GREAT VACATION
Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright had gotten the request to babysit his 7 year old great-grandson Tim. The parents of Tim, Mitch and Matthew Cartwright were away for business and his grandpa and grandma (Dan and Laura Walker) too couldn’t because they ran the B&B.
That certain afternoon the rancher and his great-grandson were looking in a photo book of the vacation 2016 which Tim had gotten for his last Christmas. Matthew had made photo books of all photo’s he had made in the Efteling for his son. Each photo book went about their vacation there, filled up with drawings which were made at the park.
“Granddaddy, would you like to see that park in real?”, Tim suddenly asked.
He always called Ben granddaddy.
Ben answered, “Of course I want that. But then you and your father are coming too. And with your father I mean Mitch.”
The rancher didn’t say that the short vacation was already arranged till the smallest detail.
Tim said, “That is a good idea.”
A few days later Tim wasn’t himself. Although he had it very well with his parents the boy was bothered by something. Finally Tim decided to put his problem in front of his fathers. The boy walked to the office of their Bed & Breakfast.
“Daddy, can I see you for a moment?”, Tim asked Mitch who was there alone.
Mitch stopped with working, pulled his son near him and asked, “You always may disturb us. What’s the matter?”
“When are we going again to the Fairytale Forest? I miss it so”, confessed Tim.
“Is that the reason why you are so quiet?”, Mitch asked who now understood the strange behavior of his son.
Tim nodded and looked at his father questionable.
“Tim, I don’t promise anything but maybe I can arrange something concerning your problem”, Mitch said after a long silence.
“Alright”, his son said where after he went to play in the garden with the husky Chip.
Mitch phoned with his grandpa Ben Cartwright who came at once with his eldest son Adam (the father of Mitch).
In the office Mitch said, “Just now Tim confessed that he is very homesick to the Fairytale Forest of the Efteling. I haven’t promised anything but would like to try to do something about it.”
Ben looked from Adam to Mitch and said, “Now I happen to be in that area for business. So I have arranged for us and Tim a short vacation in the park. The only condition I make is this one: you arrange it with the school that Tim can come along without problems.”
“Can daddy not come along to arrange that?”, Mitch asked sneaky.
Adam asked carefully and worried about the answer, “The teacher of my grandson is not happen to be Ab Jones?”
The Cartwrights always called teacher Abigail Jones always Ab Jones. Of course they didn’t do that in her presence.
“Unfortunately yes. She says that Tim is the easiest Cartwright she has had up till now though”, answered Mitch.
“Be glad that you haven’t had her long. With Rose I had to come in each week for a talk”, Adam sighed.
Rose was his youngest daughter.
“I will arrange it”, said Mitch.
He got up and went to the house of Abigail Jones.
Abigail was checking homework when there was a ring at the bell. She got up to answer it.
“Mitch Cartwright! How nice to see you. Come inside”, the teacher said surprised.
Mitch came inside and began his story, “You must have the very best regards of my father. Tim celebrated his 6th birthday in a very nice attraction park in the Netherlands. Now he told me that he misses it very much. By very much coincidence my grandpa must be in that area for business. We can come too on condition that I arrange it with the school. Tim can even do his schoolwork in the evening.”
“Then it is alright. Give your father the hearty regards from me”, said Abigail.
“I certainly will do that. Have a nice day Miss Jones”, Mitch said where after he left quickly again.
Without that he realized it Mitch had made the day of Abigail very well.
In the ranch house Ben got the question of his eldest grandson, “Grandpa, when are we leaving for The Netherlands?”
The rancher looked at Mitch and answered, “I knew that you could come along. We leave this coming Sunday evening April 14 and fly at night.”
“Tim will not be stopped anymore when he hears this”, Mitch said smiling.
“How went the talk with Ab Jones?”, Adam wanted to know.
“Very well. Tim may come. And you, daddy, must have her kindest regards”, his eldest son answered.
Adam was not really pleased with this because he knew that Abigail Jones was still smitten with him.
“I am going to make my hubby very jealous about our trip”, Mitch said with laughing eyes.
In the evening during supper Matthew said to his son, “Tim, do you know that I’m very jealous of you and your father!”
The boy looked amazed at him and asked, “Why”
Matthew looked at Mitch and that one nodded.
“Because you are going to the Efteling and I must stay at home. Grandpapa hasn’t booked for me but for himself and you”, answered Matthew.
Tim didn’t know what he heard.
“When are we going?”, he asked a bit later on.
“We leave this coming Sunday. Then we fly at night so that we can sleep. We arrive on Monday”, told Mitch.
“And we must give granddaddy a tour like we did with uncle Sean?”, asked Tim.
“We can suggest that. I think that granddaddy will like that”, said Mitch.
The following question of Tim was, “Daddy, when we are together at the park, can we speak Dutch then?”
“We already do that when we are together or with Matt there. So we do that there too. But when granddaddy is there we speak English”, was the answer of his father.
