The castle of Doorwerth in winter -    Lodewijk Franciscus Hendrik 'Louis' Apol 

Dutch, 1850-1936

Oil on canvas, 108.2 x 81.2 cm.

Visited Groningen last week I was just in time to spend my money on the May fair. lol Do you have cities you'd recommend to visit next or any NL attractions for that matter? Also, stroopwafel... my beloved..

Got this ask right after someone else's ask about visiting the Netherlands, lol.

You can't visit the Netherlands and not visit any art museums. You've got Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh in Amsterdam (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum), Mondriaan, M.C. Escher and more Rembrandt and Vermeer (Girl With a Pearl Earring) in Den Haag (Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Escher in Het Paleis, Mauritshuis) and other amazing art musea with many of the Dutch masters (Kröller-Müller Museum, Rembrandthuis, etc.).

If you enjoy architecture, there's obviously Amsterdam (boat tour right outside the train station is pretty fun), in Rotterdam you'll find the cube houses, and there are the Delta Works in Zeeland. If you want to visit 'older' cities, you should definitely see Maastricht in the south, one of our oldest cities (and my personal favorite, but for heavily biased reasons, though it's really got a great atmosphere and beautiful buildings and goes right over the river the Maas). In Drenthe you'll find the 'hunebedden' (dolmens), tombs from prehistoric times. As far as castles, we have palaces like Soestdijk Palace and Het Loo and old castles like Muiderslot. Den Haag is also where our government resides, if that should interest you. Personally, I'd say these sort of things aren't really worth an entire trip by itself, unless you're truly interested, but more of a fun thing to check out if you should be visiting any of these cities anyway and have an extra hour to fill.

As far as nature goes we have the Veluwe in Gelderland, a wooded area. Go to Scheveningen if you want to visit the North Sea (also has a Sea Life aquarium). The beach is popular in summer but really I think it's nicer to visit on a cold day, when all you hear are the seagulls and the waves. The northern islands are nice places as well for quiet, beachy surroundings. You're just a month too late for the Keukenhof unfortunately, the world's largest tulip garden.

Lastly, you really should visit the Efteling, a theme park in Noord Brabant with a very unique style, full of fantasy elements and animatronics, including a fairy tale forest with lots of old-fashioned fairy tales (i.e. the originals, not the Disney versions). But also roller coasters and water rides and shit. Though if you mainly want roller coasters, I'd suggest Walibi instead (previously a Six Flags park).

Ever had fresh stroopwafels from a market stall? That shit is the best. I think it's more common in winter. The Efteling has a Winter Wonderland theme going on too then, with lots of stalls serving hot snacks and drinks. Maastricht also does yearly winter markets with ice skating, a huge ferris wheel and tons of stalls with hot glühwein and warm snacks.

Hope that gives you enough ideas lol.

Geoguessr tips - Netherlands edition

Sooo I recently got into Geoguessr and well, I thought: why not share some tips on how to identify my home country: the Netherlands, and better yet: narrow down exactly where you are with relative ease:

General stuff

The Netherlands has yellow license plates; the only country besides Luxembourg in Europe to have them

The Netherlands is mostly flat - but beware! There is actually some hilly terrain, especially in the Southeast (Limburg)

Cycling infrastructure: oftentimes red lanes, also plenty of signs. There'll also be bicycles parked basically everywhere except highways. Note that country roads often have unpainted cycling lanes to the side with one central lane for cars. Road lines are always white.

IJ/ij. Only found in Dutch. There's also both vowel and consonant doubling in some words, though both rarely happen ar the same time

Narrowing down your location:

If a town ends in -lo, it's in the East of the country

If a town ends in -veen it's often somewhere to the North

If a town ends in -dam it's near water, probably a river

If the sign is bilingual (note: German doesn't count!) or features â, î, ô, ê or û, it's in the Friesland province (Northwest)

German on signs or advertisement means it's in a border region

Town signs will have the municipality on them as well (gem. [...])

Does a church or area look Catholic? (Crosses, statues, that sorta thing) Probably Limburg or Brabant (South)

Modern architecture and tall buildings? Rotterdam. It's the only place that has "a modern skyline"

Sand drifts can be found in the Veluwe region (the big wooded area to the middle of the country). I don't even know whether they have any spots near sand drifts, but who knows. Could be useful.

Dutch neighborhoods are themed. For example: artists, plants, royal family, countries, inventors etc. This is most useful when you know some Dutch though, but handy nonetheless

Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog are the islands going from left to right. See any of em on a sign and you know where you are

Major highways start with an A, provincial roads with an N

Public transit can be a big clue. Some bus companies only operate in certain regions. (See pic 1) Trams can only be found in Amsterdam, the Hague, Rotterdam (and area) and Utrecht

Phone area codes. Quite useful. They can help you narrow things down considerably (see pic 2)

Recreational cycling route junction (fietsknoopppunt) signs will tell you the region you're in (see pic 3)

PS: "Fietspad" means cycling path. It's useless for geolocating as is "Doorgaand Verkeer" (through traffic). Yellow signs are temporary.

where is better to visit? im interested

it depends on what you're looking for! i really like utrecht, amersfoort and zwolle, if you still want a city vibe. leeuwarden is really pretty too, and so is groningen. if you wanna see some nature, the veluwe is a really pretty area, and places like apeldoorn are still big enough cities but also have amazing nature close to them. we've also got many beautiful museums, like the teylers museum in haarlem, kröller müller in arnhem, or the mauritshuis in den haag if you're more into art. the islands (waddeneilanden) are also worth a visit, you can visit most of them from noord holland or friesland. i haven't really been to the south very often, so i don't have many recommendations for that region (zeeland, noord brabant, limburg) but i know limburg has beautiful places for hiking, zeeland has great beaches and the big cities in brabant like eindhoven or breda are also very nice! plus the biggest theme park of the netherlands, de efteling, is also in brabant, i love that place a lot too. oh and my favourite zoo of our country, gaiazoo, is in limburg!

this got much longer than i expected lmao but yeah there is so so much to do here, even the touristy stuff like the kinderdijk is cool, and of course amsterdam is still worth a visit (i am in love w the museums there) but it's definitely not the only stop to consider :)

Discovering the Netherlands: A Tourist's Guide to Unique Highlights and Culinary Delights

Introduction

The Netherlands, a country renowned for its picturesque landscapes, historic cities, and vibrant culture, offers tourists a unique and memorable experience. Beyond the iconic windmills and tulip fields, there are distinctive aspects that set the Netherlands apart. Additionally, the Dutch cuisine, influenced by its rich history and global connections, is a delightful journey for food enthusiasts. In this guide, we'll explore the lesser-known highlights and the diverse culinary landscape that make the Netherlands a must-visit destination.

Unique Highlights :

Cultural Festivals

Keukenhof Flower Festival: Celebrate the arrival of spring amidst the breathtaking tulip fields in Lisse. Keukenhof is the world's largest flower garden, showcasing millions of flowers in various vibrant hues.

King's Day: Join the orange-clad crowds on April 27th to celebrate King Willem-Alexander's birthday. Experience the lively atmosphere filled with street parties, concerts, and a city-wide flea market.

Local Traditions

Sinterklaas: Embrace the festive atmosphere during the Sinterklaas celebration in early December. Witness parades, gift-giving, and the arrival of Sinterklaas, accompanied by his mischievous helpers, the "Zwarte Pieten" (Black Peters).

