Pigeon kill

In the back garden, on Thursday the 30th Oct 2008, a wood pigeon was killed and partly eaten. It happened when Viv was away walking with Joke. In all likelihood it was killed by a Goshawk, or a feamale sparrow hawk, according to Wim Calame, bird and nature expert who als works with Kerry. Picture shows some body feathers, the long tail feathers which have been plucked out and not bitten out by say a cat, dog or fox. Some guts are also visible, but these were scavanged quickly by some carrion eater.

Paris in the autumn holidays

4 of us went to Paris for Neil J, Vivienne, Jim, and Orlaith in particular.

We stayed in a hotel outside the city centre, in St. Brice, got the SNCF to Gare du Nord, then the metro / RER to the final city centre destination. We did all the usual touristy things, the E. Tower, the Arc, the Louvre, the gardens, Concord, Notre Dame, Champs, etc. The weather on Sunday and Mondaythe 19th & 20th of Oct was amazing, warm, dry, almost no wind, and we stayed for hours at the 2nd level of the E. Tower, and watched the sun set. Very romantic with Vivienne indeed.

Here are a few pictures.

Dancing again with the AJSO

This is the second time the Almere / Jarno dancers danced with the AJSO (Almeers jeugd symphonie orkest) and the occasion was the ending of "Kinderboeken week" in the country. This time the show was held in the "midden zaal" with the seating properly arranged, and it was a very nice concert indeed. The AJSO played several movie themes and some light pop numbers, finally finishing with the irish music part and of course the dancers, Eoghan Jaimie, Kevin, and Lisette. Below links to the U-tube videos.

Leo van der Weyden , father of Kevin,
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=vhfzWg7x5kA

Neil J Bourke father of Eoghan,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcY9f005oTM


Maria ten Cate, mother of Lisette

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sLF3UVi24

Start of the painting exhibition "Trasna na Dtonnta"

On Wednesday the 1st of Oct. the painting exhibition "Trasna na Dtonnta", officially began in the health centre of the housing estate "Filmwijk" in Almere the Netherlands. This is the first time that Vivienne I Bourke and Co Ommen have jointly exhibited their work. Attached is an announcement of this event. There is an air of excitment surrounding this event, and with each having 15 paintings hanging on the walls, the expectation is that several will be sold before the close of the exhibition at the end of the year (31/Dec/2008)

Hockey away at Hilversum mixed hockey club (HMHC) 20 Sept 2008

A glorious saturday morning broke with the sun streaming low through the trees, a good day for the painting jobs that had to wait till the skys cleared their raindrops and it took till mid Sept. for that to happen. What is it at all with the Summers the past few years? More rain that January. Well it was hockey morning again and away again, and at Hilversum, whom we have not played for some time. It brings back memories for me as I "coached" Jim's first ever team there at some small competition, when he played for the "Benjamins". A small club with grass fields, back then (must be 7 years ago) surrounded by a small pitch and putt course, old wodden clubhouse, and full of character. They still use the grass fields in fact. Jim was playing so well (his own words) when suddenly the ball comes at him with great speed, and he is conscious of impact, on his middle finger, left hand, and for a moment he thinks, oh it's OK, but seconds later the reality dawns and throwing the hockey stick away in treeible pain he is called by the coach to the sideline for attention. Ice packs and some encouragement have Jim back on the field for the last few minutes of the first half, but he does not re-appear for the second half. The pain is too much. With swollen fingers and hand we leave the HMHC hoping that it will go down, and that all will be well. The score, oh yes Almere win by 2 goals to nil, despite withstanding an onslaught of attacking play by the hosts, and a plethora of brilliant saves by Thom (the keeper). Unfortunately the x-ray the next day in the hospital reveals a break in the middle finger. This puts paid to Jim's involvement in the hockey team for a good spell.