The youngest Cartwright agreed with that.
Before they left Tim asked, “Aunty Lisa, must we bring something along for you from the park?”
“Find a reading book in English so I can ready to you and the baby”, answered Lisa.
“You mean those 2 fairytale books with blue and red cover?”, Tim asked for the security.
Lisa nodded.
Laura helped with packing and Dan brought the Cartwrights on a late Sunday afternoon away to the airport of Las Vegas.
“Gentlemen, have a lot of fun and enjoy your vacation. Before you know it you are here again”, Dan said teasing.
“So still enjoy your peace and quietness”, his son-in-law reacted quick-hearted.
Dan said laughing goodbye to the travelers and went then back home again to the B&B.
Monday April 15, 2018
After the landing in Rotterdam the Cartwrights picked up the by Ben rented car.
Mitch suggested, “Shall I drive?”
“No young man. The rental car is on my name so I am the only one who drives”, answered the rancher.
Then Tim looked at his father and that one nodded.
“Granddaddy, do you know that they drive here in Dutch?”, asked the youngest Cartwright.
“I know that. They drive here on the right, just like we do in America. Are you still going coming along or are you coming by train to our guest address?”, was the counter-question of Ben.
Mitch and Tim didn’t understand anything of it but they loaded everything in and got into the car after that.
An hour later Ben stopped at a normal house.
“We sleep here as long as we are here in The Netherlands. The residents are old friends of mine and they have arranged our vacation”, said the rancher.
They got out and grabbed the luggage.
Inside Diana Jenson looked outside where she saw the guests from America coming.
“Mark, there are our guests”, she called to her husband.
Mark walked to the front door and opened it.
“Ben, welcome”, Mark said laughing.
“Hello Mark. May I introduce you to my grandson Mitch and great-grandson Tim?”
Mark looked at Tim and recognized a lot in the boy. Diana came nearer and got introduced to the others.
Diana asked:“Mark, isn’t that little boy our grandson?”
Her husband looked at the Cartwrights and gave as answer, “He looks like Claire a lot.”
“My momma was also called Claire”, said Tim.
Mitch asked amazed, “Did you know Claire Baxton?”
“She was our daughter. When she was 18 was she went to America as au pair. I am Mark Jenson and this is my wife Diana”, said Mark.
“Claire has died by a car accident, together with her husband David. Just on her death bed I heard from Claire that Tim was my son. I take care of him together with my husband Matt. He is at home to run our Bed & Breakfast”, said Mitch.
“And to look after Chip. That is our husky”, Tim added.
They went inside.
Mark showed the guests their room while Diana made coffee. She also had baked a delicious apple pie for the guests, Mark and herself.
When Mitch and Tim were downstairs again Mark took Ben aside.
“Ben, we treat your business tonight. Enjoy during the day of your grandson and great-grandson. Time flies already so quickly for children”, said Mark.
Ben knew that self too. That’s why he decided to accept the offer of Mark.
In the kitchen Diana was still busy when father and son Cartwright came in.
“So you are my grandma too?”, asked Tim.
“Yes, I am that too”, answered Diana.
Tim continued, “Matt still have his parents and daddy also has a mother so I have 3 grandma’s.”
“No Tim. You have 4 grandma’s because Sally is my stepmother”, Mitch corrected his son.
Tim nodded.
“Mitch, how old were you when your mother died?”, asked Diana.
“I was 11 months old when she got killed by hit and run. When I was 7 my father remarried with Sally Baxton”, Mitch explained.
Diana understood it and asked, “Mitch, do you come with the cake?”
He nodded and followed his ex-mother-in-law to the living room where Ben and Mark were too.
“Gentlemen, we have another surprise for you”, Mark said after the coffee and apple pie.
The Cartwrights looked at them questionable.
“The content of this envelop is for you”, said Diana.
Ben opened the envelop and found 3 season tickets for the Efteling.
“Thanks on behalf of these 2 boys”, said the rancher.
“Are we going now?”, Tim asked begging.
“Get along what you need and then we go”, answered Ben.
Mitch and Tim took along what they needed in the park.
“Have a lot of fun and we see you tonight again”, said Diana.
She gave along a bag with food and drinks for in the park.
“Thanks and till tonight”, said Ben.
Not much later Ben rode upon the big parking lot and he found a spot close by the entrance.
“Tim, you do stay with grandpa and me!”, Mitch said on a fatherly tone.
“Yes daddy”, said the boy.
They walked to the entrance and in no time the Cartwrights were inside.
“Daddy, would granddaddy like such a delicious cupcake?”, Tim asked in Dutch when they were close to the Octopus.
“I don’t think so. But if uncle Hoss was now with us…”, said Mitch.
“Then all cupcakes were much too small”, Tim added.
They laughed which Ben heard of course.
“What is there so funny?”, he wanted to know.
Mitch went over in English and told about the big cupcakes.
