Theo Kley, born in 1936 was our beloved father and grandfather and painter-artist, explorer, endless source of countless inspiring ideas and projects, one of them, in his later years when he had settled in Ruigoord, was his famous Theetuin (Tea Garden).

In Ruigoord, a village just west of Amsterdam that was rescued by artists from destruction by expanding harbour and industry activities over 50 years ago he created a lush green corner and during festivals opened a tea garden. There he served tea from herbs he had grown from early on in spring, as well as his famous soup and Yllen (his great friend) her great brownies and apple cake. People would mount their bikes and cycle all the way for a bite… and enjoy some art in the gallery annexe of his atelier and in the wider village. Other weekends they would find a more relaxed corner during bustling festivals.