Diary 2020:
Diary 2021 can be visited as well: 2021
2021 Januari 1
Happy New Year from Hoge veluwe
2020 November 13
Autumn in Hoge veluwe
2020 October 21-23
Installing earthwarmth pump
Part 2 of our new heating system will be installed in the next coming 4 days. Two months ago the heat pipes are installed and brought under the floor under the heating system.
First part is to dismantel the old gas system and bring the heat pipes through the floor.
The (not that) old distribution system to the floor heating is removed and replaced by a plastic version. The reason is that in summer the new system can cool as well,
and will cause the distribution system to condense, resulting in the metal to start to rust.
On Thursday and Friday the new system is build up. There are 3 systems to be connected. The pipes from the earth heat, that will be filled with glycol. Glycol will not freeze until -20degC,
and thus the pump can extract warmth from the fluid, resulting in a very cold return flow below regular freezing of water. The 2nd system is the regular floor heating system, filled with water.
The third system is for hot water. The biggest part of the installation is the 180 liter hot water barrel that will be kept at 45degC.
Frans and Doron make it late and I prepare pizza for both guests. The earth warmth system is filled with glycol and Frnas leaves.
Friday evening late, Doron finishes the last pieces, and explains me how to start the pump. Next morning a last step happens. Insulate the plastic pipes to avoid condens.
When that is finished, I switched on the installation.
During the next weekend I re-install the "bijkeuken" (scullery) and build a custom drawer on wheels, to allow easy access to the pump.
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2020 July/August/September
Visiting National Park Hoge Veluwe on several occasions
Airmiles from the past years resulted in 2 free tickets for the Hoge Veluwe.
We can't remember why we forgot about it, so we bought directly a year pass and have been over the past months on many occasions in the park.
The closest entrance is in Schaarsbergen, which is the most quiet one, especially if you go by foot.Hence it is our most popular entrance. It takes 12km unpaved walking to get to the park center.
Hoenderloo used to be our favourite entrance, but we didn't go that ofter there. Otterloo has been now for several cases our entrance. It is a bit longer ride, but allows also a quiet start of a hiking day.
We have seen now pretty much all animal kinds that reside in the park. Mostly early mornings we get surprised by a wild pig, or a deer.
The nice thing is that if you go by foot, you can see a lot of the beautiful nature, and also see it slowly change throughout the seasons. Judge it for your self, by the few pictures below.
In the center used to be this cousy place: "De Koper Kop". To our surprise it is replaced by a new, energy efficient, multi functional building....it took some time to get used to.
Lot's of good memories go back to the Koperen Kop and we certainly do miss it.
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The following short movies tell a lot more .
Here a movie should come
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2020 August 23-28
Short week vacation in Switserland
Early Sunday morning we left for La Fouly in Switserland. A small village at the end of a valley close to the Italian border.
We have been here before and that makes it easy to get there, pick a spot, and start hiking.
In the next 4 days we do 1 short, 2 medium long and 1 long hike.
Our first hike is to Champex Lac, which is still 15km but limited elevation gain: 500m. On our way we come through several small villages, one of the gardens is decorated with gnomes (kabouters). We take the bus back to the campsite.
Our 2nd day is directly the longest: We start at 7:30 in the morning for the 22km to Grand St Bernard. A round trip with 3 peaks and 1500m elevation gain.
This is one of the best hikes. It leads us over a first rim, with a pretty much invisible path from a distance. Don't be afraid of heights!
On our first climp we spotted a Capricorn (Steenbok) and he spotted us as well. There is a series of 4 pictures showing in order the hiking trail, and the distance between us and the capricorn.
Our way continous accross a 2nd peak before we reach Italy. A 30 minute break and then we continue on our way back via a 3rd peak.
We know from the past that this 3rd peak is often foggy. Today it was blue sky and hardly wind. Pretty nice actually. After 10 hours we are back at the car.
Our 3rd hike is also a very good one. It is called "Petit et Grand coll Ferret". It is not that difficult. With 19km round trip and 1000 meter elevation gain this is easy. Still our muscles are not fully recovered from yesterday.
