Goodbye Batouwe Nurseries

Well, today was my last day at Batouwe Nurseries. It only felt like yesterday that I started working here! What's even more crazy, is that I am also halfway through my time in Holland. So far it has been one of the best and biggest experiences that I have ever encountered.
I am so glad that I encouraged myself to do this, as I have no regrets what so ever!!  



This week, I have been working in the tree department at the nursery. This has helped me gain more knowledge and experience working with trees. Most of the trees at Batouwe are in pots, as these are small in size (also known as whips). I have mostly been helping out with giving the trees some support with bamboo canes. This involved cutting back the side branches, tying the trunk to the bamboo cane, and then finally securing the new growth with a max tapener (a handy tool when it wants to work!). We normally get about 500 trees done in a day.

As working in a new department this week, I have also been getting to know more people as well, which is great as always. I have been continuing to teach people some English words that they haven't heard before. I have also liked the challenge with trying work out an English word, which they only know in Dutch (no help with Google translate!). It has also been great to listen to other peoples stories everyday, and understand the Dutch culture even more.



On Wednesday evening, me and some people that I have worked with at Batouwe decided to drive around the area on some scooters! The scenery was fantastic, as was the weather! I have never driven a scooter before, so I was kind of nervous with the fear of falling off! Well, yes, you guessed it, I did fall off, but luckily I wasn't going fast and just lost my balance. Just a couple of grazes, which were sorted out quickly. I would defiantly do it again (not falling off!).

Today, Dad arrived in Holland ready to spend the weekend with me. It was great, as I managed to show him around Batouwe. He was amazed by the whole production of the nursery. Dad also joined in with the Friday tradition of having a beer, whilst getting to now the people that I have word with.


I just want to thank everyone again at Batouwe nurseries for these past 3 weeks, by making me feel welcomed, and also the knowledge and experience that I have gained. It has been the best!!

 I have also  visited​ the other nursery (Huverba) that I will be working at for the last 3 weeks, which I am looking forward to.

Have a good weekend everyone, God bless, Josh

'The scooter gang of Batouwe' (Photo credit to Alberto) 

So many trees!!

Great scenery from scooter riding 

Week 2 at Batouwe

Hello everyone. This week seems to have flown by, but in a good way! I have now really settled in, with being at Holland and working. It still feels a bit crazy from time to time that I am living and working abroad. It sometimes makes me also feel regretful for the times that Mum wanted to go abroad for a holiday, but with me refusing not to go!


This week I have been working at another Nursery, which is located at Huissen (not too far from Arnhem). This also belongs to Batouwe, which they took over a year ago. Tasks included, cleaning areas, preparing plants ready for delivery, weeding and pruning.

One of the biggest tasks of the week was getting all of the trees at the nursery in Huissen ready for delivery (roughly about 320 trees). This included cleaning the surface, by weeding and cleaning off the moss. A quick prune was also required if any tress developed any side branches.
Once this was completed, the tress were then put onto pallets and secured ready for delivery. Even though this was a big task, I really enjoyed it.

The only downside when you are working in a glasshouse is the heat from outside. On Wednesday it reached about 30 degrees outside, so it is much warmer inside a glasshouse! The good news is that all of the plants inside the glasshouses are watered by sprinklers, so I would purposelessly walk below them to cool down!!




I had some very exciting news on Wednesday evening. Dad is flying over to Holland next Friday to spend the weekend with me for his holiday! He is also staying at the same place as I am! It will be great to show him around where I am staying, as well as spending some quality time together. Really looking forward to it!!



Everyone in Holland continues to be great and kind as always. I have promised Louis and Henny (owners of where I am staying) that I will make them a traditional English meal tomorrow, which they are both looking forward to!

Have a great weekend everyone, God Bless Josh.

Weeding at 7 am is the best feeling!!

Getting the order ready of 320 trees                    Taking cuttings of Jasminum officinale

First week of working completed!

Where to begin?! I have just finished my first week at Batouwe Nurseries! It's certainly been hard work, but I have enjoyed every moment, by gaining new techniques and experiences that we in England may not know about, weather if it's working in a Nursery, or not.

When I first arrived at Batouwe, I must admit that I did find it hard, as the environment was different to other Nurseries that I have worked in at England. Also the difference in language was another problem. Luckily this wasn't too much of a problem, as members of Batouwe Nurseries speak English.


As I explained in the last post of my blog, I have made some friends. Gerard and Alberto have been fantastic, as they speak very good English, and have also been very welcoming by inviting me to play football Wednesday evening, which they kindly gave me a spare football kit. Gerard will mostly be working with me for my time at Batouwe Nurseries, as again, if I have any problems with understanding instructions, he can easily translate for me!
It's been fun to help Gerard and Alberto learn some new English words, such words as wheelbarrow, broom/brush and sweeping.
I have also been learning some basic Dutch words, which I am trying to use more often, so that I can speak to more people who can't speak English.



One of the different things that Holland do that England doesn't when working, is that shoes must be taken off when entering the staff room at all times. I think that England should apply these rules to their staff members as well.


