ZINE
#605 June 2013
Their For studentso from 3 trs 18 yea
future is
our focus
Did you know that more parents choose the BSN than any other international school in Holland? With four campuses in The Hague area, The British School offers a caring and stimulating learning environment, with an individual approach that ensures every child can achieve their full potential. The BSN is a thriving and supportive expatriate community made up from over 80 nationalities. Contact us today to arrange a visit and see for yourself why the BSN is the international school of choice.
Admissions: +31 (0)70 315 4077 www.britishschool.nl Page 2
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June Bug
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Edition/ enjoy
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Contents
chair/ “captain’s log” Page 1 events/ “britsoc calendar” P events/ “friday social” Page 24 interview / “stephen huyton” food/ “nick’s nosh” Page 34 arts/ “poetry” Page 42 interview/ “geoff dudley” Page arts/ “frans hals” Page 54 food/ “white asparagus” Pa article / “7 cities, 1 minute” a’dam/ “urban beaches” Page chill/ “tips for june” Page 76
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Colophon >
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ZINE
EDITORIAL
ISSUE # 605
EDITOR IN CHIEF Alison Smith | editor@britsoc.nl EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Cherington | ifcherington@hetnet.nl Dave Thomas | info@nstranslations.nl John Richardson | webeditor@britsoc.nl Stephen Huyton | shuyton@thermopatch.nl
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ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING SALES Zetterij Jan van den Berg | ieee25qr@kpnmail.nl
PUBLISHING
age 62 Page 68
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PUBLISHED BY John Richardson | JohnTheCopywriter.com FLIP MAGAZINE PUBLISHING PLATFORM www.issuu.com PUBLISHED ON www.wordpress.org
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEEDBACK Alison Smith | editor@britsoc.nl www.britsoc.nl/
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40 years of graphic experience All graphic and printing services Professional assistance with all your printing demands Or teliusstraat 362hs, 1056 PV AMSTERDAM Tel: 020 6275025 / 06 27305428 E-mail: ieee25qr@kpnmail.nl Member of The British Society of Amsterdam
British Language Training Centre
bltc
English & Dutch Courses Teaching English (TEFL) www.bltc.nl Tel. 020 622 3634
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Captain’s Log The Final Frontier Stardate 01062013
Captain, do you have any advice for me on how to lead humans on planet Britsoc?
Never use logic Mr Spockington.
To boldy volunteer where no expat has gone before
I say this to all the expat life forms I’ve met in the galaxy: Together we must learn to reach for the stars. Captain Stephen Kirk-Huyton Page 10
I
feel a little bit like Captain Kirk as he realises his time is up, there is a new Captain on the bridge. After 10 years this is my last Chairman’s blog. I did consider a reflection on the last 10 years and how things have changed. However for many members my memories have little relevance as you were not in Amsterdam 10 years ago. So instead I would like to use this last opportunity to make one last plea to get more people involved with the Society. Support our new chairman Our incoming chairman Ian Cherington has a lot of skills, but he cannot succeed without the active support of members. When I got involved 10 years ago there were lots of chiefs and not many indians. How times have changed. Today our main events continue to thrive, but some of the smaller activities struggle to attract support. At the moment, for example, we are in need of new people to take over running Social Friday and join our events team. Whatever your skills we can find a place for you! You are only as good as your successor I cannot, of course, miss the chance to say thanks to several people who have supported me during the last 10 years, both past and present members of the committee. I should perhaps begin by thanking Ian Cherington, who has agreed to take on the challenge of being Chairman. I always say that in a voluntary organisation you are only as good as your successor. Thus I am delighted that Ian takes over as I feel that BritSoc has a dynamic incoming Chair who will move the organisation forward. Thank you Alison I must also say a huge thanks to Alison Smith, our magazine editor. In my opinion Alison deserves an OBE for her work as editor of the magazine. Alison has overseen 3x the metamorphosis of the magazine, each step making it better than ever. Her enthusiasm has been an inspiration and her friendship has been one of the best things I have got out of being a member. You are not forgotten The list of past committee members to whom I owe an enormous debt is very long. Several, I know, still receive the Zine despite having moved on to new countries. I would like to say a big thanks to Sarah and Rob Fenwick all the way down under in Australia. Sarah was for several years our events coordinator. I would also like to thank Niki Pratt now back in London. Her time in Amsterdam as our secretary was short, but her contribution immense and it’s great we are still in touch. As we are with Nick and Nicolette Wykeman. Nick was treasurer and vice chair for several years. Their claim to fame was that they were one of our successful couples who tied the knot due to Blind Date. More recent members of the committee, without whom we would have been stuck, are Annette Garnett and Mikaela Lodder, Tracey Taylor, Gillian Brooks, John Richardson and activity organisers like Geoff Dudley and Liz Wen as well as all the Ball organisers, especially the three Blonds, Jane, Elizabeth and Erica. Finally someone not even on the committee, but to whom the Society owes a huge debt, is Paul Huxley, he of Elynx fame. For what seems like decades, he has run BritSoc squash as well as the annual Shakespeare’s night dinner, and a host of other activities over the years. Organisations like ours cannot exist without people like Paul. Not enough room to say thanks to everybody It’s clearly not possible to say thank you to everyone individually, but I have always had a great team of people who are prepared to contribute and do things and that’s what has made the job a lot of fun, even if at times a little stressful. Thanks to everyone I have not mentioned. Thanks to John and Bernhard One final thanks must go to our current President, John Cameron-Webb, the British Consul. Always there when needed, he has also been a big part of the entertainment on Burns night each year. I must add a special mention to his predecessor, Bernhard Garside, who joined in with everything and was not afraid to get his hands dirty when needed, and even told memorable jokes. Thank you Kathryn I think I have now thanked the whole world except perhaps the most important person, Kathryn. Umpteen times I have promised I will stop as chairman. I have retired so many times I have lost count. Kath has always been there and supported me and the Society and I could not have done it without her. Thanks xx The end of the beginning Ok, enough thanks. I have thought long and hard about how I should end this blog. Perhaps some words of wisdom for Ian, or some funny story from a past event. In the end I just want to make a request to everyone reading these words. The strength of the BritSoc is that it welcomes everyone. Despite its name we are a truly an international organisation, rooted in the very best of British Traditions. We know how to enjoy ourselves and so long as you can appreciate English humour you will always find a warm welcome as a member or at any of our events. I am sure the Society will continue to prosper and I look forward to remaining involved, but in a little less highprofile role. Best wishes to everyone
Stephen Page 11
S
You are cordially invited to High Tea with Britsoc Chairman
tephen
Huyton
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@ Timothy Oulton Amsterdam Sat 8 June, 2013 11am to 2 pm RSVP
FULL Y BO
OKED
WAITING LIST AVAILABLE The event is fully booked!
