Again we’re up for a masterclass, "Fantastic Whistles" by Donna Penoyer from Pittsburg - Pennsylvania. It will be held in Temse, so I go to Belgium and I take with me: Renske Dussel, Frank Hupse and Shirley Wouters, tools, toiletries and tremendous energy.
We agreed to ride together to Temse. Starting point is located in De Bilt, we drive together and leave Renske’s place at 07.30.
It is still early when I pickup Frank in Nunspeet, 06:20 am to be exact. Together we drive to Renske, who’s luckily watching facebook. Frank posted the departure from Nunspeet so that she can estimate that we – as usually – arrive too early. Just enough time to take a shower and make some coffee, haha.
Shirley comes from Uithoorn to De Bilt and allows her car available for the trip to Temse. The masterclass will be held at the JOC Nartist in Temse, a beautiful fit and spacious location where we already held an instructorsday. So, not entirely unknown. Everything is going as planned and we have plenty of time to get acquainted with Donna Penoyer.
As soon as everyone has arrived we start the masterclass, where we are given the opportunity to make 3 different shaped whistles of silverclay. This again is surely some technique. Because how do you put all the parts together, so that after firing the whistle actually tunes a beautiful sound? Donna proves a skillful teacher, who teaches us her knowledge and expertise, to ensure a successful masterclass. Besides myself our company includes Alex Vogel, Katty van der Elst, Bie Appels, Arnolda de Nooij, Shirley Wouters, Renske Dussel, Frank Hupse, Inge Verbruggen, Donna Penoyer and her friend Lora Hart.
At the end of the first day we decide to take our luggage to the B & B and first check in. Then we are invited for a drink at Inge in her studio. This can be seen as an aperitif, we have in fact agreed to dine with the whole bunch at The Zaatman, located at the water. Some take the car, tough as we are, Renske Frank and I decide to walk. And in my case it showed, lets say, not the right decision. Everyone has heard about the road network in Belgium and we Dutch people soon agree that our network is much better. Now this doesn’t imply everything, because I can stumble over a pinstripe and tonight I seem wanting to take a close look at a hole in the road. I slip, bruising my ankle, up in no time falling on the coblestones of Temse! Quickly get on my feet agian, because overhere they drive like fools. Then it turns out that I actually can not use my foot.
With the help of my great friends I stumble to the Zaatman and we enjoy together delicious food and a pleasant evening. The way back to the B & B I am transported by Inge, I seriously can’t get up. In consultation with Renske taken some painkillers and cold baths for my foot. Besides a good night's sleep all this does definitely good. The next day it feels - miraculously - a lot better.
We do have breakfast three of us, Renske, Shirley and me. Frank stays in another B & B. However, on his own, then again he has a jacuzzi and we don’t. On to the course room for the 2nd and last day.
This runs as friendly and organized as the first. We close in time, after all, the way back also takes quite some time. There are beautiful pieces made by everyone and all the whistles work perfectly.
On our way home, we make a stop at Hazeldonk for a snack and a drink at the end. Then on to De Bilt, Renske is the first tob e home. Our pregnant Shirley rides home together with her hidden embryo and I ride along with Frank in the direction of Harderwijk. His girlfriend Jessica is over there and takes him to Nunspeet.
What a great weekend! Lovely people, beautiful pieces, good food and lots of fun. This is why we do it, this gives solidarity in the field of metal clay.
Thanks to:
- Inge, for the great organization
- Donna, for sharing her skills
- Lora, for the nice introduction
- In particular Renske Frank and Shirley for your kind, friendly and valuable friendship
- And then of course Katty, Bie, Arnolda and Alex.
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