's hair...I guess including beards in that part of the world.

Now, I only thought that was worthy of mention because Ben writes for a Barbers magazine. His latest article was about a Polish barber (Adam Szulc)...

Ben's article begins...

In the heart of Poznań, Poland, there stands a barbershop where traditions aren’t just preserved: they’re passed down like a torch from one generation to the next. At the helm of this family enterprise is Adam Szulc, a master barber with nearly four decades of experience, whose passion for the craft has ignited a flame in his children and helped revitalize Poland’s barbering scene.

At four years old, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up at a family gathering, Adam Szulc gave an answer that would define his entire life: "I want to be the guy who holds a razor and shaves men's faces." His grandfather, a barber during the German occupation of Poland in the 1940s, was delighted. That moment marked the passing of a torch that has burned brightly for nearly four decades.

Today, Adam Szulc stands as one of Poland's most respected barbers, a published author, television personality, pioneer of the straight edge movement, former hardcore punk musician, and the first European inducted into the National Barber Museum's Hall of Fame in Ohio.

Around the farm...

Pleasant weather, mowing, cleaning, clearing

Janny;s Mum told us that she had a deer sniffing around her terrace - we've had them really close to the house before, but mainly in winter when food is scarce.

We were away with the boat and we too saw a deer - swimming in front of us - we slowed down to make sure she could get out...

Another long weekend

Orange Line

We stopped the first night at Nij Beets: In 2015, they had opened up a new route by raising about 6 or 8 bridges and providing facilities at the village. It seemed like a big deal at the time, but I was rather disappointed that it looks a bit neglected since we last went through - with Frank and Pam about 2017, I think...

The reeds and weeds have taken over and there are warning signs about it being "shallow" at waters edge.

The locks drop the water level by about 1 metre - and the land is even lower again. There are some old windmills and a big pumping station to drain the water out..

Green Line

But, it was good to go through again, coming out at De Veenhoop, and then we headed off to Boornzwaag (again!). It is close to Joure, where the yearly Balloon Festival Week was in full swing - so we thought we would get to see some...

Janny went to see where some were landing - very close....

It was very warm and not much wind on Friday - so we had to get the shade sheets out - and I couldn't be bothered cooking...so we ate at the local restaurant - not at all stingy with their serves (too much, in other words!).

It's too hot with all my fur...

a German couple use a pram to walk their dog around - we didn't let on to Boeke...

Purple LIne

On Saturday, we took off to find somewhere to have brunch - an island on the edge of the Sneekermeer... it was much windier than the day before - lots of sailing boats out and about

A time lapse along the stretch going through Broek - it also goes past Terkaple, where the boat was built and operated. We went on through more African Queen territory to the hidden gem of Goingarijp...

We had to do a pit stop for Boeke - in the Akkrumer Rak (canal) near Akkrum - we've gone past it so many times before - but now we think that we can stay there more often as it is only an hour away from our haven - so it would get us started if we leave late in the day.

As we pulled in, a chap came up and asked "Is that a Noordman's boat?". Yes, indeed we are...he knows a bit of the history about where they were built - when the (Hire Boat) company closed down, the locals said that they didn't want so many boats on that particular stretch any more - so there were only two moorings left - he has one and his mate the other! He seemed to be a bit of a "character", but it was interesting to know just a little bit more. 

The father of one of Janny's swimming mates helped to build them and the woman herself used to clean them as a kid.

And so we headed "home" to our haven on Saturday afternoon - not sure what to do - we opted to grab Jamie's spot by the grass - Janny went off to ask the havenmeester if it was OK for the night - he said "Yes, in fact you can stay there for good, Jamie is For Sale".

And so we have a new home - I need to tidy up the grass a bit and shift the walkway to the door - oh what luxury!

The Further Adventures of Ben

Ben came home for just one night, but it is so good to have him closer by - but not for long.

He is to be Best Man at a mates wedding - about 12 mates hired a boat for the Bachelors Party...they didn't go anywhere, it was just to sleep on board.

and now we hear that he is going hiking (with a group) in....

Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the capital and largest city. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east and southeast.