Jaap Rameijer's Blog

We are visited recently by simply amazing clouds. Just to share with you, have a wonderful day!

As you can see I am back home again. Having some time to write. This will probably be the last newsletter of 2014. But then you just had four of them in a row.

This is about our trip to Bretagne. Where Franklin had to attend a seminar by Annie Sloan. The woman who is selling that wonderful, biological, magical paint all over the world, including in Joke’s and Franklin’s shop ‘Renaissance’ in Quillan.

It was good to travel together. For it was over 900 kilometers. And during the time that Franklin was studying paint, I was studying churches, cathedrals, Black Madonna’s, Notre Dame’s, magic places, menhirs and dolmens. You could say it was a MM & MM trip, a Mary Magdalene and Megalith Menhirs trip. So dear friends, please enjoy!

The main reason for going to the Netherlands during this time was of course to attend the installation of the new naval cadets in Den Helder. 50 years after my own installation. But there was more. Of course there was. I went to see my two sons, Gjalt and Ewout, in Utrecht and I was, of course, present at the house warming party of my daughter in Egmond aan Zee.

I also went to my publisher Uitgeverij Aspekt in Soesterberg, where I discussed the editing of my two new books, ‘Uit in eigen huis’, meaning ‘Going out in your own house,’ and having fun. A cook book especially for men. And my e-book ‘De Orbs evolutie.’ No need to translate that.

Did a lot of shopping, some CD’s and DVD’s, some peanut butter and other Dutch delicacies and a lot of stuff from the toko. Hot stuff, spicy stuff. Things that are not available in France. And a new wide-angle camera. I also visited some old friends 

Whenever I am going to the Netherlands, by car, full of Blanquette, homemade sambal and home made confiture, I try to visit some special places. And participate in some special ceremonies. This time it was Chartres, Gisors and Amiens.

On the way north I met my friend Door who had come south to Chartres and would drive with me to Holland.

50 years ago I finished my gymnasium in Utrecht and went to the Navy. In September 1964 I was installed at the Royal Navy Academy (KIM) in Den Helder as a naval cadet (Adelborst).

In 1967 I was sworn in as a weapons engineering officer. I served as an officer for 15 years. It was a wonderful time. I went to many places all over the world, including Odessa in then the Soviet Union, Constanta in Romania and the Caribbean. I had many interesting jobs. My last job was staff officer at the Naval Command Centre in Den Helder. I left the navy as lieutenant commander

Now, 50 years later a new group of young people were installed as naval cadet, both men and women. Yes times have changed. But traditions do not change. Every year the people who were installed 50 years ago, are invited to attend the installation of a new generation of naval cadets.