Rushed by reports of a deteriorated health of my uncle in Amsterdam, my mother and I went to the Netherlands to visit him. However, when we arrived at his care home, he was in a quite good condition and in no way near death. Hence, we could relax and go around visiting the other Stockmann family members. One day was spent in Den Haag visiting my cousin Johan and his family, one day in Leiden with my second cousin Ynte and his two sons, and finally one day rowing on the Amstel river with my third cousin Jeanne and her husband Roel. It was fantastic to see Amsterdam from the sea side, and I totally understand why Jeanne and Roel enjoy rowing so much. The Netherlands seems like the perfect country for rowing and biking. My aunt Helma, my mother, and I went on a 25 km biking tour along the Amstel – just such a joy to be able to bike safely and enjoy the nature along the river and all the beautiful houses there.
Photo: Gabrielle. Amsterdam with its variety of houses.Photo: Gabrielle. Lunch with Jeanne, Helma, and my mother and ‘Plantagen’ in Amsterdam.Photo: Gabrielle. Helma has a stunning view to sunsets in the morning from the 14th floor.Photo: Gabrielle. Family photo on the beach of Den Haag; Helma, my mother, and Johan.Photo: Gabrielle. Walk along the beach of Den Haag.Photo: Gabrielle. The beach at Den Haag.Photo: Gabrielle. Where they also have this pier.Photo: Helma Stockmann. A real tourist photo of me on the shopping street inside the pier.Photo: Gabrielle. The beautiful old university city of Leiden.Photo: Gabrielle. Tour around Leiden.Photo: Gabrielle. We had a very nice family lunch in Leiden with 6 x Stockmann.Photo: Helma Stockmann. Cousins Gabrielle Stockmann and Jeanne Stockmann at the rowing club in Amsterdam.Photo: Helma Stockmann. I was in good hands with Roel and Jeanne as rowing instructors.Photo: Marlous Stockmann. View over the Amstel river, perfect for rowing.Photo: Marlous Stockmann. The area around the rowing club, Amsterdam.