However, in case of cancellations please register on the Britsoc website. http://www.britsoc.nl/stephen-huyton-tea-break/ Join Stephen Huyton and friends for high tea (and Champagne) in celebration of the
Queen’s Birthday
at the amazing British furniture store
Timothy Oulton, Amsterdam. www.timothyoulton.com
(See details on the next page).
This will be Stephen’s last official engagement after 10 years at the helm of the good ship Britsoc. Please do come and join him and thank him personally for volunteering over a decade of his valuable time and energy — and for not sinking Britsoc. God bless all those who continue to sail on her with our new chairman, Admiral Lord of the Fleet Ian Cherington.
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The British Society of Amsterdam would like to thank ‘Reclame Bureau Holland’ for graciously sponsoring the Diamond Jubilee Ball by designing the house style
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ISA campus, main entrance
C
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Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Setting the stage. At ISA, we believe that great facilities can set the stage for great learning. ISA is housed in a space specially designed for international education. And inspiration. Our facilities include a four-floor library/media center, a 400-seat theatre, science labs and specialist studios for music, art, and drama. More than 400 computers are joined in a school-wide, online network. Students work with laptops and iPads in the classroom. Two state-of-the-art gyms, discovery oriented playgrounds and adjacent playing fields are large, well equipped and secure. ISA’s campus is not a luxury. It’s where ideas are born.
Exciting and developing young minds Sportlaan 45 - 1185 TB Amstelveen - The Netherlands - Tel. +31 20 347 1111 - www.isa.nl
Taste Life!
Kingsalmarkt, the world-famous foodstore! We are known for our wide range of products from countries all over the world. ‘Taste life’ is what we call that. Visit us for your favourite American cornflakes, brownies and soups, British jams and honey, Mexican tortillas, Spanish tapas and ham, Italian coffee and pasta and French cheese. Of course you can pick up the rest of your groceries too.
Rembrandtweg 621, 1181 GV Amstelveen-noord, tel. 020 643 37 51 www.kingsalmarkt.nl info@kingsalmarkt.nl Easily reached by car (free parking) and public transport (5 or 51 tram to Kronenburg) Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 6 pm Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
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Britsoc May calendar/ “sailin
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ng to golf�
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BritSoc Social and Sports Activities
JUNE BUG
For more information go to http://www.britsoc.nl/the-all-in-one-calendar/ SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
01
02
03
08
Daytime Badminton 13.00 to 14.00
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10
Golf 8.00 Queen’s Birthday High Tea 11:00
Golf 8.00
Soft Tennis 16.00
Daytime Badminton 13.00 to 14.00
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16
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Daytime Badminton 13.00 to 14.00
Golf 8.00 Britsoc Sailing Kaag 12:00.
Golf 8.00 Soft Tennis 16.00
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23
24
Golf 8.00
Golf 8.00 Soft Tennis 16.00
Daytime Badminton 13.00 to 14.00
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29 Golf 8.00
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Golf 8.00 Soft Tennis 16.00
Golf 8.00 Soft Tennis 16.00
Daytime Badminton 13.00 to 14.00
CALENDAR 2013 TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
04
05
06
07
Squash 19.30 Tennis 20.00
11
Squash 19.30 Tennis 20.00
18
Squash 19.30 Tennis 20.00
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Squash 19.30 Tennis 20.00
Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 20.00
Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00 Bridge Night 19.30
Fundraiser Sessions 14.00-17:00
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13
14
Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 20.00
Bridge Night 19.30 Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00
Social Friday @ The Tara 21.00-24:00
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20
21
Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 20.00
26 Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 20.00
Bridge Night 19.30 Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00
27 Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00 Bridge Night 19.30
Activity Contact Details:
Social Fridays is Tracey Taylor. Email: socialfridays@hotmail.com Soft tennis is Sharron Reed. Email: s.j.reed@xs4all.nl Bridge is Ruth and Art Max. Email: ruthmax84@yahoo.com Squash is Paul Huxley. Email: prhuxley@gmail.com Scottish Country Dancing. Email: Margaret.Lambourne@ziggo.nl Tennis is Geoff Dudley. Email: see www.britsoc.nl/the-all-in-one-calendar/
28 Scottish Country Dancing Group
Under the expert guidance of Margaret Lambourne, a qualified SCD teacher, Thursday evenings are spent dancing to the strains of Celtic tunes. Swirling in circles or forming up squares, lines or long sets, we learn everything from the proper steps and figures in jig, reel and strathspey time. We change partners for each dance, so you can come on your own and find a partner there. The music and the dancing make you happy, and it’s great exercise, too! And what a bargain, just 3 euros per session! Sessions are held in the British School hall on Anthonie van Dijckstraat in Oud Zuid, from 7:30 to 9 pm.