Carnaval in the South: Discover the southern provinces' vibrant Carnaval celebrations, marked by colorful parades, elaborate costumes, and lively street parties.

Lesser-Known Attractions

Giethoorn: Explore the "Venice of the North," a charming village without roads, where canals replace streets. Glide through the serene waterways on a boat and discover picturesque thatched-roof cottages.

Hoge Veluwe National Park: Immerse yourself in nature at this vast national park, home to diverse landscapes, cycling trails, and the Kröller-Müller Museum, boasting an impressive collection of Van Gogh paintings.

Dutch Cuisine:

Must-Try Dishes

Bitterballen: Indulge in these savory, deep-fried meat-based snacks, often served with mustard. They are a popular accompaniment in Dutch pubs.

Stroopwafels: Savor the sweet delight of thin waffle cookies filled with caramel syrup. Enjoy them fresh from street markets or local bakeries.

Popular Cafes

Café Hoppe (Amsterdam): Immerse yourself in the historic ambiance of one of Amsterdam's oldest cafes. Enjoy a traditional Dutch jenever (gin) or a local beer.

Bakkerij van Vessem (Utrecht): Delight in freshly baked goods and aromatic coffee at this cozy bakery, known for its commitment to quality ingredients.

Traditional Restaurants

De Kas (Amsterdam): Experience farm-to-table dining in a greenhouse setting. De Kas serves dishes crafted from seasonal produce grown in their on-site garden.

Gulle Waard (Winterswijk): Explore Dutch regional cuisine in this charming restaurant, offering dishes inspired by the Achterhoek region's culinary traditions.

Conclusion

The Netherlands, with its unique blend of cultural festivities, local traditions, and hidden gems, promises an unforgettable travel experience. Paired with the diverse and delicious Dutch cuisine, your journey through this captivating country will leave you with lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for its rich heritage.

14:00 - Kerk haalt van kindermishandeling verdachte dominee van de kansel

De Church be' aye suspendin' 'er minister from Ouddorp forthwith. 'E be not allowed t' lead no services fer now.De man an' 'is wife be suspected o' abusin' their young'uns fer years, Rijnmond reports. The suspension be imposed by the church's national board.Argh, 'tis the story of the Reverend Hendrik J. (60) an' 'is wife o' 58. Last Tuesday, the first o' their trial be happenin' in the Rotterdam court. There, 'tis revealed that six o' their eight now-grown children be a-filin' complaints. The first o' the abuse be happenin' back in 1992, that were. 'Twas on the Veluwe in Elspeet, where J. were the reverend at the time. After that, the couple be a-mishandlin' the children in Arnemuiden, Nieuwe-Tonge, an' finally Ouddorp on Goeree-Overflakkee.Th' children say they were regular-like beat with a clothes hanger, frying pan, vacuum cleaner rod an' a slipper. In one case, th' couple be accused o' holdin' one o' th' children's heads under water fer an extended period o' time.Arrr, Hendrik J. took the floor hisself on Tuesday, beggin' fer a stay o' the proceedings. "It pains us greatly t' 'ear o' yer accusation," 'e says ter 'is six children what was all present in the court. "The last three years were a right 'orror fer us, a nightmare. We be wantin' nothin' more than ter mend things between us. What say ye: could we maybe sit down fer a chat, with some professional help?"Arrr, the prosecutor be wantin' no delay. "The children be grown now, they can be decidin' fer themselves how their lives be goin'. If ye be seein' what's been happenin' fer years now. The ones as ye be trustin' the most, the ones as should be protectin' ye, they weren't there. Home be a terrible place. Home be feelin' like a hell."Argh, the youngins be feelin' nothin' fer a mediation attempt or delay o' the trial, says their spokesperson. "They found their father's actions te be shockin'. One child hasn't had any contact wit' 'is parents fer eleven years, an' now they be wantin' ta talk all o' a sudden?"'Tis yet unknown when the matter'll be dealt with, content-wise. Hendrik J. and 'is wife'll remain on free feet, though.In collaboration withRijnmond be a Dutch region what be located on the Rhine River, south of Rotterdam. Rijnmond be known fer its lively port cities, including Rotterdam and Dordrecht, an' fer its many beaches an' parks.Arrr, 'tis regional news I be readin'. 'Tis 100 words I be countin'. Arrrr.Thar be a mighty fine article, me hearties! 'Tis a right shame that it be so difficult t' read, but I reckon that be the price o' piracy. Arrr!

Day 13 – What season are you grateful for? What is good about the others?

Every season is beautiful in each of its own. I am grateful that I got to experience all four of them.

Cherry blossoms at Amsterdamse Bos, Jan 2019

My favorite season would be spring because the flower blooms. The sky was bright, and although it is still cold, the view kinda compensates for it. 

Winter in NL was not exciting because there were no snow fall (only for a brief period of time at 2 am in the morning, then when you wake up it’s all slippery ice and some snow on the pedestrian walk). I am grateful that in December 2018 I got to join my friends at Sweden for a trip up north to Norway. Everything was white and it was oh so beautiful. We took a train from Stockholm to Narvik then continued the trip with cars up to Tromsø and Lofoten Islands. Everything was white. The fjords were majestic. The winter was bleak, and freezing, and colorless. The sun rises at 11am and sets at 2pm. 

Norway, Dec 2018

Early days of summer were beautiful because the days are long and the cool breeze of spring were still there. At the peak of summer? Not so much. The air was so moist and still and I need to drink 4 litres of water each day to stay hydrated. On some of the worst days in 2019, the temperature did reach 40 degrees. I was so lethargic and doing nothing would still left you soaked in sweat. But I did travel south to France and the view by the highway was so beautiful. There were golden meadows and lavender fields and sunflower fields and everybody was out of their house. (I survived summer 2020 by eating ice cream and going to museums to savor their blasting cold AC). 

Somewhere in Southern France, Jul 2019

Autumn was also beautiful. The temperature starts to go down and everything was suddenly a lot more bearable. The leaves turned brown on the branches. My friends went to Hoge Veluwe in autumn 2020 but I didn’t join them and I’ve just realized that I don’t have an autumn-themed photos on my galleries. Need to do some more digging and I’ll try to add a picture I took on my own BUT for now you can enjoy this - heavily saturated, I think - photo of autumn in Delft that I took from someone’s DeviantArt:

The winter made me grateful for the summer, and vice versa. I am even more grateful for the in-between seasons that made the other extreme two more bearable: spring and autumn. Each season has its distinct color palette and the views are mesmerizing. So don’t just stay indoor; get out! 

COME WITH ME, LET'S MAKE SOME TRAVEL TRIP IN NETHERLANDS,DE HOGE VELUWE NATIONAL PARK!!!

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is my dream place ever! I love the vibes and also the environment. Here are some interesting things you must know in my place.

image of Pinterest

Hoge Veluwe National Park (Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe), one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands, lies just eight kilometers north of Arnhem. Occupying an area of 13,750 acres, this huge park is the largest continuous nature reserve in the country and is notable for its diversity of scenery, which includes everything from dense forests to high sand dunes. It's also unique in being a privately owned national park, one of only two such parks in the Netherlands (and the only one that is fully enclosed).

Hoge Veluwe National Park is famous for its tremendous diversity of landscape, a mix of thick forest, heath, and even sand dunes. Perhaps the best preserved - and certainly the most interesting geologically of the country's national parks - Hoge Veluwe consists of a large area of sandy soil formed during the Ice Age. This fascinating scenery is interrupted in the south and east by moraines standing between 80 and 100 meters high.

