BuitengewoonStoer.

Slaving in the office is quite different renting out a vacation home. We all know the romantic and idealistic idea of ‘later when I grow up’, then I want to create an oasis of relaxation in the peace & quiet. For all those people who did what I did. At the office, with your head in your laptop, earning your sour grapes. Sitting eight whole hours on a chair like that is not good for your thunder, and ticking away the matching gallons of black gold is certainly not.

And so I eagerly accepted Alexandra’s special invitation to travel to the Acht Zaligheden. That’s no joke. The Acht Zaligheden is an area in Noord-Brabant, south of Eindhoven, where eight villages ending with ‘sel’ come under this heading. The area is located near the beautiful natural fens of de Kempen region. BoksheideBuiten is located in the hamlet of Boksheide, on the outskirts of the municipality of EerSEL.

BoksheideBuiten, an impressive site with a tough cowgirl atmosphere. This weekend I got an exceptional opportunity to take a look ‘behind the scenes’ and was allowed to participate in this vacation business. Of course, full of enthusiasm, I drove straight to the Cottages of BoksheideBuiten and found myself in front of a closed gate and gravel path. A call to Alexandra offered an explanation ‘we live against the grounds of BoksheideBuiten, so ‘gij’ must drive a little further’. With the ‘gij’ softness entered. Despite having roots in Rotterdam. she has acquired the Brabant accent after so many years. And this, in my experience, stands for hospitality and conviviality.

After a warm, cordial greeting, Alexandra and I met years ago, I was first allowed to land at the kitchen table.It became clear to me that relaxation as a vacation rental owner is not much of an issue. The phone beeped eagerly and rang here and there. On the laptop, a few changes had to be made to a booking and, hup then, we climbed into the small Jeep to bring one of the guests ‘icepacks’ so they could pour cool drinks during their self-planned picnic.

The wooden sturdy gates of BoksheideBuiten slowly slid open and Alexandra deftly steered the vehicle to the side of the ground. Happy guests who were immediatly helped with the ‘icepacks’, while their little toddler curiously greeted us on the terrace in front of the Cornflower Cottage.  Alexandra immediately shows herself to be the good hostess, friendly, helpful and understanding. After the greeting, she still takes me around the grounds. With three Cottages, Barn-, Poppy-, Cornflower suitable for all kinds of parties, from family, to girlfriends or family weekends, everyone can ‘unwind’ here. Don’t let the beautiful  stables fool you into thinking it’s a typical horse lover’s environment, because nature on the property and beyond. Biodiversity is also set in stone at this place. From the cool painted worm hotel and the amazing wooden ‘little’ barn for the chickens, to the Paddock Paradise for the ponies & horses.BuitengewoonStoer is the philosophy practiced here. Theo, Alexandra’s husband, is an expert in landscape and pasture management and takes care of this ‘Paddock Paradise’. The name already sounds cool and the effect is many times better. A beautifully designed natural pasture, a habitat not only for horses, but also for rabbits and many species of birds that provide a noisy nature orchestra every day.

For those who think that work takes place here between 9 and 5, they will be deceived. In the evening, after dinner, we got to take another ride for the guests. This playfully sunny Saturday evening was perfect for a nice crackling wood fire, and let the group of guests from Belgium, who came here to ease the last days of their bachelor friend, ask for wood for just that. The group greeted us and dog Vesta warmly, and before you know it you are invited to join them for the summer evening. We kindly declined that invitation, keeping in mind the next early morning that awaits us. It is seven o’clock Sunday morning when we briefly have a cup of tea at the kitchen table and Vesta wags at us. Today is change dag, I get to see what all that means. Not just seeing, but experiencing… after all, it’s about the  this weekend  😉. When the guests have left, we roll up our sleeves. Together with a strong set of extra hands, as neighbour across the street, Arianne, Alexandra has been helping to keep the Cottages clean for several years. I did have an inkling that it was hard work, yet it is always on my back, I got to pick up about 20 beds and make them fresh again, then vacuum, mop, take out trash, towels, welcome sweets and so much more. Alexandra values the care of het guests and nothing, but nothing is left to change. It is a well-oiled machine the teamwork of the ladies and again  I take always some handy cleaning tips for home. And a mountain of respect, because physically this work is really not for the softies amount us. People work like horses here, appropriate for this environment and at the same time with a magnificent elegance.

In the afternoon we walk on the quiet moors. After this morning’s hard work, we have some time to stretch our legs, take a deep breath of the moor air and, of course, make dog Vesta happy with a lovely walk. Once back, Alexandra, the woman with energy for ten, treats me to another delicious healthy meal. This woman understands how to enjoy the little things in life. Unfortunately, I have to admit. Because I am going to miss this place so hidden in the south of Noord-Brabant.

Joan van Winsen