DUTCH VACATION
Because their son Tim had done more than his best during the last school year his parents Mitch and Matthew took him on vacation to the Summer Efteling. The couple had prepared the boy well on the trip and everything he would be seeing there.
Monday July 11, 2016.
The threesome flew with their uncle Sean to Rotterdam from where they travelled on to the park.
“Do we sleep at the hotel?”, Tim asked on the way.
“Yes, we have a room for the 3 of us. It’s your vacation so you may say per day what we do”, said Matthew.
“Those roller coasters are not for me”, said Mitch.
“You are not allowed to go in it anyway with your broken ankle”, said Matthew.
“You don’t dare to go into it either”, reacted Mitch, who had broken his left ankle 2 weeks before and walked on crutches.
They laughed.
“I want to see them but I don’t dare to go in them as well”, said Tim.
“Then we do that”, promised Mitch.
Sean stopped the car in front of the hotel and said, “I pick you up here on Friday. Have fun and Tim, congratulations with your birthday in advance.”
“Thanks”, said Tim.
“Till Friday uncle Sean”, said Matthew.
They grabbed their luggage and walked to the hotel to collect the entrance tickets. Tim stared his eyes out in the receiving hall. Mitch sat on the sofa while his husband and Tim were at the reception desk for the tickets.
A bit later on they were inside the park. Tim had promised his fathers to stay by them which he nicely did.
“Matt, are we going into the Carnaval Festival?”, asked Tim.
He looked at Matthew so begging that it couldn’t be refused. Matthew always got called Matt by his family.
“Just go. I wait here outside with the luggage”, said Mitch.
He sat already on a bench so that the others could go in with relief. Matthew and Tim had to wait for a moment but then they got a doll worlds trip.
“What was that fun”, Tim said when he and Matthew stood outside again.
“A whole lot of fun things are waiting for you this week”, answered Matthew.
They walked back to Mitch who already had sent an e-mail home in which was said that they had arrived well.
“Tim, wasn’t it fun?”, Mitch asked teasing.
“Awfully fun. May I go into those cooking pots too with Matt?”, was the counter-question of the boy.
“Aren’t you sitting into the cooking pots yet?”, Mitch asked teasing.
They ran to the attraction Monsieur Cannibale to be boiled in a big cooking pot. Tim screamed it out of fun.
“Tomorrow we go again”, Matthew said after the cooking party.
“That is fine”, answered his son.
Back with Mitch this one asked, “Were you too hard to be boiled?”
“They don’t boil American boys like us”, answered Matthew.
They got up and strolled through the park until the threesome could go into their room.
At the hotel the Cartwrights had the Doornroosje suite op the 7th floor.
“We don’t have to sleep 100 years, do we?”, Tim asked when he knew the English name of Doornroosje.
“Oh no, silly. We only sleep here at night. First we will unpack”, said Matthew.
“After that we go to the park again”, said Mitch.
So said, so done.
Back in the park the family went as 1st to the Pagode. When they sat in it the sun shone very clear in Tim.
“Look, mama and David shine on me”, said the boy.
Tim meant with mama and David his mother Claire and stepfather David Baxton who crashed a year earlier.
“When we were here my mother took care of a big white blanket of snow. She is also up there”, told Mitch.
Tim understood that. He looked around across the whole park and enjoyed it, what his fathers noticed. Hereby they enjoyed it too.
After the flight in the Pagode the Cartwrights went to the boats of the Gondeletta.
“Tim, shall we make a round boat trip together?”, asked Matthew.
“Just go. Then I can draw some more”, said Mitch.
“Come Matt”, said Tim.
They left Mitch behind on a bench and went to make a short boat trip.
During the ride Matthew asked, “What do you want to have for your 6th birthday?”
“This is already a beautiful present. But if you insist: earlier I saw a boy walking with a rucksack with a knight of Raveleijn. Just give me that then”, answered Tim.
Matthew knew right away what his son meant and said, “Then you get that. But you don’t know anything about it.”
“Of what?”, asked Tim.
Matthew nodded smiling.
When the family was complete again they made a walk through the park. Arrived at Fata Morgana Tim very impressed by the building.
“Daddy, are you coming inside?”, asked Tim.
“Sweetheart, I would like to but I don’t get into those boats with my broken ankle. You go with Matt”, answered Mitch.
He went to sit on a bench while Matthew and Tim made a boat trip in the Fata Morgana. A moment later Mitch was drawing the building.
After the boat trip through the Fata Morgana Matthew suggested to his husband and son, “Shall we go and eat somewhere?”
“Good idea”, said Mitch.
“I saw a restaurant that is called The Steenbok. Let’s go there”, said Tim.
Mitch packed in his rucksack and said, “We do that.”
Tim ran ahead to get a table so that his fathers could talk for a moment.
“During our boat trip in the Gondeletta Tim said that he wants to have a rucksack of Raveleijn”, said Matthew.