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events in June/
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“the tara friday social”
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Social Friday Fr
| @The Tara 21 http://www.thetara.com/nld/
Friday 14th June
We are continuing our trial with the 2nd Friday in the month instead, hope you are still able to join us.
http://www.britsoc.nl Sean Jansen Page 24
rom 1:00
|
events/
Venue: Rokin 85-89, 1012KL Amsterdam Trams: 4,9,14,16,24 and 25 tramstop Rokin. Contact: Tracey Taylor Email: socialfridays@hotmail.com
This venue is a well known bar amongst the expats.
This Irish bar has an interesting variation of rooms mixing from a trendy modern bar to the classic leather armchair corners and fireplaces. We will meet in the far end of the pub where the rear bar area is exiting to the Nes street entrance. Look out for Stephen near the bar wearing a bright red shirt. Social Fridays is a great opportunity to meet new people or catch up with friends - all welcome.
No attendance list, so just show up!
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interview of the decade / Britso
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oc chairman Stephen Huyton
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interview of the decade/
Interview with
Stephen Huyton Britsoc Chairman
2002-2013
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“
I’m going to take a well earned snooze
As you know, this month our long-standing Chairman, Stephen Huyton, is stepping down after more than 10 years of dedicated service to the BritSoc. He will pass the baton to Ian Cherington at the next AGM in June and a glass will be raised in his direction, along with a heartfelt vote of thanks, at the High Tea on the 8th June to be held at Timothy Oulton on the Amstelveenseweg. Stephen isn’t an easy man to pin down to an interview, but I managed to catch up with him to find out a bit more about the man who has directed the BritSoc so ably for so long. You’ve been Chairman of the Britsoc since 2002. It’s going to be hard to pick one favourite moment, but is there any event or moment that really stands out in your memory? I have three outstanding memories.
The time we organised Gardener’s Question Time at the Hilton Hotel. We had the BBC in Amsterdam to record an edition of the programme and some 400+ people came along. It was an excellent evening. Of course, there were the inevitable comments about growing Cannabis; it was all very amusing! The producers said it was one of the best they had done. Bonfire night is always special, when you stand at the back as the fireworks are launched and see the smiling faces on the little children; it gives you a real pleasure.
Alison Smith It’s a very special British night, which in recent years has grown in popularity to such an extent that in 2012 we could not go ahead with it due to new regulations. However it’s back on the agenda in 2013. I cannot avoid mentioning the Christmas Ball. The Balls have not been without their stresses but for me they mark the start of Christmas. Each one is always different and always great fun and have raised a lot of money for some very worthy causes. We have already booked to go back to the St Olaf’s Chapel at the Barbizon Palace Hotel on 8th December. In your opinion, what has been your greatest contribution to BritSoc, and to the expat community in general? A good question and not one I feel I can answer, better ask someone more independent. To be honest, I missed my key goal of increasing membership numbers to 1000. I always wanted to employ a part time organiser and with 1000 members this would have been possible. Probably my biggest contribution has been to help steer Page 29
interview of the decade/
the Society into a new direction and I am pleased to say in finding Ian Cherington as my successor. In 2013 volunteers do not step forward so readily. There are always other pressing things going on. You’ve given so much to BritSoc over the years. What has BritSoc given to you? Fun and friendship, some of my closest friends I met through the Society. If you had to describe the BritSoc to an alien (who miraculously happens to speak English) how would you sum it up? The BritSoc is an excellent way to meet new Aliens. However it serves you best when you choose to get actively involved! How has BritSoc changed the most in your years as Chairman? When I joined, the Society was one of the few ways expats could find out what was going on in and around Amsterdam. The Internet was still a relatively new means of communication. Google was in its infancy and Facebook did not exist. The Society therefore fulfilled a very important role in bringing expats together. Today there is any number of expat organisations offering all kinds of activities and the Internet has changed the way we communicate and find out about what is going on beyond all belief. The Society has had to adapt to survive. During the last 12 months, we have taken some serious decisions including abandoning our printed bulletin and undertaking a complete overhaul of our web site. Both are infinitely better as a result and offer a new range of services to the expat community. However what we do best is organise the big set piece theatre events such as Bonfire Night, the Burns Night Ceilidh and the Ball. This is what only we can do as a membership organisation. It’s our strength and I hope it is something we shall continue in future years. What would you say was your legacy? This is a question you should always ask the incoming chairperson. Going forward, what does BritSoc need most of all? VOLUNTEERS to make a difference and contribute. Page 30
If you look into your crystal ball what does BritSoc look like in another 10 years time? Probably a little greyer, but hopefully still a vibrant key player in the expat community.
A bit of info on Stephen…. What keeps you busy? Work, The British Society, my family! Not always in the order I hasten to add! I also enjoy playing some football in the Dutch KNVB 7-7 competition and squash when work permits. How do you relax? I am not very good at doing nothing, as Kath will testify. I always need a project be it work or pleasure. That’s why the Society has been so good to me. Your family have also been great supporters of the society through the years at various events. Describe your family for us. Very, very patient! My daughter is now at University and my two boys are in their last years at school. My wife Kath teaches English as an Additional Language at the International School of Amsterdam. Like it or not they have been active supporters of BritSoc activities for many years. Personally I think they deserve as much thanks as is being directed at me! If you could choose any dream job, what would it be? I want to be a trailing spouse for a few years. I know everyone will say I would get bored. I just want the chance to see if I do! What sage advice would you give to Ian, our incoming Chairman? Ensure that you have some great friends around you, who enjoy contributing to the community as much as the team I have been blessed with over the years and, of course, you need a very understanding wife!
