I met Robin through my Vision and Verb colloration site. She actually makes the 3rd woman I've met from the group. Petra is no longer with us but because she lives nearby, we have met up with her twice. Cherry is the other one, from England, whom also we have met up with twice. It's a small world after all!
When we found out Robin's hubby was going to be in Amsterdam for a conference, we connected with each other to make sure we grabbed her for as many days she could give us. It was 3 days, technically, but only one full day in between. Needless to say, we packed it in.
On our long way home after picking her up in Amsterdam, we stopped at the
Wijnhandel van Ouwerkerk wine store/business/museum from 1860 in nearby Arkel.
Talk about a photographer's heaven!
Once home and after getting her settled into her guest room across the courtyard, Robin joined us for Astrid's homemade spinach tart and an evening of relaxation. It was the calm before the storm. HA!
As with Bob and Peggy when they visited a year ago, we had a route planned.
Of course, we went the back roads to see the real Holland and stopped at every whip-stitch.
Astrid is very used to stopping on a dime, of course, and we let Robin know!
Culemborg was our first real stop to see the ornate city hall and the city gate...
and to have our koffie met appeltaart! Just a quickie stop.
The bulk of our time we spent in Wijk bij Duurstede, first to see the Rijn en Lek drive-through windmill...
and actually drive AND walk through it...only 35 miles from us.
It's a big deal for us because it's the only one in the world, supposedly.
Besides the windmill, the Kasteel Duurstede is the other main attraction.
When Bob and Peggy were with us, there was a wedding taking place, so it, too, is a big deal.
It's nice when you can shoot 2 birds with one stone!
And yes, that was where we also ate our lunch, at the same café as with Bob and Peggy.
I think we need to start getting a tourism commission, don't you? :)
That evening, by the way, once we were back home, we took Robin to our favorite pannenkoeken restaurant out in the polder to let her experience the real deal. We will take everyone there who visits us, so start licking your chops.
The next day, before returning Robin to Amsterdam, we chose Hoorn as our final city/place of interest.
This is just one of many Dutch harbors but famous as Amsterdam's sleeper community.
Another fabulous photographer's heaven!
The Hoofdtoren is no doubt Hoorn's most famous landmark, from 1532.
From the wharf, we watched lots of sailing activities out in the IJsselmeer.
We were short of eyes, of course....
...and were actually followed around by this gentleman, Cor, a photographer who knows his stuff.
Robin might remember how old he is but 87 sticks in my head...or was it 78?
[Robin remembers 87 because he's as old as her dad!]
[Robin remembers 87 because he's as old as her dad!]
We especially enjoyed this gentleman cleaning his boat with the harbor water.
I bet there's a Boaters Have More Fun bumper sticker somewhere!
Except that we really have fun eating, which surely is more fun!
We parked outside of Amsterdam and took the Metro into city center to return Robin safe-n-sound.
She and hubby then proceded to wine and dine us, along with his co-worker.
After dinner we walked to one of Amsterdam's brown cafés and had a huppelolie.
That's what I'm sipping in the top left image: a sweet kruidenbitter (= spice bitter).
How's that for saying Good-Bye to a new-found friend.
We actually left her with a catch in our throats. We didn't want it to end!
(sigh)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
So, instead of leaving on that note...here are the goodies I collected while out-n-about with our new friend:
Weathervanes....
...and all those gevelstenen (= gable stones) I love.
I wonder when Robin can come back??? She's already talking about bringing a girlfriend next time!
You'd want to come back, too, if you ever have the chance to come the first time. :)