-Hoge Veluwe Highlights-

·Hoge Veluwe's Birds and Beasts

From well-placed observation points in the center and northwest sections of Hoge Veluwe, visitors can watch animals including red deer, roe deer, and wild pigs, as well as moufflon, a species of wild sheep originating from Sardinia and Corsica. In winter, a variety of birds congregate in the park, including marigold finches, titmice, chaffinches, woodpeckers, jays, magpies, and thrushes. If you're here for the wildlife, the best times to do some animal spotting are early morning and late evening, so plan your visit accordingly. Be sure to pick up a park map upon arrival for details regarding locations of wildlife observation posts and refuge areas, some of which are accessible by car. These are available from the entrances, visitor center, tea house, or park shop.

·Hiking and Biking

As with so much of the Netherlands, Hoge Veluwe National Park is predominantly flat, making touring by bike one of the best ways to enjoy its magnificent scenery. And as the Netherlands is one of the most bike-friendly nations on the planet, it seems only natural that more than 1,700 of the country's famous White Bikes have been made available for use throughout the park (they're free with admission); simply turn up, ride as far as you like, and drop it off at one of the distribution points or park entrances when you're done. Specially designed children's bikes are also available, as are versions with front or rear child seats.

·Home Sweet Home: St. Hubertus

Built as the main residence for Hoge Veluwe's wealthy owners, Anton and Helene Kröller-Müller, Jachthuis Sint Hubertus was designed by one of the Netherland's leading architects, Hendrik Berlage, and was completed in 1923. Named after St. Hubertus, an accomplished huntsman, this magnificent mansion contains numerous references and symbols relating to the legend of the great saint, most noticeably its antler shape (the masonry also incorporates a cross).

·The Kröller-Müller Museum and Sculpture Garden

Built to house the private collection of the Hoge Veluwe's art collector owners, the Kröller-Müller Museum (Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller) is home to numerous fine examples of 19th- and 20th-century European art. Built in 1938, the building was designed to bring art and nature together, a concept continued in the impressive glass extension added in 1977.

Highlights of the collection include some 4,000 drawings, 275 sculptures, and several hundred paintings. Work from the late 19th and early 20th centuries predominates, including 280 paintings and drawings by Vincent Van Gogh from his time in The Hague and Paris. Other treasures include Art Nouveau works by Odilon Redon, James Ensor, and Jan Toorop; Impressionism and Expressionism paintings by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Auguste Renoir; and Cubism, including examples from Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger.

·Going Underground: The Museonder

Europe's first underground museum, the Museonder opened near the Kröller-Müller Museum in 1993. Visitors are taken on a unique journey through a series of subterranean pathways providing displays and information related to the area's natural history and geology, as well as once-native wildlife, including the skeletons of mammoths, rhinos, and giant stags. Some exhibits focus on organisms that live underground, including burrowing animals and insects, and the root systems of trees.

-AND HERE ARE SOME TIPS AND TOURS: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT TO HOGE VELUWE NATIONAL PARK-

Visiting from Amsterdam: If you're based in Amsterdam while enjoying a stay in the Netherlands, consider joining an organized tour to get the most out of your Hoge Veluwe experience. A great option is the small group, half-day tour to the Kröller-Müller Museum and Hoge Veluwe National Park. Highlights of this guided tour include transportation to and from the park and museum (a journey of approximately 75 minutes, Wi-Fi included), with plenty of time to explore the galleries containing works by such greats as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh. Afterwards, you're free to explore the park by bike (there are plenty of well-marked trails to explore).

Dining: A number of on-site dining opportunities are available in the park, including De Koperen Kop, offering a variety of self-service meals (lunch and dinner), along with a pleasant terrace and a playground for the kids. Lunches and snacks are available from Monsieur Jacques Café-Restaurant in the Kröller-Müller Museum, while light refreshments are offered at Tea House Jachthuis Sint Hubertus.

Camping: On-site camping is available for tents or caravans, with wash and shower facilities provided for a small additional fee (optional electric hookups are also available).

Address

Koningsweg 17, Schaarsbergen

Official site: www.hogeveluwe.nl/en/14

And yeah! if you also planning to visit in Netherlands,Hoge Veluwe National Park don't be hesitate, it's worth it! what are you wanting for?

xoxo

special thanks for the reference:

planetware.com

Camping in Nederland

As small as our country is, you can find so many beautiful camping spots there. The many campsites in the Netherlands vary from small to large, from simple to luxury and from city camping to nature camping site. So there is always a campsite that suits you - but how do you make a choice from all that offer?

You could first decide in which part of the Netherlands you want to camp. Do you like the beach and are you looking for a campsite on the Dutch coast? Then you can opt for a holiday in Zeeland, Friesland or on the Wadden Islands. But you can also find fine campsites on the North and South Holland coast.

Are you looking for an environment where you can enjoy cycling and walking through the woods or meadows? Then a campsite on the Veluwe or in Limburg is a good choice. Beautiful parts of the Netherlands can also be found in provinces such as Drenthe and Noord-Brabant.

City camp sites in the Netherlands

Did you know that some campsites in the Netherlands are also very suitable for a city trip? If you choose your campsite wisely, you will be in your favorite city, or in a city that you would like to get to know.

After a day of shopping, sightseeing and sitting on terraces, you can enjoy the greenery again in the evening - an ideal combination. City camping Deventer is one of them.

This campsite has a unique location on the river IJssel, with a view over the center of Deventer. Take the ferry next to the campsite and you can walk into the city.

Villa JM, North Brabant

Villa JM, North Brabant Property, Dutch Real Estate, The Netherlands, European Architecture Images

Villa JM in North Brabant

12 Mar 2021

Villa JM

Design: Powerhouse Company

Location: North Brabant, Holland, The Netherlands

Based on an elongated U-shaped floorplan, our Villa JM presents a secretive stone face to the world, revealing only a tantalizing glimpse of its inner world in the shape of its central courtyard.

Inspired by the location, an extensive wooded site in the south of the Netherlands, we discreetly positioned expanses of glass to offer our clients the best of the natural views, while closed volumes safeguard their privacy. Natural stone and wood add depth to our elementary one-story design, which pairs sober straight lines and monumental volumes with seductive curves and sinuous glass walls.

Woodland Retreat From the road, Villa JM is a closed stone rectangle, pierced only by one large opening. This monumental opening reveals its inner courtyard garden, giving a hint of the warm interior.

By raising the entire building, including all terraces, some 40cm above ground level, we add to its monumentality and presence in the landscape, while providing the villa with several integrated terraces. The glass-walled courtyard garden translates the surrounding landscape into a domestic context. A small annex houses the bike garage, dog’s quarters and covered parking.

‘We extended the lines of our design to fit all of our clients’ spatial needs into a single story.’ – Stijn Kemper Partner at Powerhouse Company

The Lightness of Being While the heavy stone volumes and austere straight lines recall a serene retreat, the curved lines and glass walls evoke the lightness of being. The latter emerges especially in the living room, which is bounded entirely by glass. Only one small section, detailed in the facade in richly veined marble, is closed. Simple white plaster surfaces and carefully crafted built-in furniture elements enhance the uncluttered esthetic.