Dancing with the AJSO

It was "cultuurnacht", or the "night of Culture" in Almere last night, Saturday the 13th of Sept. 2008. All the artists, sculptors, dancers, singers, musicians, and other arty people were brought together for a spectacular evening of entertainment. The "Esplanade plein" in front of the "Schouwberg" in Almere Stad was the main centre where all the action was. The AJSO or de Almeers Jeugd Symphonie Orkest was playing a short programme in the middenzaal (the middel sized theatre) and who do you think was dancing with them to their show stopping number "Lord of the dance" but the 4 toppers from the Jarno's Almere Irish dancing school, namely, Jaimie Calpin, Eoghan C Bourke, Lisette ten Cate, and Kevin van der Weyden. They brought the house down. Have a look at them via this U-Tube link made by Jim W Bourke on his mobile phone............................. http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8jd9sFz-A

and this one made by Maria ten Cate on a proper video camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ywwu1YQ2Y

Hockey away to Schaerwijde in Zeist

Saturday the 13th of Sept, The B1's (Jim plays for the B1's) from de Almerese played their first away game of the 2008 - 2009 championship against Schaerwijde in Zeist in the province of Utrecht. They have a full water field, and very nice catering, like brie sandwiches, and a small golf course, and an indoor hockey field, and a fireplace, and soft seats, and two terraces overlooking the main field. And they beat us. 3: 1 was the score. Marco scored for the B1's, after a short corner, when Bram took the first shot, and after a rebound it came to Marco who placed it high in the right hand side of the net. They were better as well just in case you think we were hard done by.
Today it was mainly the "rijdend ouders" (those roostered in to drive) who were there. Cita ( the team mentor) Ruud & Joyce Cornelissen, Spike Plaat, Frits Veldhuis, Gijs's mother, and me. Tom the trainer also had his car with him and I think Pasha (the joint trainer) and he went together. The boys looked good altogether with their new training suits, black with silver text and markings, sponsored by Asito (Cita's company) Weather started a bit iffy, but it stayed dry for the most though a bit chilly, more so than we are used to especially last Thursday only when we sat out till late with Jarno and Rianne playing music. Benjamin was on the bench but did not play, is still injured with his broken toe. Jim and Stephan were substituted the most.

Wedding in Galway 25 years ago

It was on July the 23rd , 1982 that Vivienne and I got married in Galway, in a lovely hotel in Barna, a little outside the city. We had a great day and were surrounded by friends and family. The sun shone, and we shone too. Right now, I do not have the full invitee list to hand, and I must muster that together soon. The photo attached is of the B&B where we stayed the night of our wedding. A lovely couple ran the establishment. The following day we were treated to a full Irish breakfast, and then we made our way back down to Cork to take up residence in our lovely gate lodge (see photo above), on Burkes Hill, where we stayed for the best part of 1 year.

Hockey Jim's first competition game of the 2008-2009 season

Yesterday, Saturday the 6th of Sept. Jim played his first competitive game of hockey for the B1's ( the selectie or top team) from "de Almerse" hockey club. The opposition was Huizen, a local team from just over the "Hollandse Brug" in the old land. The game was played on the Mitsubishi / ANB AMRO playing field, a half water field in lovely sunshine and a warm breeze. The new team gelled very well together and played cohesively, though it was an early season game. This bodes well for the future of the coming season. Jim did not score, but played well, making some fine passes. The final score was 2 : 1 for the home side. Bothe B1 goals being scored by the same player and his name escapes me now. He played with the B1 last year also so he is a second year player. Afterwards Pasha and Tom, thentrainers gave the parents a short talk about the vision for the coming year. Later on Jim had to do corvee (tidying up round the grounds) and Vivienne did her bar service from 16.00h till 20.00h. Meanwhile Eoghan, Orlaith and I went to Mulligans in Amsterdam to watch Ireland play Georgia in the world cup qualifying round. Ireland also won 2:1.