“Then we are going to try them in that restaurant”, said Ben.
They went into the restaurant and not much later there stood 3 cupcakes, 2 coffee and 1 orange on a table and in 3 Cartwrights there too.
“Boys, they are indeed delicious”, Ben said when everything was gone.
“We knew that all along”, reacted Mitch.
Then Ben asked, “Timothy Cartwright, would you like to give us a nice tour through the park?”
“I thought that you would never ask”, answered his great-grandson.
Tim turned out to knew the whole park by heart because he gave Ben and Mitch a beautiful tour including a ride per steam train.
On a quiet spot the Cartwrights used the received along lunch.
“And grandpa, have we told you too much about the park?”, Mitch suddenly asked.
“No, not all. It is even more beautiful than you had told”, answered Ben.
“Are we going soon to Carnaval Festival?”, asked Tim.
“We go to that as 1st”, said Mitch.
They packed in everything and walked to the Carnaval Festival Square. Tim and Ben went in a carriage, followed by Mitch who held the rucksack with him.
“Mitch and Tim Cartwright, I think I see our cook waiting for you to cook you”, the rancher said after a world trip with dolls.
The boys knew right away what Ben meant.
“I thought that Hop Sing stayed at home”, Mitch remarked.
Hop Sing was the loyal Chinese cook of the Cartwrights.
“Come daddy, then granddaddy can rest and watch the rucksack”, said Tim.
He pulled his father along to Monsieur Cannibale so that Ben could enjoy the area for a bit.
Ben and Mitch let Tim play for a while in the playground Kindervreugd while they watched.
“Grandpa, sometimes I doubt if I am a good father for Tim”, Mitch suddenly said.
“Boy, every parent has that. Even your parents doubt sometimes about you, your brother and sisters. But that also goers for me about your father and uncles. You and Matt raise that little boy very well”, answered the rancher.
Mitch said, “Tim is an easy child. But I was that too of course back then.”
Ben coughed out loud for a second and looked at his grandson frowning.
Then Mitch asked, “Would grandma and momma also be fond of Tim?”
“I know that 100% for sure. Shall we call that little lad for supper?”, was the counter-question of the rancher.
Mitch nodded, got up and went to get his son. Tim went along at once.
Ben treated his grandson and great-grandson on a delicious meal.
Suddenly Tim asked, “Granddaddy, are we also eating here in the park on the last evening?”
“If you want that we do that. Mitch, you arrange the restaurant”, answered Ben.
Mitch nodded and gave his son a wink who understood it.
After supper Tim saw Symbolica and he asked, “Shall we go there?”
“Alright. Are you coming?”, asked his father.
Of course Mitch didn’t have to ask this twice. The Cartwrights stared their eyes out and outside the attraction everything got put down via the cell phone of Mitch. The palace of Fantasy got visited 3 times.
Ben saw that his great-grandson was getting very tired and suggested, “Shall we go home? We go to here tomorrow again.”
“That is okay”, Mitch said who was also a bit bother by jetlag.
Tim too went along but not before his father had bought a little book to be read to.
Once at home Tim took a shower and after that Diana had made hot anise milk for her grandson. There was also some apple pie left.
“Shall we discuss the planning for tomorrow?”, Mitch asked when everything had been finished.
“Okay”, said Tim.
He got the map of the park and put it on the table. Mitch and Tim studies together the map of the park.
“I suggest that we start with something to drink and a cake where after go into the Fairytale forest”, said Mitch.
“Okay. Lunch at Raveleijn and again a trip with the steam train”, said Tim.
Then Mitch said, “After that we make a long walk and see what we will run into.”
His son nodded and said, “I go to bed. The sooner we go to there.”
“Goodnight. I come and see you in a moment”, said Mitch.
Tim went upstairs and yet before his father could read to him the boy was already in Dreamland.
“Ma, would I be able to use the pc for a moment so that I can switch over the photos of my cell phone to an USB stick?”, Mitch asked polite when he was downstairs again.
“Of course. And I am honored that you call me ma”, Diana said blushing.
“You are my mother-in-law, aren’t you?”, asked Mitch.
Diana nodded and helped him with the pc because she knew from Ben that his grandson was seriously dyslexic. She noticed that her son-in-law spoke notable good Dutch.
“Do you speak Dutch with Tim at home?”, Diana asked curious.
“When we are alone with Matt yes. But if his parents and my sister are there it is more a jumble of English and Dutch. But if we are with my family we only speak English”, answered Mitch.
“Mitch, there are yet 2 pieces of apple pie left. If I now make 2 mugs if anise milk for us shall we eat those 2 pieces with it?”, Diana suggested.
“That is a very good idea”, Mitch said smiling.
Not long after the anise milk and apple pie Mitch went to sleep as well.
Tuesday April 16, 201
After a heavy breakfast the Cartwrights went again to the Efteling.