I am really enjoying the food in Holland! I have been trying some new food this week. I tried some bitter balls (Bitterballen) after playing football. The best way to describe them is they look like small Scotch eggs, with the centre being like raw dough. They contain beef/veal, beef broth, butter, flour, parsley, salt and pepper as well.
There are some English comfort foods out in Holland, but slightly different. I found Percy pig sweets in a supermarket, but instead of pigs, they are clown faces (Clowns hoofdjdes) - scary looking, but nice!!


A Friday tradition at Batowe Nurseries is that we have chips for lunch. They are slightly different in England, but still taste great. Another tradition at the Nursery is after work, beer is brought in to celebrate a weeks completed at work. We also play table football as well, which is great fun!



I am going out later this evening with Gerrit (who picked me up and gave me the tour of the Nursery on Monday) for a game of pool. The Dutch are very hospitable, and it's an honour to be staying in their country for the next five weeks!

Have a good weekend everyone, God Bless, Josh

Here we go!!

Well, I'm outside of the U.K for the first time in my life! The whole flight experience was better than I thought it was going to be, with the only down-side being that the flight was delayed an hour, but again, it helps with the experience.


When me and Dad (again, Dad kindly came on the same flight as me, to make sure I arrived safely) got to Amsterdam, we got on a train to Rhenen, with the train like a double-decker bus, as it had seat above the ground floor! Along the journey, we both got a bit excited seeing our first windmill in Holland!! After arriving in Rhenen, we dropped our bags off where we were staying for the night, and went out for a bite to eat, and trying out some Dutch beer.


Today I got picked up by an employer of Batouwe (one of the Nurseries that I will be working for 3 weeks). Gerrit took me to the place that I will be staying for the 6 weeks, which  is a small bed and breakfast. The owners are really nice and accommodating as well. I have a small room to myself, which has a double bed and desk!


After dropping off my luggage, we drove to Batouwe (pronounced: bat-ow-er) ready to start my first day at work. I had a tour around the Nursery, which is very impressive. After my tour, I went straight into work by helping take cuttings from Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' plants.

In the afternoon, I helped get an order ready for being taken to another Nursery in Holland, where these plants will be raised, which when they are mature will be shipped to garden centres in the UK.


I have made a couple of friends already, who have kindly invited me to play football this Wednesday evening, followed by a beer, as it's their last game of the season. I have also been invited to mountain biking one weekend as well!


I should also be getting a bike tomorrow, so that I can cycle to work everyday (starting to feel more Dutch!)
I am working 5 days a week- starting from 7:00 am - 4:15 pm.

God bless, Josh :)

How I gained for this internship

Most of you may know how I manged to achieved to get this internship, but have probably explained it briefly to some people who have been interested in it.


Every year at Pershore College, a placement for a Horticultural-based internship for six weeks in Holland is up for grabs for one student. This internship is called 'The Peter Williamson Travel Award'. Peter Williamson studied at Pershore College as well (long before me!). When he was younger, he would spend his summer holidays travelling throughout Europe working in Horticultural Nurseries, to gain valuable knowledge, as well as experience at the same time. Peter Williamson then became involved with Wyevale Nurseries (who supply plants to all of the Wyvale Garden Centres in the UK).

Sadly Peter Williamson passed away a few years ago, but kindly gave some money towards Pershore College in his will, so that one student every year can work at a Dutch Nursery for six weeks in the summer. His aim was to encourage the younger generation of Horticulturists to also gain knowledge and experience as he did in his younger years . As well as a placement, a money contribution is given to the fortunate student to help book flights, accommodation and other requirements they may need.



I was aware of 'The Peter Williamson Travel Award' when I joined Pershore College four years ago, but had no interest what so ever (plus not having the confidence, and also never being abroad, or never owing a passport before probably didn't help either!) It was only the last year of my studies that I decided to apply!

Applying for this internship was done in the same method when applying for a job (by sending in a C.V, cover letter and then finally having an interview a few weeks later on).

I had my interview a few weeks later when sending in my C.V and cover letter. There were five other students who also applied for this internship. My interview went better than I expected, but had this feeling inside of me that I wasn't going to get it.

It was then a few weeks later that I learnt that I got the internship! The Email that I received to let me know of the good news made me feel humble. I also kind of felt bad/guilty at the same time, as one of my closet friends applied, but wasn't successful. He was very supportive though towards my success - a really good friend!



Over the past 3-4 months, I have been negotiating with the organiser (Steve Ashworth) of 'The Peter Williamson Travel Award', who also interviewed me, to help find me a placement in Holland for the six weeks, that also met my Horticultural requirements.
I can happily confirm I will be working at two Nurseries, which both specialise in propagation (3 weeks at each Nursery).

Both Nurseries are both situated in a small town in Central Holland called 'Dodewaard'. The closest well-known town near by is 'Arnhem'.


I fly out to Holland this Sunday with Dad, who kindly decided to take me over, as again, I have never flown before, so he can help me understand on how the airport systems work!

I just finally like to thank everyone who has been encouraging me throughout this process! I will keep everyone up to date via my blog! :)