Changes of scene(ry)

There's not really very much to report from the Flatlands this week, but having said that, I've been very busy work-wise. It's the time of year when students are thinking about the programmes they want to apply for next, and since most masters' degrees are conducted in English here, those wishing to follow one need to prove they have the right language level. For a master's in most of the business subjects, as well as in economics and analytics, they need a C1 in English, which is, theoretically, quite advanced. 

The reality is that as long as they can understand everything we say and they can conduct a conversation on any subject we challenge them with, they can pass as long as they don't make too many mistakes. The idea of the assessments is to elicit what they can do, rather than what they have trouble with, so it's a forgiving system. And indeed, most of the students who've grown up here are fully capable of conversing quite easily in English, the result being that most of them pass. We also assess a written assignment, which in many ways is more important, and I'm often truly impressed by the quality of their writing. Of course, they make mistakes (AI has been excluded from equation), but even so, which of us can write an academic level essay in 45 minutes without a few typos and errors? They really are very good.

When I've been free to get out into the open, I've enjoyed walking with Zoe in the nearby nature reserves. The scenery in the last week has changed from autumnal to wintry, thanks to a major hoolie that blew away the the last leaves that were clinging to the trees. 

The photos below were taken before the storm when I went for a walk along the creek close to the crumbly cottage.

Spot the camouflaged canine

Got her!

Glorious colours in the fallen leaves

And more of them

In the midst of the awful weather, I took a day trip to London. Although not a breeze, it's quite easy to do with the Eurostar from Brussels. I left home at 6.20 a.m., caught a train from Ghent to Brussels at 7.20 and was at the Eurostar waiting area by 8 a.m. The train was due to leave ten minutes before nine, but this time, it was delayed. I'm not sure why. Eventually, we got away and arrived in London at 10.40. My sister was also delayed, but in her case, it was because of floods. Anyway, she met me within ten minutes of my arrival and we then made our way through a chaotic, very crowded London to Trafalgar Square where we went to the Van Gogh exhibition. 

It was such a privilege to be able to go. Van  Gogh is probably my favourite artist of all and I can't thank my sister enough for arranging it. Despite reserving a time to enter, it was incredibly busy with crowds of visitors but such a joy to see Van Gogh's incredibly masterpieces all together. Of course, his series of sunflower paintings was a huge draw. I managed to snap the one below, which I now know is one of the paintings that was recently assaulted with soup during a Just Stop Oil protest. It was apparently undamaged and put back on display just hours after the attack.

The one below with its wheatfield and Cypress trees is one of my personal favourites. He painted it in 1889 and it's still vivid and vibrant in its colours and textures.

This one, The Stevedores, is a new favourite. It depicts a coalboat on the Rhône, but has a more exotic and eastern feel, something Van Gogh was himself aware of as he likened the scene to something by Hokusai, a celebrated Japanese printmaker.

There were so many other wonderful works, but it was impossible to take photos of them all; there were too many people and it was too difficult to get a good view. I also had very little battery life on my phone to spare. My sister did better. Here are two others I loved. They're slightly fuzzy, but still faithful to the originals. Apparently, Van Gogh felt The Sower (the lower picture) was one of his most important works from his time in Arles. I think they're both superb. The Olive Grove is so captivating in its sense of those ancient trees in the heat of summer.

An olive grove

The Sower

After the exhibition, we had lunch with my brother and his wife in a Pizza restaurant on the Strand. It's always good to spend time with my family, even for such a short time, and seeing them was a special bonus. But time flew and then it was time to head to St Pancras station for the return journey home.

Back in the Netherlands again, the weather did an about turn, and from wet, mild and very windy, it is now icy cold, sunny and calm, which I have to say I prefer, so to finish with here are some photos from my walks with Zoe the last two mornings in and around our village and the canal.

The trees on the horizon are along our canal

Again, the canal is on the horizon

Zoe in her winter woollies. She's not fond
of the cold or the wet

Just the village street

Straight into the sun, I know, but still...

I'm hoping the sunny, cold weather will remain for a bit as it's much easier to live with than the gales and soaking rain. Wish us luck for a fine weekend, allemaal and enjoy yours. Till next time.