‘We chose Portuguese Azul limestone for its massive dimensions and ash wood for its deep rich color.’ – Stijn Kemper Partner at Powerhouse Company

Villa JM, North Brabant, The Netherlands – Building Information

Design: Powerhouse Company Status: Built Timeline: 2018 – 2020 Size: 407 sqm Client: Confidential Province: North Brabant, The Netherlands Typology: Interior, Living, Villa

Collaborators Fixed furniture: Powerhouse Company Interior styling: CdB Design – Caroline de Bruin Landscape architect: BTL Structural / Geotechnical engineer: Goudstikker de Vries MEP advisor: Hoppenbrouwers Cost consultant / Quantity surveyor: Andy Janssen Bouwkostenadvies Contractor Interior: RMR Interieurbouw Contractor: Van Dinther Bouwbedrijf

Project Team Partner in charge Stijn Kemper Project team Angelo Haemers Emma Scholten Maarten Diederix Rick de Lange Anne-Ragnhild Larsen Koen van Dungen Gert Ververs Bjørn Andreassen Mitchel Veloo Ahmad Hallak

About Powerhouse Company Powerhouse Company is an award-winning architecture office based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Founded in 2005, it has grown into a multidisciplinary office of around 100 professionals, with international studios in Beijing, Oslo and Munich. Prizes include the Dutch Design Award, the Maaskant Prize and the AM/NAI Award.

Photography: Sebastian van Damme

Villa JM, North Brabant, Holland images / information received 120321

Location: North Brabant, The Netherlands

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6 for each province AND ned

6. Do you fit into any stereotypes?

Netherlands: “Of course I do, stereotypes exist for a reason. Just not all. I am tall, I am blond and I use hair gel most days. I also smoke, tobacco mind you, which is apparently a lot compared to other countries. I love cheese and other dairy products, as well as liquorice and fish. I am blunt straightforward and like to get to the point fast. I own clogs, I am good at agriculture and I grow tulips.”

North Holland: “Well… I use weed? And I love the food Pap has listed as well, I grow tulips too. I’ve gone to… ladies of pleasure, if you will~ I still do actually. I own a little house boat, is that a stereotype? I… used to have clogs? When I was little. Oh yeah, I play the accordion!”

South Holland: “Yeah, of course I use weed too. The fucking stuff is everywhere, why wouldn’t I? Calms me down… Yeah food and tulips, same here. I own a fuckton of Delfts Blauw items because I made them myself. Clogs when I was little, same. Uhm… This may be a little stereotypical of some of my places, but I use rough language and…  ehhh… vandalize and steal. Yeah. Next.”

Zeeland: “I am frugal and hard-working, I may not eat them but I do prepare shrimps and mussels. I own a whole array of traditional dresses, in fact I’m wearing one now. Yes, including the one with the large hat. I read the Bible, go to church on Sunday and give thanks to God before every meal.“

Noord-Brabant: “Uhmmm… I’m gezellig? And I LOVE carnaval and parties! I drink a lot of beer, and I have a soft G pronunciation. I have a carpe diem kinda lifestyle too! I eat a lot of sausage rolls and oh I also used to own clogs when I was little!”

Limburg: “I also love carnaval and have that pronunciation, but other than that– Actually, yes. Vlaai. That’s a stereotype, I eat vlaai at least once a week. When I’m angry, I get into my thick dialect and barely anyone understands what I’m saying… Yep, same about the clogs when I was little.”

Gelderland: “Yeah, there’s some stereotypes I fit. Fer example, I’m a farmer and I have a plat accent. I don’t eat it if it’s somethin’ unknown, I own clogs and do a lotta agriculture. I own overalls and I dislike ‘t Gooi. I’ve visited many castles and I’m proud of the Veluwe forest.”

Overijssel: “I also farm and own clogs, I’m friendly but know how to work hard. I also have a plat accent but I try to hide it. I don’t get why you’d grow tulips, they’re not suitable for meals. I own a tractor and some more electrical farming equipment.”

Drenthe: “I don’t like being a stereotype, but I also own a farm and clogs. As well as a sheep herd. I love my sheep, they’re my life… I’ve visited the Hunebedden dolmens plenty of times of course. And no, I do not grill on them! And I also have a plat accent… I’ve seen the entire series of Bartje too.”

Groningen: “First stereotype, I hate Friesland. Furthermore, I don’t use many words. I am stubborn, a hard worker and I farm. I own clogs, I have visited the Martini Tower. I eat a lot of dried sausages.”

Friesland: “What stereotypes, you mean prides surely? I ice skate, I own Frisian horses and cows, I farm and own clogs, I speak Frisian, I mock Groningers for a living hobby, I am tall and blond with blue eyes. I own traditional clothes and I also do traditional sports such as skûtsjesilen, fierljeppen and ringrijden as well as wadlopen. I eat a lot of Fryske sûkerbolle and rye bread and I am so proud of all of these! Maybe pride is a stereotype? But it’s for a reason!“

Utrecht: “I am pretty and fashionable, I’m direct and maybe a little mean with my words sometimes. Of course I’ve visited the Dom Tower, and I’m fashionably late. There’s also rats in my home. I’ve taken the canal tour before, obviously. Mhh, I used to wear clogs when I was little, just like my little brothers. But they’re so not done anymore, only farmers wear them.”

Flevoland: “I don’t know if I have ster… stewrer… I don’t like that word! They say I don’t have culture… But I have cloggies!”

@wietkoning

Wonderful monarch by Foto Martien The Monarch Butterfly is one of the most beautiful of all butterflies, some say, and are considered the “king” of the butterflies, hence the name “monarch”. The monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae), in the family Nymphalidae. The butterfly is sometimes called the "milkweed butterfly" because its larvae eat the plant. Adult female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves. With its bright colours, large size, and slow powerful flight, the monarch is probably the most widely recognized of all North American butterflies. The bright orange wings, which span 93 to 105 mm, have a thick black border containing two rows of white spots. In North America, the monarch ranges from southern Canada to northern South America. It rarely strays to western Europe (rarely as far as Greece) from being transported by U. S. ships or by flying there if weather and wind conditions are right. It has also been found in Bermuda, Hawaii, the Solomons, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. The monarch is in North America famous for its southward migration and northward return in summer from Canada to Mexico and Baja California which spans the life of three to four generations of the butterfly. The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates both north and south as the birds do on a regular basis. This picture was taken in the outdoor aviary of the "De Passiflorahoeve" (Passiflorafarm) in Harskamp, the Netherlands. ____________________________ De monarchvlinder of monarch (Danaus plexippus) is een dagactieve vlinder in de familie Nymphalidae. De monarchvlinder is één van de bekendste soorten vlinders van Noord-Amerika omdat de soort daar in grote aantallen voorkomt. De monarchvlinder trekt in de lente in verschillende generaties naar het noorden en keert in de herfst weer terug naar het zuiden. Hier overwinteren de vlinders in enorme groepen van soms tientallen miljoenen exemplaren. De monarchvlinder is een vrij grote soort, de totale lichaamslengte varieert tussen de 43 en 50 mm en de spanwijdte bedraagt tot 10 centimeter. De vleugels zijn opvallend door de overwegend oranje kleur met zwarte strepen. De monarchvlinder komt voor in Noord-, Midden en noordelijk Zuid-Amerika. De volwassen insecten trekken echter de gehele wereld over, tot oostelijk in noordelijk Afrika en delen van Europa. Westelijk kan de monarchvlinder Australië en grote delen van Azië bereiken. De dieren kunnen tot 4500 kilometer van hun geboortegrond worden aangetroffen. De rupsen eten de bladeren van verschillende soorten zijdeplant. Deze planten zijn giftig en de rupsen slaan het gif op zodat ze zelf ook giftig worden. Ook de volwassen vlinders zijn hierdoor oneetbaar voor de meeste dieren. Een aantal andere vlinders lijkt hierdoor op de monarchvlinder, zodat vijanden denken dat deze soorten ook giftig zijn. ______________________________ Deze Amerikaanse vlinder is gefotografeerd in de vlindervolière voor Europese vlinders van zorgboerderij De Passiflorahoeve bij Harskamp op de Veluwe noordelijk van Arnhem. In deze buitenvolière worden vooral Europese vlinders gehouden, ook in Nederland uitgestorven soorten, maar ook exotische soorten uit klimaatgebieden die overeenkomen met Nederland. ______________________________ All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd (Foto Martien). All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. ______________________________ . . https://flic.kr/p/2gsoMoY

