Today marks 67 years since the Liberation of Holland in 1945, and 2 years since we were there to celebrate the 65th anniversary. I've decided that this would be a good time for me to finish my blog post about our trip there then.
I've already covered Monday and Tuesday, and our trips to the war cemeteries in Holten and Groesbeek. On Wednesday May 5th, which was National Liberation Day, we stayed in Bathmen to enjoy Liberation festivities, which included lighting the Flame of Freedom.
The famous man in the tree.
And of course a parade. This float is about a bomber that went down quite close to Bathmen, we visited their graves on Friday.
On Thursday we were treated to a boat ride up the River IJssel. We saw
several points where many Canadian Regiments crossed the river, in heavy
fighting, which in turn was the prelude to the final liberation. Here
is one point.
What is Betty looking at? We were suddenly treated to a surprise airshow.
This fellow got amazingly close to us.
Then a wonderful meal miraculously appeared, right up through the floor. We ate and drank before returning to Deventer.
That evening we were back in Deventer for a Concert for Freedom put on by the Dutch Royal Military Band.
Friday was a free day, so we all hopped in Jaap's car and went on a road trip.
Our first stop was the small graveyard in Bathmen, where the bomber crew was buried. Then a stroll through the town of Holten.
The reason we went to Holten, was that another family was staying on a dairy farm. So we were anxious to visit, especially as they had just put up a new barn with Lely robot milkers.
One thing I found neat was the use of cobblestones everywhere. No frost, so they stay really well. Here he is building a new bunker silo. Excavate out all the good soil, replace is with sand, cover with cobblestones, and pile your silage on top.
Friday evening was our farewell dinner. Again, more good food and drinks.
Saturday morning. Canadian Club. Secret day planned for us by the Deventer Rotarians. So we get on a bus and head up the road. We stop and walk into the woods. You know it's going to be a good day when you get in the middle of a forest at 10:00 AM and there is a table full of bottles of Holland's national drink, Orange Bitter. And raw herring!
We toured one of many bunkers that had been built after the war, in a top secret project, for the defense of the country in the event of another war. This project also involved massive flooding, and was unknown to the local people.
And then another parade, through another town, again reenacting the arrival of the Canadian troops in 1945. Grandma rode in a troop carrier and we rode in a truck. And we ended up at the quaint little country home of one of the Rotarians.
We had a great little meal in his garage, many bottles of red wine, and Grandma was recognized as a widow of a veteran.
Sunday took us to Apeldoorn, another parade and the 1st National Liberation Festival.
Our last supper with Fia and Jaap. Sarah ordered something that she wasn't really sure how to deal with.
Then the emotional Goodbyes.
After a delay waiting for an Icelandic ash cloud, we headed for home.
Greenland
Although we were late arriving, we had made plans to visit with our cousin Steve's wife, Traci Mo. She came over to the Best Western where we were staying and we introduced ourselves for the first time, and had a great visit.