At the bus stop Ben stopped and he said, “Boys, maybe it seems nice to you to walk via the subway to the entrance. Then I look for a place to park. I wait at the entrance for you.”
“That is okay. Come Tim”, said Mitch.
They got out and walked via the subway where they heard all sorts of sounds. In an easy pace Mitch and Tim walked to the entrance which became bigger as they got closer to it. They made pictures of all banners which hung there.
“Daddy, I make my assignment for school in 2 versions. The one for school in English and the 2nd in Dutch just in case Miss Jones wants to keep the script”, Tim suddenly said.
Mitch answered, “That is a very good idea of you. Besides then you have a nice memory book too yourself for your collection.”
In the park the Cartwrights had coffee, milk with 3 panda cakes.
When Mitch had taken a photo of it he suggested to Ben and Tim, “Shall we send this one to Matt?”
Ben and Tim looked at the photo and Tim said, “Do it.”
A moment later Mitch had sent the photo of the cake to Matthew with the text: “We enjoy a panda cake of chocolate.” They knew that Matthew was fond of chocolate.
“Daddy, I think that you must sleep on the settee when coming home”, Tim said laughing.
“Don’t you worry about that. I sleep anywhere”, said Mitch.
A moment later they cleaned up their table and the Cartwrights visited the Fairytale Forest.
“Granddaddy, with each fairytale is a book. Would you like to read that to us?”, asked Tim.
“Of course I will and do that”, answered the rancher.
While they were there Ben and Mitch saw that Tim enjoyed their temporary area very much. But they did that too. As promised Ben read each story although the boys knew it all along. Of course they didn’t let that show.
After the Fairytale Forest had been visited the walk continued via Symbolica. Although the boy didn’t let it really show Ben and Mitch noticed that Tim sometimes became a bit restless when many people were together.
“Can we sit somewhere quietly?”, Tim asked when they walked pass Symbolica.
Mitch happened at that moment to see a few benches which were empty.
“We go to sit there for a moment”, answered Mitch.
He had already noticed that there was something with his son. Ben had noticed that too.
“What is the matter?”, Mitch asked calm.
Tim began to tell, “I get so restless of all those people. Then it’s like that I get into a tight corner.”
“Do you what we do? We look up the quiet places and see too what we do”, Ben suggested when he had heard everything.
Tim nodded. They decided to have lunch at the spot behind Symbolica.
“Grandpa, in that attraction you get a nice view across the whole park. Shall we do that?”, asked Mitch.
“Of course I want to see that. Tim, are you coming?”, asked the rancher.
Tim nodded and held the hand of Ben. Mitch packed up everything and went after that with them to the Pagode for the round flight.
“Nice view, granddaddy?”, Tim asked during the flight.
“Sure boy. Here after we go take a walk again”, answered Ben.
“To the people of Laaf. That is also very funny”, suggested Tim.
So said, so done.
It seems like the People of Laaf knew that they got a very important visit because it was quiet there. Mitch and Tim let Ben see everything including the beer brewery.
At the Laaf school Tim said, “Granddaddy, my parents came with the idea to start a B&B close by. And then I should be going to this school.”
Ben looked at Mitch and the latter said, “That was an idea of Matt.”
“Timothy, you may be glad that you can’t get lessons from Abigail Jones”, said the rancher.
Tim said and said, “Though I rather go to a normal school. Then I only have to go 5 days and they also must go at the weekend.”
Ben and Mitch had to agree with him. Here after the Cartwrights went to the Museum where they stayed long.
It was around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The Cartwrights sat on a bench opposite the Giant Stride.
“Daddy, are you coming in there?”, Tim asked begging.
Mitch wanted to refuse and looked at Ben for support. Though the rancher decided to help his great-grandson.
“Mitch, you were just like Tim is now. You always looked for the dangerous things. So do your grandpa a big pleasure and go into that giant stride at once”, said Ben.
“If you treat us on a cupcake later on”, Mitch said in an attempt to bribe Ben.
“That is a deal”, said Ben.
Not much later father and son Cartwright sat in de Giant Stride while Ben was looking after their rucksack. The rancher watched amused. He knew exactly how he had to work out his oldest grandson. Even now Mitch was grownup Ben used that trick sometimes on him. Even though there was something opposite it.
As promised Ben treated the boys on a cupcake.
“Shall we go to Diorama later on?”, Tim suddenly asked.
“We do that”, answered Mitch.
Of course Ben became curious and asked, “What is Diorama?”
“Something very beautiful. We won’t say no more”, answered Mitch.
The rancher looked very doubtful at his offspring and knew enough.
Before the Cartwrights went to Diorama they visited the Steam carrousel palace. First everything was being watched and photographed from the outside and then they went inside. This too got appreciated.
Mitch and Tim let Ben discover the miniature landscape on his own and showed him on different details. Here too was a lot of time spent.
Outside again Ben suggested, “What would the gentlemen say if we were going to have a delicious pasta mean at the Octopus?”