Many thanks Stephen! Writer: Alison Smith Photos: Alison Smith / BritSoc Archive
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restaurant reviews/
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“nick’s nosh”
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NICK’S NOSH
Britsoc food correspondent Nick Nugent Reporting from the four corners of the Amsterdam kitchen L’Invite and Neighbourhood Food Market Page 35
Restaurant Review - L’Invite M
y friends and I often watch out for the various restaurant or dining festivals which happen regularly during the year in the Netherlands. There are around 4 or 5 of them at various times of the year and I see that just recently I have another invitation for June for Michelin starred restaurants only. Of the ones I have attended, restaurants tend to do one of two things: 1. a special menu for the festival or 2. a small section of their normal menu at a good price. In this case we had a special set menu with matching wines for 100 euros. A bit pricey you might think, but this particular festival focused on only the very top restaurants in Amsterdam (and we had matched wine!) All the participating Michelin starred restaurants were booked up within a day or so and it took us a bit longer than that to organise 8 people who wanted to come, so we were left with a smaller selection. If you are interested my choice was between the following: Chang-I Het Bosch L’invite Le Garage Tunes @ the conservatorium hotel Visaandeschelde Based on the available information on websites and the choice of the group we eventually plumped for L’Invite. Their website is very sleek, making the restaurant look really good and the menu looked equally as appealing which made our choice quite easy. We were offered a glass of fizzy stuff as we sat down, which was their house Champagne, a pleasant example with a pear and peach flavour. On the table as we arrived there were also some bread sticks but we were given 6 for 8 people, odd I thought and I hoped that would not reflect the rest of the meal. The meal consisted of 5 courses and I do not want to bore you with all the details and so I will give you the best bits. Unfortunately there was not much to report! I could just stop the review there and call it a day but Page 36
**
I will highlight a few things. The best dish was brought out by the head chef Richenel himself, very proudly. It was a slowly cooked egg with potato foam, almonds and savoury twill biscuit. This was accompanied by a Dutch wine. Yes, you read correctly, a Dutch white wine from Limburg which was very floral and matched the food very well. The egg was just an egg, however flavoursome, but the combination was really excellent and because a few people were not that fussed over an egg, I had 2 of them! I was glad as that was the best thing I ate all night. I will describe the main as well just for completeness which was a slice of duck with red wine sauce, pomme puree, pea puree and white asparagus. This was well cooked, but did not blow me away with the refinement of the dish or the flavours. It was accompanied by a Rioja from Spain which was a very classical Rioja flavour with some vanilla and chocolate notes which just about went with the duck. In this sort of place normally the food and wine would be introduced with a small explanation. This happened only occasionally depending on which person was serving and for every new wine I had to ask the details. I am not sure exactly why they were not consistent with the explanations, maybe it was the size of the group, maybe it was just laziness, I do not know. The lack of explanations really caused an issue with the first dessert. We were presented with a dish of iceberg lettuce, goats cheese foam, popping candy and nuts. As you read this I am not sure what you think of this as a dessert but my opinion was “nuts” indeed! This was the most challenging taste I have ever been presented with, apart from tripe and chicken feet, but they actually tasted fine, it was just the texture. The texture in this dessert was the popping candy which we all took great joy in putting on our tongues and letting it crackle. In reality however this “dessert” was universally disliked.
By Nick Nugent
It was only when we were presented with the final “sweet dessert� did it make sense. They had challenged our brains to remember the number of courses as well as our taste buds. The sweet dessert was some mango and sponge creation which I will not spend any time to describe to you as it was completely unspectacular. My impressions of this place are that it is relatively classy inside although a slightly clinical feel, with white beams, exposed lighting and paned windows at both ends making it quite light and airy inside. It was a good atmosphere with our group of 8 and another group of about 20 in the back. The volume was rollicking but not rowdy. I would guess that this was not the normal atmosphere though, as it is aiming for refined dining. I believe that during these restaurant festivals some restaurants approach the opportunity with completely the wrong attitude in that they think the clientele are coming just to get a good deal. Others really try to showcase their restaurant. I would say out of the 7 or 8 I have attended, it has been a 50/50 split. I am not sure whether L’Invite was showcasing or whether they thought we were a bunch of misers looking for a good deal, whichever it was, the food was only average for the price. I will always give a restaurant another chance, but really they should have made it much easier for me to make the decision to come back. Contact: nicksnosh@hotmail.com
http://www.linvitelerestaurant.nl/ Page 37
Neighbourhood Food Market -THINK SOUP Every 3rd Sunday of the month @ Westergasfabriek
T
he Neighbourhood Food Market (NFM) started in January 2012 with just a few stalls. The founders Siti Boelen & Imke Kok noticed food markets everywhere during their travels for TV work around the world, except in Amsterdam. Actually they claim that NFM is not the exact word, because it’s more like a food court. The concept is to have food that you can eat on the spot and places to sit and relax rather than a typical market that you stroll around, buy products and go home to cook and eat. The idea is for people to spend a lazy Sunday eating and enjoying the market. The organisers want to have stall holders with a good story which they can tell the public when they come to the stall. This makes you realise that food is more than just something you buy in the supermarket, it is much more. The organisers are very strict about the concept and personally pick the stall holders, assessing whether the idea and food fits the market. At the moment the NFM is getting around 2,000 visitors depending on the weather, with the biggest attendance being around 4,000 people in April. Next month on 16th June they will organise a special edition called ‘ruig’ with lots of meat and barbeque food especially for Father’s Day. They call it the “male edition.” There are ideas for other special editions too. Attached to the NFM there is also a small flea market with some bric-a-brac for you to browse if you are done with the food. I was really quite impressed with the quality of the food and produce on offer at the market. There was an abundance of Spanish and British stalls, which was surprising. There were some stalls of note like Adams Appels which concentrated on slow Mediterranean food and offered what looked like a great tagine, but there were no tasting portions to confirm. I tried one of the Cornish pasties from Chester’s Kitchen (http://www. chesterskitchen.com/) which gave me a real taste of home. I was very impressed with the boys from Think Soup and have done a full piece on them below. Page 38
