A waistcoat and black Clarks

A WAISTCOAT AND BLACK CLARKS
Written by Bert Plomp

In “A waistcoat and black Clarks”, Bert Plomp takes the reader on a nostalgic journey through his youthful years in Utrecht. The story is saturated with personal memories and vividly describes the unique characters in his family, particularly his grandparents.
The narrative begins with his visit to his grandfather in Greenstreet, where he details his carefully curated outfit. The attention to detail and the atmosphere of that time are well portrayed. The story also provides an intriguing glimpse into daily life, with anecdotes about the ice factory, pigeon racing, and the market.
Bert Plomp’s writing style is engaging and laced with humour. His depiction of Grandpa Plomp as a pigeon racer is both funny and moving, and the comparison to a backing vocal during the recording of “Sympathy For The Devil” adds a delightful twist.
The story then shifts to his other grandparents in Nicolaasdwarsstreet, where Grandpa Heijgen deals with items from the railway auction. The description of this unique sale, including anecdotes about found items like glasses, dentures, and even a lace-up corset, adds a comedic element to the story.
The focus on the large, child-filled family of his grandparents provides a glimpse into life at that time, with the division of tasks and the strong bond between brothers and sisters. The segment about Grandma’s funeral is touching and offers a glimpse into family traditions.
Overall, Bert Plomp skilfully paints a captivating and humorous portrait of his youth and family with “A waistcoat and black Clarks.” The anecdotes, historical context, and character descriptions make it a rich and engaging reading experience.

Part 1: A piece of chewing tobacco

Part 2: A laced corset

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