Hangenham, May 13, 2001
Once again, the weather was perfect. Blue skies, bright sun, warm breezes. Remarkable luck. Much to our delight our English neighbors the Ashtley's
were home this weekend and could also come to the celebration. The children played, Lydia napped and the rest of us chatted the day away, drinking coffee, eating cake and
consuming vast amounts of good Bavarian beer and "Radler" (beer mixed with lemonade).
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 "Dorfest"! There wasn't much advance notice about the fest, and
we don't have any idea how these little fests actually get organized. But on Thursday one of the women of the village came by to invite us, and we were pleased to take part!
We baked a cheesecake for the cake sale, wrapped up some home made chutney for the raffle and then joined with our neighbors for the walk to the church.
The last Hangenham village celebration or "Dorfest" was held in May of '99. That was the Spring that Danelle, Johan and Jana moved in next door.
Actually, that sunny festival 2 years ago, was the beginning of the warm friendship that's grown between our two families. And grown it has. Today's little outing is
particularly unique because at this Dorfest,
there are not three Roelands of Hangenham but
four. Yep, there's second dazzling little redhead at Hangenham 17 and her name is Lydia.
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Sundays in Germany
are sometimes like this. They seem full of time. Time to sit and talk and enjoy other people's company in an
unhurried and uncomplicated way. It's a very good feeling. And the Roeland's and Ashtley's are very fine people to
share such a feeling with. To spend a long lazy day idling away the hours
in the shadow of the little Hangenham church is a treat.