Velda and Joe: A(nother) Grand Adventure

[April 20, 2026] 
Deep-fat fried food and a day of hard traveling did not let us sleep soundly, and we struggled waking up. Today we were going to visit an old friend. I was still a toddler when we met, almost, and she was – at seven – a very impressive “old kid.” She remembers things from a time no one else can, confirming old stories or sharing perspectives we hadn’t realized. Those people are precious to me.

© Joe Doherty

Blank and her husband, Jan Bart, live on the water side of Warmond, a village that hasn’t changed much over the years. The view from their front room is a small marina and windmills. We saw grebes, swans, and hares.  It being Holland, it was sunny, then pelted rain, then sunny, and repeat. During one of the sunny periods we motored to de Kaag, where I spent part of every summer that I could. It was, of course, nostalgic.

My grandfather was a sailor, that is, he sailed in sailboats and sailboat raced. He was influential in forming the Regenboog-sailing-class club and races throughout the Netherlands, a system the other boat classes later followed. It was a big deal for recreational sailors, and I’m very proud of him. Blank served as crew for him in the races. At that time no, or very few girls/women did that. I’m proud of him for that too.

We walked through Warmond when we got back and I was flooded with memories. I was also flooded with flowers. People love their gardens and it seemed like I had to stop every few feet. Joe is used to that with me, but I think Blank was non-plussed. She is not a flower photographer.

I have one more image to share. The sunset was glorious, and the ocean landscape, during the blue hour, when we got back to Scheveningen, was fantastic. If you are reading this on your phone, zoom in. It’s worth it!

Ta for now!