When Bram and Karen came up with their idea for Treelodge a few years ago, I was immediately enthusiastic and proud, but also a little sceptical. A treehouse in a recreation area in Retie? That seemed like a huge challenge, especially in terms of all the permits and municipal approvals. "They'll never get that done here," I sometimes thought. But Bram and Karen didn't give up. With admirable patience, they kept hammering on about the added value Treelodge would bring to Retie. And lo and behold, after three years of intensive work and the necessary perseverance, the first hut was there!
From day één, my wife and I supported Bram and Karen unconditionally. In the beginning, that mainly meant rolling up our sleeves. I made sure, for example, that all machines were ready for use and that the workroom was neatly arranged. Every tool had to have its fixed place so that everything ran smoothly. I also often went with him to fetch materials. One time, for instance, we went to collect old windows, far in the Westhoek. They then sandblasted them and used them in the Tjiftjaf.
It wasn't just family who came to help, by the way. Many of Bram's comrades also rolled up their sleeves. All of us got a lot of work done in a very short time. It was very nice to see everyone's commitment to their project.
Now that Treelodge is running, my wife and I are the 'reserve flexijobbers', together with Karen's father. We jump in where needed, make sure the treehouses are tiptop and that everything that needs to be provided is taken care of.
Have we already stayed ourselves? Of course! I am also enormously proud of what Bram and Karen have achieved. Treelodge has already received a lot of attention in newspapers and articles, and even colleagues of mine have come to stay there. We also talk about it with great pride.
It is not even that’big a surprise that Bram arrived with the idea for a treehouse stay. I believe Sinterklaas once gave Bram a bag of nails, to build tree houses. Then he was about 10 years old, I think. And guess what? Not much later, he and his brother had actually built a tree house here a bit further down the road. He was into it from an early age.
What I like most about Treelodge? The fire pit at the Tjiftjaf. I love that Bram came up with something like that. And the Fire Barn is also so nicely done. When we are here in winter, it feels like we are in Norway. The forest is really at its’best then, with those bare trees and the crisp cold. A few years ago, we were also lucky enough to see a buzzard nesting and having young nearby. That was wonderful to see and hear.
Treelodge is also a nice place for the grandchildren. When one of them has a birthday, we always celebrate it in the Fire Barn, together with Karen's family. My wife always bakes a delicious biscuit cake then.
If I may wish Bram and Karen anything, it is that they are spared from fire. The fire in the Pied Woodpecker has hit hard, on all of us. Those tree houses are like children to them. It's something you don't wish on anyone.
And Bram is doing tremendously well as a father. And he is 1,000 times more handy than me! He has clearly inherited the good genes from both his mother and me.