Father and son looked at each other and the oldest said, “Deal.”
“We can get the fastest to the Octopus via Sleeping Beauty, Gnomes Village, Long Neck, Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio”, said Tim.
“Lead the way, Timothy”, said the rancher.
The boy led them through a short route through the Fairytale forest but remained long at the house of Red Riding Hood.
Ben looked at Mitch and asked amazed, “Doesn’t Tim dare to go further due to the wolf?”
“Yes, but he is still in love with that girl with a red riding hood”, his grandson explained.
Ben understood it and asked out loud on purpose, “Mitch, shall we order our hot pasta meal in advance?”
“That is okay. Then Riding Red Hood can cook for her boyfriend from America”, answered Mitch.
“I am already coming”, Tim said sighing.
He knew that he would teased often enough. Especially now his granddaddy also knew about him and Red Riding Hood.
At the Octopus de Cartwrights ordered a delicious pasta meal. Tim even got his in an dish of the Pandadroom.
“What is this delicious”, Mitch said halfway the meal.
“Momma also could make this so delicious”, said Tim.
Ben and Mitch looked at each other and they thought the same thing.
“Do you miss her?”, Mitch asked carefully.
“With this sort of meals yes”, answered the boy.
He winked a few times with his eyes.
“Tim, it doesn’t matter. I still miss my momma too. Even though I have hardly known her. But they wait for us upstairs”, confessed Mitch.
Tim understood it.
After the meal some cupcakes were being bought to go back home again.
Arrived at home it didn’t take long before the 2 youngest Cartwrights slept. On request of Mitch Ben put the photos of the cell phone over on an USB stick.
Wednesday April 17, 2018
It was the 3rd day for the Cartwrights in the Netherlands. But this day would go different than Mitch and Tim had thought and expected.
“Diana, would you like to go to the park with the boys today?”, Ben asked during breakfast.
“Of course I will and do that”, Diana answered right away.
Mitch and Tim looked at each other amazed but liked it to go with someone else as well.
“Why can’t you come today with us?”, asked Mitch.
Ben answered, “Because my business partner only can do today. I expect that you bring along those fairytale cupcakes for tonight.”
“That will happen”, promised Diana.
She prepared sandwiches for the lunch and in between.
“Grandpa, are your coming too today?”, Tim asked Mark.
The boy looked so begging that Mark couldn’t say no very hard say.
His answer was then, “Tell your father and grandma that I also come along.”
Tim did that and packed then his rucksack. He did know that he and Mitch would speak the whole day Dutch all day.
The day in the Efteling began with coffee with a millefeuille mushroom.
“This cake is also delicious”, said Mitch.
Mark and Diana looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
“Are we going to the Fairytale Forest now and you read from the book which stands at each fairytale?”, asked Tim.
“We do that and go and pay the Fairytale Forest inhabitants a visit”, answered Mark.
The table got cleaned and the walk went to the Fairytale forest.
In turns Mark and Diana read from the book. They also told the Cartwrights a lot about the history of the park and the fairytales. Especially Tim found that very interesting because he was crazy about history.
It was around half past 12 when Mark suggested, “Shall we treat our young American guests on a typical Dutch dish?”
Diana understood it at once and said, “Just follow me gentlemen.”
That happened and the company stopped at ’t Poffertje. Because it was lovely weather they decided to eat outside.
“Boys, take what you want. We pay”, said Diana.
Mitch and Tim studied together with care the menu and came to a joint decision.
“Do for us just 2 portions tiny puff-pancakes with strawberry jam and white chocolate”, said Mitch.
The waiter took 4 times the wanted portion and drinks and brought it a bit later on.
It clicked so well between the de Cartwrights and the Jensons that Mitch invited his in-laws to spend Christmas and the turn of the year with them.
“Isn’t your B&B full by then?”, Diana asked on a careful tone.
“We are always closed around Christmas. Mainly because it’s my birthday on Christmas Day”, answered Mitch.
“But daddy, we are always here with the Christmas holidays, aren’t we?”, Tim asked at that moment.
Mitch looked at his son and answered, “I had forgotten that for a second.”
Diana came with a solution, “You sleep at ours and are here at the park during the day. After that we fly with you to your B&B for the turn of the year.”
The Cartwrights looked at each other and nodded approving.
“Matt will like that too”, said Mitch.
Mark asked, “How long do you and Matt know each other?”
“Our mothers were bosom friends and we got born 2 months after each other. Matt in October and I in December. He proposed to me in 2012 at Long neck and on February 14 , 2013 we got married at the ranch of my grandpa”, answered Mitch.
“And when it’s our birthday we eat pancakes”, said Tim.
“Very original. Especially when you celebrate your birthday with Christmas. Is that already since you were little?”, asked Diana.
“My mother said to our cook that I wanted to eat that on my day of birth. Since then it’s that tradition”, Mitch explained.
