Zwolle

It was a long drive to Zwolle, but so worth it.    Such a pretty city, with plenty to see.    

In the 8th century merchants settled here, on the Zwarte Water.   Zwolle probably comes from the Latin 'Suolle' meaning a high altitude area that remains dry during floods.  It became a member of the German Hanseatic League, and became n important trading city in the 15th century.

We crossed the outer river before entering the city centre.

A leaning house.   

The city centre was very busy, as it was a Friday and market day.

Lunch at a lovely cafe, unfortunately we had to sit in the shade, the only table left.   The Dutchies love the sunshine.    There was a very steep staircase up to the toilets, which is not unusual.   A delicious lunch.

I have finally learnt how to cut a kroket in order to place it on a buttered piece of bread, with mustard on top.   It has to be cut lengthways, otherwise you end up with quite a mess.   Our lunch also came with tomato soup and a roll with a slice of raw beef.    

A narrow street, bathed in sunshine.

The lovely carpet in the Grote Church, or St Michaelskerk.    An enormous church, which now has a cafe and second hand bookstore in it.    Plus a huge and well preserved organ.

Aaron reading the tour guide.

The organ.

Beautiful windows in the church.

An art display.

And to continue our walk through one of the squares.

This courtyard was the home of an educationalist, Joan Cele, during the Middle Ages.    The institute is considered the beginning of the gymnasium because of its curriculum.

I think the city was getting ready for a festival, or perhaps Koningsday, which is tomorrow.   There were plenty of pissoirs around.   Nothing for the ladies though.

The art gallery.

The city gate, the Sassenpoort, was built in 1406, and is made of brick, and decorated with natural stone.

The houses beside the gate was originally connected to the gate.   There were two gates, an inner gate and an outer gate.   When Charles, Duke of Guelders, tried to invade the city in 1524, both gates were closed as he, and his men, where passing through it.   They of course died a nasty death.

A street view of the gate.

This square was packed with restaurants and people sitting in the sunshine.

The glass statue of the Archangel Michael.

The enormous library.

And then we walked slowly back to the car park.  

Altogether a delightful day out.  

Paleis Het Loo

We visited the beautiful Palais Het Loo, located on the outskirts of Apeldoorn.     The Dutch royal family lived there until 1975.   It is owned by the State of the Netherlands.    Since 1984 it has been open to the public as the National Museum Paleis Het Loo..

It was built by the King, William 111, who was the great grandson of William of Orange, in 1686.   It had a mixed history, in that it was unoccupied for some time, was plundered and destroyed, become a hospital during  Louis Napoleon reign, then become a summer palace in 1815, become a royal residence again during the 1800s under William 111's reign, and was used as a convalescent home during the 
German occupation.

William 111's wife, Emma, lived here with her daughter, Wilhelmina, as did successive royal Queens, although I think it was mainly a summer residence.

It is a very impressive palace, and also very stylish.

My first view.   I thought this was the palace.   But no, it is part of the horse stables.

The palace, with an impressive and modern water feature in the front.   

I thought this was a crocodile feature, but no!

A long walk to the palace itself.   Glorious weather.

The line up outside the palace.

Aaron looking very happy in front of the stables.

There was a huge hall under the water feature, which you can see in the ceiling.

Great displays at the sides of the huge hall.

Once through the hall we walked up the stairs to the palace.

A very long hall.

Most impressive, without being too 'over the top'.

Up on the roof!   A bit scary.   But not as scary as the lifts.    It was fantastic that they provided lifts, but they sometimes went past floors, and clanked and rattled, and a few were very tiny,  

The view of the magnificent gardens.     Very formal, and laid out according to the 17th century Baroque style.

Very precise.

Walter in the open topped lift.  Thank goodness I walked down the stairs.

The corridors, stairs and walkways in the castle were carpeted with a robust material which matched the floor coverings in each room, ie, tiles, wood or carpet.    The photo below shows how well the walkways were matched to the floor coverings, in this case the inner carpet.   My foot marks the edge of the walkway.

The next few photographs were taken in Wilhelmina's home (19th and 20th centuries).    I liked this wing the most.    I think this might have been Queen Emma's drawing room.

Prince Hendrick's hunting room.

Prince Hendrick's drawing room.   He loved showing off his animal trophies.

King Willem's 1's office.

We had a quick look at the palace coaches.    I think this is Queen Wilhemina's funeral coach.

Another royal coach.

And finally afternoon tea with apple tart, with cream, and coffee, plus a beer for Walter.

Altogether a delightful day.

letsdoubledutch

Letsdoubledutch!     A very strange title, I know, but it is the name of an extremely funny and very clever series of acts written and performed by a comedian called Derek Mitchell.

Derek Mitchell came from the United States of America and lived in the Netherlands for ten years. I believe he currently lives in the United Kingdom.    He is married to a Dutch person.

The term 'Double Dutch' originated in 15th century England, when the English found Dutch and German speakers incomprehensible.   

Derek Mitchell creates various characters and sketches based on Dutch people and the language, and performs them on stage and also through social media. sites.      If you type in @letsdoubledutch or Derek Mitchell into your search engine you will find his sketches. 

Aaron and Kylie were fortunate to buy tickets for his show in Amsterdam, which was an extra one due to all the previous shows being booked out.

It was a long drive to Amsterdam to see an evening show but so well worth it.

Kylie took a photograph of Aaron, Walter and me, before the theatre started to fill with people.   Kylie sat with Mia, as it was not possible to get five seats together.

Aaron and me, filling in time before the show.

                                         
Walter and me.    Successful selfies.

After the show Derek Mitchell met people who wished to have their photograph taken with him.   The queue was very long.

One of the skits was a story about walking with a rollator, so Kylie took a photograph of us , with Derek Mitchell and the rollator in the centre.   He noticed us and gave us a big smile.

A little bit of fun and laughter.

Visiting Abi in Den Haag

On Monday, we had a lovely afternoon with Abi.    We first had an interesting tour of her university, followed by a visit to her flat, and then delicious pizzas at an Italian restaurant.

Abi standing beside her desk at the university.    A very tidy desk too.   

Much of her study involves working with various arts materials, and on projects.   The sign outside the studio door said 'Bachelor Interactive/Media/Design Room' A very busy environment.

    

The tour involved walking along many corridors, across a metal bridge to another building, and past some exhibits.   It was fascinating to see the rooms with looms, metal work, sewing machines and studios.  The buildings were old, and well worn.   The smell and feel of the university took us back to our days at university where the teacher training area was next to the arts and crafts area.   

This was a shoe with q bump on the side.    Great for anyone with a huge bunion.

A collection of boots.

There was a herb garden between the buildings.

One of the long and narrow corridors.

All the signs were on the floor rather then on the walls.   Very smart.

Part of Abi's lino work.

Another display.

Kylie and I walked to Abi's flat, through all the grand old buildings and squares.   Abi is on the first floor, with a small shared kitchen and bathroom, plus a huge room, which is her study, lounge and bedroom.

Walter managed to use the stairs too.

Everyone relaxing in the room.

The view from the window.   

Abi, Kylie and Walter standing outside Abi's building.   Her flat, with the lovely big windows, is above the front door and garage.   

And then we ate the most delicious pizzas at the Italian restaurant.

Such a great day.