“Then we fill that rucksack with souvenirs of Raveleijn. You know how much and eagerly he listens to that music and translation”, said Mitch.
Matthew only knew that far too well. In their Bed & Breakfast the music of Raveleijn sounded each day out of a room of a permanent inhabitant.
Tim kept a table occupied opposite the Tirol Big Mouth. He had put the rucksack of his father on the table and sat down. The boy got the sketch book and went to put Big Mouth on pape.
When Mitch and Matthew came to him and they saw the drawing Matthew said, “Now I know for sure that Tim is your son.”
The men looked from the statue to the drawing and back. They had to admit that the resemblance was equal.
Mitch sat down and Matthew asked, “Tim, shall we go and get some food?”
“Alright”, said the youngest.
A moment later Matthew and Tim were inside to get 3 meals.
“How do you like it so far here?”, Mitch asked when Tim was back with 3 bottles of lemonade.
“Great. It is in real much nicer than on photo’s and film. Are you going to show me where Matt proposed to you?”, was the counter-question of Tim.
“That happens tomorrow”, promised his father.
Mitch put his arm around Tim, kissed him and said, “I love you so very much.”
“I love you too, daddy. And Matt too”, said Tim.
Then Matthew came with the supper.
“Enjoy your meal gentlemen”, Mitch said smiling.
That happened too.
After supper the Cartwrights studied the map.
“Are we going to that water show in a minute?”, asked Tim.
“Good idea of you, Tim”, said Mitch.
They cleaned up everything and walked to the water show Aquanura. The threesome had luck because they could sit and the water show began 5 minutes later. Mitch had Tim tight and the boy stared his eyes out.
When Aquanura was over the Cartwrights walked to the entrance of the park.
“Mitch, do you arrange something for this young man? We wait here for you”, said Matthew.
“That is okay. I phone you when I’m finished”, said Mitch.
He hobbled to the souvenir shop Efteldingen while Matthew and Tim waited on a bench.
In the shop Mitch asked a sales lady if she wanted to help him. She saw that he was using crutches and agreed.
“How can I help you?”, she asked.
“My son becomes 6 tomorrow and now my husband and I want to give him a rucksack of Raveleijn with souvenirs of it. I mean that the souvenirs come into the rucksack”, said Mitch.
The sales lady understood it and helped the young Cartwright.
“The jigsaw can’t be in the rucksack but we do the jigsaw and rucksack in a shopper. That is easier to take along”, she said.
She wrapped up everything and Mitch paid.
“I hope that your son has a nice birthday tomorrow. Congratulations”, said the sales lady while she brought the filled shopper to the exit in the direction of the Dwarrelplein.
“Thanks and also for the help”, said Mitch.
The sales lady put the shopper down and went back inside again. Mitch called Matthew. He and Tim came at once.
“Done?”, asked Matthew.
“Completely”, answered Mitch.
“Daddy, Matt told me that they have here delicious cupcakes. Are we going to taste one?”, asked Tim.
“Just come on”, answered Mitch.
Walking across the Pardoes Promenade the Cartwrights enjoyed everything they saw and heard. Matthew photographed everything via the iPad.
Near the Gebrande Boon (Branded Bean) Tim got some money and Mitch said, “Go and get 3 cupcakes.”
Tim walked to it while is parents went to sit opposite it. A moment later the boy came back with 3 cupcakes. The cupcakes got eaten on the spot.
“Tim, shall we go to the hotel slowly?”, asked Matthew.
The boy nodded. They got up and strolled through the park. Mitch and Matthew ignored the Fairytale Forest on purpose because they would go thee the next day.
At the Old Marskramer (The Old Peddler) the Cartwrights saw a T-shirt with baseball cap of Raveleijn.
“Tim, go and pay for it. Then you can wear it tomorrow”, said Mitch.
He and Tim grabbed a T-shirt and cap and went inside to pay. Matthew waited outside. A moment later the threesome were together and the trip to the hotel got continued.
Arrived at Carnaval Festival Matthew asked teasing, “Tim, you don’t want to go in here, do you?”
He and Mitch had noticed that the boy was getting tired.
Suddenly Tim had lost his tiredness and answered, “I do but you are already older and so also more tired.”
Mitch went to sit on a bench with the bags while Matthew and Tim made another world trip.
By 20.00 o’clock the Cartwrights were back into their hotel room.
Mitch suggested, “Tim, Matt bathes you and after that you go and sleep well. Then the sooner it’s your birthday then.”
“Alright. Do you tell a story then?”, asked Tim.
“Promised”, answered his father.
About half an hour later Tim laid in bed and Mitch began to tell his story,
One day gnomes ran into Long neck in a special forest.
“Have you heard it already about that special birthday?”, asked a gnome.
“That of a little boy? Yes sure. We must arrange something for him with everyone”, answered Long Neck.
He stamped 3 times and then the fakir appeared.
“With all disasters you only have to stamp 3 times”, said the fakir.
Long neck explained the problem.