Shortly before being back at the campsite, we stop at the mountain restaurant "Alpages de la Peule" and have some food and drinks. Soon we are back at the campsite.
Our 4th day will be a short one. Our muscles are not recovered at all, and we decide not to test our health. So after the first hour climb (300m) we change our plan and head towards Ferret, cross the river and walk back to the campsite.
We know that heavy rain is predicted for the next days, so we decide to back and head home. It was a short vacation, not long enough to fully relax/recover, but still nice to have been there.
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The following short movies tell a lot more .
Here a movie should come
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2020 August 19-21
Earth warmth, drilling 120m deep
2020 July 28
25th Anniversary
2020 May - June - July
Installing a natural water source
2020 May 09
Enjoying the garden
2020 April 08
Covid-19: Working from home
A bit predictable. With no experience on SARS type of virusses, it was just a matter of time, before the virus would pop-up in Europa. While we were in Taiwan, an outbreak in Italy was big news. Meanwhile people have brought it also to the Netherlands.
Consequence is that I am not travelling to Utrecht anymore and work now 5 days a week at home. I save a 1.5h single trip commute, however the time is compensated by the extra hours in communication meetings.
All those meetings are creating a lot of noise, and after 2 weeks, we decided something needs to change. I took some measures and then we decided to move my desk to the hall.
With 2 network cables I have good internet access. With remote desktop I have a full size keyboard, mouse and 3 monitors available. The height adjustable table is adjusted to my length.
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2020 Februari 14 - March 1
Vacation Taiwain: 2020
Dutch: Twee weken vakantie in Taiwan.
De eerste week is dagtochen met een berggids van Taiwan Adventures vanuit Taipei in de lokale bergen. Deze zijn niet hoog (tot 750 meter ongeveer), maar wel steil. Het eiland Taiwan bestaat nog niet zo heel lang en daarom zijn de bergen best wel stijl en ontoegankelijk.
De tweede week zijn we bij onze vriendin Wenling en haar familie. We worden volledig opgenomen in de familie en doen ongeveer alles samen met broers, ooms, tantes, en daar weer vrienden van. Dit is een bijzondere ervaring.
In verband met het Covid-19 virus hebben we mondkapjes en hand sanatizer meegenomen. Ondanks dat veel mensen in Nederland twijfelen aan het nut van mondkapjes worden ze door iedereen gebruikt, en dus passen wij ons aan.
English: Two weeks of vacation in Taiwan.
The first week is day hikes with a moutain guide from Taiwan Adventures from Taipei in the local mountains. The mountains are not high (up to 750 meter approx.), but steep. The island of Taiwan does not exist that long and that is why the mountains can be pretty steep and inaccessible.
The second week we stay with our friend Wenling and her family. We become part of her family and pretty much do everything together with brothers, uncles, aunts, and their friends. This is a nice and special experience.
Due to the Covid-19 virus we brought masks and hand santizer. Even though many people in the Netherland doubt the function of the masks, everyone in Taiwan wears them, and we adapt and wear them too.
2020 Februari 14, Friday
Travel to Schiphol
Dutch: We besluiten vrijdagavond te vertrekken en op Schiphol te overnachen. Omdat onze vlucht redelijk vroeg vertrekt en we niet afhankelijk willen zijn van de dienstregeling van NS.
English: We decided to leave Friday evening, sleep at Schiphol as we don't risk delay on Saturday morning.
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2020 Februari 15, Saterday
Travel to Taiwan
Dutch: We hebben een goede nachtrust in CitizenM en checken eerst onze backpacks in. Na alle security checks, gaan we voor ontbijt.
We ontmoeten nog Vikram (collega) en zijn vrouw die 30 minuten eerder vertrekken maar dan naar San Francisco. Spoedig zitten we aan boord.
Het personeel draagt mondkapjes en ook de meeste passagiers ivm Covid-19. We hebben een goede vlucht met een hele korte dag en nacht (-7 uur tijdsverschil).
English: We have a good night in CitizenM and first check in our backpacks. After the security checks, we go for breakfast.
We meet Vikram (colleague) and his wife, who will leave 30 minutes earlier but then to San Francisco. Soon we board.
