Guillaume Van der Stighelen (67) is an author and columnist and is also debuting as a novelist. He wrote all his books in Zeeland. It is the place where he loves most, and his love for oysters and his late son Mattias have something in between. “He’s everywhere. And I like that.”
Guillaume Van der Stighelen: “Gathering oysters on the Oosterschelde: the perfect weekend for me. We have a cottage by the water where my boat is right outside the door. I’ve been sailing since I was little and find it fascinating that you can travel on wind. The moment I set foot on the scaffolding, I am a different person. Fuller and more complete, not so restless anymore.”
“Middelburg is a fifteen minute drive away. It is urban enough to do a cinema on a Saturday evening, village enough to say hello to everyone on the bike. There is a bookshop, De Drvkkery, voted the best in the Netherlands. The tradition is to dive right in looking for new books, because my wife also reads a lot. And then we go for dinner, they have a very good kitchen here.”
With the northeast wind on my face, I open the oyster in the low tide and slurp it empty. No other culinary experience can compete with that.
“I prefer to be here with friends and family. We go to the beach and open a bottle of champagne. The oysters are half a meter thick in front of my door. Feel free to freeze a little; with the northeast wind on my face I open the oyster in the low tide and slurp them empty. No other culinary experience can compete with that.”
“The peace and nature in Zeeland are fantastic. I also come there alone and have written two books. I did not expect the interest in this novel. I made it for fun. Gradually I realized that I was writing something that might have some effect after all.”
“When are you giving it a place?” I hate that expression, because Mathias’ absence is part of it for the rest of my life.
“I also have my musing spots here: the lighthouse at the farthest point of the pier. My son loved to sit there with his friends. He caught two large bass. Now when I go to a seafood restaurant, it’s the first thing I order. There is also a pole with a sun on it, the symbol of Mattias, next to which we put yellow flowers.”
“Some say: ‘When will you give it a place?’ I hate that expression, because his absence is part of it for the rest of my life. He’s everywhere and I like that. A poem of mine reads: ‘Time does not heal all wounds. Time only helps you get used to the fact that time doesn’t heal all wounds.’”
How and where does the famous Fleming spend his ideal weekend? With that question, NINA goes out with a BV to his or her favorite spot. Because, no matter how you fill in the end of the week, everyone has to blow out.
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