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  • . Commented on C. Hewat

    Claude Hewat, a cousin of George and Thomas North Christie.

    January 17,2023 11:45am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    The author Vicky Vanden Driesen takes her readers on an enchanting journey and an emotional journey while enlightening us along the way. She shares beautiful stories of the forgotten romance of Ceylon, her first heart, and her deep affection for the ‘hill country’, that she, like many others, had to leave behind with sadness. Her style and wit makes this book a page turner from the start. The ‘ Burgher’ story comes alive in this new ‘must read’ from Vanden Driesen. I urge you to get a copy and delve into the somewhat forgotten, rich cultural diversity of Sri Lanka and it’s peoples.

    January 17,2023 11:07am

  • . Commented on Back pain warning - drink this TEA every morning to avoid waking up with backache

    F

    January 13,2023 03:42pm

  • . Commented on “MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS” – RECOLLECTIONS OF TEA PLANTING IN THE “OLD DAYS”

    Just saw this and will reply via your email.

    January 13,2023 05:32am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    A MAGNIFICENT MASTERPIECE!

    January 11,2023 12:51pm

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    "Congratulations, Vicki! I am so impressed by the depth and breadth of your research in your memoirs on life on tea plantations. The way you have woven together the personal stories of your family's history with the larger historical and cultural context of the tea industry is truly remarkable. Your dedication to uncovering the truth about the past and family and sharing it with others is truly admirable. Your book will undoubtedly be a valuable resource for historians, sociologists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex and nuanced life on tea estates during that era, will enjoy this book . I am sure that your work will be well-received and will have a lasting impact. I am so proud of you, and wish you the best of luck as your book is published. Keep shining!"

    January 11,2023 11:20am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    Vicki is a natural storyteller and has gifted to us this love letter to her life in Ceylon and her forebears. Congratulations Vicki on this tremendous contribution to the history and discourse of your Second Heart.

    January 10,2023 06:35am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    I apologise which I failed to mention, I knew quite a few of the people Vicki has been forthright about. For example she mentions a teachers name whom she liked.(Mrs Fleur Perera). Fleur happens to be my first cousin. So to me the book became more valuable.

    January 09,2023 09:25am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    Extremely glad Vicki wrote this book. Brings back so many memories of my boarding days and living with an Aunt. It was so because I too was a planters son.

    January 09,2023 09:06am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    Reading Vicki's memoirs, I must say that they are fantastic - written with so much dedication and passion. Congratulations Vicki.

    January 08,2023 07:59am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    What a delectable read! It is a real eye opener into life in Ceylon and on the plantations. I identified with it strongly particularly after sitting with my grandmother for many hours listening to her recollections over the years about her days in Ceylon as a young woman and about her family and the Blazés. It was great to read about your grandparents in detail as she and my father have often spoken of them to me. Your grandmother’s favourite sayings - nearly identical to my grandmother’s! I could make many links with what she had told me about the past, through your stories. The interjected recipes also help to liven all the senses and spark the imagination whilst reading. I also love the way you have used images of your father’s actual handwriting to decorate the book (as a sort of section divider). The book is a real work of art. Could we have some printed copies please!

    January 08,2023 04:00am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    An absolutely wonderful read from start to finish. Have so much appreciation for Vicki's talent and effort to put this altogether. I was reluctant to post a comment since this is my hubby's FB account, but I see Vicki has done the same, so here I am! Amala.

    January 06,2023 03:17pm

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    This is Vicki Vanden Driesen....posting from my husband, Jan's, FB account.

    January 06,2023 04:10am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    Thank you for this kind comment....I am delighted that My Second Heart is being read and enjoyed.

    January 06,2023 04:09am

  • . Commented on My Second Heart

    A moving, heartfelt account of growing up in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, both in Colombo and on tea estates. Vicki Vanden Driesen spent seven years on this book, and it shows. Occasionally humorous, but mainly poignant and nostalgic, she vividly recalls the remarkable life of her father, and her distinguished Blaze lineage. The text is enhanced with photographs, handwritten notes, and recipes.

    January 05,2023 08:53am

  • . Commented on Hallina

    My father Norman. D. Winter managed Hallina Estate in1942 and before that year also so am surprised t that he is NOT mentioned at all. I was born in that year at Balangoda hospital and spent at least 4 years at Hallina. Mr Baker was the Visiting agent at the time I have photos of myself at Hallina to prove this So strange that his information is not here??,

    January 04,2023 07:54pm

  • . Commented on Ugieside

    There is information in the Book,20th century Impressions of Ceylon, about Ugieside Estate, Undugoda which belonged to William Gray,. The Superintendant was William Murray who was also Attorney to Mr Gray I have'nt got the book to hand but there is quite a lot of infromation about the acreage etc

    January 04,2023 07:17pm

  • . Commented on Poonagala Group in 1895

    Very interesting!

    January 01,2023 09:31pm

  • . Commented on Sri Lanka: On The Trail Of Sir Thomas Lipton

    Lipton Seat, What a Nice View Point in Sri Lanka...

    December 27,2022 06:36am

  • . Commented on Jews Of Sri Lanka: An Untold Story

    J.B MULLER must be off his 'rocker' to make such claims with no Proof whatsoever as A.J Venderpoorten's ancestry has been TRACED from this father in Belgium to his Grandfather and earlier ancestors who were ALL baptised for umpteen generations in ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES in Belgium. Their name means 'guardians/ defenders of the PORTS . Henricus Leembruggen .,Secretary to the Dutch Governer likewise has his ancestry traced in CHURCH records also.. His name means a Limestone BRIDGE?? Very Semitic ??, hardly likely as for SCHNEIDER, This is a German word for CUTTER. So were ALL Cutters of Fabrics and Wood in Germany of the Jewish Faith?? Gualterus Schneider was with the VOC Dutch East India Co who were in Ceilan/Ceylon and was appointed as Surveyor General by the British.after they took over, His family came from HESSE CASSEL in Germany. !!Were Muller's ancestors Jewish also? . Is he totally UNAWARE that many of the Hebrew faith took German & Dutch surnames??I have met Jewish folk in England who told me that they took the name of SMITH . So are ALL the millions of Smiths in the UK of Hebrew ancestry ?.The latter is a trade name. To SURMISE in this fashion iwith NO Proof whatsoever is not only Arrogant & False and was NOT Geneaologist either.

    December 23,2022 08:15pm