The crew wears face masks and so do most passengers (Covid-19). We have a good flight, with an extreme short day and night (-7 hours time difference).
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2020 Februari 16. Sunday
Arrive in Taipei
2020 Februari 17. Monday
Hike HuangDiDian
Dutch: Om 8 uur worden we opgepikt door Neil van Taiwan Adventures. We checken nog even de laatste punten (goede schoenen, regenjas, etc) en vertrekken met de auto naar de start van de hike.
Het is koud (12 graden), wat een record is for Taipei, maar voor een stevige wandeltocht is dat prima. Het eerste deel is over brede tredes, maar spoedig is het puur natuur en af en toe een kettingladder of touw met knopen.
Tegen de middag bereiken we de top en hebben we mooi uitzicht.
Hier de Garmin track van de bergtocht
English: At 8AM we are picked up by Neil from Taiwan Adventures. We check the last details (shoes, rain coat, and more) and depart with the car to the start of the hike.
It is cold (12 degrees Celsius), which is a record for Taipei, but for a solid hike, this is fine. The start is simply following wide steps, but soon it is all nature with every now and then a ladder or a rope with knots.
Around the afternoon we reach the top and have a beautifull view.
Here the Garmin track of the hike
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2020 Februari 18. Tuesday
Hike WuLiaoJian
2020 Februari 19. Wednesday
Hike Teapot
2020 Februari 20. Thursday
Hike PingXi
2020 Februari 21. Friday
Sight seeing train to Tainan
Dutch: Vandaag gaan we met de train naar Tainan. We kunnen er in 3 uur zijn met de hoge snelheidstrein, maar we kiezen voor een 9 uur durende omweg via de andere kant van het eiland.
Dit biedt ons de kans om het hele eiland te zien en dus een goed beeld te krijgen van Taiwan. We staan vroeg op en hebben gelijk om 7 uur ontbijt in het hotel. Om half 8 checken we uit.
Een 10 minuten lopen met bepakking en dan zijn we op het trein station. We zien onze trein niet in de lijst verschijnen en navraag leert ons dat we inderdaad gelijk hebben en op het verkeerde perron staan.
Gelukkig ontdekten we dit ruim op tijd. Onze trein is op tijd en we zoeken onze gereserveerde plek. Alle stoelen staan in de rijrichting en er is ruim plaats. We verlaten Taipei en zien spoedig de oceaan gevolgd door bergen, meer oceaan en uiteindelijk weer steden.
Om 5 uur zijn we in Tainan en lopen met onze bepakking naar het ouderlijk huis van Wenling. De temperatuur is beter dan in Taipei (geen verrassing, de ligging van Tainan zorgt voor minder wolken, dus meer zon, dus warmer!).
Na een half uur en dankbaar gebruik makend van de navigatie bereiken we ons doel. Wenling wacht ons buiten al op, en we worden van harte welkom geheten door haar en de hele familie.
We schuiven gelijk aan bij het eten, en worden gelijk opgenomen in de familie.
English: Today we travel by train to Tainan. We could be there in 3 hours, taking the highspeed train, but we choose for a 9 hour detour, via the other side of the island.
This provides us the opportunity to see the whole island and thus the other side of Taiwan. We get up early and have breakfast at 7AM in our hotel. At 7:30AM we check out.
A 10 minute walk with our backpacks and then we are at the train station. First we arrive at the wrong platform and we don't see our train in the list at the monitor. We ask and indeed we are at the wrong platform.
Luckily we had plenty of time. Our train is in time and we go to our reserved seats. All seats are facing forward. We leave Taipei and soon we see the ocean, followed by mountains, more ocean and finally cities.
At 5PM we arrive in Tainan and walk with our backpacks to the parental home of Wenling. The temperature is better than in Taipei (no surprise, Tainan's location gets less clouds, thus more sun, thus warmer.)
After 30 minutes and using GPS navigation, we arrive at our destination. Wenling is waiting outside and we are heartly welcomed by her and her whole family.
We join the dinner and become instantly part of the family.
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10 short movies: Sightseeing from a train is much better captured as movie. The landscape slowly passes by and changes from rice plantations, to mountains, to ocean views, to train stations, ocean views, tunnels, more ocean views, to cities.