“Make sure for a nice birthday party. Then he is glad that he has been here”, answered the fakir.
Quite soon all forest inhabitants had been warned and the party got organized. Tired but well done everyone went to sleep.
Mitch didn’t have to finish his story any further because due to the long day Tim had fallen asleep very quickly.
Mitch and Matthew made the last preparations at the surprise of their son and went to sleep shortly after that too.
Tuesday July 12, 2016
The Cartwrights woke up early like they were used to. Mitch first took the bath room in occupation and after that Matthew and Tim.
When everyone was washed and dressed Mitch and Matthew sang for their celebrating son.
“Thanks daddy and Matt”, said Tim.
He got tears into his eyes and began to cry then. Mitch pulled him near him and let him cry out.
“I miss mama and David so”, the boy said still a bit sobbing.
“I understand you completely. But they celebrate it upstairs”, Mitch said comforting.
Matthew opened the curtains, saw that it was already sunny and said, “Tim, your mother and stepfather have been busy all night to paint the air Smurf blue.”
Tim wiped his eyes dry and looked outside too.
Then Mitch asked, “Matt, is that shopper for you?”
“No, for you then?”, was the counter-question of van Matthew.
“Neither. Then it must be for this little boy for sure”, answered Mitch.
Tim looked up and asked surprised, “For me?”
“Sure do. Tim, you get this from the 2 of us. Congratulations with your birthday”, said Mitch.
“Happy birthday Tim”, said Matthew.
Tim grabbed the shopper, saw the rucksack and said, “Thanks gentlemen.”
Then he felt that the rucksack was heavier than usual. He looked into it and got the souvenirs out 1 by 1.
“For your collection at home”, said Mitch.
The jigsaw puzzle felt also good with the birthday boy.
The breakfast was downstairs in the breakfast hall. The Cartwrights got brought to a table. Mitch remained seated while the others went to get the food and drinks. Of course there were some cupcakes included.
“What are we going to do today?”, asked Mitch.
“I want to see that Raveleijn show. And also where Matt proposed to you”, answered Tim.
Matthew said, “And as it always happens with our birthdays we eat pancakes tonight.”
“And soon cakes because it’s my birthday”, said Tim.
His fathers thought that it was a great idea.
Back in their room Tim looked again what he had gotten. Matthew grabbed what they needed that day and Mitch checked some mail.
“Tim, there is mail for you”, Mitch suddenly said.
The boy came and saw that there had come e-mails from their family.
“Just read them to me tonight”, said Tim.
“Shall we leave on a slow move? Your father doesn’t walk very fast”, said Matthew.
Mitch switched off the iPad and put it into the rucksack. Tim out his presents into the shopper.
Not much later the Cartwrights were in the park again. As 1st they went to restaurant Panorama. Because it was a lovely weather the Cartwrights took a seat on the terrace.
“Is it self-service?”, asked Matthew.
“No, I already see a waitress coming”, answered Mitch.
A waitress came and she took the order. Tim walked along to choose the cakes. Meanwhile his parents discussed the day program.
Mitch said, “First you go to Carnaval Festival and the cooking pots.”
“Then we go to the Fairytale Forest, the Ghost Castle and the Piranha. You can rest there while Tim and I are having a boat ride”, said Matthew.
“To come out of it soaking wet”, Mitch said laughing.
Matthew said, “After that we go via the roller coasters with the steam train. Then to Raveleijn and diner at Pollle’s Kitchen. What we will do after that depends on the time and how tired our son is.”
“And we too of course. That little lad has such an unbridled energy”, said Mitch.
“You used to have that too”, said Matthew.
“Still sometimes”, reacted Mitch.
Then Tim and the waitress came with the coffee, milk and cakes.
“Enjoy gentlemen”, said the waitress where after she left.
The Cartwrights enjoyed the delicious treat. They had a view at the Adventure Labyrinth (Avonturen Doolhof).
“Daddy, may I go in there later on?”, asked Tim.
“That is alright. We wait here for you”, answered his father.
A moment later Tim was already inside the Adventure Labyrinth.
Matthew went to pay when Tim returned again 10 minutes later was.
“Didn’t you like it?”, asked Mitch.
“Yes, but I had walked quite fast through the labyrinth”, answered Tim.
When Matthew was there they went on.
“Tim, we have made a day planning. So we hope you like it”, said Mitch.
“I let myself surprise by you today”, said Tim.
They walked to the Carnaval Festival and Mitch stayed behind with the rucksack on a bench. Because his husband and son also went in to the cooking pots of Monsieur Cannibale Mitch had enough time to draw Vogel Rok. He was so busy with that that he didn’t even notice that Matthew and Tim were watching him. Matthew got his GSM and took a picture of Mitch. After that they went to the cooking pots.
“Tim, you don’t tell your father anything about the picture which I just took of him, do you”, said Matthew.
“Which photo?”, asked Tim.
“Exactly”, answered Matthew.
They went again into the cooking pots where after they looked up Mitch.
