2026/6 - Join me on my trip to Middelburg, attractive capitol of Zeeland

 There. In your face!

We are in the bleakest part of Dutch Delta winter right now, and it is cold, and mostly grey, and sometimes wet as well.

But occasionally we are lucky, and the sun shows herself. I was extremely lucky with the weekend my daughter and I took the train to Middelburg, as it was cold but sunny.

In one of the many charming alleyways we stumbled across this magnificent Camelia.

Middelburg

Zeeland is one of our South-Western provinces, and is made up by a collection of islands. They used to be at the mercy of the sea,  but no longer, as our engineers cleverly built the Deltawerken. So now there are barriers to keep the sea out, and dams to connect the islands. Eventhough I live on such an island myself (but in Zuid-Holland), Zeeland feels distinctly 'different'! And it IS old! Viking king Harald the Young is said to have ruled here between 841 and 864.

It was quite a weird experience; my hometown Brielle is just as old, so the Middelburg buildings feel very familiar, but they are larger, grander and more numerous. Above is the Vismarkt (fish market), our view from the b&b. A lovely square, very quiet. Until we were shouted awake no less than 5 times by drunken louts in the middle of the night...some people have no manners!

The gothic town hall (1458) is overwhelming. All turrets and statues and gargoyles, very beautiful.

Compared to this, my Brielle town hall is like a shed...But then Middelburg was extremely wealthy during the 15th and 16th century, whilst Brielle fell on hard times after its brief fame of being the first town to be liberated from the Spanish in the 80 year war in 1572.

Again the town hall on the left, and the Abdijchurch (called Lange Jan) on the right. We had a wonderful meal in De Herberg, which serves a good selection of vegan food, as well as meat and fish.

Such grandeur! 

The old centre of the town is a collection of squares, mostly connected by gates. There is a huge Norbertine Abbey, dating from 1127, and it has numerous winding alleys.

It also has many churches! The Reformation meant they all converted to Protestantism in 1574, as did this one, but the outside still felt pre-reformation.

Middelburg made its wealth from VOC and WIC shipping. And that means not only spices, and luxury chinaware, but slavery as well. Funnily enough Amsterdam has 'the bad name' where slavery is concerned, but Middelburg was just as notorious.

This used to be where the ships docked, and the huge houses along what used to be quays (Prins Hendrikdok) still project wealth. When you get a wobble from the crazy business of Amsterdam, go to Middelburg! The houses are just as imposing, I promise.

The rich 'reders' (shipowners) all proudly named their houses, this one is called De Witte Swaen (the white swan). 

But, as ever, richess 'don't impress me much', to quote Shania Twain, and the ordinary houses charm me much more.

Higgeldy piggeldy...lovely! The Kuiperspoort.

It appears to be a completely deserted town, but it was minus one... All people had hidden indoors.

One of the many gates. And no cars allowed...bliss. The typical cellar doors on the left are still in situ all over the town centre.

The square of the Abbey. 

Can you spot that Camelia?

And here it is...glorious! My daughter (not familiar with camelias) was amazed that it bloomed in late January. But it stood in exactly the right spot! Protected from the wind by tall walls, and in sunshine.

I'll leave you with a typically Dutch café, again empty, as it was early on Sunday morning and all those louts were still sleeping off their hangovers I guess...Can you spot those ancient white tiles on the back wall? We call them 'witjes' and they are very old. This building must stem from the  late 14th century, and escaped the fires that swept the centre a couple of times. And those heavy beams on the right! Impressive.

A Dutch breakfast. The boiled eggs were still boiling...

Well. Hopefully you have enjoyed joining me on my weekend trip. I will revert to Hunky Dory blogs soon, so watch this space. My manuscript is at the printer's, a.s.a. I have news, I'll let you know. In the meantime you can have a look at Renée Grashoff Schrijft

Do follow this blog when you like it, won't you? And have a good week, wherever you are.

Renée Grashoff 

2026/5 - Delta Winter Wealth

 There is nothing nicer, weatherwise, to have a week of calm, sunny weather after the misery of icy roads and sub-zero stormy winds.

Us delta dwellers take our moments of weather joy when they arrive. Personally I did a round of Hunky Dory to see how my plants were after the snow and ice, and basically they were absolutely fine, except one. My Clivia, which I had put into the greenhouse, was definitely very unhappy. Too cold!

