My father's side of the family is from Gelderland and Noord Brabant, mostly from the cities of Arnhem, Nijmegen and Eindhoven.
Once grandpa passed away we stopped speaking Dutch. I think we did it out of grief, but now I think it was quite an injustice to him and his memory. I met an exchange student from Rotterdam when I was 15, and for a year I found myself speaking Dutch again. But now it's been 30 years and I only remember tiny remnants of the language. It's a terrible shame.
David! I didn't realise you're family are from the Nijmegen area - I'll be sure to take lots of photos when I'm there doing my walk!! Any particular village round there? as no doubt I'll be walking through them!
I bet that if you were emersed in the culture it would all come flooding back. I only did Standard Grade French but about 5 years later i went to Paris with my Mum, and I was left to take charge - it was amazing how it started coming back to me - certainly i wasn't proficient - but then I never was! - but i got by and I was only there for a long weekend.
It's all forgotten again - but if I went back.. who knows!
Kerry - I haven't seen your writings about your brother - do you have yor own blog that i missed - Mel's comments makes me want to see your writings - sounds beautiful!
xx