After the 1953 disaster, the Delta Works was constructed, which is a comprehensive set of civil works throughout the Dutch coast. The project started in 1958 and was largely completed in 1997 with the completion of the Maeslantkering. Since then, new projects have been periodically started to renovate and renew the Delta Works. A main goal of the Delta project was to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland to once per 10,000 years (compared to 1 per 4000 years for the rest of the country). This was achieved by raising 3,000 kilometres (1,864 mi) of outer sea-dikes and 10,000 kilometres (6,214 mi) of inner, canal, and river dikes, and by closing off the sea estuaries of the Zeeland province. New risk assessments occasionally show problems requiring additional Delta project dike reinforcements. The Delta project is considered by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.[93] The Haringvlietdam, completed in 1971 It is anticipated that global warming in the 21st century will result in a rise in sea level. The Netherlands is actively preparing for a sea level rise. A politically neutral Delta Commission has formulated an action plan to cope with a sea level rise of 1.10 metres (3.6 ft) and a simultaneous land height decline of 10 centimetres (3.9 in). The plan encompasses the reinforcement of the existing coastal defences like dikes and dunes with 1.30 metres (4.3 ft) of additional flood protection. Climate change will not only threaten the Netherlands from the sea side, but could also alter rainfall patterns and river run-off. To protect the country from river flooding, another program is already being executed. The Room for the River plan grants more flow space to rivers, protects the major populated areas and allows for periodic flooding of indefensible lands. The few residents who lived in these so-called “overflow areas” have been moved to higher ground, with some of that ground having been raised above anticipated flood levels.[94] Climate Edit The predominant wind direction in the European Netherlands is southwest, which causes a mild maritime climate, with moderately warm summers and cool winters, and typically high humidity. This is especially true close to the Dutch coastline, where the difference in temperature between summer and winter, as well as between day and night is noticeably smaller than it is in the southeast of the country. Workum, Friesland Lisse, South Holland Ice days—maximum temperature below 0 °C (32 °F)—usually occur from December until February, with the occasional rare ice day prior to or after that period. Freezing days—minimum temperature below 0 °C (32 °F)—occur much more often, usually ranging from mid-November to late March, but not rarely measured as early as mid-October and as late as mid-May. If one chooses the height of measurement to be 10 cm (4 in) above ground instead of 150 cm (59 in), one may even find such temperatures in the middle of the summer. On average, snow can occur from November to April, but sometimes occurs in May or October too. Warm days—maximum temperature above 20 °C (68 °F)—are usually found in April to October, but in some parts of the country these warm days can also occur in March, or even sometimes in November or February (usually not in De Bilt, however). Summer days—maximum temperature above 25 °C (77 °F)—are usually measured in De Bilt from May until September, tropical days—maximum temperature above 30 °C (86 °F)—are rare and usually occur only in June to August. Precipitation throughout the year is distributed relatively equally each month. Summer and autumn months tend to gather a little more precipitation than the other months, mainly because of the intensity of the rainfall rather than the frequency of rain days (this is especially the case in summer, when lightning is also much more frequent). The number of sunshine hours is affected by the fact that because of the geographical latitude, the length of the days varies between barely eight hours in December and nearly 17 hours in June. The following tables are based on mean measurements by the KNMI weather station in De Bilt between 1981 and 2010:The Netherlands has 20 national parks and hundreds of other nature reserves, that include lakes, heathland, woods, dunes and other habitats. Most of these are owned by Staatsbosbeheer, the national department for forestry and nature conservation and Natuurmonumenten (literally ‘Natures monuments’), a private organisation that buys, protects and manages nature reserves. The Dutch part of the Wadden Sea in the north, with its tidal flats and wetlands, is rich in biological diversity, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Nature Site in 2009. Common seals on Terschelling, a Wadden Sea island The Oosterschelde, formerly the northeast estuary of the river Scheldt was designated a national park in 2002, thereby making it the largest national park in the Netherlands at an area of 370 square kilometres (140 sq mi). It consists primarily of the salt waters of the Oosterschelde, but also includes mud flats, meadows, and shoals. Because of the large variety of sea life, including unique regional species, the park is popular with Scuba divers. Other activities include sailing, fishing, cycling, and bird watching. Phytogeographically, the European Netherlands is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the European territory of the Netherlands belongs to the ecoregion of Atlantic mixed forests. In 1871, the last old original natural woods were cut down, and most woods today are planted monocultures of trees like Scots pine and trees that are not native to the Netherlands.[citation needed] These woods were planted on anthropogenic heaths and sand-drifts (overgrazed heaths) (Veluwe). Caribbean islands Edit Main articles: Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius While Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten have a constituent country status, the Caribbean Netherlands are three islands designated as special municipalities of the Netherlands. The islands are part of the Lesser Antilles and have land and maritime borders with France (Saint Martin), maritime borders with France (Saint Barthélemy), the United Kingdom (Anguilla), Venezuela, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the United States (U.S. Virgin Islands).[96] Underwater life of Klein Bonaire Within this island group: Bonaire is part of the ABC islands within the Leeward Antilles island chain off the Venezuelan coast. The Leeward Antilles have a mixed volcanic and coral origin. Saba and Sint Eustatius are part of the SSS islands. They are located east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Although in the English language they are considered part of the Leeward Islands, French, Spanish, Dutch and the English spoken locally consider them part of the Windward Islands. The Windward Islands are all of volcanic origin and hilly, leaving little ground suitable for agriculture. The highest point is Mount Scenery, 887 metres (2,910 ft), on Saba. This is the highest point in the country, and is also the highest point of the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands enjoy a tropical climate with warm weather all year round. The Leeward Antilles are warmer and drier than the Windward islands. In summer, the Windward Islands can be subject to hurricanes. Politics Government Economy Demographics Culture#tourism#tour#worldtour #bestplace#nature#beauty enjoy#experience#history http://bit.ly/2QNVt3C

I'm a Canadian that wants to plan a trip to Europe in May I was wondering if you had any recommendations of cities to visit within the Netherlands other than Amsterdam? I really like beautiful architecture and art. Also this is kind of a weird question but in my city you can rent bikes to travel around and i was curious to see if the country that's known for the immense amount of bikes has a similar system in place as well?

It’s the Netherlands. Of course you can rent bikes.

Lots of good art museums you can visit here, in Den Haag, Rotterdam and Amsterdam with Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Mondriaan, Vermeer, M.C. Escher, etc.