“Grandma, would you like to make tiny puff-pancakes too at our house for New Year’s Eve?”, Tim asked then.
Diana answered, “Of course I do that but with your support.”
Tim nodded.
“Then will be a whole lot of tiny puff-pancakes to be baked then. Especially for uncle Hoss”, Mitch said laughing.
He showed a photo of their beloved uncle whereby Mark and Diana understood it.
After lunch Tim said, “I do want to go to Droomvlucht. But I am afraid in the dark.”
“Boy, your father and grandparents are with you”, said Mark.
“Then I dare to do it”, Tim answered magnanimous.
Mitch told, “The 1st time that we were here with Tim, in July 2016, we didn’t go in it as well. I couldn’t due to my broken ankle and Tim didn’t dare. Besides the waiting time was too long. But we have watched the whole ride on film at home.”
They got up and walked to Droomvlucht. The waiting time was not long and so this attraction got visited too.
Outside again Tim said, “It was beautiful but too dark for me.”
“I still must arrange a restaurant for tomorrow evening”, said Mitch.
“Just do The Het Weapon Of Raveleijn and let your grandpa be partner at dinner”, Mark suggested.
His son-in-law nodded smiling and arranged the restaurant.
After Mitch had arranged the restaurant for the last evening Tim asked, “Will granddaddy not be angry with us when he discovers that he must be partner at dinner?”
“I don’t think so. You have to go very far when granddaddy gets angry with you. We say nothing about this chat”, answered his father.
Tim understood only far too well.
The company visited a moment later Villa Volta and on special request of Tim Raveleijn.
After that the walk through the park got continued.
Tim told, “At home I sleep in a real Efteling room which I got for my 6th birthday. I find especially Raveleijn beautiful.”
“And that new attraction? I mean Symbolica”, said Mark.
“That is also very nice. But I don’t have anything of that at home yet”, answered his grandson.
Diana said, “Then we are change that at the end of the day. If your father agrees with it.”
Mitch said, “I don’t mind. We are not so often here.”
Arrived at Carnaval Festival Mitch said to his parents-in-law, “You can rest here while we go inside.”
“That is alright. Have fun”, said Diana.
Mitch and Tim went inside and came out a while later again.
“Grandpa and grandma, this is for you from us”, said Tim.
He gave a little cover in which an action photo of father and son Cartwright was put in.
“As a memory of our stay”, Mitch explained.
“Thank you very much boys”, Mark said on behalf of his wife.
“You’re welcome”, Mitch said smiling.
At Station De Oost Tim got a Symbolica kidsmenu. The grownups had a normal menu.
“This box and torch are coming home”, said Tim said directly.
“Tim, it’s your birthday on July 12, isn’t it?”, asked Mark.
The boy nodded and looked at him questionable.
“We wanted to come for a week then. If it suits you anyway”, answered Diana.
“What concerns us yes. But my sister, who also works at the B&B, must have her baby around that time. Plus there is someone who wants to have our B&B and land. But aside from that you are very welcome. I will send an app to Matt to reserve a room”, said Mitch.
He did that right away and said a bit later on, “It is arranged. The uncle of Matt, Sean, always flies us up and down. I know for sure that he will do that for you too.”
“Thanks Mitch. We understand now why Claire fell for you”, Diana said smiling.
Mitch was speechless for a moment but also flattered.
After supper the company made a train ride where after they walked to the entrance.
Mark said, “Mitch, will you get 5 cupcakes with Tim? Then we take care of some souvenirs. We see each other in an hour’s time at the car.”
“That is okay. Come Tim”, said Mitch.
He grabbed his hand and they went to the Octopus to buy 5 cupcakes.
When that had happened Mitch suggested, “Shall we go and see if your girlfriend is at home?”
Tim thought for a second and said then. “She is already waiting for me.”
Quickly they walked into the Fairytale Forest and via Pinocchio the Cartwrights came at the house of Little Red Riding Hood. Though Tim remained standing there for a long time until Mitch became fed up with it.
“Are you coming Romeo? Soon the wolf eats you as well”, Mitch said teasing with a very broad American accent.
Tim went along to the entrance and they walked to the car of their host.
What Mitch and Tim didn’t know was that Ben had bought a nice present for Tim at the park.
When father and son came home Ben said, “Timothy, go and have a look in your room.”
The boy ran upstairs and found on the bed a quilt cover of Raveleijn.
Tim ran downstairs and asked, “Granddaddy, is that souvenir of Raveleijn really for me?”
“Yes Timothy. It is really for you”, Ben said laughing.
The rancher got thanked for the present with a big hug from his great-grandson.
“I have bought something else for you but you get that on your birthday”, said Ben.
Tim took a shower and got after that anise milk with a cupcake.
“Good night everyone”, Tim said when he had finished everything.
“You too. Sleep well”, said Mark.
Just like previous evenings the young Cartwright slept right away.