The Cartwrights walked to the Fairytale Forest. But they had to wait for the train. Mitch and Matthew looked at each other and they thought the same thing.
“Tim, we are going to make a train ride in a moment”, said Mitch.
“Fine. Matt, your father would like this too”, said the boy.
The father of Matthew was Dan Walker who was crazy about old trains. They walked to the station of the steam train. While they waited Tim discovered the gate of Raveleijn.
“Daddy, there is Raveleijn. Are we going there too?”, asked the boy.
“Later today son”, answered Mitch.
Then he saw Villa Volta.
“Ask Matt if he dares to go into that villa with you”, Mitch said to his son.
Tim did that and the answer of Matthew was, “I dare to do that. But when we go inside you hold my hand for sure.”
There was no explanation needed for the celebrating Cartwright
Tim nodded and said, “And if you find it too scary you hold my hand.”
The ride with the steam train was also great for the Cartwrights. Tim saw how high the roller coasters were and was glad that he didn’t dare to go into it.
“Shall we check out those roller coasters tomorrow?”, he suggested a bit later on.
“That is a good idea and we do that”, answered Mitch.
After the train ride Mitch, Matthew and Tim walked straight to Villa Volta. Just like before Mitch got left behind on a bench with their rucksack. Matthew noticed that his son felt a bit guilty.
“What is the matter?”, he asked then at once.
“Now daddy misses all the attractions inside due to his broken ankle”, said Tim.
“He shows you this afternoon the whole Fairytale Forest. That is also very nice”, said Matthew.
“I can’t wait”, said Tim.
He was a bit afraid though because he held the hand of Matthew very tight.
Again outside of Villa Volta said Tim, “This house is fun but I rather sleep in my own bed.”
“Me too. Just ask your father if he goes along for lunch at Raveleijn”, answered Matthew.
Tim ran ahead to ask the very important question. Matthew took some more pictures of Villa Volta with his GSM.
“Daddy, Matt asks if you come along having lunch at Raveleijn”, said the celebrating Cartwright.
Mitch looked at his son smiling and said, “Of course I go along. You carry the rucksack.”
Mitch got up and Tim grabbed the rucksack. Together they walked to Matthew who was waiting at the gate in front of Villa Volta.
In the Weapon Of Raveleijn (Het Wapen van Raveleijn) the Cartwrights had a table at the front so that they could see the show from another side. This too felt good with especially Tim.
After lunch the family went to the Fairytale forest. But yet before they were there, there came a new surprise for Tim. Mitch also didn’t know anything about this. Suddenly Matthew saw Little Red Riding Hood walking. He got an idea and walked up to her. First he asked in his best Dutch if she spoke English. And she did that.
“Do you see that little boy with that man with crutches?”, he asked now in English.
She nodded.
“That little boy is having his birthday today. Would you like go with him on a photo and congratulate him?”, asked Matthew.
“Of course I do that”, answered Little Red Riding Hood.
“He is called Tim Cartwright and becomes 6 years old”, said Matthew.
They walked to Mitch and Tim.
“Tim Cartwright, I have heard that it’s your birthday today and becomes 6 years old. May I have my picture taken with you?”, asked Little Red Riding Hood.
Because Tim also had the Cartwright charms he used those of course now he had the attention of Little Red Riding Hood. They posed together and Matthew took the picture.
“Yet another fine birthday and we will see each other probably again”, said Little Red Riding Hood.
She kissed him whereby Tim became a bit shy. The boy knew that he would be teased a lot by his fathers. That happened not much later.
They were studying the map when Mitch suddenly said, “Matt, we might be the only 2 fathers who have Little Red Riding Hood as a daughter-in-law.”
“That is so. Maybe Tim goes to live here after his wedding day with Little Red Riding Hood”, answered Matthew.
“Well, you are just jealous of me”, reacted Tim.
His fathers laughed.
Mitch pulled Tim near him and said, “It doesn’t matter to us with whom you get married to. As long as you are happy, then we are it too. ”
Tim nodded and asked, “Are we going ahead?”
“We go ahead. Tim, you go upstairs with to look for Cinderella. I wait with the gnomes for you”, said Mitch.
He put the map in the rucksack and gave it to Matthew. The trip got continued. Mitch hobbled around the castle of Cinderella and ended up that way in the gnome village. He found a place to sit and to wait for the others. Meanwhile Matthew and Tim visited all sleeping inhabitants of the castle.
“What a sleepy heads”, Tim said while they walked downstairs again.
“Say that again”, answered his father.
“Where are we going to now?”, asked the boy.
“You know that uncle Hoss always claims that the gnomes do this work?”, asked Matthew.
Tim nodded.
“That is not so because they live here in their own village. Your father waits there for us”, told Matthew.
“And we are going to deliver the proof for it”, suggested the boy.
Matthew nodded.
The gnome village got photographed up to the smallest detail. To have more proof against the claiming of their uncle Matthew filmed the gnome village. Tim also liked the gnome village.
