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.