Daily report #97

The flag

It has been flying there for some time. Since leaving Sydney. 09/05/2023. The tricolor. Our Dutch pride. We had already talked about it. Mark and myself. How we would send it to Prince Willem of…..Uh…..King Willem and ask for a new one. Because we would have sailed him so bravely and proudly across four oceans. At the risk of his own life. Like the boys from Bontekoe with the VOC mentality. Representing our nation. Reclaiming our property on St Helena (VOC cannon from VOC ship the White Lion) and walking jauntily around Robben Island (with shame on our cheeks). Everywhere exclaiming that William - appointed by the Almighty as our King - is our sovereign prince. Hello William.
Our cheeks glowing orange, ignoring our natural timid reserve and calmness. On the road with a cheerful business spirit. This morning it was still hanging from the erect flagpole by a single wire. Just in time. The colors are masked and more of a pennant than a flag. With decisive action, we saved the flag from certain inglorious water death and repaired the banner with sewing of the highest quality and reattached it to the flagpole. First upside down - a rude mistake - then in all its dilapidated glory. I noticed during the sewing process that the flag was badly worn, deep into its fibers. I wonder if it will make it to the finish line. The wind is always howling not only in the rigging but also in the flag. Indeed. We do not apply the flag protocol. We'll never take it down. We do not neglect to serve our beloved sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. Call it family country.
That's how far our love goes.

Hello William.

We have met very few strangers who know which country belongs to that beautiful flag. They are all so annoyingly patriotic, very proud of their own country. The French simply say 'it's hanging the wrong way'. Only when you say Amsterdam do people know what you are talking about and 'smoking weed' and the 'red light district' are immediately discussed. They all want to go there. I said stay away. Just go to Disneyland. Schiphol will close soon and we will flood the polders where the tulips grow. You see; we represent our country the right way. No more rattling of suitcases on the Amsterdam sidewalks.
Trade mission successful.
We had to leave the cannon behind.

Regards.