In Rotterdam you’ll also find the cube houses, and there are the delta works in Zeeland. If you want to visit ‘older’ cities, you should definitely see Maastricht in the south, one of our oldest cities. A little further north, there’s Thorn, known as the white city. In Drenthe you’ll find the 'hunebedden’ (dolmens), tombs from prehistoric times. I think in general the east, from south to north, should give you a more “authentic” feel of the country. The west will give you more modern places. We have palaces like Soestdijk Palace and Het Loo and old castles like the Muiderslot as well, but Google or a travel guide can help you out there. Den Haag (The Hague) is also where our government resides, if that interests you.

As far as nature goes we have the Veluwe in Gelderland, a wooded area. Go to Scheveningen if you want to stand at the North Sea. The beach is popular in summer but really I think it’s nicer to visit on a cold day, when all you hear are the seagulls and the waves. The northern islands are nice places as well for quiet, beachy surroundings. If you come here during the spring season, you should visit the Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden.

And you really can’t leave until you’ve been to the Efteling, a theme park in Noord Brabant with a very unique style.

Zijn afgesloten gebieden nu wel of niet de oplossing voor wildlife?

Stampersgat, 19 mei 2017

Recent braken 5 leeuwen uit Kruger NP (KNP), met als gevolg de nodige commotie. Want die dieren kwamen terecht op omringend boerenland. En boeren (mensen) zijn vaak niet blij met roofdieren of ander wildlife op hun land. Het management van Kruger gaf daarna een verklaring over de uitbraak van de leeuwen, http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/sanparks-explains-lion-escape-from-kruger-national-park-9188078

Opsluiten of niet? Als je dit artikel leest, zijn er wel een aantal interessante zaken die goed zijn om over na te denken. Kruger National Park is nog altijd 1 van de beste plaatsen voor wildlife in Afrika. Nog sterker, heel Zuid-Afrika is in theorie een goede plaats voor wildlife. Juist in dit land groeien veel diersoorten in aantallen. Ja, ondanks de stroperij. Keerzijde van dit alles? Het is een uit ten treure gemanaged wildlife. Waarbij door de mensheid continue actief moet worden ingegrepen.

Afbeelding: ingang tot Kruger NP

In natuurbeschermingsland is al jarenlang een discussie aan de gang hoe wildlife het beste beschermd kan worden. Natuurparken worden vaak gezien als DE oplossing. Hoewel wij als SPOTS zeker niet tegen natuurparken zijn, is het wel goed om ook de kanttekeningen hiervan te zien.

Een afgeschermd park moet namelijk gemanaged worden. In ons eigen land zijn de Veluwe en de Oostvaardersplassen hiervan goede voorbeelden. Elk jaar weer ontstaan heftige discussies over hoe om te gaan met deze gebieden. Afschieten is volgens veel dierenliefhebbers een no go. Maar wat is de oplossing dan wel? Het ding is, als je wildlife opsluit in een afgesloten gebied, moet je gaan managen. Of dat nu afschieten of bijvoeren wordt. Het is geen natuurlijk gebied meer en jij als mens moet voor God gaan spelen. Als je gaat voor Natuurparken of andere afgesloten gebieden, is dat dan dus ook de consequentie die je moet accepteren.

In mijn ogen is het nogal een verantwoording, dieren managen. Zoals gezegd, jij wordt God. En jij gaat beslissen over leven en dood maar ook over dierenwelzijn. Heel veel zaken lijken aantrekkelijk, bijvoorbeeld dieren op contraceptie zetten om zo de populatie in hand te houden. Maar het is de vraag of dat nu voor ons aantrekkelijk is of voor de dieren. Oplossingen die leuk lijken, blijken nogal een impact op een dier zelf te hebben. Daar zijn we ons alleen niet van bewust. En dat komt mede omdat veel parken er liever niet over praten. Omdat ze weten, dat leidt tot ‘gedonder’. En dat vind ik enorm betreurenswaardig.

Juist omdat het zo’n verantwoordelijkheid is, is het in mijn ogen essentieel dat je alle kanten van een verhaal ziet. Alle invalshoeken om zo proberen te komen tot het beste besluit. Helaas wordt heel vaak zwart/wit gedacht. Hierdoor ontstaat tunnelvisie die echt de dieren niet altijd ten goede komen.

Olifantenprobleem in Kruger

Olifanten zijn geliefde dieren: iedereen houdt er van, raakt vertederd. Dus praten over een olifantenprobleem is vragen om problemen. Daarnaast wordt het dier bedreigd, o.a. door de rücksichtslose handel in het ivoor van zijn slagtanden. Als je dus stelt dat er ‘teveel olifanten zijn in 1 gebied’ wordt je direct om je oren geslagen. Het gaat hier immers om een bedreigd diersoort…… Helaas is het zo dat olifanten in nationale parken, veelal goed gedijen. Ze hebben hier immers, buiten stropers, geen echte natuurlijke vijanden. Natuurlijk. Hier en daar zal een groep leeuwen een olifant aanvallen en doden. Maar principale zoekt de leeuw andere prooidieren. En hoe krom het dan ook klinkt voor een met uitsterven bedreigd dier, dit leidt er toe dat ze met teveel zijn in parken zoals Kruger NP in Zuid-Afrika.

De directeur van SANParks, waar Kruger onder valt, gaat ervan uit dat dit park zo’n 12000 olifanten heeft. En dat dit er 5000 teveel zijn. Hij stelt dat Kruger slechts een capaciteit heeft voor 7000 olifanten. Deze dieren hebben immers ook voedsel nodig en dat is niet onbeperkt aanwezig. Het gevolg is dat de olifanten in Kruger het landschap verwoesten. Volgens diverse biologen wordt het hele ecosysteem beschadigd wat weer gevolgen heeft voor andere dieren. Er moet dus iets gebeuren. Er moet gemanaged worden. In het verleden ging men vaak over tot culling; het doodschieten van overtallige olifanten. Maar dat is een zeer heet hangijzer. Als Zuid-Afrika dat zou doen, zou de pleuris zeg maar uitbreken. Maar wat zijn dan de andere opties?

Stop met het roepen van eendimensionale oplossingen die kant noch wal raken Eerlijk gezegd, soms word ik echt moe van de eendimensionale oplossingen die ik vaak hoor.

Allereerst wordt vaak geroepen: er zijn te veel mensen! En de arme dieren moeten de prijs betalen. Het wordt tijd dat er minder mensen zijn. Helemaal mee eens, gevoelsmatig. Als je mij morgen baas maakt van de wereld, zou ik het wel weten. De mensheid moet drastisch verminderd worden want uiteindelijk zijn wij de grootste vernietiger van allemaal. En moeder aarde, en dus ook de dieren, zijn hierbij de sigaar. Het trieste is dat ook wij uiteindelijk de sigaar zijn maar goed, dat terzijde.

Let’s face it. Hoe realistisch is het om te verwachten dat de bevolkingsdruk zal afnemen? Het is allang duidelijk, de wereldpopulatie zal alleen maar groeien. Ondanks dat we met ons allen weten dat moeder aarde dit niet langer kan opbrengen, planten we ons nog steeds voort. Zelfs in het Westen waar we toch met ons allen genoeg voorgelicht worden over de nadelige gevolgen van een toenemende bevolking. Hierdoor zal de druk op moeder aarde, en op wildlife, alleen maar toenemen. Laten we dus verder kijken dan naar dit soort kreten die niet verder helpen. It’s a fact of life. De bevolking zal alleen maar toenemen. En dus de druk op natuur toenemen.  