Because it was still lovely weather the grownups sat outside. Ben had told Mark and Diana about the problems around the B&B.
“I have arranged this vacation to spend some more time with Mitch and Tim. But also to give Mitch some peace and quiet. He already has spent a while in an institution and we would like to prevent that”, said the rancher.
Mitch looked away while Ben said that.
“Mitch, this stays between us. We consider you as our son-in-law. Even though you are married now to someone else and Claire had died”, said Mark.
“Tim confessed yesterday that he still misses her”, said Mitch.
“We miss her too. But she also wanted to that just went on with our lives”, said Diana.
“I go to bed because tomorrow will be another long day. Good night”, said Mitch.
“You too”, said Diana.
Mark put the photo’s over so that the cell phone of his son-in-law was empty again. But after that the quietness had returned again in the house.
Thursday April 18, 2018
The last day Mitch and Tim spent with Ben at the park. Besides the weather was well.
Like each day today also got started with coffee with cake. Mitch took care of the coffee, chocolate milk + cake. To his big surprise there were also millefeuilles mushroom. He decided to take them as a treat.
“Grandpa, now you will taste something really delicious”, said Mitch said with laughing eyes when eh came with the treat.
Because Ben knew his grandson through and through he didn’t trust it at first. But once the rancher had tasted he had to agree with Mitch.
“What are we going to do today?”, Tim asked after a while.
“We go in the direction of the roller coasters and the East. In other words: Fata Morgana”, answered Ben.
“Alright”, said Mitch.
Because Tim was afraid in the dark Mark had put a flashlight in his rucksack. Before the Cartwrights went into the Haunted House Mitch got the flashlight.
“Tim, switch this on and lead us inside”, he said.
Tim switched on the torch and went ahead of the grownups.
“Grandpa, it is deadly scary in the main show”, said Mitch.
Ben answered, “Boy, I am used to a lot of things. Mainly with and by your uncles.”
Mitch couldn’t deny that. Via the torch the Cartwrights saw several things underway to the main show. Ben and Mitch remained close by Tim who was not really feeling ease.
“Mitch, go outside with him. I will see you at the exit”, said the rancher.
“Alright. Come Tim”, said Mitch.
They walked out of the Haunted House and went through the tunnel to the exit.
“Shall we get an ice-cream over there?”, Tim suggested.
He pointed at the catering shop The White Whale.
“Aren’t you there yet?”, asked Mitch.
They walked to the desk and a moment later father and son were enjoying great ice cream. Tim had a mug of Raveleijn and Mitch of Dream Flight.
“The cups are going home”, said the youngest Cartwright.
Mitch didn’t mind. They ate their ice cream and the cups got put into the rucksack. Here after they went with Ben further into the park. But not before they had shown Ben Big Mouth as a sailor.
“Grandpa, doesn’t look this figure familiar to you?”, Mitch asked smiling.
“He looks a bit like your uncle Hoss”, Ben said amused.
“He is here about 11 times at the park”, said Tim.
Via the Haunted House the Cartwrights walked to Fata Morgana. In the attraction they got a boat trip through 1001 nights. Of course this was well received.
After they had the Fata Morgana the Cartwrights went to the Piraña square.
Arrived at the Piraña Mitch asked, “Tim, are you coming in?”
“Of course I come along”, answered the boy.
“You go ahead. I will wait for you. Mitch, give me your wallet and cell phone”, said Ben.
Mitch gave his wallet and cell phone to the rancher and went with his son into the sailing boats.
“Daddy, I thought that granddaddy was here for business?”, asked Tim.
“I think that we are his business. He sees us far too less as he wants to so that’s why he has arranged this vacation”, answered Mitch.
“Then he may do something like this often”, reacted Tim.
Mitch thought that too of course.
After their boat trip father and son had become very wet to big hilarity of Ben of course.
“Had a lovely shower gentlemen?”, the rancher asked laughing.
“Lovely grandpa. But that doesn’t give you the right yet to laugh at us”, answered Mitch.
“For punishment granddaddy may pay the supper”, reacted Tim.
“I promise that”, said Ben.
To make it up the rancher fetched something to drink for the 3 of them.
After the boys had dried up they took Ben in tow to the roller-coasters. Of course it went in a quiet pace.
“Daddy, I don’t want to go away from here anymore”, Tim suddenly said.
“Me neither”, said Mitch.
“Can’t we persuade dad to come and live here as well?”, asked the youngest Cartwright.
Tim meant with dad Matthew Cartwright, the husband of Mitch.
“Matt comes straight here but I am very afraid that the others will come here too then”, said Mitch.
Tim realized that too.
“You have to go to the Laven School then too”, Mitch said teasing.
“Really not”, his son reacted.
Ben heard the discussion and said semi-stern, “Mitch, my great-grandson goes to a normal school!”
“Yes grandpa”, Mitch answered a bit shy.
Ben and Tim looked at each other laughing and satisfied.
