Roelof Veldhuis

It is a wrap!

Monday 20th May 2024

Another notch on my guitar, Utrecht: you have been amazing! A big thank you to all involved, especially to all of my sponsors :-)

Operation Chastise

Friday 17th May 2024

So today marks the 81st. year since Operation Chastise was succesfully executed by Sqn.617, dispite the loss of 8 Lancaster bombers and most of their crews. In other years I would visit the various memorials that have been installed in the Netherlands and Germany to remember their sacrifice. Yesterday I started at the ruins of the Himmelpforten Monestery, a part of the German side of this history. The following is a quote from the Dambusters blog:

Driving from the Möhne Dam to the crash site leads along the Möhne river. After 3 miles on the left side is another monument related to the Dam’s Raid – the Himmelpforten monastery memorial. Himmelpforten means “Heaven’s gate”. The monastery was literally washed away by the flood wave caused by the breach of the dam. If somebody is planning a road trip along the Dams Raid sites, it is worth a stop. Central part of the monument are the foundation walls of the monastery´s church. Except for a small wall, the church was destroyed. It is said that the flood wave at this place was 13 yards high. Pastor Joseph Berkenkopf heard the explosions of the upkeep mines and the roar of the wave. To him it was clear that the dam has been breached. Attempting to warn his little community he rushed up the church tower and rang the bells until the flood reached Himmelpforten and he was washed away together with his church. His gravestone is today part of the monument.

https://dambustersblog.com/2023/05/08/seeing-the-mohne-dam-from-the-german-side/

After visting the Himmelphorten memorial, it is only 3 miles until the Mohne Sperrmauer. I visited the dam memorial and had a stroll down at the lower end. Pizza and a Weizen at 'Mahl Anderz', before a thunderstorm started the ride home. Once nearer to the Dutch boarder, I entered a big one -XXTS- and was dustfree upon arrival.

Not quite there yet

Friday 3rd May 2024

Yesterday we had some spare time before nightshifts to do a little shakedown run. Ended up near the city of Munster, so as you would have guesed the Beemer performs purrfectly.

Raising funds on the other hand, could do a tad better! Come on, boyz & grillz, it is for a good cause. Be generous, you never now if you might benefit from it yourselves. Not being negative, just realistic.

I hope the weather will be like in the picture during the event!

Kick-start 2024

Sunday 24th Mar 2024

The Beemer is still undergoing maintenance, but it will be ready as ever for this year 's event. Will you please help in achieving raising funds? You can read all about it on the DGR-website.

De BMW staat nog even in onderhoud, maar zal zoals altijd klaar staan voor de rit. Wil je me a.u.b. helpen om fondsen te werven? Alle informatie hierover staat op de website van de DGR.

Ik rij op mijn motor voor Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Sunday 24th Mar 2024 Op zondag 19 mei 2024 rijd ik in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride met andere mannen en vrouwen over de hele wereld om namens Movember geld en bewustzijn in te zamelen voor prostaatkanker en de geestelijke gezondheid van mannen. Mannen sterven gemiddeld 6 jaar eerder dan vrouwen en dit om grotendeels te voorkomen redenen. Het aantal mannen dat lijdt groeit, en daar moeten we iets aan doen. Dus, voordat ik mijn tweed druk en mijn laarzen poets, vraag ik jullie om samen met mij geld en bewustzijn in te zamelen voor deze doelen door te doneren wat je kunt voor dit zinvolle doel en om de mannen waar we van houden, te helpen een gelukkiger en gezonder leven te leiden.