A Timely Return

Pete is the small one in the middle

Our arrival in Holland was quite momentous, really. Pete was born here in a little village called Gilze. On April 15, 1953, however, his whole family left war-torn Holland for a new life in Canada. On April 15, 2011, we touched down in Holland … the first time Pete had touched the soil of his homeland in 58 years!

The Marinus family had originally left by ship from Rotterdam, and we flew in to Amsterdam airport, but the feeling of coming home was still very much alive. We were met by members of the same family who saw the Marinus’s off when they left and we’ve been treated to amazing Dutch hospitality since our arrival! Ad and Corry outfitted a ‘caravan’ for us with everything we would need for our stay … right down to a fully stocked wine rack! We have our own living room, kitchen, dressing room, bathroom, and bedroom sitting right in their back garden.

Ad’s Mom and Dad, Riet and Bart, loaned us a couple of bicycles and Pete’s cousin Stan is arranging a car for us on Monday. We’ll be able to tour in style.