The aim of this site-page is to keep my students and sponsors, up to date with the developments that take place, in my artwork, while on my two-year Sabbatical, in Europe.

I refer to this period as My age of Information.

After 11 months of careful planning, I packed up my life in South Africa and traveled 10 000 kilometers North - to the Netherlands.... and this is where my story begins....

Radio Kootwijk, is a small town of 38 houses and of about 100 residence. It is situated in the center of the Netherlands, on the Veluwe, which is the biggest forest nature reserve in the Netherlands. 

For the google-earth fans, you will find us at, 52 deg 10’34.91”North and 5 deg.50’ 00,90” East. The nearest town is called Apeldoorn, which is about 15 kilometers away.

 Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe is one of the few oldest parks in the Netherlands. It encompasses more than 5,500 hectares of magnificent countryside, at 63 meters above sea level. The forest is an eclectic mix of miracles. It boasts fields of heather, watering holes saturated with ferns and at the same time a landscape of sand dunes, hiking and bicycle routes.

Together with the Kroller-Muller Museum and the sculpture garden, the park becomes a unique combination and attraction of nature, art and architecture.

A map of the Netherlands, showing the approximate location of Radio Kootwijk.

In Radio Kootwijk, itself there is a lot to do. We often observe visitors on bicycle admiring the historic values of our houses in this little street. This little street of 6 houses was designed by the Architect -Mr. Luthman and built in 1921. Visitors regularly pass our front door to spoil themselves to the heritage and the wide open space of the Hoge Veluwe.

Family groups often tour the winding bicycle paths or Nordic walk through the park to enjoy the indigenous flora, fauna, large and small animals as well as a large variety of ever cheerful birds.

Picking blue berries in the forest.

The road from Radio Kootwijk to Hoog Soeren.

The residence of Radio Kootwijk often gather to celebrate special events at the town square, namely “De Driehoek”

The quaint little houses, just as you enter Radio Kootwijk

The opening ceremony.

The children of Radio Kootwijk

Ruud, a resident of Radio Kootwijk for 19 years, polishing up the monuments smile - for the opening celebration.

Radio Kootwijk has a busy schedule, this year. The residents gather in the town square to celebrate the opening of the Driehoek. A monument in commemoration of a gift from the workers to the community.

Ruud polishes the smile of the stone carving, which represents the voice of communication, while.....Rex shows me how far Indonesia and South Africa are away from the Netherlands

Yes, Both distances are the same.

I am 10 000 kilometers from home.

The Opening proceeds and all is blessed over a good hearty chat and a glass of Bubbly.

Rex, showing here that the star at the top of the globe, represents Radio Kootwijk with his left forefinger positioned on Indonesia.

The two monuments at the Driehoek.

Boomhut Radio Kootwijk

e-mail: info@tonkinson-art.com

Tonkinson 2008 Collection

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