Home Alone

Hello boyz and girlz, it’s me Julius. Yes you read it right, I was home alone yesterday afternoon. Only Peter switched off the computer so I couldn’t write my post.

Let’s get back a few days, on Thursday we stopped for coffee and something to eat at Landmarkt, the staff gave me my own bowl of water in which I cooled my feet first. Okay, I made a mistake, I smelled the water but didn’t know the bowl was that big, so I stepped in it. While enjoying the shade and waiting for Peter’s food to arrive, he took some pictures of me. Maybe it was because I stayed longer than usual in the same place.

As always I got my fair share of what was on the plate. This is an Amsterdam speciality, it’s called Ossenworst which translates to Ox wurst, it’s a raw meat sausage with herbs, pepper and salt. Not really a thing one should eat on a hot sunny day, but this one was cooled to the right temperature.

This is his Mum, 92 years young

On Friday Peter took his parents out to lunch at a Teagarden we both went to before, at that time it was closed and he just made the promise he would be back. So last Friday that opportunity came, I watched the fort at home.

The Teagarden is in a tiny village on the border of Landelijk Noord [rural north] as we call the parts of town that have mostly an agricultural background, in a straight line just 6 km / 4 miles from his home, but by car you can add an extra 3 km / 2 miles.

This is his Dad, who hopes to become 89 next month

Peter uses the cycle-paths through the countryside, and cars have to take the main roads. Of course they had tea with their meals, Darjeeling First Flush for the ol’ folks and Peter had a lemon mix. Mum & Dad enjoyed their grilled goat cheese on whole grain bread, with extra honey the drizzle over, while Peter stuck with Old Amsterdam cheese and a delicious fruity chutney.

When they returned Peter took me for my walkies, he didn’t save me some Old Amsterdam cheese, darn! Maybe I should hypnotize him the next time, to bring me back some good stuff.

Saturday was to hot to bother, we did an early morning walkies, and stayed indoors till four, doors and windows were open so the wind could blow through the house, but in the shade it was still 32º C / 90º F. Around noon we were both back in our bunks, Peter on top and I in my own basket under his bed, snoring the afternoon away.

Sunday morning it was coffee at Granny’s and Pop’s place, already the temperatures were searing, so I wasn’t in the mood to do all the walking, I left my mark at the usual spots and stepped on the scooter for my ride home. Little did I know I would be home alone that afternoon and early evening. As soon as we arrived home Peter started packing a cooling bag with frozen elements, cubes of cheese, slices of liverwurst, small bottles of water and alcohol free beer. He was up to something, but what… I didn’t know.

Peter and Corrie went to Hartjesdag [Day of Hearts] on Zeedijk, a day when Drag Queens and Kings present themselves and try to win prizes like Eternal Fame. Peter loved the Brazilian Life Guards and wondered if Pam Anderson would look like this when she gets older.

Also the flock of ladies [8] in pink and black houndstooth dresses and matching bags was a sight to be seen. Or the Fruity Ladies, Carmen Miranda eat your heart out. [sorry no good picture of them, but watch for them in the next lot.

Peter returned home after te winners were announced, Corrie hopped on the bus and beat him to it to get home. She picked me up to go for walkies and a much-needed #1, 2 and 3. As soon as I noticed Peter was standing next to me on the scooter, I jumped from joy and hoped he still had some cheese left, which he did… one cube. But better some than nothing.

It was an early night for the both of us, I didn’t have to force Peter to go to sleep, he had to force me to follow him. I wonder what we’re going to do later today… coffee and a grilled sandwich on Noordermarkt perhaps?!