Holland 2012

Friday April 13, 2012

After another delicious and healthy breakfast Els and I left her house to meet Bob Gordon AIFD, his dear wife Ruthie and a tour of 20+people that he was the tour group leader for the visit to Holland and Floriade, plus the auction and Kukenhof gardens. We meet at the auction, checked in, and began a really great tour with Els as the tour guide. She is a native of Holland, her departed husband George sold and bought through the auction, we are fortunate. I was there a few years ago, it was not o computer then, wow, it is first class, high tech. There are 5 areas as the one in the picture. Look at Alsmeer Flower Auction for details on how it all works. We walked, looked and shared the volume of what happens with the flowers, foliages and plants.
Els and I said goodbye to Bob, Ruthie and their group, then we headed to the supplies/product/wholesale area across the area. There were some really wonderful ideas that I will talk with Jacquie about in our supply department at Koehler to help inform our customers. It is exciting.
We went to Els house, talked, had a good lunch. About 3:00 we left the house to visit Kukenhof Gardens and the tulip fields. It is a short drive, she lives so central, and the country is small. We passed so many beautiful fields of flowers, the lilacs and fruit trees were blooming, beauty everywhere.
Els worked at the gardens for years designing, giving programs, and creating displays.