But my veg, such as it is at the moment, was still looking good, lovely! It will not be long before I will buy some more soil for the other three beds (two more on the other side of the greenhouse) and sow some more seeds.

There is one plant that has nestled itself between the chicory, which turns out to be a Glebononis coronaria...never heard of it. It can stay, for now.

I am curious to see how it develops. Will still have to look up if it is edible.

It being such wonderful weather yesterday, a friend and I drove to the next island, Goeree-Overflakkee, to take a walk along the sea.

Well, I say the sea, but actually there is a marsh, with lots of reed beds and thus lots of wader birds. Just like at a lot of other Dutch island coastlines, the seawater comes into the marsh at high tide, and leaves again through gullies. The sun lightened up the reeds, and it was beautiful. We walked to a birdwatchers hide to see if we could spot any Spoonbills, but they were not there.

In the background you can see one of those gullies and the sea, and that light stripe right at the back is my island, Voorne.

There weren't any Spoonbills, but we did spot Mallards and Cormorants, and when we sat on a bench to rest, a Buzzard passed by overhead.

This part of the island is called de Kwaade Hoeck, meaning Terrible Corner. The sea has 'walking sands', so the shrimp fishermen from Stellendam have to have a very good working knowledge of where they can pass with their vessels to get to the harbour. There are supposed to be a lot of old shipwrecks below the surface, and during the last couple of decades those sandbanks have become larger and larger. And the Goeree fishing fleet has become smaller and smaller...I used to teach English to their young men, I wonder how many of those boys attending that fishery college have actually become fishermen...

Anyway, that was aside. Back to my garden.

It looks bleak at first sight, but looks deceive. I saw my bulbs pushing their way up, always the narcisii first, and the tulips come later. No tulips in sight yet, which is as it should be.

What I also noticed, that all of a sudden my blood red Malus apples have disappeared from the small tree. So the birds do actually know they are there, and eat them when they feel the need!

That sky! So lovely! Talking about skies, we had the Northern Lights in my country for the last couple of nights. I spotted it once, when I woke up around 3 a.m., and I saw a red pulsating light in the direction of my allotment. I thought what on earth...is there a fire? But no fire engines, all was very calm and quiet. So I watched it for 10 minutes or so, and then it disappeared.

It was only on the day after that I heard on the morning news that I was lucky enough to have witnessed A Very Rare Event. So I set the alarm for the next night, but saw nothing. Ha! That is always the way, isn't it?

Proof that the trees are anticipating spring again. But first we are in for yet another icy spell, if I can believe the weatherman. Hm, can't say I am looking forward to that...after a couple of sunny days my body craves even more good weather.

Okay. Nothing more to tell you...these are the quiet weeks before the rush to get ready for a new gardening year.

Have a good week, wherever you are.

And please share my blog address when you enjoy reading my words, or visit my website at Renée Grashoff Schrijft

See you!

Renée Grashoff 

2026/4 - Memories of gardens past.

 Most of us gardeners never forget our previous garden(s). Which is logical; you have spent hours and hours of your life tending and shaping that garden, right? Sometimes you move on to an even better garden, sometimes you reluctantly can't.

Our first garden, 1969, hugely significant, for there I fell in love with green things. Especially with the meadows, where my mother kept goats, whom I adored. And the weeping willows, where a family of screetch owls lived.

She left the upkeep to others...who all accepted my interest with indulgence (and roped me in when nails and gardening tools had to be handed up, etc.) and gave me rides in the wheelbarrow.

This first home in the Dutch countryside, miles from a village, formed me. Eventhough I enjoy visits to cities, before long I need to get out.

My first garden

In 1987 I started my very first garden, on a balcony, so life has gone full circle by now. I again have a balcony garden now, as well as an allotment.

I was very proud of my garden, and quite disappointed when folks came round for drinks and did not even notice my pretty flowers.

The first proper garden

But then! In 1993 hubby and I moved to a corner house in a council row, so we had a front, side and back garden. Oh joy of joys! Hubby threw himself into the hard landscaping, and into keeping ornamental doves, and I spent every free minute shaping my dream garden.

Sorry for the blurry photo, this was pre-computer or mobile phones. But you get the gist of the lay-out.