A mad lot of Dutch musicians

"De Kemphan" is a wonderful "stads landgoed" or "stately domain" here in Almere where several wonderful activities and concerns are bundled together. Regulary, special activity days are organised and on Sunday the 24th of August, Vivienne and I went to one such day, "archeology day". There were many interesting activities there but one struck us as being very interesting and one which did not have much to do with archeology. A group of Dutch traditional musicians (5 in all) were playing traditional Dutch instruments. Polka's, songs, and various other tunes were enthusiastically played. I attach a photo of their business card. According to the group leaderthey are one of the very few groups who can claim to be able to play traditional Dutch music.

E.W.Bullinger and the trinity doctrine

As a unitarian and a student of the bible, the reading of the Companion Bible by E.W.Bullinger brings with it a degree of frustration. E.W.Bullinger (Biography by Juanita Carey, copyright 1988, all right reserved, Published 1988. Printed in West Germany) was one of the foremost biblical scholars in the past few hundred years. Born 15th December 1837, he went on to write and publish some of the finset scholarly books on the bible ever.
Dr. V.P.Wierwille (founder and now deceased president of the biblical research and fellowship organisation, The Way International) once uttered at a meeting I attended that he understood that E.W.Bullinger though he wrote prolifically about the "trinity" in his writings, made the discovery in the latter part of his life that the trinity was not a biblically based truth. I have never been able to find any corroborating source for this statement until last week.
Below I copy some text from a web site (source reference is noted) which does just that. The statement of belief in the piece on the Bereans below is not shared by the author of this blog.

“About two months ago I received a small booklet in the mail from a friend who thought that I might be interested in what it had to say. I was. The booklet is titled Christ and Deity and was authored by a man named A. E. Knoch. He wrote it toward the end of the 19th century, and shows the clear distinctions between the Father and the Son. Now using Scripture only, and letting the Scriptures speak what they clearly have to say, it shows the roles in which they perfectly cooperate within their relationship in the unfolding drama of God's ongoing creation.
So persuasive was this booklet that E. W. Bullinger, the man who authored The Companion Bible, fell out of favor with nominal Christianity late in his life partly because he rejected the Trinity doctrine on the basis of Knoch's writings on this subject.”

From the Bereans web site.

http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/1508/Father-Son-Relationship-Part-1.htm

Our (the Bereans) Beliefs: God the Son



Jesus of Nazareth is the God of the Old Testament, the Christ, God incarnate, the prophesied Messiah, the Savior of mankind. He exists eternally with the Father, and all things were created through Him and for Him. Before His human birth, He revealed Himself to the patriarchs as "the Eternal" (YHWH) and by a variety of other names. He divested Himself of the majesty of His office to become human by means of birth to the virgin Mary. Though tempted in all points like other men, He lived sinlessly throughout His life, giving Himself to be crucified as the perfect atonement for mankind's transgressions of God's laws. after three days and three nights in the grave, He was resurrected as a divine spirit Being and ascended to the Father's right hand in heaven, becoming our High Priest, Advocate and Mediator before the Father. As such, He is technically the Dispenser of the Holy Spirit. He is now Head of the church, and shall return soon as King of kings and Lord of lords to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, sharing His rule with His resurrected brothers and sisters.

Scripture References:
John 1:1-3, 10, 14, 29-36; John 8:53-58; Colossians 1:13-20; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; Acts 2:33-35; John 15:26; John 16:7; Ephesians 4:7-8; I John 2:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-4; Hebrews 2:9-14; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 9:11-15; Ephesians 1:19-23; Philippians 2:5-7; Matthew 12:40; I Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:11-16;

http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/About.belief/ID/3/God-Son.htm

First day at secondary (Middelbaar) school) for Orlaith

On Tuesday this week, the 19th of August 2008, Orlaith M.D.Bourke, our daughter started secondary school on her new bicycle. She is going to Het Baken "Trinitas", a school for Atheneum and Gymnasium. Orlaith will start as a "gymnasium" student. She has a big bag of school books to carry and she is still quite small for her age..... one morning this week with a full bag of books she lost her balance and fell over, thankfully at home in the kitchen and was helped to her feet by Vivienne, her mother. See picture of Orlaith on her bike on the morning she went to school...