“Now uncle Hoss has to admit that he is in the wrong what the gnomes are concerned”, Mitch said when the gnomes report was made.
Matthew answered, “He won’t do that anyway. As big as he is.”
“When the gnomes see uncle Hoss they run away hard and scary”, Tim reacted dry.
They laughed and continued their journey through the fairytale forest. A moment later the Cartwrights came at the 6 Servants and Long Neck. Tim looked with admiration at Long Neck who first got a long neck and then a small neck.
Mitch said, “Tim, Matt proposed to me here.”
Tim looked at Matthew and that one nodded confirming.
“At home we show you the movie”, promised Mitch.
Tim thought it was okay.
Just before they walked ahead Tim said, “That is uncle Hoss in his wagon.”
He pointed at Big Mouth.
“Exactly our uncle”, Mitch said confirming.
They walked ahead through the Fairytale Forest with a rest break now and then.
The afternoon flew by and by half 5 the Cartwrights went to Polles Keuken (Polle’s Kitchen) to have their supper. They got brought to their table and a waitress took their order.
“I want a pineapple pancake and cola”, said Tim.
“Do for me a pancake with cheese + a cola”, said Mitch.
Matthew said, “I take a banana pancake with a cola.”
The waitress went away and returned a moment later with the drinks.
“Timothy Cartwright, on you and many years to come”, said Mitch.
“Cheers son”, Matthew said where after they toasted to their son.
Tim became clearly shy. He liked it very much though.
“Have you arranged this for me?”, he asked after a while.
“Yes, because it’s your birthday and we love you so enormously very much”, answered Mitch.
A bit later on the pancakes were being brought so that the Cartwrights could eat. The birthday diner got closed with a festive ice cream dessert.
As an ending the Cartwrights visited again the water show Aquanura.
After that Mitch suggested, “Shall we go slowly back to the hotel and underway get something delicious for at the room?”
Of course Matthew and Tim agreed with this. They bought some donuts and a bottle of soda on the way to the hotel.
“Matt, shall we make another world trip in the Carnaval Festival?”, Tim asked when they stood close by the entrance for the hotel guests.
“Matt, you better can go along or otherwise you have a big problem”, Mitch said to support his son.
Tim looked at Matthew so begging that they went inside a moment later. Mitch rested with their rucksack on a bench.
In their hotel room the donuts and lemonade were being used to end the birthday of Tim festively.
At 20:30 Matthew said, “Tim, bath time and after that bed time.”
“Must that now really?”, asked the birthday boy.
“Yes, that must really. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow again”, answered Mitch.
Tim took a bath under supervision of Matthew while Mitch checked some more business mail.
An hour later everyone slept like a Cinderella in the Doornroosje suite.
Wednesday July 13, 2016.
After a good breakfast in the hotel the Cartwrights went back to the park. Instead of going to the attractions in the Reizenrijk they decided to go to the roller coasters via a quiet foot path. So they happened to come at the Kinderspoor.
Tim asked, “May I go in?”
“You may but we don’t. you may be maximal 12 years old and we have been that all along. We wait for you”, answered Matthew.
Not a minute later Tim was at the Child’s Track (Kinderspoor). Like each time Matthew photographed everything they saw.
Suddenly Matthew said, “Yesterday Tim said that he feels a bit guilty because you have to miss all the in attractions due to your broken ankle.”
“We already said that you do the inside attractions and I do the outside attractions. I will say it to himself too”, reacted Mitch.
They didn’t have much time to talk about it because their son stood again before them.
“Tim, Matt said that you feel a bit guilty because I must miss now all the in attractions. That’s not needed. It has happened to me and you really don’t have to feel guilty about that. Are you coming to our next stop?”, asked Mitch.
Tim nodded. They went ahead through the park.
Arrived at Baron 1898 father and son en zoon Cartwright went to sit on a bench while Matthew photographed everything.
Tim saw the head building and remarked, “Grandpa could have designed that building too.”
With grandpa Tim meant his grandpa Adam Cartwright who used to study architecture.
“He will like it anyway”, answered Mitch.
He told in brief the story behind the roller coaster.
“Daddy, shall we go and read the book together?”, Tim then suggested.
“That is a very good idea”, said Mitch.
Then Matthew came to them and he said laughing and excited, “They sit with 6 persons in 3 rows after each other and at the highest point they remain hanging for 3 seconds. Then they crush 37,5 meters straight down. Very funny when you just have eaten had 3 meals a la uncle Hoss.”
“Say no more because I know enough”, Mitch reacted laughing.
“I want to see that”, said Tim.
They got up walked pass the attraction. Close by the spot where the people in Baron 1898 crushed down Tim saw the Milk House (het Melkhuysje).
“Daddy, they sell milkshakes over there. Shall we get one?”, asked the boy.
“We do. I’m going to sit over there and then you and Matt get the milkshakes”, answered Mitch.
So said, so done.
In almost perfect Dutch Tim asked for 3 milkshakes. After having paid he and Matthew went to Mitch.
