“De Wolkerie”

It has been quite a few years since we, together with a number of fellow instructors from the Benelux, organized a serious Metal Clay weekend. Not the annual Metal Clay Days, but a gathering of a number of ladies in a casual setting, where nothing is actually recorded but just the location. The last time Inge Verbruggen has rented a cozy holiday home at "Sunparks De Haan" in Belgium. That was great. We worked with faux-bone that weekend. I also remember the colleagues, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the fact that the price per person included final cleaning, hahaha. Time for a similar topweekend!
 
During Joy Funnell's masterclass Joyful Links & Chain last June 2018, Tine Demol of "Actino" suggested to take the organization on her behalf. And she immediately joined the action to the word, inviting us to rent “De Wolkerie” in Slijpe at an attractive rate. A beautiful old rectory from the year 1816 with a wealth of space, both inside and out. The girls' club consists of a number of well-known fellow instructors. Renske unfortunately had to cancel. Her employer has planned another USA trip for that week and that weekend.Who is present then?
 

• Tine Demol from “Actino”
• Inge Verbruggen from “Inge Verbruggen Metal Clay Artist”
• Edith from Leeuwen van “ArtiChic”
• Shirley de Jong from “Aware Jewels”
• Arnolda de Nooij from “Silverclay Art”
• Katty Van Der Elst from “Atelier Zandstorm”
• Claudia Smets from “Gardym Creatief”
• Daniëlla de Bont from “Creatief op Locatie”
• And of course myzelf

Initially I would drive with Renske to Belgium. After her cancellation, I contacted Shirley and Edith with the question if there was still a place available in the van of Leo, the husband of Edith. This turned out to be the case and guess what: I was allowed to ride, super sweet!
 
Friday I have an appointment at the physio early in the morning. After massaging work stress, I step into the Daewoo in the direction of Nieuw-Vennep. Shirley has moved, now I also see her new home. And I'm just in time for a cup of coffee, freshly made by Justin.
 
Edith drives into the street around 11.30 am. We pack everything in the spacious car and haed for Belgium. At Bergen op Zoom we get a light appetite, a bite to eat sounds like a good idea. Shirley searches with her cellphone for the nearest opportunity: "La Place", always nice isn't it? So we leave the highway, towards the chosen hotspot. And then comes the moment that the mobile indicates that we have reached our destination. . . what? Here??? The only thing they have on the menu is stones, sand, cement and a handful of construction workers. Hahaha, this "La Place" is still under construction. And yet the mobile shows photos of the interior, decoration, opening times, and the entire ratio plan. What a downer! We drive on and in the meantime demolish our extra supplies; dried mango, vegetable chips and energy bars.

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Around 14.30 we arrive at "De Wolkerie" in Slijpe. The weather is good, it's nice and sunny. Everything is unloaded and as soon as the majority of the ladies are there (only Claudia comes later), we get a tour of the house. What a space! Cozy and comfy. We all choose a place to sleep. I can share a room with Shirley. Fine, in addition to spending the night with Renske, this now also feels more and more familiar. Down, time for tea or coffee and a delicious delicious avocado pie.
 
We all have a share in the meals and snacks for this weekend. Tine took care of the breakfast and scored mainly with her homemade, delicious freshly roasted granola. Katty has made a vegetarian stew, Inge a vegetarian pasta salad and Shirley a pasta salad with chicken.
Arnolda made a dessert for the Friday evening. Edith took care of the wine, red and white of the brand, how else could it be: "Alpaca" 😉. The other ladies brought fresh fruit, snacks and soft drinks. For these days I made a festive healthy vegan pie with avocado, nuts and dates and baked a vanilla cake. Altogether more than enough. For the Saturday evening, Tine has made reservations for a table in Middelkerke, at a restaurant directly by the sea. Say super organized!
 
And so we celebrated a wonderful weekend. Keywords are: relaxation, socializing, creative, humor, Metal Clay, food, drink and togetherness. Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. everything is as good as tidy and everyone leaves for home. Arnolda already left yesterday after dinner, she had other obligations. Daniëlla also drove home earlier. But luckily they were able to be there most of this weekend. We are going too, but not before we have planned a new weekend together. It will be 26 - 28 June 2020, or 3 - 5 July 2020. Shirley offers to organize it for the upcoming time, for which thanks.

Dear all, what a nice weekend it was. What did I enjoy and what did I need this.
For a moment no work, but being together with fun, creative colleagues.
​Thank you all for your lovely and friendly presence. I am already looking forward to next year!