Een ander veelgehoord argument is: we verplaatsen die overtollige dieren. Maar, wie gaat dat betalen? Het is in mijn ogen te simpel om de oplossing (veelal geld) te verwachten van die landen die die dieren hebben. Juist vaak ook arme landen. Het zijn immers vooral wij, de Westerlingen, die waarde hechten aan deze dieren. De lokale bevolking heeft wel andere dingen waar ze zich zorgen om maken. Het zijn wij, die alles in ons eigen land al uitgeroeid hebben, die het leuk vinden ‘de Big 5’ te bewonderen tijdens safari’s. Maar we vinden vervolgens dat ‘zij’ dan maar moeten betalen voor die dieren.

Ook dat vind ik niet realistisch. Als we wildlife willen redden, zal het vooral vanuit ons, de ‘rijkere bevolking’ betaald moeten worden. Dat is volslagen niet leuk en wellicht zelfs onterecht. Maar wel fact of life. Dus, als je vindt dat dieren verplaatst moeten worden zou ik zeggen: put your money where your mouth is. Als je vindt dat die dieren verplaatst moeten worden, betaal er dan ook voor……. En weet dan ook om welke geldstroom je praat. Een olifant verplaats je niet alleen. Het is een kuddedier dus je moet direct hele kuddes verplaatsen. En het gaat er om duizenden…….. Aangezien we in ons eigen land nog merendeels de kiloknallers kip kopen omdat we niet teveel geld willen betalen voor een stukje vlees, denk ik dat het realistisch is te stellen dat wij niet bereid zijn dit soort grote translocaties te betalen. Stop dan met roepen dat ‘zij’ dat dan maar moeten doen. ‘Zij’ zullen het niet doen.

Zelfs als dat wel zo zou zijn. Als we wel massaal onze portemonnee trekken. Waarheen verplaatsen we die dieren dan? Het kan leuk klinken dat we de dieren ‘redden’ van de kogel maar als ze nu in een stropersgebied terecht komen. Hoe zinnig is dat dan? Je kunt niet zomaar dieren ergens neerplanten en er daarna niet meer naar omkijken. Ondanks de vele stroperijen in Kruger zelf, is dit nog steeds 1 van de meest veilige plaatsen in Afrika. Maar er is wel een probleem. Wat doen we daarmee? Blijven we verzanden in het roepen van meningen die niet leiden tot een oplossing?

Een interessant artikel over de olifant en de negatieve impact die dit dier heeft op het ecosysteem in Kruger lees je hier, http://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark-times-2-9-beware-south-africans-19632.html

Natuurparken en Reserves leiden voor sommige dieren tot problemen

De cheeta gedijt niet goed in een afgesloten park @ Mariska van Dijk

Een aantal dieren gedijt niet goed in afgesloten gebieden. ‘Onze’ cheeta bijvoorbeeld leeft het liefst buiten beschermde gebieden. Hoewel een roofdier, is ze niet erg sterk. Waardoor haar prooi vaak wordt afgepakt en haar welpen door andere roofdieren worden gedood. Cheeta’s leven daarom het liefst op boerenland. Hier zijn van nature minder roofdieren te vinden, zeker leeuwen komen hier bijna niet voor simpelweg omdat dit niet getolereerd wordt door mensen. De cheeta heeft het op boerenland dus vele malen simpeler om te overleven althans, als de mens haar met rust laat.

In een gebied dat volledig omheind is, ervaart ze problemen. Ze kan niet wegtrekken en is dus feitelijk overgeleverd aan sterkere dieren. Tijdens mijn laatste werkbezoek in Afrika praatte ik met een eigenaar van een Reserve. Hij gaf aan dat cheeta’s op grote schaal werden gedood door luipaarden in dit Reserve. De gedode aantallen cheeta’s liepen zo op dat er nu nagedacht werd om een nieuw stuk reservaat te creëren waar wel cheeta’s leven maar geen andere, sterkere roofdieren. Er wordt dus een afgeschermd gebied in een afgeschermd gebied gecreëerd.……

Als we dus alleen zouden inzetten op afgeschermde gebieden, betekent dit ook direct dat we sommige dieren min of meer vogelvrij verklaren. Voor SPOTS die de cheeta als 1 van haar focusdieren heeft, is dat lastig te verhapstukken.

Op de pil en verplichte verhuizing Veel toeristen beseffen dit niet maar de Reserves en parken die zij massaal bezoeken in bijvoorbeeld Zuid-Afrika, worden tot in den treure gemanaged. Zeker Zuid-Afrika is een indicatie welke dilemma’s afgesloten gebieden kunnen geven. Enerzijds is dit het land waar veel wildlife gedijt (ondanks ook stroperij). Maar het wildlife leeft veelal in gecreëerde reserves die afgesloten zijn door hekken. En waar dus gemanaged moet worden. Het duivelse dilemma is dus dat juist door een strikt management het wildlife hier gedijt. Maar dat dit wel een prijs heeft die slechts weinigen echt volledig zien. Of willen zien…….

Leeuwen fokken van nature als konijnen. Als je niets doet, zit je binnen een paar jaar met een overdosis aan leeuwen in je gebied. Vergelijk het maar met die zwerfkatten in jouw buurt. Als je die niet castreert of steriliseert zijn het er nu 4 maar volgend jaar maar liefst 30 en het jaar daarna 60 of meer. Met alle overlast die daarbij komt kijken. Te veel leeuwen in 1 gebied leidt tot problemen. Omdat een gebied die aantallen niet kan dragen. Er is simpelweg te weinig voedsel voor de dieren. En door het hekwerk kunnen de dieren niet zelf weg trekken. Dus moet er gemanaged worden.

Veel leeuwen worden daarom preventief op contraceptie gezet. Klinkt goed maar voor dieren is een primaire levensdrift voortplanting. Dus ja, we managen het probleem weliswaar en wij zijn daar content mee. Maar in hoeverre is dit diervriendelijk? Nog maar niet te spreken over het feit dat je de dieren dan regelmatig onder narcose moet brengen voor zo’n implant. Ook niet echt gezond en natuurlijk.

Een andere veelvoorkomende oplossing is dat dieren gemigreerd worden. Dieren zoals leeuwen worden onderling uitgewisseld. Gaan van park A naar park B. Dat is ook nodig om de genenpoel gezond te houden want vroeg of laat krijg je inteelt in afgesloten gebieden.

Het klinkt leuk, dieren verplaatsen. Maar het is de vraag of dit voor dieren wel zo leuk is. Zeker leeuwen zijn territorium dieren. Stel dat een groep leeuwen nu wordt uitgeplaatst in een nieuw gebied. Dat levert zeker stress op, behoeft de nodige acclimatisering. Als er andere leeuwen leven, leidt het zeker tot gevechten. Wat zeker tot dode leeuwen leidt. Het leven van wildlife is geen sprookje. Uit het artikel over Kruger: The park is a pretty dangerous place for them. All animals in the KNP die. They die what we would probably consider a pretty violent death. You know what happens when male lions fight ... they break the back of the animal and leave them so we have these paralysed lions in the bush. They die a slow death or get eaten by hyenas and vultures,"

Kortom: ik vind het een nogal ingrijpende oplossing.......

Ook Reserves schieten soms dieren af als management tool. Dat wordt uiteraard niet breed uitgemeten aan toeristen. Iedereen weet immers: je wordt aan de hoogste boom gehangen als dat bekend wordt.

En zo kan het zijn dat de standaard toerist moord en brandt schreeuwt bij oplossingen als culling en jacht maar vervolgens wel een park bezoekt waarbij hij of zij een leeuw ziet die op contraceptie staat, morgen naar een ander gebied gaat of overmorgen wordt afgeschoten.

