For years I was a journalist with a hobby. These days I am a pensioner with a passion. 

My name is Gert van der Maten. I was born in Amsterdam in 1957. Today I live in Alkmaar, the famous cheese-city 40 km north of the Dutch capital.

My workshop is in the inspiring heart of the beautifull Schermer, the polder that was born in the year 1635 when inventive Hollanders pumped the water out of Lake Schermer.

I taught myself all the woodworking I now practise every day. In that respect I stand on the shoulders of the great men and women of YouTube who showed me all the hows and why's.