Houten, where Aaron and Kylie live, is an unique place, a town built for cycling. There is a road that circles the town and cuts through the centre, to form a design that is similar to a figure of 8. There are small roads that go into each suburb, so that people can access their houses by car. However, it is not possible to drive from one suburb to another. The area is beautifully landscaped with parks and green spaces.
Sadly I have noticed an increase in cars in the car parks, and around the shopping areas, plus an increase in the number of mopeds and fat bikes which are ridden by the young who like to travel very fast on the bike paths.
However, most people within the town ride a bike to work, to the train station, to school, o visit friends and do the shopping. The list goes on! I so love it.
Aaron hired a two person bicycle, electric, to take Walter for a tour around the other side of Houten. Walter is feeling a little nervous in this photo.
Three were avenues of pink blossom three days before we rode here. However the new bright green leaves were still spectacular. The clear blue skies and sunshine helped too.
A few trees still had their blossoms.
An historic building beside the canals.
There are raised areas which gave a different perspective to the general landscape. The raised areas were covered in grass, trees and flowers and consisted of avenues and hills. It gave quite a different perspective to the town. There were different building styles too, depending on the architect or building.
The town was planned originally by Robert Derks, who was still alive and very much active in trying to keep the concept alive. At the moment Kylie is helping to translate into English, the book he wrote.
One of the raised areas, with an avenue of trees.
Another raised area.
Another architectural design of housing.
Back to the cycle path. These little electric cars are allowed on the bike paths.
Popular cafe/bars in old Houten.
The old Catholic Church in old Houten.
A view of the van der Valk Hotel. We stayed there once. Quite a flash hotel.
So many avenues of trees here.
The old Houten railway station. Now a cafe.
Two ducks happily swimming on a canal.
Camping de Vliert, where we used to stay in our caravan. We also sold our caravan to the owner, and hired it back in 2019. Interestingly we then had to pay for the hire of the van plus site fees. Not cheap. We were meant to stay there in 2020 but of course it was cancelled due to the pandemic. A lovely campsite though.
And yet another avenue, although this one is outside of Houten and also has cars travelling on it too.
I will miss cycling around here! Looking forward to the next visit though.
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