Hoofdstuk 1-15

H1 School (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

1st December, 2004

Dear Gerald,

I was rather surprised when I read the school rules of a Grammar School for boys. I thought that all English schools were mixed, but obviously this is not the case. Are all schools as strict as this one, or is Grammar School perhaps an exception?
Does it often happen that boys get up onto the roof? I wonder what they do there. Rather a strange rule if you ask me. I can understand that boys are not allowed to have (any) dangerous weapons, but I would like to know what ‘missile’ are. Is that perhaps some sort of rocket?
I fully agree with the fact that smoking is prohibited in school. Are teachers not allowed to smoke either?
Do all pupils of English schools wear uniforms? Dutch students [Pupils in the Netherlands] would rebel if they were made to wear uniforms.
By the way, why does boys have to have aprons? When do they wear them? I would kike to know what your opinion about uniforms is. I don’t want you to get the impression that the Dutch school system is better than yours.
I hope you don’t mind me asking all those questions. I’m very interested in English schools, and sometimes there are programmes about English schools on television.
Please write back soon!

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H2 London (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Hillary,

Thank you for your nice letter. I’m sorry you had to wait for this letter so long, but I have had a very busy time.
Last month I went to London with my class. We slept in the Cartwright University Halls, which belong to the University of London. Both students and young tourists from all over Europe sleep there. The rooms were very small indeed. At night it took me a long time to fall asleep because a couple of Italian boys were celebrating [having] a party.
We visited a number of sights like the Tower, the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s Cathedral. In the evening we went to the musical ‘Starlight Express’ in the old Apollo Victoria Theatre.
We also went to the Rock Circus in Piccadilly Circus. There I met a nice girl. While we were walking round we talked about school and about music. Later we went to a pub together.
And how are you? Working hard for your final exams! And how is Mandy? Does she still have those purple streaks in her hair? I really hope to meet you and Mandy in Leeds one day.
Give my love to your mum and dad.

Hanneke

H3 Crime (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear James,

I’m (really) furious! Yesterday my bike was stolen when I was shopping in town. It was a brand-new city bike! I bought it last month and it was very expensive.
When I told my father he said it was my own fault. He said it was not wise to go to town on such an expensive bike. But I thought that was nonsense. It is your own fault nowadays when something is stolen from you. It’s even your own fault when they beat you up.
I went to the police-station to report the theft. A policeman said they could do little about it. Stealing a bike is a so-called ‘petty crime’, like burglary, vandalism and bag snatching. I wonder why everybody seems to accept that.
Of course I do not know how to solve to problem of crime. I only know (that) I want my bike back. I am not going to steal a bike, but I’m going to buy a bike which is so old that nobody wants it.
I’m sorry this has become such an angry letter, but I just had to get it off my chest. Maybe I will have more positive news next time.

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H4 Sports (formele brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Marion Geddes
22 Oakham Road
Bromley BL3 60D
England

Dear Ms. Geddes,

On behalf of Smash I would like to thank you very much for your kind invitation. We are very happy with it.

Could you please give us some further information about the tournament? Could you tell us something about the average level of the players who participate? How many teams are there? And are we the only foreign club that has been invited?

Could you tell us something about the accommodation? Where do you plan to put us up? In private houses or in a youth hostel perhaps? We would be very pleased if you could give us some information about accommodation expenses.

Would it be possible for someone to meet us at the station? We will be arriving at Charing Cross Station. Or is there a train connection between Charing Cross and Bombly? In that case we can easily take a train to Bombly.

We are really very pleased with your invitation. We do hope we can accept it. However if the costs are too high  we shall not be able to accept your invitation. Could you please answer this letter as soon as possible? Then we will take a decision right away.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

handtekening

[naam]

H5 Families (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Diana,

I don’t have much time but I really want to tell you something about the party I gave last week on the occasion of my birthday. Thanks [Thank you] for your long letter, which arrived on my very birthday.
At first my parents had some objections, but finally they gave me permission to organise a party. I had invited about twenty people and because the weather was nice I decided to have the party in the garden.
At first it was a very nice party. Everybody was having a good time and there was enough to eat and to drink. But by ten o’clock it grew colder and I wanted to continue the party inside (indoors). But my mother didn’t very much like the idea and suggested that everybody should put on a coat or a sweater. In my opinion that was very childish and I had a long conversation with my parents in the kitchen to persuade them.
They finally gave in and everybody was allowed to go in. Fortunately no glasses were broken and no furniture (was) damaged. When everybody had left my mother heaved a sigh of relief. However my dad [father] said (that) he had liked the party and (that) he had enjoyed himself.
Next year I intend to give a party without my parents to prevent a lot of problems.
I’ll write you a longer letter soon.