I am still trying to duplicate the lush greenness of this garden on my allotment, but the soil is very different there, unfortunately.

For example, those Japanese Anemones,  the shining stars of my previous  garden, simply do not do well in my present garden. I keep trying though...as I really like them.

The side garden as seen from the fence. We had just planted a plum tree.

My daughter's rabbit Honing (honey) perched on his 'mount'. He had the run of the garden, and sat for hours on that pile of roofing panes, surveying his kingdom. The dog, cats and doves all respected him, as he was quite feisty.

The greenhouse was a great addition. Finally able to grow proper tomatoes and cucumbers was wonderful.

The last addition we made to that garden was a large pond...and I have no photos of that, unfortunately. Life took an unpredictable turn and I had to leave my old life and this garden behind.

I have no regrets about leaving that house, at all, but the garden...I still dream about that garden regularly.

Present day

I am nothing if not a pragmatist, so my present garden is very different. I try to go with the flow of my allotment garden, and some things work out better than others. The one thing that has not changed, is my love of emersing myself in my plants, both on my balcony and on my plot. I feel happiest when they tower over me...it must be the willows that imprinted on my early youth.

I already have made plans for both balcony and allotment for 2026, that is the sheer fun of gardening, isn't it?

So from Puck and me, a very green, happy weekend!

Do visit my website at Renée Grashoff Schrijft

Bye!

Renée Grashoff 

2026/3 - Beware Blizzards!

 The first week of January threw us a curveball. Here we were, reluctantly resigned to warmer winters without ice and snow, and then it first started freezing, and then snowing as well. Until it turned into a whiteout in the early morning of January 7th.

Mind you, Hunky Dory is very near the North Sea, so we always have less ice and snow than folks further inland. So whilst people were skating in many places, here ice fanatics had to get into their cars to search for places where they could skate.

We just had slush on the water, and then slush on the streets. Until, suddenly, it started to snow in earnest. At first folk were happy. Snowmen! Get out the sleds for the kiddies!

But happiness soon turned into dismay, for underneath that pristine snow in the streets lay a layer of ice. Cars were skidding, trains and planes stopped moving, buses were cancelled and the entire country came to a standstill. We are not prepared for this kind of weather.

I checked out my allotment on a day when I still could, where all was as well as expected. The Ixia finally gave up the ghost, so the only colour left was from the Hebe and Malus, refusing to budge.

This was before the snowstorm, obviously! 

Jan. 5th. The 'oh, snow, lovely' phase.

Jan. 7th. at 10.00 a.m. It hardly gets light!

Snow

In my country we have different words for snow. What we had at first we call 'wet snow' (natte sneeuw), because it melts away immediately, as opposed to 'dry snow' (droge sneeuw) which stays on the ground and looks pretty. Today definitely is a dry snow day! And then there is 'powdered snow' (poedersneeuw), very tiny snow pellets, not to be confused with hail. And kids have another category: 'snowman snow' (sneeuwpopsneeuw), meaning it sticks together well so it can be sculpted. They also have 'porridge snow' (papsneeuw), totally unsuitable for snowman building.

Birds 

The birds, who up till now have mostly found their food in the woods nearby, are now visiting me more often.

 They check out Puck and me, decide we are harmless, and then eat. The Jackdaws rule, and the Blue Tits and Coal Tits have to wait their turn.

(I took these photos on Jan. 1st)

They are fun, and very vocal. I always imagine they are nattering away amongst themselves. "Oh, those peanuts are running low! I do hope she'll go to the shops soon. And I prefer that other brand of peanutbutter, don't you?" And right now, when they are tossed and turned by snowgusts (but fly all the same, unlike our planes!) "Bloody hell, how am I supposed to land in this weather? Watch it mate, you are too close, you moron, too close!"

Jackdaws play a major part in my books, because they are ever present in my life, as there is a huge roost at the end of my street.

Apart from that, there is not much greenery to talk about...My favourite nursery has announced they are shutting down after spring of this year. Shock, horror! They are retiring, and nobody wants to take on the work. So then I will be thrown to the lions...meaning I will have to resort to the large, ridiculously expensive and not-organic other ones much farther away. I almost cried!

I'll leave you with two of my forest paintings, simply because there is no other greenery this week to speak of. Sorry!

But it will be better soon, I am sure. In no time at all my bulbs will start showing themselves (I hope!).