“Tim, how come that you speak Dutch so well?”, asked Matthew.
“Mama came from here and spoke Dutch with me”, Tim explained.
“Then we mustn’t cure you from that”, said Matthew.
Back with Mitch Matthew told what he had just heard from Tim.
“Claire said to me that she was born here. She even gave me an English/Dutch dictionary and Dutch/English dictionary”, said Mitch.
When the milkshakes have gone Mitch asked smiling, “Matt, why don’t you make a quiet boat ride with our son?”
Matthew understood the question at once and said, “We are going to do that.”
Of course the youngest Cartwright didn’t understand anything of it. Though he wanted to come too. Via a footpath the threesome came at the Piraña Square. Mitch got left behind with the rucksack at the seats at the entrance.
“Have fun”, said Matthew.
“You too and stay dry”, reacted his husband.
He got a loving full hug form Tim who after that went with Matthew to the entrance of the wild water track.
While they waited Matthew said, “You will really like this.”
Now Tim didn’t trust it at all anymore. Especially because Matthew said it smiling.
“When you were here before, have you visited this attraction too?”, asked Tim.
“Visited yes but haven’t done it. It was closed then due to the winter. Soon you will understand why”, was the answer of his father.
When father and son Cartwright once sat in the boat it didn’t take long before they both got soaking wet.
“Tomorrow another peaceful boat trip?”, Tim asked at the exit.
“Tomorrow we make another peaceful boat trip”, answered Matthew.
They walked to Mitch who was watching laughing.
“Daddy, Matt and I have already taken a bath”, Tim told excited.
“That might be so but tonight you take a bath again”, said Mitch.
Matthew photographed everything while he and Tim quickly dried up again.
After the wild water trip the walk got continued on the way to the rough roller coasters. Even though none of them dared to go in it the Cartwrights were very impressed by the attractions.
When everything and everyone was watched and put on photo up and around the Ruigrijk Square Mitch asked, “Tim, do you feel like having some fish”
“You can always wake me up for that”, answered his son.
Both looked at Matthew so he had to eat fish as well.
“Tim, just run ahead to hold a table free”, said Matthew.
The youngest Cartwright ran ahead to be sure of a table. He found one with including a parasol.
“Tim doesn’t know yet where we are going to eat tonight, does he?”, asked Matthew.
“No, it already has been paid and reserved. Our boy won’t know what will happen to him”, Mitch answered smiling.
They followed after their son.
While Matthew went to get the fish Mitch remained with Tim.
“Daddy, we can walk later on across that wooden bridge to the Brink and then so to Diorama”, Tim said while he was looking at the map.
He pointed at the route.
Mitch said, “We do that after we have made a train trip through the park. After that we do your stroll and via the steam carrousel to the museum en de Laven.”
Tim thought it was alright and went to help Matthew with the fish. The boy brought his father up to date of their plan. Matthew agreed with it.
After the apart lunch the steam train got taken for a round trip through the park. At the other station Mitch and Matthew looked at each other but they didn’t say anything.
Suddenly Tim asked, “Matt, can you make a picture of the gate of Raveleijn?”
“Of course I can and will do that. What anyway?”, was the counter-question of Matthew.
“Then |I can draw it at home”, was the answer.
Then Mitch came with a proposal, “Shall we arrange room service for tomorrow morning? Matt, we have to discuss something and then Tim can watch Efteling TV. After breakfast.”
This proposal got accepted at once.
After the train ride the Cartwrights made a walk via the Ruigrijk Square to the Wish Well which they reached via a wooden bridge. Tim got explanation about the meaning of the Wish Well. After that the trip went via Polle’s Kitchen (Polle’s Keuken) to Diorama.
“Grandpa would like this very much”, said Tim.
Tim meant with this the father of Matthew.
“He would like it very much if you would draw this”, Matthew suggested.
“I make the drawing for his birthday”, answered Tim.
They walked all around the landscape. Matthew photographed everything that was to be seen including the train seats.
The steam carrousel was the next attraction which got visited. Tim made a ride while his fathers watched.
In the Efteling museum the Cartwrights spent a lot of time. But that also happened with the visit to the Laven.
By 17.00 hours Mitch asked teasing his son, “You don’t want to see the show of Raveleijn, do you?”
Now Tim looked at Mitch astounded.
“Of course I want to see that show. Must we still get tickets?”, asked the boy.
“No, they are included with in the arrangement”, answered Matthew.
“Tim, it will be busy so you stay by us”, Mitch spoke to the boy fatherly.
“I promise and I take the rucksack there”, answered Tim.
Slowly they walked to the gate of Raveleijn. Matthew showed the tickets where after they could walk ahead. Tim took over the rucksack and went ahead of his fathers. Mitch hobbled upstairs with support of Matthew. Once upstairs the couple went downstairs where Tim was waiting for them. They sat on the front row. During the show Tim stared his eyes out. He pointed his fathers at several things during the show.