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H6 Travelling (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear John,

Thanks [Thank you] for the nice letter that I received from you last month. I have been very busy at school of lately [recently]. I’m sorry I did not write you back earlier.
How are you doing? Have you made plans for the holiday [vacation] yet? Could you tell me something about your holidays in your next letter?
I am going to France this summer if I pass my exams. I intend to hire a tent with some friends. We would like to book a camping-site at [besides] a lake in France. I have received a few brochures that my friends and I are going to have a look at during the weekend. One of them has bought an old car and I hope it will not break down on our way.
I have to go on with my homework, so I must stop writing now. I wish you all the best and I will [shall] tell you more about my holiday in my next letter.

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H7 Jobs (formele brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dreamland
Marine Terrace
Margate
Kent CT9 1KL
England

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing you this letter, although you may have no vacancy at all. But as the English say ‘a miss is as good as a mile’.

A few weeks ago I received a brochure of Dreamland from my aunt. I (really) love amusement parks and (I) have visited all amusement parks in the Netherlands and in Belgium and also Fantasia land in Keulen.

I am taking my final exams shortly [soon] and I would like to spend a few months in England, preferably between 1st June and 1st September. I hope you have a holiday job for me. I am prepared to do all kinds of odd jobs. I speak English and German fluently and I can make myself understood in France.

I am not asking for a salary, all I ask for is free board and lodging and a little pocket money. I am also prepared to pay my own travelling expenses.

I do [really] hope (that) you have a job for me. I would like to improve my English, because I am going to study English in September. I hope I have made it clear that I am highly [very] motivated. I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,

handtekening


[naam]

H8a Canada (formele brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Halifax Tourist Office
166 Lincoln Street
Halifax NS BOJ 2CO
Canada

Dear Sir / Madam,

In April I hope to come to Canada with a group of Dutch students. A teacher gave me your address.

I would like to know what sights there are in Halifax. Our group would also like to make some trips in the surroundings of Halifax and Lunenburg. Could you offer any suggestions?

I would also like to have some information about Fort Loisburg in the north of Nova Scotia. Is the fort open all year round and could you tell me what the entrance fee is? Could you send a brochure about the fort?

Finally I would like you to send us some information about (the) weather conditions in May. Will it be necessary to bring warm clothes? I know that Nova Scotia is on the Atlantic coast.

Thank you in advance for all the trouble to be taken.

Yours faithfully,

handtekening

[naam]

H8b Canada (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Lydia,

We have been at home for a week now. Our trip to Canada was a great experience and I would like to [I would love to] tell you a few things about it.
The trip by plane took about six hours. Fortunately some good films were shown. We had lots of fun with Mr. Bean in the swimming pool.
In Halifax we were picked up by a old, yellow bus. A lot of people were waiting in Lunenburg. I was curious to know who my host would be. He turned out to be a nice boy of about my age. He lived in a big wooden house with his parents and they had two dogs.
Every day we made trips in the surroundings and during the weekend we went to Fort Louisburg. The fort was very [most] interesting and I learned a lot about the history of North Scotia. Did you know that North Scotia is the Latin translation of New Scotland?
The two weeks went by very fast. Everybody was sorry to have to go home again. The last day I still had to buy many presents.
Have you received my picture postcard from Canada yet? I hope so. I wish you lots of luck with your exams!

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H9 Animals (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Wain,

How are you doing? Have you heard the results of your final exams
yet? I am working hard to earn money for my trip to America in June
next year. Last week my father came home with a dog, a little black
Labrador. At first my mother did not like the idea, but when she saw
the little animal, she changed her mind.
The first night the dog whined a few times, so that my father had to get out of bed to take the animal out. Now he is finally house-trained, but if somebody forgets to close the door, he walks outside to go for a trip in the neighbourhood. Fortunately he has a tag around his neck with our telephone number on it.
Yesterday there was a man at the door who asked or whether we had a dog. He wanted to know if we paid the dog-licence. My father had to pay a fine, because he had not done so. Suddenly he did not like the dog that much any more!
I must stop writing now for it is getting late and I have to get up early again tomorrow. As you know, I work on a farm and they start work there very early every day! Give my love to your parents and your brothers?

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H10 Your health (formele brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Sir,

I am sorry that I can not take Ms Lambert’s article in The Independent of 22nd April last seriously. The article contains a number of extremely odd statements. And I disagree completely with the writers opinion about male nurses.

I have shown the article to my uncle. He has been a nurse for ten years now. It made him sad to read that he lacks he qualities required to make a good nurse only because he is a man! He was of the opinion that such prejudices no longer existed. Obviously he is wrong.

