Groundsman
New roof
solar panels
Ben
Transition (slow) payments
Old Timber boats
Swinging the clog
Slow Internet
House for sale
From the newspaper
Swinging the Clog
Over the last few years - since about 2012/2013? the number of bridges that are manned by a bridgekeeper, has decreased markedly.
It was always a novelty for tourists in particular. One bridgekeeper claimed to be in "hundreds of photos" with kids wanting to be part of the "swinging the clog" ritual which was used to collect a token payment for having the bridge opened. This would typically be 1 or 2 Euros and sometimes more if there are multiple bridges. Years ago, I was once caught short without any coins - but he was able to "do change" by swinging the clog back to me!
In the newspaper was a story from an old bridgekeeper who wants to "bring back the clog" - partly because he says that he misses the interaction with the "boaties".
He also argued that it was part of the tourism attraction, quite apart from the (not much) money generated.
Many of the bridges are now operated remotely from a central location, with the aid of cameras, push buttons, and mobile phones. I have even taken to waving "thanks" at the camera - just so they know that it is appreciated - as much for the individual service but also as an acknowledgment to "the system".
The "system" is after all, pretty remarkable when you think of how they have so many people whose job it is to open the bridges for pleasure craft. It is "big business" these days, but even so.
There are still a few clog-swingers around, so I suppose we should enjoy it while we can...
Old Frisian Wooden Boats
The maintenance costs are high - as with any boat, but there is also the time required - younger generations don't appear to have the time - or the passion...
Bols , jols, tjalks, tjotters, boeiers, schouwtjes - even the names seem magical to me as I conjure up images of boats we have admired over the years.
Estimated to be about 600 left - mostly in the hands of "the grey plague" - aka grey nomads.
The owners are almost "giving them away" just to know that they are going to a fellow enthusiast. After so much love and care, the idea of the boat just rotting away cannot be contemplated.
Estimated to be about 600 left - mostly in the hands of "the grey plague" - aka grey nomads.
The owners are almost "giving them away" just to know that they are going to a fellow enthusiast. After so much love and care, the idea of the boat just rotting away cannot be contemplated.
boeiers
The boats have an external tiller, often decorated with something to do with the name of the ship.
The one above is named the Buzzard, with this on the tiller...
We were once invited on board to look at one that was nearing completion - its name was the Dancing Hippo - I wish I had taken a photo!
A lot of new boats are replicas of these old types, these days made from steel, but still having the charm of the traditional lines. That's what we liked about ours - no wonder, after all those years of "looking at boats".
Around the farm...
Work on the Summerhouse continues...
I even had some help from one of the big kids!
Good weather, BBQ's...and who would believe it ... Lack of Water!
It is officially a "drought" here - with some places having remarkably low rainfall in the last 11 weeks. In some areas, the farmers are not allowed to draw water from the canals or other open water supplies. The dyke "crack inspectors" are still on the job!
My Black Russians are going OK but I have to use a wheelbarrow to carry water to them! But it is a nice early morning job...befitting an "early riser".
Asbestos Removal...
Going ahead - I still have more paperwork to fill in - but the Bank is happy, which is nice! We are quite excited at the prospect of the new roof - it should look less like an "old farm building".
Solar panels should be part of the deal - but I have been waiting for more than 4 years for something to develop out of our village!
Ben in China...and Melbourne!
He keeps getting work in China - booked for the next 11 days!
He has also registered with a Model Agency in Melbourne! No guarantee of any work, but it is a start! They did say that they couldn't provide any accommodation - but we think we have that under control!
So, we also have to get organised to go there - maybe for Christmas.
Slow Payments...
The Care System has been transitioning for a couple of years now. We had a couple of kids that had not been processed since September last year, even though we kept providing the care. The system finally got sorted out and we got a nice back-payment... some things just take a while...
We also got through the system to enable us to "employ" our young worker (Under the Participatiewet - Participation Law).
(I think he will have the title "Groundsman")...he is just saving me so much work - work that I probably wouldn't have gotten to in any case!
Stimulate reintegration
The government encourages employers to hire and retain people with an occupational disability.
Financial benefits employers
An employer who hires or retains a partially disabled person takes a financial risk. For example, he pays a sick employee 2 years of salary. That is why the government offers employers financial benefits. It concerns the following schemes:
wage dispensation (pay less wages) for the employer if an employee with a Wajong benefit can do less work due to illness or disability. The employer temporarily pays less wages and UWV gives the employee an addition to the Wajong benefit;
wage compensation in the event of illness (no-risk policy) for employers who accept a partially fit person for work. UWV compensates the employer for 5 years for continued payment of wages if the employee becomes ill for a long time. This is unlimited for Wajongers;
subsidy for adjusting the workplace . For example, for a stair lift or an adapted toilet;
mobility bonus for employers who employ a benefit recipient of 56 years or older or someone from the target group of work-limited employees.
An employer who hires or retains a partially disabled person takes a financial risk. For example, he pays a sick employee 2 years of salary. That is why the government offers employers financial benefits. It concerns the following schemes:
wage dispensation (pay less wages) for the employer if an employee with a Wajong benefit can do less work due to illness or disability. The employer temporarily pays less wages and UWV gives the employee an addition to the Wajong benefit;
wage compensation in the event of illness (no-risk policy) for employers who accept a partially fit person for work. UWV compensates the employer for 5 years for continued payment of wages if the employee becomes ill for a long time. This is unlimited for Wajongers;
subsidy for adjusting the workplace . For example, for a stair lift or an adapted toilet;
mobility bonus for employers who employ a benefit recipient of 56 years or older or someone from the target group of work-limited employees.
Lastly, a house for sale "on the water" - need to get the ferry back and forth! (Around €500k)
Like the Melbourne paragraph!!
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