At the end of August 1988, Malcolm took his mother Doady to Holland to visit friends Hans and Ynskje who lived in Dronten in Flevoland. They flew from Southampton being the most expedient means of travel for this short trip.

Malcolm suffered a mishap the day before which could have prevented his travel. He was fixing a loose gutter on the side of his house which disturbed a nest of wild bees. The bees came out and attacked him before he could get down the ladder. His eyelids swelled up and closed and he had to visit to the doctor who prescribed antihistamine. Brenda went to the chemist to collect the tablets but they were closed. Luckily, the owner was opposite putting petrol into his car and saw Brenda and came over and opened the shop for her.

They stayed in their home on the outskirts of Amsterdam and were taken on several day trips to show Doady a flavour of the country. They spent one day at the Zuider Zee museum village and another day in the city of Amsterdam. Hans and Ynskje were also very good at providing food that demonstrated typical and traditional Dutch food.