After the show Matthew asked innocent, “I have become hungry. Mitch, aren’t you hungry?”
Mitch looked at his GSM and answered, “Me too. It’s nearly 18.00 hours.”
“Then we are going to eat somewhere, won’t we?”, Matthew suggested.
Mitch and Tim nodded. Matthew helped Tim with the rucksack and let him go first. Mitch hobbled slowly upstairs and then downstairs again, guided by his husband.
Just when the Cartwrights approached the restaurant ‘The Weapon Of Raveleijn’ (‘Het Wapen Van Raveleijn’) it began to dawn with Tim.
“We are going to eat here, aren’t we?”, asked the boy.
“Yes sure. Someone of us has to be dinner partner. I can’t be that because I walk on crutches. Matt was it already so now you are the sucker”, was the answer of his father.
“Alright. Are you following me gentlemen?”, Tim asked smiling.
That happened and the Cartwrights got a table. Matthew ordered the drinks. A waitress put a tea towel around the neck of Tim where after she took him down to the kitchen for the meal.
“I will help Tim with cutting the meat”, said Mitch.
“Just see first if he can do it alone”, said Matthew.
Mitch agreed.
Tim turned out to be an excellent dinner partner because he gave his fathers enough to eat. The dessert too got eaten totally by the Cartwrights. Tim took the dish cloth along as a souvenir.
Tired but satisfied the Cartwrights walked back to the hotel where they arranged room service to go sleeping after that.
Thursday July 14, 2016.
The Cartwrights had ordered room service and ate the breakfast in their room while they watched Efteling TV. Even Mitch and Matthew watched with big fascination at everything that came by.
“Tim, you keep on watching. We have to discuss something what the B&B is concerned”, Mitch said after an hour.
He and Matthew went to sit on their bed so that they could talk in quiet.
After the short meeting the Cartwrights went to the park again.
“Tim, because you have been such an excellent host for us last night you decide what we are going to do today”, said Matthew.
The boy looked around and saw Carnaval Festival.
“Matt, first we go to make a world trip and after that into the cooking pots”, spoke Tim.
“I wait here for you”, Mitch said while he sat down on a bench.
“Then you can answer that email to pa”, said Matthew.
Mitch nodded. Matthew and Tim went to the first 2 attraction of that day.
When the gentlemen were together again Mitch said, “It is time for coffee with a cupcake.”
Tim, who after 3 days Efteling knew the whole park by heart, said at once, “Then we go to the White Horse (Het Witte Paard). Straight ahead and then cut slantwise in the way.”
That happened and Mitch kept a table occupied while Matthew and Tim went to get the drinks and cakes.
After the coffee break Tim said, “We go now to the Fairytale Forest but then in the other way.”
“Just go ahead, Mr Timothy Cartwright”, said Mitch.
They cleaned up their table and went again to the Fairytale Forest. A lot of time was spend here.
In the souvenir shop ‘In The Old Peddler’ (‘In Den Ouden Marskramer’) certain souvenirs were being bought.
Tim saw a cross stitch kit of the Fairytale Tree and asked Mitch, “Daddy, would grandma like to make that for me?”
Tim meant hereby Sally Cartwright, the stepmother of Mitch.
“Sure do. Just go and pay it”, answered his father.
Tim grabbed a kit, got money and went to the check-out.
Matthew said to his husband, “I have just bought that whole cross stitch kit of the Efteling so that my mother can make that for Tim.”
“I am very afraid that our son doesn’t want to leave here anymore”, said Mitch.
“And you do mind, don’t you?”, Matthew asked smiling.
Mitch shook smiling of no.
“Me neither”, said Matthew.
“I let the purchases brought to the hotel”, said Mitch.
He and Matthew walked to the desk where they arranged it.
Outside again Tim said, “Now we go to the Ghost Castle and after that there comes a boat trip.”
They went to the Ghost Castle where they had to wait for a moment before they head show began. Tim held the hand of Matthew very tight because he didn’t like the darkness.
“Tim, are you afraid in the dark?”, Matthew asked concerned.
“Yes”, the boy confessed.
“Just hold my hand then very tight. Maybe we will see a few family members”, said Matthew.
“Probably not uncle Hoss because you see him everywhere in the park in the shape of Big Mouth”, Tim remarked.
They laughed.
At the Piraña Mitch and Tim went to sit at a table in the shadow. Matthew bought something to drink for his husband and gave him his wallet and GSM.
“Have much fun and stay dry”, Mitch said laughing.
“You too have fun”, said Matthew.
A moment later he stood with his son in the waiting row.
To spend the time Mitch drew the building of the wild water track. Just like during their vacation in December 2012 he had his sketch book with him where only drawings of the park were in. Due to his broken ankle Mitch had more than enough time to draw everything.
A wet Matthew and an also wet Tim came a bit later on to Mitch.
“Daddy, Matt has a brilliant idea”, said the youngest Cartwright.
“Tell”, Mitch said curious.