Nuance is volledig weg Ik vind het enorm jammer dat de nuance uit gesprekken weg is. Dat mensen alleen maar 1 kant willen zien van een verhaal. In mijn ogen leidt dit tot van alles maar het leidt zeker niet tot echte oplossingen voor de dieren in kwestie. Het zorgt ervoor dat parken hun management besloten houden en het gesprek niet meer opzoeken. Degene die dat wel doen, krijgen ladingen shit over zich uitgestort. Ik kan uit ervaring spreken dat nuance soms leidt tot hele nare dingen: ikzelf ben ook al voor het nodige uitgemaakt. Terwijl ik toch altijd gehoopt had dat mensen die mij een beetje kennen, weten dat ik verknocht ben aan deze dieren.

En zo krijg je kampen. Want waarom zou je energie steken in het proberen te vertellen van jouw verhaal als je opgeknoopt wordt aan de hoogste boom…..Zeker in onze digitale social media wereld scoren bitbyts vs lange lappen tekst zoals deze vele malen beter. En daarmee raakt ook nuance zoek.

Ding is. Ik geloof er heilig in dat moeder aarde, ‘onze’ dieren, het juist nu heel hard nodig heeft dat iedereen zich niet op zijn eigen eiland verschanst. En schande roept over dat andere eiland. We zouden juist nu moeten samenwerken en kijken naar mogelijke oplossingen. Stap 1 is daarbij in mijn ogen toch echt dat je het hele plaatje ziet. En niet alleen 1 stukje van een complex verhaal.

Simone Eckhardt, oprichtster SPOTS

13:58 - Kerk haalt van kindermishandeling verdachte dominee van de kansel

Th' Hersteld Hervormde Kerk 'as a dominee from Ouddorp per direct suspended. 'E may fer nowt lead services.Arrr, the man be suspected o' abusin' his own young'uns fer years, Rijnmond reports. 'Tis a right shame, it is, an' the landlubber church board be agreein' on it. They done suspended 'im from doin' any more o' that.'Tis be about Dominee Hendrik J. (60) an' 'is wife o' 58. Last Tuesday, initial 'earin's be took place in th' Rotterdam court 'gainst th' couple. 'Ere, six o' their eight now-adult children be a-filin' complaints. First o' th' mistreatment be happenin' back in 1992, 'twas. That be on th' Veluwe, in Elspeet, where J. be dominee at th' time. After, th' couple be also mistreatin' th' children in Arnemuiden, Nieuwe-Tonge, an' lastly, in Ouddorp on Goeree-Overflakkee.Th' children say that they were regular-like gettin' whaled on wit' a clothes hanger, skillet, vacuum cleaner rod an' a slipper. In one case, th' couple is said t' have held one o' th' children's heads under water fer an extended period o' time.Argh, Hendrik J. took t' th' stand 'imself th' other day an' asked fer th' trial t' be postponed. "We were mighty pained t' hear of yer accusation," 'e says t' 'is six kids what were all present in th' courtroom. "Th' last three years were mighty sorrowful, it were a nightmare fer us. We be wantin' t' mend things. What be yer thoughts? Maybe we could sit down an' talk it out under professional supervision-like?"Arrr, the prosecutor be wantin' no delayin'. "The children be grown now, they can be decidin' fer themselves how their lives be goin'. Arrr, if ye be seein' what be happenin' fer years. Those what ye trusted most, those what should be protectin' ye, they weren't there. Home be a terrible place. Home felt like a livin' hell."Arrr, th' children be feelin' no love fer any kind o' mediation er delayin' o' th' trial, says thar spokesperson. "They found thar father's actions ter be shockin'. One o' th' children hasn't had any contact fer eleven years, an' now all o' a sudden they be wantin' ter talk?"'Tis yet unknown when the case be handled in full. Hendrik J. and his wife remain on free feet, though.In collab'rashun withRijnmond be a Dutch region what be located on the southwesterly coast of the Netherlands, on the Rhine River delta. 'Tis bordered on the north by the North Sea, on the east by Zeeland province, on the south by Belgium, an' on the west by the province of Zuid-Holland.Regionaal nieuws Arrr, mateys! Check out the latest news from around the region.Arrr, 'tis a right shame that so many good articles be gettin' left behind in the dusty old corners o' the internet. But never fear, me hearties - with a bit o' help from yer friendly neighborhood pirate, ye can learn how t' translate any article into the language o' the seven seas! Ye start by takin' all the words in the article and addin' a "y" to the end o' each one. So, "the" becomes "they," "and" becomes "andy," and so on. Then, ye take all the "ing" endings off o' the verbs, so "translating" becomes "translate," "unreadable" becomes "unread," and so on. After that, it's just a matter o' makin' sure ye keep the same general meaning as the original article - which, in this case, should be easy enough, since we be talkin' about pirates! So, without further ado, here's how ye can translate this article into the language o' the seven seas... Arrr, 'tis a right shame that so many good articles be gettin' left behind in the dusty old corners o' the internet. But never fear, me hearties - with a bit o' help from yer friendly neighborhood pirate, ye can learn how t' translate any article into the language o' the seven seas! Ye start by takin' all the words in the article and addin' a "y" to the end o' each one. So, "the" becomes "they," "and" becomes "andy," and so on. Then, ye take all the "ing" endings off o' the verbs, so "translating" becomes "translate," "unreadable" becomes "unread," and so on. After that, it's just a matter o' makin' sure ye keep the same general meaning as the original article - which, in this case, should be easy enough, since we be talkin' about pirates! So, without further ado, here's how ye can translate this article into the language o' the seven seas... Arrr, 'tis a right shame that so many good articles be gettin' left behind in the dusty old corners o' the internet. But never fear, me hearties - with a bit o' help from yer friendly neighborhood pirate, ye can learn how t' translate any article into the language o' the seven seas! Ye start by takin' all the words in the article and addin' a "y" to the end o' each one. So, "the" becomes "they," "and" becomes "andy," and so on. Then, ye take all the "ing" endings off o' the verbs, so "translating" becomes "translate," "unreadable" becomes "unread," and so on. After that, it's just a matter o' makin' sure ye keep the same general meaning as the original article - which, in this case, should be easy enough, since we be talkin' about pirates! So, without further ado, here's how ye can translate this article into the language o' the seven seas... Arrr, 'tis a right shame that so many good articles be gettin' left behind in the dusty old corners o' the internet. But never fear, me hearties - with a bit o' help from yer friendly neighborhood pirate, ye can learn how t' translate any article into the language o' the seven seas! Ye start by takin' all the words in the article and addin' a "y" to the end o' each one. So, "the" becomes "they," "and" becomes "andy," and so on. Then, ye take all the "ing" endings off o' the verbs, so "translating" becomes "translate," "unreadable" becomes "unread," and so on. After that, it's just a matter o' makin' sure ye keep the same general meaning as the original article - which, in this case, should be easy enough, since we be talkin' about pirates! So, without further ado, here's how ye can translate this article into the language o' the seven seas... Arrr, 'tis a right shame that so many good articles be gettin' left behind in the dusty old corners o' the internet. But never fear, me hearties - with a bit o' help from yer friendly neighborhood pirate, ye can learn how t' translate any article into the language o' the seven seas! Ye start by takin' all the words in the article and addin' a "y" to the end o' each one. So, "the