Avondvierdaagse 3rd June 2008

The last chance to do an "Avondvierdaagse" by one of the children while they are still in primary school is being grasped by Orlaith, my daughter. She has to walk 5Km 4 days in a row with her school mates and teachers and at the end she received a medal and a certificate. This is a yearly excursion done by children and grown-ups alike in the Netherlands.

Well done Orlaith, we are so proud of you. And well done for getting such good results in your entrance exams that you were able to gain entry to "het Baken Trinitas" school to folow in your secondary education. NJB and Daddy

Mexican Night out

We had a great night in Amsterdam on March the 14th 2008, when Laura Ramirez and her mother, brother and sister, came to Holland, and Amsterdam. The were on a big tour of Europe, and had some time in Amsterdam. Vivienne and I entertained them on that Friday evening , and though it was short, it was very pleasant. Laura works with Kerry in Mexico. We had a lovely meal in an Irish pub, after a walk about in the city centre.

08-03-08 My Birthday

The 8th of March 2008, my 49th Birthday. I had a great time with my kids giving me present, and being at the irish dancing lessons this morning, it was Saturday you know. Jarno and I had just made a shot at making our CD (on the 6th of march), our recording of the few songs that we have ben practising for some time now. Here is s photo of Jarno doing some listening and mixing of the tracks on his iMac, and adding some Bodhran to the song, "the star of the County Down". We are going to be famous some day in Almere or some other small village of a place. We need to add a little spice to what we did and them it will be just fine.

29-Feb -2008 Sunny getaway

Travelling gives you the freedom feeling sometimes, away from the day to day humdrum, new places, new faces. Boarding times and "What would you like to drink, Sir"? Foreign travelling, abroad, passport, Hotel, eating out, all good fun. This combined with hours of waiting in airports, long taxi drives, overcrowding on the airplane, and screaming children kicking you as you fall asleep, eating the wrong stuff at the wrong time, or not eating at all (as happened at the customer this time) all goes to give mixed feelings. Simple last minute business travel because you have to is one thing, but planning a cheap holiday in the sun is another. Thompson travel is the gateway to many in the UK for such getaways. I always cringe when I see the lines at check in for these Allicante getaways or similar. Massive suitcases, kakki shorts already donned in readiness, one nationality moves on-masse to anothers territory. Familiar faces in an unfamiliar place. Some home comforts at least.

23-Feb-2008 Lelystad Naturepark on a Sunday morning

Flevolandschap oversees the upkeep and maintenance of Lelystad Naturepark, and I am a member of that foundation, so I get to use the car park for free! I can get my bicycle into my car, a Fiat Multipla, so off I go. This morning I saw the red deer, the Mousse, and the wild pigs up close. Here is a picture of the wild pigs.

I also saw the carcase of a dead Buzzard, and feathers of a black bird nearby. The blackbirds feathers can be seen in the middle of the bicycle path, and the body of the buzzard can be seen directly above them, just off the path on the verge. There was no sign of the blackbird's body, but the carcase of the Buzzard is shown here in the photo. The flesh was still red and "fresh", and was probably killed this morning. Here is a photo of the dead buzzard.

22-Feb-2008 Start of the blog - there no end to it, is there, this internet stuff

I suppose I never was really good at keeping a diary, and this blog thing is really one of those isin't it. This seems more fun though, even though people can read it and you wouldnt want anyone to read your paper diary now would you? I can put a nice photo in too if I want. So here is one of Ardmore, a lovely seaside village in Ireland.

This is the earliest known photo of me, Neil J Bourke, as a baby in my mothers arms, on a beach, probably Banna Strand, in Co. Kerry, Ireland, together with from left to right, my father Michael F Bourke, John Henry, Ann Deirdre, Michael Patrick, and Mary my sister, and finally uncle Paddy.