“We move our B&B to close by. Then we not only can go more often but also let guests stay”, Matthew explained.
Mitch said laughing, “And you think that our families agree with that? Really not. But I agree.”
“Tim can go then to the Laven school”, Matthew said teasing.
“In the same class as all those weirdo’s? No way”, Tim reacted right away.
His fathers laughed.
Tim looked at them and suggested, “Shall we go to The Steenbok for supper?”
“That is an excellent idea of you”, said Mitch.
He put his drawing stuff in the rucksack and gave it to Matthew. Here after they walked in an easy pace to The Steenbok.
During supper the men noticed that Tim was becoming tired. He hardly said anything to nothing but did eat everything.
“Tim, shall we go slowly to the hotel? Then you take a lovely bath and you may watch Efteling TV for a while”, Mitch suggested.
“Alright”, said his son.
Matthew thought that it was a good idea too.
The family went quietly to the hotel back and ended so at that the Pagode.
“Shall we go flying once more?”, asked Mitch.
“Alright. But after that really back to the hotel”, answered Tim.
They went to fly another round across the park where after they went to the hotel.
Before they went to their room The Cartwrights picked up their purchases at the reception and they ordered again room service. Matthew helped Tim with bathing where after they watched some more Efteling TV. A few hours later everyone was fast asleep in a fairytale dream.
Friday July 15, 2016.
It was the last day of their stay.
Tim said, “Daddy, Matt, I don’t want to leave here again. I want to stay in the Fairytale Forest. Soon Little Red Riding Hood forgets me.”
His parents looked at him understanding.
Mitch took his son into his arms and said, “We understand that. But at home Chip waits for you. Uncle Sean comes to pick us up this afternoon. Maybe he lets us stay in the park a bit longer.”
Matthew phoned with his uncle and said a moment later to his husband and son, “Gentlemen, uncle Sean comes to pick us up a bit later on and then he wants us to show him the park. He buys a ticket too to get in. We leave tonight again for home.”
Especially Tim thought that it was a good idea. They went packing which was quickly done. Mitch put everything they needed at the park in the rucksack.
“Matt, you go with Tim into the park. Then I come with uncle Sean into the park. We meet each other at 11 o‘clock at the White Horse”, Mitch said when everything was packed.
They grabbed their luggage and left with a lot of pain in their American hearts their room.
At the reception desk Mitch thanked the personnel for the friendly receiving and hosting.
“Hopefully we will see you back again one time”, said the receptionist.
“If it was up to my son we never went away”, Mitch said smiling.
Outside Sean was already waiting for his nephews and great nephew. The Cartwrights carried their luggage to the car and loaded everything in. Matthew kept the rucksack with him.
Mitch went with Sean to the parking lot where Sean parked the car. Together they walked to the desk where Sean bought a ticket. After that they went into the park. Mitch gave his related by marriage uncle a round tour while they walked through the park. They walked through the Fairytale Forest and came so by Long Neck too.
“When Matt and I were here in December 2012 your nephew proposed to me. That was on my birthday at 12 o’clock. Of course I accepted his proposal”, told Mitch.
“That is really something for Matt to do something like that”, said Sean.
They walked on.
At the souvenir shop Sean bought a few books to read for his great nephew as a belated birthday present.
Meanwhile Matthew and Tim sat already in The White Horse (Het Witte Paard). Tim checked the map and discovered Village Bosrijk. Via the Ipad the boy looked at the website of the Efteling.
“Matt, you can also stay here in an apartment. Shall we take something like that the next time? With the birthday of daddy for example?”, asked Tim.
Matthew checked the site and answered, “Then we give that for his birthday. In the winter it’s also very beautiful funny here. Even the fairytale figurines are in winter mood.”
“Shall we arrange it right away or does it cost too much?”, Tim asked worried.
“Just leave it to us”, said Matthew.
He arranged it at once so that within a few months they could wander again through the Fairytale Forest.
When they were complete again together Matthew and Sean fetched the treat. So Matthew had the opportunity to tell his uncle what he and his son had arranged.
“I bring and pick you up again just like each time”, promised Sean.
“Thanks”, said Matthew.
Sean got a nice tour through the park including a round trip with the steam train. Now he understood why his nephews made a long flight so eagerly.
On the Dwarrelplein Tim looked at Matthew and that one nodded.
Then Tim said, “Daddy, we are going to celebrate your birthday here too.”
Mitch looked at Matthew and he nodded smiling.
“Is that your present for my birthday?”, asked Mitch.
Tim nodded and answered, “I give that to you. Together with Matt.”
Matthew suggested then, “Shall we go in an apartment then?”
Mitch nodded.
“I knew that you would agree because we have it arranged already. You were with uncle Sean on the way to us”, his husband confessed.
Mitch said, “That will be working very hard the next few months.”
Matthew realized that too but their B&B did it more than excellent. And with the idea that within a few months they could be in the Fairytale Forest and Raveleijn the Cartwrights went back home.