At Baron 1898 Mitch told Ben everything about the ride. They kept watching how people fell 37,5 meter downstairs.
He ended the story with, “You must not have eaten 3 times a breakfast a la uncle Hoss and then go to sit at the front. Then it goes not well with you with guarantee.”
They walked on The Flying Dutchman. From there they also had a nice and great view at the wooden roller coaster George and the Dragon.
Mitch looked at the app on his cell phone and asked, “Shall we make a ride with the train?”
“That is an excellent idea”, said Ben.
They walked to Station De Oost to take the steam train.
“Where are we having lunch?”, Tim asked underway.
“You will notice that soon”, answered Mitch.
Ben saw from the face of his grandson that it would be something special. But he didn’t ask any further.
After the train trip the Cartwrights got out.
“Grandpa, we pay for the lunch”, said Mitch.
“I love to hear that often”, answered the rancher.
They walked to ’t Poffertje where Mitch said, “We are having lunch here.”
Tim thought it was an excellent idea and when Ben heard what tiny puff-pancakes were he was also around. The boys ordered the same portion as first and Ben took that portion.
After Mitch had paid he asked, “Lisa asked me if I wanted to make a nice drawing of the Fairytale Tree for the birth announcement cards. So grandpa, would you like to keep Tim occupied for this afternoon?”
“Of course I do that. It’s now a quarter past 1. If we pick you up at a quarter to 5 at the Fairytale Tree, do you have enough time?”, asked Ben.
Mitch nodded. He grabbed the rucksack and went to the Fairytale Tree.
“Timothy, shall we look up the Laven once again?”, asked the rancher.
“They asked me already if we came along once more”, answered Tim.
“Then we go straight away”, answered Ben.
They went to the Laven where the rancher read as 1st the book. Each Laaf got visited and looked at extendedly by the Cartwrights and of course photographed.
Behind the Lachhuys Tim discovered a quiet place and so he asked then, “Granddaddy, can we get by there from all those people of Laaf?”
He pointed at the quiet place and Ben took him straight to it.
Meanwhile Mitch had found the Fairytale Tree and in a corner he could draw the tree in all peace and quiet. Nobody could disturb him because he had put on his MP3. Mitch always did that when he had to concentrate.
During a break someone saw the drawing and he said, “That is very nice done.”
“Thanks”, Mitch said with an accent whereby the man heard that he had to deal with someone from America.
“Have you made more drawings in this park?”, the man asked now in English.
“Yes, we come for here for several years. Would you like to see them?”, Mitch asked on his turn.
“I love to”, the man said and introduced himself as David Keller.
“Mitch Cartwright”, said the young Cartwright.
David looked at all the drawings and said, “When that sketch book is full send me than an e-mail. Maybe it seems nice to you to publish these drawings in a book. I run a private printing office in Las Vegas.”
“I would like that indeed. I run with my husband and sister a B&B near Virginia City”, answered Mitch.
They exchanged information and Mitch finished the drawing. After that he made a photo of it and sent to Lisa for approving. He got that right away.
At a quarter to 5 Ben and Tim picked up the lost Cartwright again.
“The drawing has worked out well and Lisa has approved it. I also met a man who wants to publish our drawings in a book”, told Mitch.
“We have made a state visit at the Laven”, answered Tim.
Then he looked at the grownups questionable.
“What is the matter?”, Mitch asked worried.
“Lisa wanted that I brought 2 books to read in English. Can we buy these yet?”, asked the boy.
“Of course. And after that we go to Raveleijn”, said Mitch.
So said, so done.
Like before the Cartwrights enjoyed the Raveleijn show where after they went to the restaurant The Weapon Of Raveleijn.
“We are going to eat here”, said Mitch.
At the cask desk Ben paid where after they got brought to their table. To his amazing and to great joy of Mitch and Tim Ben got bombed to partner of dinner.
“Will granddaddy get revenge on us?”, Tim asked when Ben was away for a moment.
“Maybe yes but I think that he like sit as well. As long as we don’t tell the others”, answered his father.
They laughed but when their partner at table returned the gentlemen were serious. Despite that the Cartwrights enjoyed a very delicious meal. Tim took again the tea towel home again. But there were also some cupcakes being bought for underway.
At the exit Ben said, “Boys, look around very well because it will be until December before you are here back again.”
“Yes, but then it is also very beautiful here”, answered Tim.
“I surely will believe that”, said the rancher.
Back home Mark and Diana had already packed the luggage and loaded into the cars.
“Ben, I drive with you to Rotterdam and Diana takes the boys along. There we put you on the plane home. Sean Walker has called me this afternoon and he takes and brings us too in December and January”, said Mark.
The parting was heavy for everyone but Mark said, “Mitch, when you come here again you sleep at our place. And we see you in July.”
“Deal”, said his son-in-law.
During the night flight the cupcakes got eaten and the Cartwrights fell fast asleep to wake up in Las Vegas again.