Here a movie should come
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2020 Februari 22. Saturday
Tainan -> Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum.
2020 Februari 23. Sunday
Tainan -> Salt mountain, Good fish restaurant
Dutch: Het is zondag en vandaag gaan we met Wenling, Wenling's vriend, Wenling's vader naar een zoutwin museum (Chiku Salt tourist center, Taiyen).
Daarna gaan we lunchen in het visrestaurant van de neef van de vrouw van het broertje van Wenling (Qingkunshen Qingshan Fishing Harbor), en sluiten we af met een bezoek aan een nachtmarkt.
Maar eerst wacht ons een onthaal op bed. De kinderen van Wenling's broertje zijn allang wakker en lopen in pyama naar binnen. Gelukkig zijn wij ook al wakker.
Na het ontbijt vertrekken we. Wenling's vriend rijdt. Het zout museum was vroeger een zoutwinning. De winning wordt uitgelegd, en we mogen een oude zoutberg opklimmen.
Daarna rijden we door naar een kustplaats waar een meef een goed visrestaurant heeft. Wij eten bij die neef thuis. En het is inderdaad goed. Uiteraard is de rest van de familie er ook.
Voor Marjorie en Wenling en de kinderen is er een vegatarische maaltijd. Voor de anderen komen even later ook de verschillende visgerechten. Heerlijk!
Opa is spoedig op de bank in slaap gevallen. Het zoutmuseum was best vermoeiend voor hem.
Voordat we teruggaan, brengen we eerst een bezoek aan een ander dorp (Mashagou Beach) wat bekend staat om zijn vele schilderingen op de woningen.
We hebben veel lol, vooral dankzij de kinderen die het nog leuker maken.
's Avonds worden Marjorie en ik afgezet bij de nachtmarkt. Deze is een paar dagen in de week open. En zo ook vanavond. Er is zowel eten als kleding en nog meer.
We zitten best nog vol van de middag, en een lichte maaltijd voldoet. Tijd om naar huis te wandelen.
English: Today is Sunday and we go with Wenling, Wenling's boyfriend, Wenling's father to the salt mining museum (Chiku Salt tourist center, Taiyen).
Lunch will be at a Fish restaurant from the cousin of the wife of Wenling's little brother (Qingkunshen Qingshan Fishing Harbor). And we close the day by visiting a night market.
But first we are welcomed in bed. The kids (twins) from Wenling's brother are long awake and wake us in their pyamas. Luckily we are awake too.
After breakfast we leave for the museum. Wenling's boyfriend drives. The salt museum is an old sold mining location. The mining is explained and we climb a left over salt mountain.
Then we continue to a coastal village where the cousin of the family has a good fish restaurant. We eat at the cousin's house. And it is indeed good. No surprise.
The rest of the family is present as well.
For Marjorie and Wenling and the kids is a vegetarian meal. For the others a bit later several fish meals arrive. Delicious.
Grand father is already asleep at the couch. The salt museum was quite tiresome for him.
Before we head back to Tainan we visit another village (Mashagou Beach) which is known for its wall paintings.
We have a lot of fun, extra credits for the children making it even more fun.
In the evening Marjorie and I are dropped off at the night market. The night market is only a few evenings open, like this night. There is both food and cloths and more.
We are still quite stuffed from the afternoon, and have a light meal. Then we walk back home.
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2 short movies: The twins pay us a visit early morning in their pyamas.
Here a movie should come
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2020 Februari 24. Monday
Tainan -> Biking to Chihkan Tower, Koxinga Shrine
2020 Februari 25. Tuesday
Yushan National Park in the mountains with the uncles by car
2020 Februari 26. Wednesday
Hiking Mudan bay and Alanyi Ancient Trail with colleagues from Wenling from the hospital
2020 Februari 27. Thursday
Tainan: -> Fort Anping / Zeelandia
2020 Februari 28. Friday
Family day at Hot springs
Dutch: We gaan met de hele familie naar het zuiden waar een huis gehuurd is voor het hele weekend in Sizhongzi Park Hot Spring.
