too old to die young

… are in “de Achterhoek” , near a small village called Vorden. I went there just to catch some memories. Ofcourse every time I get the chance I visit the graveyard where lots of my forefathers are buried. because ; “A’j oe veurolders neet eert, bu’j oe name neet weerd” ( “If you don’t honour your ancestors,…………..You’re not worthy to use your surname“)

I camped one night on “camping de Boomgaard” owned by a cousin of me. It’s a Vekabo- camping. It was good to hear the dialect of this region again.

I visited some shops, but also strolled through the woodlands with my dog. 40 years ago I have been hiking with my aunt’s dog through the same woods without any problem. But nowadays I’m not allowed to do anything; no smoking, keep my dog leashed, keep on the track, …….   I think that the foundation “het Geldersch Landschap” ruined the landscape architecture with regulations and by stopping the vitality of nature. They regard ” de Achterhoek” as an enormously private garden for their members.

One of the voluntary workers  made perfectly clear that I was not welcome in the woods on “de Lochemse berg” if I didn’t keep my dog leashed. It made me sad …