Think Soup
http://on.fb.me/12ZLQyD
Think soup founders include two northern lads from Sunderland and Middlesbrough (Damien Taylor, Richard Kohn & Ramon Jorge Otto (third partner - not there Sunday) who are passionate about food. They started Think Soup because they wanted to bring excellent quality, gourmet soups to the Netherlands - a market where soup has a special meaning. Just preparing excellent soups was not enough for Think Soup. The process of food preparation and manufacture has a lot of waste involved and these guys wanted to create something really sustainable in their way of doing business - and they’ve found a really novel way of doing that. They knew that a lot of excellent local produce was going to waste in the Netherlands. That’s because allotment holders cannot sell their excess produce so it’s often thrown away or composted. So the boys have developed a bartering partnership with the allotment holders. In exchange for fresh seasonal produce that the boys use in their soups, Think Soup delivers soup back to them, plus composting material or tools, so that they can protect their own supply chain. This, of course, means that all the soups they make are very seasonal and based on whatever they can get hold of at the time. The real challenge for the boys is the invention test that they have to take each time there is a delivery of new produce from their suppliers. On the stand when I attended there was Spring Pea & Mint, Curried Pumpkin, Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper and a superfoods Green leaf vegetables and potato. I tried the curried pumpkin which was really flavoursome with a nice big cumin kick. The pea and mint was a very traditional flavour very reminiscent of home, thick and unctuous. We hope to see some Father’s Day specials from the boys for June! Contact: nicksnosh@hotmail.com
http://neighbourfoodmarket.nl/en/ Page 39
poetry/ “ii wondered wandered lol
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lonelyasasa aquestion� brick onely
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poets
corner Keswick evening
lake communes with enticing peaks pleasure craft moored trinket huts shuttered flowers bed streetlamps shimmer silence soothes embraces Š Dave Thomas 2013
Dave Thomas & Emily Dickinson Page 42
poetry/
To make a prairie
To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee. One clover, and a bee, And revery. The revery alone will do, If bees are few. Š Emily Dickinson 1755
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sports event/ “britso
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oc sailing�
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Britsoc Act of the mon Britsoc Sailing Club
ZINE interviews current organiser Geoff Dudley
Ariane cup catamaran (Le Marin, Martinique)
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tivity nth
Home-built ice yacht on Kagerplassen
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Britsoc Sailing Club ZINE interviews current organiser Geoff Dudley 1) What brought you to the Netherlands?
After being made redundant in the UK in 1982 I took a job at the European Space Agency heading a small group responsible for energy storage aboard spacecraft. I worked at the technical centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk.
2) How did you get into sailing?
I learned to sail in the UK with a social club. We mostly sailed dinghies on south coast estuaries at Bosham and Southampton Water. Later there I also learned to windsurf.
3) How has your sailing career developed and what are the highlights?
I wouldn’t exactly call it a career - I have done very little racing, for instance. When I moved to the Netherlands I made the most of the opportunities to sail and I found a place to live right beside the Kagerplassen.
By a stroke of luck the owners of the bungalow I rented had a boat moored there (a Centaur). They said that they would come over and sail it from time to time but I was welcome to use it myself when they weren’t! I bought a windsurfer and so was all set up. Later I bought a house just 50 metres away beside the lake and by then I had my own Laser 2 dinghy. I have also built and sailed an ice yacht on the lake when it is frozen. On larger yachts I have enjoyed flotilla sailing in Greece, Turkey, Croatia and The British Virgin Islands with friends from the UK (I am usually the skipper). The most exciting was probably taking part in the ‘Ariane Cup’ races arranged by the French Space Agency. Nearly 100 catamarans were hired in Martinique. I skippered one of them and we sailed to St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean.
By Dave Thomas/Images Geoff Dudley
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4) Which sailor do you admire most and why? Sailors who have undertaken long distance single-handed voyages such as Ellen MacArthur.
5) How and when did the Britsoc Sailing Club start? I don’t know if they started it but I took over from Heidi and Elmer Swanson who were living in Diemen at the time and arranged sailing on the Kagerplassen. They went to Australia for a year and I took over expecting it to be temporary thing. However, after their return they left me in charge because of my ideal location.
6) Can you describe a typical day’s sailing?
There is really no such thing as a typical day’s sailing. Every time seems different. So much depends on the weather conditions, locations and fellow participants. It can vary from drifting in light airs under a blazing sun to fully reefed struggling to keep the boat upright in pouring rain and wind squalls. We hire Valks, Dutch-design, gaff-rigged, fixedkeel yachts about 6 metres long. They are quite stable and can accommodate up to 5 people. Typically we will hire 2 to 4 boats though a few times we have had only 1 and the most ever was 7. Occasionally we will have an informal race - but there are few rules and no prizes. Once I even organised a treasure hunt. It would be fun to do that again but it takes a lot of preparation.
7) How do you cater for the wide range of levels in the club?
The number of boats we can hire, and so how many people can sail on a particular occasion, depends on the number of skippers who have agreed to come.
Geoff Dudley Page 49
Sailing on Kagerplassen
Stowaway/hitchhiker duck (Loosdrechtseplassen)
As far as possible I try to make sure that at least one other person in each boat has some sailing experience. However, most people are beginners or very occasional sailors. The degree of challenge depends on the wind level. Whenever possible (wind force 3 or less and not too busy on the water) we let anyone interested take the helm and learn how to sail.
8) What, where, when, who, cost?
We sail on Saturdays about once every 3 weeks from May to September. Mostly we are on the Kagerplassen (North of Leiden). We meet up from 12:00 to 13:00 at a restaurant and starting sailing at 13:30. We stop at around 17:00 to 18:00 depending on the conditions. Boat hire currently costs â‚Ź 45 shared between 2 to 5 occupants (usually 3 or 4). I usually hold a barbecue at my place afterwards for those interested.