If Ms Lambert is right, it could also be true that women make bad company directors, or doctors, or newspaper reporters. I hope not. In my opinion it does not make any difference whether a man or a woman practises a certain profession. The only thing that matters is the way in which people do their jobs.

I have very little respect for the way in which Ms Lambert practises her profession. She has based her opinion on one single experience. The article makes clear that she is not easily satisfied. She makes a spoilt impression. Journalists who allow themselves to be guided by prejudice(s) are even worse than male nurses.

Yours faithfully,

handtekening

[naam]


H11 Love & Marriage (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Jill,

My sincerest [warmest/hearty] congratulations on your forthcoming wedding. I was not really surprised to receive your card, because I know how long you and Steve known each other. I really [do] hope (that) you and Steve will have many happy years together.
I’m sorry (that) I will [shall] not be able to be present on your wedding day myself. In November I’m having my first preliminary exams, which I can’t miss of course. Beside [Moreover] it is my grandfather’s birthday on 17(th) November, and he will be 85! He would be very sorry if I was not present.
Please, could you send me some photographs of the happy day. In that way I will have some impressions of the wedding day and of course I’m also curious (to see) what you look like.
Will you and Steve go [be going] on (a/your) honeymoon, and, if so, where will you go to? I hope (that) you will be able to find the time in late November or early December to write me .
I wish you all the best.

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H13 Pubs (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Gwen,

How are you doing? Did you enjoy your holidays in the Rocky Mountains? I would like to go there myself, but money is always the problem.
I had a great holiday in England! My friends and I travelled from one youth hostel to the other. One of my friends had a car at his disposal, which was quite convenient.
In a small village in the Cotswolds we visited a twelfth-century pub, The Fleece. The host told us (that) he had resigned a week before. The owners wanted to modernize the pub. The host had to put in an cigarette machine, a public payphone and a pool table. He didn’t want to see that his fine pub would be ruined [his fine pub ruined]. He also told us (that) the pub had been [was] used by the BBC for the series (of) Martin Chuzzlewit.
We visited many other pubs and we also had ‘pub grub’. That is a nickname for the (kind of) food that is served in pubs, like for instance Shepherd’s Pie. I had heard (that) food in England wasn’t that good, but after my experiences in the past [last] weeks I don’t agree with that view.
All in it was a great time and I would certainly like to spend another holiday in England. But first I will have to pass my final exams, and that will be a hard nut to crack. I must stop writing now, because I have to get on with my homework.
Give my regard [love] to your parents and to your boyfriend. I hope to hear from you soon!

Best wishes / Kind regards / All the best / Love,

Hanneke

H14 Computers (persoonlijke brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Dear Alice and Mike,

I (have) read your appeal in PC Zone. I was very surprised to read a notice from America, for most readers of PC Zone come from Europe. I am curious to know how that came about.
I am very much interested in computers myself, but I am not very fond of games. I do like surfing on Internet or e-mailing with young people in other countries, though.
That is why [For that reason/ Therefore] I would like to e-mail with both of you. Curiously enough your home address was mentioned in the appeal, but there was no e-mail address. Therefore I am writing this letter. My name is …………………. and I am .. years old. My e-mail is ……………………………….
Could you send me an e-mail as soon as possible with information about yourself? I would also like to know what sort of computers families in America use. At my school a new network is being installed and as soon as that is ready, students may use the Internet now and then [now and again]. Perhaps students of my school could have contact with students of your school. If you like the idea I will [shall] discuss in at school.
From now on I will [shall] keep an eye on my e-mail box every day, hoping you will respond to my letter.

Yours sincerely,

[naam]

H15 The environment (formele brief)

Straat+nummer
postcode
plaats
Holland [The Netherlands]

December 1st, 2004

Sir,

It was with great pleasure that I read the article by Peter Spinks in The Independent of 18(th) November last about the policy of local authorities with regard to the environment.

I would like to emphasize that like most sensible people, I am advocate of a clean environment. I am convinced that the same goes for Peter Spinks. What I object to, however, is the narrow-minded attitude of the Egmond authorities.

I assume that there are few councillors who have read the flippant article in The Independent. I am regret this, although I suspect that they would have taken the ironic tone seriously and would have seen Peter Spinks’ article as a support of their own mismanagement.

Peter Spinks clearly implies that he disagrees with the way in which environmental pollution is tackled in Egmond. That is why I am writing this letter. I would not like the readers of The Independent to get the impression that most people in Egmond support the authorities’ policy. On the contrary, the policy is rejected by nearly everybody.

Of course I am convinced everybody want a cleaner environment, but not in the way it happens in Egmond.

Yours faithfully,

handtekening

[naam]