Moerman Reunion Photos

Something to think about:

Good Friday

The day Jesus died on the cross for us, a gruesome execution at the hands of evil men, by what stretch of the imagination can that day be seen as good? The question is understandable.

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Moerman Family Reunion

Bicycling in The Netherlands

September 2009

Many of the "Canadian Moermans" responded to an invitation to visit relatives and historic family roots in the Netherlands, mostly by bicycle. We stayed in a hostel in Vlaardingen and were wonderfully hosted by cousins Diny Adema and Annie, Chiel and Marijke Rodenburg. Many participants took pictures and some of these are shared below; if you'd like a disk with fuller collection please let me know.

An updated list of family contact info in the Netherlands and Canada has been complied. If you would like a copy or to offer an addition, update or correction please contact Jaap van Leeuwen.

(Please click on photos below to enlarge)

The Nivon hostel in Vlaardingen

Our cousins, Diny, Annie and Chiel did so much to make us feel welcome!

Rented bikes, as only the Dutch can make them, were waiting for us on Saturday.

As we arrived and shared that first "koffie verkert," we knew it would be the experience of a lifetime.

The first weekend meals were prepared by our host cousins, then each of us shared meal responsibility for a day

Shared meals were always fun! (Stacy is an artist with a camera)

Most days we packed a lunch, suited up, and were off...

Sunday we pedalled to church in Schipluiden, where our parents grew up and were married.

Our relatives prepared a great lunch afterwards were we could get re-acquainted.

We were able to find the grave of Corrie Moerman's parents but not of John Moerman's parents.

(Current policy is to remove a grave after 30 years unless special arrangements are made.)

Monday we returned to Schipluiden to visit the windmill of Gerard and Ien van Leeuwen, with a few antics on the way...

After a tour of the windmill, coffee and snacks...

Tuesday was a beautiful day for a longer ride...

and a picnic on the way...

This time to Delft

were we took a canal ride, visited the Niewe Kirk and enjoyed other tourist activities...

We enjoyed lunch in the square...

and visited the site my father marketed livestock in his teens...

Wednesday we visited the farm of Aad and Joke Rodenburg

Aad demonstrated how the roof of the old hay stacks were lifted...

and my Uncle Jan demonstrated how he bikes to the farm twice each day - at age 89!

We enjoyed a tour of the house, great stories and coffee...

until it was time for milking...

We enjoyed historical details...

and time to reminisce...

Thursday the weather turned but we enjoyed cranking ourselves across the canal...

on our way to my mother's birthplace...

We arrived "damp" but "experienced" in the ways of Dutch cycling...

...but what a treat has been prepared at www.depaardenstal.com - a renovated and expanded "horses stable" where many relatives joined us in the course of the afternoon...