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We also have two or three trips to the Loosdrechtseplassen (west of Hilversum). Here we sail from about 11:00 until about 17:00. We sail to an island in the lake and take a picnic lunch there. The boats are about â‚Ź 75 to hire for the day. Everything is organised via email. Contact me via the BritSoc website as early as possible before the event but at the latest by the preceding Wednesday. I try to put people who need lifts with those who can provide them. There is a link there to a page I maintain which shows who is signed up for the next few sailing occasions and which gives more details about the venues, clothing etc. Sailing in Kaag: http://bit.ly/19EmmvD Sailing in Loosdrecht: http://bit.ly/18Px7wt The direct link is: http://bit.ly/14qQKUx
Island picnic spot, Loosdrechtseplassen Page 51
“peter hals” the gr arts/ “frans
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reat�
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Frans Hals: Eye to Eye with Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian
Until 28 July 2013 at the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
Frans Hals – Lachende jongen, ca. 1625, olieverf op paneel, 30 × 45 cm, Koninklijk Kabinet van Schilderijen Mauritshuis, Den Haag Page 54
I
knew Hals as the artist who portrays engaging, everyday people laughing and making merry. Then I read an article in a Dutch newspaper about this exhibition which asserted that Hals has possibly played second fiddle to Rembrandt too much: Although Rembrandt might have acquired more worldwide fame, Hals was definitely more masterful in his use of the brush and more innovative in his approach. So I spent a sunny Sunday afternoon in Haarlem examining the evidence for myself. by Dave Thomas Page 55
Rembrandt van Rijn – De lachende man, ca. 1629/30, olieverf op koper met bladgoud, 15,3 × 12,2 cm, Koninklijk Kabinet van Schilderijen Mauritshuis, Den Haag Page 56
Frans Hals – De luitspeler, ca. 1623, olieverf op doek, 70 × 62 cm, Musée du Louvre, Parijs © RMN Franck Raux Page 57
Frans Hals – Portret van Jaspar Schade, ca. 1645, olieverf op doek, 80 × 67,5 cm, National Gallery, Praag
First impression? It was immediately clear that Hals was a trendsetter. His rapidly applied brush strokes in the style of Tintoretto were not used to convey religious or mythological scenes like those of his mentor
Karel
Mander, but to bring everyday people to life. And he was darned good at it. van
For example, the exhibition has three paintings side by side of a man in black standing next to a chair. They are a Rubens, a Van Dyck and a Hals. Rubens’ painting has a detailed life-likeness, more so than Van Dyck, but only Hals really brings the figure to life. And as I wandered through the exhibition I realised why. It is how he portrays the light in his subjects’ eyes. Somehow the eyes make contact with your eyes and draw you into the life story of the person depicted. I found that was a better clue to identifying a work of Hals correctly than his trademark smile, because some of his contemporaries in Haarlem, such as Judith Leyster, were pretty good at that as well.
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Rembrandt, 20 years Hals’ junior, tried to capture the same liveliness but was far less masterful with a brush. Somehow his Laughing Man (1692/1693) is too contrived. And even Rembrandt’s later works on display do not achieve emotion through brush strokes but rather by the careful application of many layers of paint and subtle uses of colour, as can be seen in his portrait of Jacob Trip (1661). Hals, however, achieves emotion with a few brush strokes. Why? His rough brush style of painting that does not focus on every detail, allows movement in the painting. The faces come to life as the viewer’s eye completes the picture. This is beautifully illustrated in the exhibition by two portraits of Jasper Shade. The one by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (1654) is static and devoid of emotion, whereas that of Hals (1645) beautifully captures the haughty self-assurance of this Utrecht-based merchant. Personally I am not a fan of Rembrandt’s Nightwatch. However, the room dedicated to various civic guard paintings by Hals completely captivated me. These paintings
Jacob Jordaens – Zelfportret als doedelzakspeler, olieverf op doek, ca. 1640/45, ‘Fonds Courtin-Bouché’, coll. Koning Boudewijnstichting, Rubenshuis, Antwerpen
secured Hals’ fame and in the Banquet of the Officers of the Calivermen Civic Guard (1627) I could instantly appreciate why. Each member of the guard is uniquely portrayed and invites me as the viewer to tell their story. Some are lost in their own thoughts, one is clearly posing with a certain flamboyancy, another has an air of stoicism, one has assumed an attitude of mocking indifference, whereas another appears to be almost resigned to fate. Finally, I agree with the Dutch newspaper article that claimed Hals was ahead of his time. A painting Hals produced in his eighties brought that home to me: Regentesses of the Old Men’s Almshouse (1664). The earthy faces and roughly portrayed hands were definitely not how women were painted in the Golden Age, but the style also reminded me of one of my favourite paintings: The Potato Eaters (1885) from Van Gogh’s blue period.
Practical information
Exhibition:
Frans Hals: Eye to Eye with Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian
When: Until 28 July 2013. Open Tues-Fri 10.00 to 17.00 hours and weekends 11.00 to 18.00 hours
Location: Frans Hals Museum, Groot Heiligland 62, 2011 ES Haarlem
Admission: Adults 13 euros, children (0-18 years) free, Museumjaarkaart and IAmsterdam Card 3 euros
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food glorious/ “dutc
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ch white aparagus�
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Karen Vivers
Dutch White Asparagus
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food glorious/ K
aren Vivers, originally from Scotland, has lived here in Amsterdam since 1997, and has set up the Cooking Coach to help inspire people to get back into the kitchen. The basis of the cooking lessons are easy, tasty, healthy recipes. Each course starts with a free introduction session, to make sure that you only cook what you like to eat. As well as cooking lessons, Karen offers Culinary Tours in Amsterdam, is a passionate Food Blogger and works freelance as a Culinary Consultant, specialising in small and medium businesses, helping them get started, grow and deal with commercial challenges.
