better together

We're together again!
We're having a blast!
At the moment eating Gourmet Jelly Beans... Stephe just had one that tasted like a strawberry smoothie and Pleuntje had one that might have been pineapple. Over the past couple of days we've had time to catch up, exchanged gifts, visited with Stephe's parents and walked their dog Shona (many, many times!). It's a little strange now to sit and write together instead of to one another but apart from mundane things to get used to we're ... better together!
We're grateful for a wonderful wave-off at the airport, safe flights, friendly fellow travellers and custom officers, phone lines across the Atlantic ocean, open doors, Christmas gifts, warm clothes, loving emails, each other = God's many blessings.
For Pleuntje, once again, "the village by the river" (Canada) has lots of curiousities. She's been taking photo's of the strangest things including supermarket signs and license plates. A tour of Hamilton was had and an introduction at Church of the Resurrection (Stephe's place of work) has already taken place.
Yesterday afternoon while visiting friends she came across what epitomizes Dundas hospitality... we were talking to the owners of the local "Lock & Key" shop who wanted to make us feel always welcome and said, "Our door is always open." Funny that a locksmith says that. Or does that say something about the quality of their locks?!

Wishing everyone a very happy New Year/Nieuwjaar. See you in '07!!!

Thanksgiving / Dankdag

Hey Peaches,
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time of family, so it seemed like a good time to introduce your family and friends to mine. Tonight we will eat lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, and pie. (I will also try to translate as much as possible with my feeble Dutch skills)

Dankdag voor het gewas is een dag voor jouw familie, en ik voorstel mijn familie te jouw. Vandaag we willen veel kalkoen, aardappelpuree, en pompoen taart eten.
(Ik ben moeilijk met mijn klien beetje Nederlandse les omzetten)

My Mother... Margaret. She is a priest in Guelph, Ontario.
My Father... Greg is a retired teacher, who collects new jobs. He likes cycling.
They have been married for 35 years.

My (younger) sister... Beth is a midwife. She's married to Brent Davis. They live in Leeds, England while she studies for her PhD.

Mijn moeder...Margaret. Ze is een dominee in Guelph, Ontario.
Mijn vader...Greg was een docent ???. Hij houden van fietsen.
Zij hebben trouwen vijfendertig jaar zijn.

Mijn zusje... Beth is een verlos'kundige. Ze is trouwen met Brent Davis. Zij wonen in Leeds, Engeland. Ze is studente.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Goededankdag voor het gewas!

Announcements

Way to go, Pleun... first blog entry looked good! and informative.
Heel goede, Pleun... je hebt een eerste blog leuk gekijkt! (is that even close to making sense?)

I've now contacted everyone I could think of. Do you think it's time to send out the info. pack?
Any guesses on how fast the Hostel will fill up? Would it be possible for more than 1 person to sleep on a bunk?

Supposedly an announcement of our engagement has been posted on the Diocese of Niagara's website! Yikes! Couldn't find it, but got an email of congratulations...

Accomodation on Iona

Below are all sorts of interestings details and links on accomodation on Iona but mainly this is just me creating the first blog entry of my life! (Jippie jippie look at me!! xxpleuntje)

Hotels
Argyll Hotel 0044 1681 700 334
reception@argyllhotel.co.uk
http://www.argyllhoteliona.co.uk/

Columba Hotel 0044 1681 700 304
columba@btconnect.com
http://www.stcolumba-hotel.co.uk/

Bed & Breakfasts
Clachan Corrach 0044 1681 700 323 Mrs. Gill Black
Kilona 0044 1681 700 528 Mr. & Mrs. Crosby
Greenbank 0044 1681 700 330 Mrs. Barbara Hellenschmidt
Sithean 0044 1681 700 331 Mrs. Lotte Kirchwen
Shore Cottage 0044 1681 700 744 Miss Sarah MacDonald
enquiries@shorecottage.co.uk
http://www.shorecottage.co.uk/
Dalantober 0044 1681 700 776 Mrs. Joyce McIntyre
Bishop’s House 0044 1681 700 800 Mrs. E. Meehan
Cruachan 0044 1681 700 523/515 Mrs. Moira Morison

NB There are other bed & breakfasts in Fionnphort (on Mull) although you would need to leave Iona (& the festivities!) on the last ferry of the evening. This is also not all there is on Iona. You may find other /more info through: http://www.holidaymull.org/accommodation.htm

If you're travelling from .ca

So you've been invited to our wedding and like the idea of coming to Iona to be part of the celebration. You're one of the most important people in our lives and we'd be honoured and thrilled if you were able to come.

However, we also recognize that there may be many reasons you wouldn't be able to: $$$, time constraints, or your family is involved in a centuries old land war in Scotland that will not permit you to enter the country. We can't help you with that, but here are some rough guess about, 'how much will it cost?'

Based on trip to Iona in '05... (all prices in Can. $)

Airfare from T.O. to Glasgow $500 - $700
Glasgow (2 nights before, 1 night after + food) $350 - $450
Travel within Scotland (train/bus to Oban, ferry, Mull bus, ferry) $90
Iona (food & accom.) $160 - $700
Miscellaneous tourist extras $150

However, these costs really depend upon your choice of accommodation, appetite, budget.

There are only 21 beds at the Iona Hostel so if you'd like to stay there, pls contact either Stephen or Pleuntje as soon as possible.

VERRRRY preliminary details

Pleuntje en Stephen's Wedding Celebration

Sat. Sept. 1st, 2007
Marriage Service at 3:30pm
Iona Abbey, Scotland
followed by dinner, drinks and party

The greatest gift we could ask for would be your presence as the community of our friends and family as we begin our married life together.

Step 1 - book accommodations on Iona for Fri. Aug. 31st and Sat. Sept. 1st . If you would like to stay at the Iona Hostel please contact Pleun and Stephe as soon as possible - spaces are extremely limited! (www.isle-of-iona.com/accommodation.htm)

Step 2 - RSVP to our email (pleuntjeenstephen@yahoo.ca) or contact either Stephe or Pleun to let us know that you'll be coming... we're excited to see you!

Step 3 - make other plans: travel, accom., etc.

As we make plans to share this special day please pray for us as we will be thinking of you too!
Liefs!