Have a good week, and do visit me at Renée Grashoff Schrijft

RenéeGrashoff 

2026/2 - Hunky Dory Dormant? Not quite!

 January is a month when your garden is dormant, when you live in my part of the world. At least, it used to be. When I was a child, we had night frosts, and often day frosts as well, and sometimes weeks of snow. And if it didn't snow, it would pelt you with freezing rain. But those times are gone! Nowadays, the garden is taking a bit of a rest, sure, but there are lots of plants that do not go to sleep at all.

Take my beloved Desdemona rose for example. She says "what do you mean, it's January?" I always deadhead it, but wait with really pruning until March. This year she is refusing to go to sleep. You can tell by the yellowing leaves that she is a bit confused about it all.

The Malus Red Sentinel which I planted especially for the birds (who ignore it) is hanging on to its apples, and keeps on looking gorgeous. If ever I have the opportunity to move to a house with its own garden again* (instead of keeping an allotment), I will make certain I plant a larger version of this super tree.

* I will need to win the lottery for this.

Going strong as well is this Pyracantha "Teton". I treat it with great respect, as its thorns are so vicious that they pierce my leather gloves with ease. I used to have one that covered the front of my old house, and every year a pair of blackbirds would make their nest in there. They were totally secure, my cats did not dare climb the shrub and brave those thorns.

The Ixia are still blooming all over the garden, they will not give up. But from a pale pink in October, they have gone to a hard pink. It makes them stand out against the brown and green. They spread themselves, I planted 10 bulbs I think, and now they are all over the place, and very welcome.

This 'weed' is pretending it isn't winter either. It belongs to the same family as the Fleabane and can be a terrible thug. I tend to pull it out in Spring, otherwise it would dominate my entire garden, leaving no room for other plants. But now, in winter, I am happy to see it, as it brings sunny joy.

My silver Pinus is showing it is very healthy and happy. Although it is growing at an enormous pace, much too fast for my plot really, I love it. It goes to show you cannot believe all information given on labels...this was supposed to be a dwarf variety suitable for rock gardens. It towers over me already.

They are a bit nibbled, but very welcome all the same, my Primula. They appear in our shops in February, and go as a typical spring house plant, and usually I get gifted one or two. Very much appreciated, as I tend to enjoy them as long as they flower, and then move them into my garden to live on  there.

This shrub has gone through some name changes. I used to know it as Veronica as well as Hebe. It is from New Zealand and tough as old boots. Eventhough I cut it back hard every year, as it is getting much too large for the border it is in, it flowers all year long.

This calendula has self-seeded and doesn't take any notice of the chilly, wet weather. Such a cheerful, dependable little plant. It is a great starter plant for children, as the seed almost always grows successfully. Mind you, the allotment mice love to steal the seeds out of my seed trays, as I have found out to my dismay. So it is a lucky thing the plant spreads itself around.

Another plant I really like, or a shrub really, is the Viburnum Tinus. Very dependable, and it flowers just when you need it to, in the gloomiest, bleakest winter months. This one did not like my cloggy clay much, so it took three years for it to find its feet, but now it grows and it looks lovely. I need to help it a bit against the Artichokes, that is true. I planted that entire bed too close to eachother, not realising that some plants would dominate the others. Those Artichokes! They are the garden bullies, they really are.

Garden ivy, common as muck. But look closely at those glossy leaves, with their lovely veins! I deliberately planted it against my fences, for the birds love to nest in it, and insects use it to hide and hibernate. And when it grows too vigorant, I simply cut it away some. And, also very important in January, it stays stubbornly green. I use it for my Christmas decorations every year as well.

I'll leave you with Puck, as she also brightens up my January days. This was when she was in her prime, she is a lot older and greyer now. Next month she has shared my home for 7 years already. She was an adult when I got her, age unknown, and very traumatised. She will never be a happy-go-lucky dog, but she is a great friend.

Every December she gets progressively stressed out by the fireworks, up to the point where on Dec 31st I cannot drag her out any longer. So she holds her pee until all goes relatively quiet (this year that was at 04.00!) and then we race outside. Every Jan.1st we joke together that now WE will make some noise, but she never does, she is much too polite.

Have a good weekend, wherever you are, and bye bye from Puck and me.

Renée Grashoff 

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are.