KS - The Netherlands
13- While in Germany visiting my friend in the Air Force, we discussed old times and the hunting and fishing we used to do together. He asked me what I was going to do when I got out of the Army and I tossed out the casual comment that I would probably go home and marry Miss C. – this young lady and I had previously dated but we were not a hot item at that moment. Of course this was just one-on-one chitchat not meant for discussion with others – especially not with Miss C.
He went back to the states to get married and it so happened that his sister and Miss C were best friends at the time, and what do you think he mentioned to her the first time he saw Miss C? Of course it was the statement I made – to which she replied that she wouldn’t marry me if I were the last man on earth! We will come back to that statement somewhat later in these missives.
The next saved document was leave permission from 0001 hrs 12 June 1962 till 2400 hrs 16 June 1962. This was another subject my friend and I had discussed, me coming back up there – so I went back. As it happened, this was the time he had gone back to the states to get hitched, and either didn’t think to contact me or didn’t know how to do so in time. He had a one-time girlfriend in that location that I had got to know on the last trip, and she informed me about what had happened.
My first two days of leave was spent with this young lady’s family, this according to an old postcard I sent my Mom. This family had a typewriter and I did the no-no of adding several more countries on my leave and took off on a multi-national tour – right by myself. The postcard states that my route was north along the Rhine – taking photos of any castle, church or any other large, odd or old building I saw. It also mentioned that I stopped in Bonn to eat and then went into Holland – or the Netherlands.
Went through Amsterdam for a quick tour and on to Rotterdam where I spent the night in something like a bed and breakfast – nice place. Toured the area and remembered being fascinated by a barge in the harbor. It had a crane mounted on it and was moving around in the water by paddling with the bucket on the crane (must have been a dredge). Also saw many ocean going vessels docked in the harbor at that location.
TBC - ec
He went back to the states to get married and it so happened that his sister and Miss C were best friends at the time, and what do you think he mentioned to her the first time he saw Miss C? Of course it was the statement I made – to which she replied that she wouldn’t marry me if I were the last man on earth! We will come back to that statement somewhat later in these missives.
The next saved document was leave permission from 0001 hrs 12 June 1962 till 2400 hrs 16 June 1962. This was another subject my friend and I had discussed, me coming back up there – so I went back. As it happened, this was the time he had gone back to the states to get hitched, and either didn’t think to contact me or didn’t know how to do so in time. He had a one-time girlfriend in that location that I had got to know on the last trip, and she informed me about what had happened.
My first two days of leave was spent with this young lady’s family, this according to an old postcard I sent my Mom. This family had a typewriter and I did the no-no of adding several more countries on my leave and took off on a multi-national tour – right by myself. The postcard states that my route was north along the Rhine – taking photos of any castle, church or any other large, odd or old building I saw. It also mentioned that I stopped in Bonn to eat and then went into Holland – or the Netherlands.
Went through Amsterdam for a quick tour and on to Rotterdam where I spent the night in something like a bed and breakfast – nice place. Toured the area and remembered being fascinated by a barge in the harbor. It had a crane mounted on it and was moving around in the water by paddling with the bucket on the crane (must have been a dredge). Also saw many ocean going vessels docked in the harbor at that location.
TBC - ec
posted by mreddie | 10:43 AM
6 Comments:
MrEddie - I wish you'd had a camera...I'd love to see the ships and barges, possibly a canal or dyke. And, the architecture, too.
bonita - All the photos I took back then was in the form of color slides. Have been meaning to put them on a more update viewing platform, but meaning to doesn't get it done. ec
You're the first person I've seen call a vessel by its correct name since I left the marine insurance industry in 1993. Instant nostalgia. I loved working in marine.
Thanks for your comment on granny and your non-comment re the messy bed.
Ann
Got a good laugh out of the last person on earth! LOL Many blessings, Janie Marie
Hi Mr Eddie ~~ You sure saw quite a few places and seemed to enjoy that.
Bad luck your mate snitched to Miss C
It's a small world. My youngest
daughter is married to a Dutchman, who
came out to Australia at age 16. Now an Aussie. They have had a few trips
to Holland as he has family there.
Take care, Merle.
About that joke and his wife's perfect
eyesight, maybe one time that honesty would not pay. Thanks.
granny - The dredge working among the vessels was fascinating to me. About the non-comment on the bed, those of us living in glass houses do not throw stones. :)
CGS - My friend didn't do me any favors by telling all he knew. :)
merle - Would have been good to have taken more time but my stay in Europe was running out. Would like to get to see the "down under" some day, if circumstances permit. ec
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