Lokatie van het huis
Helaas kunnen wij niet het hele weekend blijven omdat morgen onze vlucht terug naar Nederland gaat.
De quads worden opgeladen, de kinderen verdeeld, en dan vertrekken we. WeiWei zit bij ons in de auto.
Hij slaapt een groot gedeelte, speelt een spelletje op mijn mobiele telefoon of is in tranen omdat hij naar zijn mama wil.
Bij aankomst wordt er uitgebreid gekookt en thee gedronken. Wenling's broer verzorgt het thee ritueel. En veel handen helpen in de keuken.
Dan kunnen we eten. Er is het 100 jaar oude ei, wat ik probeer en lekker vind. Dan komen de quads in actie.
Even verderop is een openbare spa, en daar rijden we op de quads naar toe. We ontspannen in de spa. En lopen dan terug naar het huis.
Wij vertrekken rond 4 uur terug naar Tainan. Om 6 uur zijn we weer thuis.
We hebben besloten op onze laatste avond samen met Wenling een voetenmassage te regelen. We frissen op, en lopen dan naar de salon.
Onze temperatuur wordt gemeten, handen ontsmet, en wij dragen mondkapjes. Een 90 minuten durende voetmassage is geweldig. Heerlijk ontspannen.
Daarna lopen we een stuk en gaan naar een dessert restaurant, waar we onze keuze maken uit een uitgebreide toetjes kaart.
Mooie afsluiting van een week in Tainan.
English: We travel with the whole family south, where a house is rented for the weekend in Sizhongzi Park Hot Spring.
Location of the house
Unfortunately we can't stay the whole weekend, as tomorrow we have to catch our flight back to the Netherlands.
The quads are loaded onto the car. Then we leave. WeiWei is with us in the car.
He sleeps, or plays a game on my smartphone or is in tears because he wants to be with his mom.
Directly at arrival the cooking starts and tea is served. Wenling's brother takes care of the tea ritual. And a lot of hands help in the kitchen.
Then it is time to eat. Among the food is also the 100 year old egg, which I try and like. Then it's time for the quads.
At the other side of the village is a public spa and we drive with the quads to it. We relax in the spa. After a few hours we walk back to the house.
Around 4 in the afternoon we say goodbye and head back to Tainan. At 6 we are back home.
We decided to have on this last day/evening with Wenling something special: A foot massage. We freshen up and walk to the salon.
Our temperature is measured, we sanatize our hands, and wear masks. The 90 minute massage is great. We relax.
Our last stop that evening is a dessert restaurant a few blocks away. We have to pick from an extensive dessert menu.
This was a great end to a great week in Tainan.
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2020 Februari 29/March 1. Saturday/Sunday
Packing, back to airport, back in the Netherlands
2020 Januari 11/19
Rondje Keent
Sunday is my usual day for a long distance run. But tomorrow I can't make it long as we have a birthday to attend. So I decided to go running on this Saturday and then late in the afternoon.
I packed for the first time since long, my runners camelback and filled it with water mixed with AA-powder. Next to a wind jacket, I add the 'bee seen' strap, to make sure I am perfectly noticable with red and white vertical bars on back and breast.
Knowing that it will be dark in the last part, I look forward to a nice sunset. The result is the picture below. Not as nice as it could have been, but being all alone on the bike/walk dyke in North Brabant, with a straight path in front of me, and superb quiteness all around me, this is a perfect stop.
I continue on my way to Keent, and decide to take the nature route, as I noticed already a hurd of big animals on my way to Keent. Unfortunately there is a second hurd of wild cows and they are on my road. Some run away, other stay put and wait till I pass.
Unintentionally I increased my pace, and when I leave the park I can feel the speed increase. I slow down and continue. In Ravenstein I cross the bridge and from here it is a well known path in the dark back home.
A nice 2 hours and 7 minutes run for a Saturday!
Sunday the 19th I run again. This time I look back and enjoy another nice view. Unfortunately this is the last picture of that day, as I forgot to charge my mobile and it directly shuts down after the picture was taken.
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Diary 2019 can be visited as well: 2019
2019 December 28-29
Christmas Family tour