Dutch White Asparagus
It has taken me a bit of time to get the hang of white asparagus. Having grown up not even realising that such a thing existed ( I hadn’t even seen a green asparagus, let alone a white one). Somewhere along the line though I had noticed, in deli’s, those jars of white asparagus, and although they caught my eye, I found them so unattractive that I never considered buying them. And anyway, I wouldn’t have had a clue what do with them. Things have changed though, my first taste of white asparagus was when I came to live in the Netherlands. Served of course with the ubiquitous sliced ham, boiled potatoes, eggs and melted butter (yuk! – sorry, have never gotten used to that). Although I wasn’t initially impressed, due to the Dutch obsession with the white stuff, I realized that if I was going to integrate on a culinary level, I would have to take an “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude on the asparagus front. Having said that, I also knew that I wouldn’t be going down the melted butter route. So, I get a little bit creative every year and discover or come up with one or two new recipes to enjoy the short, (but as the years roll by, I find it an increasingly) sweet season. This year, I couldn’t decide on my favourite recipe, so I have two for you. One inspired by the Belgian chef Jeroen Meus, which is the Asparagus with Herby Scrambled Eggs and Brown Shrimp. I really like this because there is something really tasty about the combination of white asparagus and eggs. Of course you can make the classic Hollandaise sauce, but that gets a bit fiddly and is not for everyone. By making creamy scrambled eggs, you get the same kind of flavour and texture without the hassle of the Hollandaise. I discovered in this recipe that there is a great complement of flavours in the asparagus, eggs with the siltiness of brown shrimp (or “Hollandse garnalen”) too. My second recipe, Asparagus with Tomato dressing, couldn’t be more different. This is light and zingy, using a more Italian style inspired dressing than the creamy more Northern European style with eggs. This works really well
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as a starter to an Italian meal. Whatever your taste, I hope you will give these white asparagus recipes a try. The season runs from April to the end of June so don’t delay!
Asparagus with Herby Scrambled Eggs and Brown Shrimp Preparation Time: 7 minutes Cooking Time:10 minutes Ingredients for 4 servings 12 large white asparagus spears, cleaned. 200gr brown shrimps, bought peeled and cooked 6 large eggs 1 x heaped tbsp finely chopped fresh chives (about a handful) 1 x heaped tbsp finely chopped fresh flat parsley leaves (about a handful) 2 x tsp olive oil 1 x tbsp crème fraîche Salt and black pepper to taste
Method
1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and drop the asparagus in to cook for about 7 minutes. Make sure the pan is large enough and has enough water in it to give the asparagus enough room to cook. Check if they are cooked after 5 minutes by inserting a sharp knife into the thickest part of the asparagus. When they are ready there should still be a little resistance. Asparagus are best cooked al dente. 2. Whilst the asparagus is cooking you can make the scrambled egg. Break the eggs into a bowl, add a little salt and pepper and beat them together with a fork. 3. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, and, when the pan is hot, add the egg mix. Stir the eggs around and keep them moving. After about 2 minutes add the herbs and a pinch more salt. Keep stirring until the eggs come together and are almost cooked, then add the crème fraîche, mix through until it is evenly incorporated and melted into the scrambled eggs. Remove from the heat. 4. Drain the asparagus and share them out on your plates, place the eggs on top of each serving. I like to cover the thicker end of the asparagus. Sprinkle over the shrimp and serve.
food glorious/ Tips and Variations • • •
This recipe also works with green asparagus. Try crayfish instead of shrimp.
Asparagus with Tomato Dressing Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 7 minutes
Ingredients for 4 servings 12 large white asparagus, peeled and the bottom cm removed (just to make it look a little tidier) 50gr of toasted pine nuts (you can toast them in a non-stick pan – be careful to keep an eye on them) 2 x spring onions chopped finely. 4 medium tomatoes, chopped into little cubes (make sure they are ripe) 6 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp of white balsamic vinegar Salt and black pepper to taste
10. Drain the asparagus and share them out on your plates, place the eggs on top of each serving. I like to cover the thicker end of the asparagus. Sprinkle over the shrimp and serve.
Tips and Variations • • • •
•
This is a great light alternative to the usual heavy version with Hollandaise sauce or with melted butter and ham. This can also be served as a side dish to salmon. Try serving on a bed of seasonal leaves, just lightly dressed with a little extra virgin oil and white balsamic. If you don’t have white balsamic vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar (add a tsp of honey to this version) or normal dark coloured balsamic vinegar, if you don’t mind the colour. Works well with green asparagus as well, although you will need more spears per portion. I love to dress this version with some shards of parmesan, pecorino or a sprinkling of crumbled soft goat’s cheese.
Method
5. To cook the asparagus, place them in a large pan of boiling water for about 7 minutes. Make sure they have plenty of water in which to cook. To check they are ready, just pierce the thickest part with a sharp knife, there should be a slight resistance. 6. Whilst the asparagus is cooking, mix the olive oil, vinegar, tomato, onion and a little salt and pepper in a bowl to make a dressing. Just mix together with a fork. If you do this before you start to cook the asparagus, the ingredients will give more flavour into the oil. 7. To serve, drain the asparagus, share out on plates, drizzle over the dressing and sprinkle with the pine nuts. 8. Whilst the asparagus is cooking you can make the scrambled egg. Break the eggs into a bowl, add a little salt and pepper and beat them together with a fork. 9. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, and, when the pan is hot, add the egg mix. Stir the eggs around and keep them moving. After about 2 minutes add the herbs and a pinch more salt. Keep stirring until the eggs come together and are almost cooked, then add the crème fraîche, mix through until it is evenly incorporated and melted into the scrambled eggs. Remove from the heat.
The Cooking Coach Love Food, Live Healthy www.thecookingcoach.eu Mobile : 06 1424 0009 Email: karen@thecookingcoach.eu Page 65
article/ “seven co
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ountries in one minute�
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Seven countries in one minute
O
n a quick visit to Amsterdam? On a tight budget? Got the attention span of a small carrot? Then this free yet remarkable one minute architectural tour is right up your street. Page 68
A street called Roemer Visscherstraat. Also known as United
Europe. Two minutes walk from Leidseplein or five minutes from Museumplein.
