Easy riding!

Our first stop in the Netherlands was in Arnhem where we rested while the raindrops fell again...  (is anyone wondering if we were bringing the weather along with us?)   This curious creature was lying in a playground outside our hotel, a wonderful space for children to climb on and to appeal to their imagination.

We felt at home again with the smooth bike paths, red bicycle lanes on busy roads, bicycle traffic lights, patient drivers and smiling friendly people. We were startled, however, to see our path end up in the water...

until we saw the ferry on the other side!

On our way to Amerongen, we had a great ride through an extensive forest along the north side of the Nederrijn.

We had visited the 17th century Castle of Amerongen last year, but were happy to take another look. Once we crossed over the moat, the formal gardens drew our interest. We had not previously known that the 25 acres have been restored to show four centuries of history.

The skill of the gardeners and the amount of meticulous upkeep required is extraordinary.

The Castle and grounds are now in use for business and social events after ten years of renovation.

A game of "hide-and-seek", anyone?

In an out-of-the-way part of the garden, we found a little thatched cottage. It is a playhouse for children and contains well-used antique toys and a table set for a tiny tea party.  Sal decided it will be considered as a future residence!

We stayed at a B&B with a terrace which was very popular with cyclists and locals as well.  The owner's pet chickens enjoyed crumbs from the bread baskets and there were water bowls for the visiting dogs, a common sight in Europe.

Our room had some very whimsical and unique decor, and a chandelier with angel wings. 

We continued on the next day to Utrecht and, of course, had to stop for our treat of coffee and fabulous apple pie.

We arrived in Utrecht to visit our good friend Jan for a few days. He had arranged for us to stay on his friend's houseboat which was a delight for us.  It was great to eat Jan's really "lekker"  home-cooked food.

It was a treat for us to explore by boat and, after lunch at a restaurant on the canal, we took a walk to see one of Jan's favorite places called Slot Zuylen. It is now a museum but was once owned by a famous early feminist writer, Belle van Zuylen.

The gardens here are lovely also, not as formal as Amerongen, with tempting orchards filled with ripe plums, peaches, figs, apples and pears.  We resisted! It was a perfect and relaxing day, thank you Jan!










As we left to return to the real world, we remarked on the perfectly Dutch scene in front of us. In the distance through the archway, there is a windmill,  a stork's nest and some cows.