Our Lochem-Delden-Münster Mini-Break

 

During the dog-days of summer, we don't usually plan any long vacations because, well, we just don't like coping with the heat.  However, a mini-break of 3 days and 2 nights is always doable.  Besides, we had a mission.  TWO missions, in fact.

Day 1, Wednesday, July 27:  Lochem-Delden Area

Our first mission was to drop off boxes of communal, excess yarn to Karlijn and Lianne.

They live on a farm out in the boonies about 2 hours east of us where they are 

starting up a ministry for abused and traumatized women.  Our excess yarn 

will be used in many therapeutic projects.  We're delighted!

Look at how welcoming they are!

Because the farm was north of our hotel in Lochem (and after a good lunch),

we drove back to the hotel, stopping first in the quaint city of Delden.

How can you not feel happy about such a place!

Lucky for us, the Blasius Church, from 1150, was open.

You know me.  I always check out the pulpit (preacher dad) and the organ (musician mom)...

...and any other details that intrigue me, especially the frescoes.

Day 2, Thursday, July 28:  Münster, Germany

Our hotel of choice here in the Netherlands is from the Fletcher Hotel chain, where Astrid found the one in Lochem that's in the middle of the woods, with sheep bleating out in the fields.  It was so fabulous and gave us 2 good nights of sleep.

So, after their fabulous, full breakfast (one of the reasons why we choose them!), we were ready and raring for our second mission, to visit our Shutterchance photoblog friend, Philine, in Münster, just over the border in Germany.

This is the collage I posted on Facebook.

And this is what I posted on our Shutterchance blog on Monday.

At 80 years old, she's our "Professional Student" and Walking Encyclopedia,"

always learning and teaching as she goes...just like my mother.

After a brief visit with her in her home, we were off to see the sights

before meeting up with Mechtild for lunch.

This is Nicole Eisenman's fountain sculpture in a park a few blocks from Philine's home.

It's totally worth the read if you're interested.

Mechtild, Philine's long-time friend, always joins us when we visit Philine.

It wouldn't be the same without her.

After lunch, Mechtild went on her way while Philine showed us a few more things,

one of which was the entrance door of the St. Lambert's Church.

The glass work of art conveys aspects of Old Testament stories and Biblical symbolism,

more of which you can understand from this link.

"In your light we see the light." --Psalm 36:9

On our way back to the car, we stopped at Philine's Apostle Church.

Once again, the obligatory nave, front and back, as well as the organ and pulpit.

But THIS is what really caught my eye!

This is the "See Me" sculpture by Lotta Blokker.

It was a good note on which to end our day with Philine,

and was our 6th time in my 12 years here that we have met up with her.

At our age now, it would be a "sin" to not make it happen every year!

Day 3, Friday, July 29:  Windmill and Watermill

After another delightful evening at the hotel (playing cards) and then another fabulous breafast, we were on our way home, stopping only to see two mills.

Most of the Dutch windmills we see are for grinding grain and pumping water out of the polder.

So when we see one that is a SAW mill, we definitely stop.

This Agneta mill is in Ruurlo and is both a saw and grain mill, from 1851.

To be honest, we weren't expecting to see it.  We just happened to pass by it on our way...

...to the water mill in Woold.  

It's the Berenschot (bear shot) mill for grinding grain, built in 1652.

Totally worth seeing, even in a "soft" rain.

Throughout this entire trip, we were in farm country to the east of us, close to the German border.  Have you heard what's going on with the farmers here???  They're being forced to halve their dairy-cow numbers because of greenhouse gas emissions.  This is happening while no other "polluting" industries are also being "punished" related to climate change.  So, guess what's happening???

Far-right extremist groups, backed by tRump, are riling up the farmers

 to protest with tractor blockades on the highways (where they're not allowed),

 keeping millions of euros in produce from the stores, causing accidents and death.

Even manure is being dumped on the highways, which we saw with our own eyes.

And, as you see, the Dutch flag is being hung upside down.

I agree with the right to peacefully protest but what we saw was "a bridge too far."

[Right now there is some relief while both sides are negotiating.]

To give a feel for how important farming is in that area,

you need look no further than this mural on a building outside of Lochem.

"The Farmer deserves Respect."

I agree, but not in this way.

See the tractor?  It uses the farmer's kerchief as it's caution flag.

I can certainly handle THAT tractor on the highway!