20 and 30 Roemer Visscherstraat are seven architectural wonders called Zevenlandenhuizen (Seven countries houses) by architect Tjeerd Kuiper (1857-1942).
What
you’ll find between numbers
Built in 1894, this eclectic row of houses show the national architectural style of seven European countries: England, Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Words and Images by John Richardson
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1. Number 30A is Engeland (England). Built in the style of a typical English cottage. Without all the profusion of flowers typical of an English country garden. Now the Quentin England Hotel. 2. Number 30 is Nederland (The Netherlands). Built in the typical Dutch Renaissance style 3. Number 27 is Rusland (Russia). Built like an orthodox cathedral. One can imagine Ivan the Terrible waving out from the upper onion shaped cupola. 4. Number 26 is Italie (Italy). Built like an Italian palazzo, representing those grand buildings of architectural ambition that were once the headquarters for a family of some renown. 5. Number 24 is Spanje (Spain). Built like a Spanish villa in Moorish style. Reminiscent of Granada’s Alhambra. 6. Number 22 is Frankrijk (France). Built like a miniature French Chateau, like the ones bordering the River Loire. 7. Number 20 is Duitsckland (Germany). Built to clearly show the romantic influences of German gothic architecture. Page 71
a’dam/ “iurban beach wandered lo
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hes onely as a question�
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Amsterdam’s City Beaches
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H
ead for the beach without leaving the city! Urban beaches are a trend that just keeps growing, and Amsterdam is no exception. With a variety of city beaches - including one on top of a building overlooking the city - Amsterdam offers a refreshing twist on the traditional sun and sand experience during the summer.
City sand
Strand West is open all year round, though the outdoor activities only get going when the sun shines. Located on a broad sandy expanse with a panoramic view of the IJ, you can laze in a hammock, sip a cocktail, snack on tapas or play a game of beach volleyball. On the opposite side of the city, Blijburg aan Zee is a huge stretch of sand located in the new IJburg district on the eastern edge of Amsterdam. It’s one of the few city beaches where you can actually swim, and has a bohemian vibe, with loungy cafés offering drinks and snacks. In the evening, you might find campfires, DJs or even live bands. Blijburg kicks off this summer season this year on 5 May (Liberation Day).
Hip & trendy
Hidden behind the RAI Convention Centre, it’s hard to imagine a more unlikely location for a beach! Strand Zuid is made up of a collection of cafés and restaurants connected by a boardwalk and strips of sand. If you’re spending the day on the water, you can even tie up your boat near Strand Zuid. Relax in the lounge chairs, sip cold drinks and sample great food as DJs play the decks. Strand Zuid is one of the first city beaches to open each year, and in 2013 they will open their doors to the public in the last week of April.
Floating swimming pool
Located near the Rivierenbuurt neighbourhood, BadBuiten (website in Dutch) is the first floating pool in the Netherlands. BadBuiten is a small pool, but makes for a great day out with the kids and offers magnificent views over the Amstel River. In front of the pool you’ll find a large terrace where you can have a drink or some snacks. During the summer season, BadBuiten is open is open on weekdays from 16:00 to 22:00, and from 11:00 to 23:00 at the weekend. Weather permitting, BadBuiten is scheduled to open again in the beginning of May.
Amsterdam from above
Science Centre NEMO is a massive green boat-like structure in the centre of Amsterdam. BovenNEMO (literally meaning on top of NEMO) is located on its unmistakable sloping roof, offering some of the most spectacular views of the city centre. There you can enjoy a fun day with the family, with lots of activities especially for the kids. In 2013, BovenNEMO is open from 27 June to 4 September, from 12:00 to 19:00 daily. Entrance is free of charge.
Take a dip in the pool
If the sun is beating down and you’re desperate to swim, there are also two large outdoor swimming pools in the city that make for an excellent day out with the kids. Located next to the Flevopark, the Flevoparkbad offers a 50-metre pool for swimming laps, plus a shallow pool for smaller children. The Flevoparkbad is open this year from 28 April to 2 September, from 10:00 to 17:30 each day. The Mirandabad is another great outdoor option, also featuring a 50-metre pool and a wading pool for the kids. The pool is surrounded by a park with plenty of space to spread out your towel and catch some rays. Indoors, the Mirandabad is a children’s paradise with a wave pool and long twisty slide. The outdoor area is open in 2013 from 1 May to 31 August. The indoor pool is open year-round. Source: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/what-to-do/activities-and-excursions/city-beaches
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chill/ “tips for long ju “i wandered lo
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une onelyevenings” as a question”
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Enjoy a canalside drink at Cafe Papeneiland on the Prinsengracht - a cafe frequented by Bill Clinton - on the corner of the Brouwersgracht.
Lazy summer afternoons are also welcome. If you’ve always wondered what’s behind the beautiful canal facades then now’s your chance to find out. From 14 to 16 June you can visit a range of canal house gardens normally closed to the public. www.opentuinendagen.nl
Wander through the Vondelpark and just simply enjoy the people and what’s going on. Need a brief break from the city centre bustle? Take a ferry 2 minutes across the IJ to the IJplein and enjoy a drink on the terrace of De Pont 30 seconds walk from the ferry. Beer lovers will appreciate the Texelse bier there!
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Tips for loooooooooong
JUNE Amsterdam
evenings
Superb outdoor views over the city centre and the IJ? Head for the roof terrace of the Skylounge at the DoubleTree Hotel. Make sure you take a jacket though as it can be a tad cooler 11 stories up!
Need some fresh air but some lively music as well? Then head off to the Gaasperpark on 8 and 9 June for Amsterdam Open Air
Saturday night out with a difference: visit Artis Zoo on a Saturday evening and see what the animals get up to until sundown.
And if you just simply want some open space where you can briefly get away from it all then try the Amsterdam Forest
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A green June bug juggling three frogs on a cricket field B y w w w. J o h n T h e C o p y w r i t e r. c o m
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