For the last couple of days we had more tours through lovely little villages in the general area.

I think that’s what I enjoy most about olde Europe – the fact that everything is a hodge podge of whatever has lasted this long – I mean just check out all the funny roofs..

Also – on the canals – at least this one – Windsurfing is strictly prohibited. No sense of adventure at all!

There were lots of airplanes shot down in this area in WW2 – and there are memorials all over the place.

We also visited a bunker near a convent – that had a chapel in it – all quite eerie. Did however manage to make the best ever drop sound (for me at least)

Also – they don’t play mini-golf in this country – they play Midget golf. It was a close run game, Maaike tells me she threw it to make me happy – but I frankly don’t believe that’s true. Who would do such a thing?

.. But they do have fine, fine beer.

Then it was off to Maastricht where the treaty that formed the European Union took place. We met up with a friend of Maaike’s (and mine) from TCD – Eefje (who travelled with Maaike in NZ– many moons ago).

Maaike’s parents took us on a walk about and to a Belgian Beer garden (in Belgium – where it’s cheaper) for a beer.

This marker is part of the Grand Randoneé network of huge walks throughout continental Europe. From here you can walk 2512km down to Nice (it would be, wouldn’t it ;)

We also visited an old fort where there was an interpretive centre attached. There were some interesting stories etc… and also, it turns out, time for our first poll in quite a while. Maaike is hidden somewhere in this picture… is she on the Left, in the middle, or on the right…? Vote now.

[poll id=”1″]

Then it was time for a walkabout in the city. It really had a very nice feel to it actually – with a big amusement park installed in the centre (temporarily). Also, the traffic lights have achieved gender equality here.

The only bad thing about this trip really, is that saying goodbye to friends can be a little hard – it really is the downside of living in NZ. That said, I’m sure given time that NZ will become more and more of a desirable place to live – and then we’ll be having lots more visitors!

Next it was off for the summit attempt of the holiday. Preparations were made: Sherpas enlisted, Oxygen masks bought, donkeys hired, food dumps dropped in by air…

The day dawned crisp and chill. The 2 am start was hard, but needed – have to get to the top before the ice starts to melt. Crampons pulled on, grim determination set on our faces. Off we set.

The most dangerous / difficult part *by far* was crossing past the man with the crank handled music playing device just before reaching the summit – and close by – the triple point of where Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands meet.

Just time for the obligatory summit photo (and video) (322 POINT FIVE metres), before descending to a safer altitude.

Then went for an enjoyable walk through lovely woodland forest. I must say, Meneer Jongerius’ navigation skills were actually quite impressive. We walked through paths seldom trod – and had a yum picnic (more Boursin – can’t beat that stuff).

And on the way back we dropped into Maaike’s summer house – where I took a short video of the place.

After arriving back from our cycling trip – it was time to see the surrounds of Maaike’s Southern part of The Netherlands. First stop was Roermond which is the principal city in the area. Now, historically (and currently I suppose) the Northern part of The Netherlands was protestant – and the Southern part Catholic. Certainly the picturesque city was full of statues. Here’s a model of the city…

In the city there were lots of wells. Each well had its own protecting statue – I suppose the bigger the statue the more prosperous the area..?!

We also went into the Munsterkerk – which was a stunning building built (or started at least) in 1410.

And it also had one of the most gruesome statues of Christ that I have ever seen.

And a video of the inside of the cathedral.

And one of the more… feminine? statues of Mary that I have ever seen (not in the Cathedral)

We also visited a graveyard nearby. This was quite an interesting place – it was split into sections for Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Non religious. Also, as it’s such a desirable place to be buried – you basically rent space (20 years at a pop I think). You can also buy a plot if you’re rich enough. Quite odd – probably happens in other places – but I for one haven’t seen that before.

There’s also a beautiful example of marriage cross-religious boundaries. I’ve forgotten the lineage of the people, but presumably important and rich – and one a Catholic and the other a Protestant. They couldn’t get buried in the same part of the cemetery, but they did get buried one on either side of the wall – and shook hands over the top. Lovely.

One of? the routes to Santiago de Campostella goes through Roermond.. quite the pilgrimage.

And finally, another picture of a cheese shop!

Oh – and a funky statue.

Next it was off to visit Maaike’s brother Sjoerd in Nijmegen. Nijmegen is the oldest city in The Netherlands. Or, at least, it thinks it is. Well, even if it doesn’t actually think it is, it *declared* itself the oldest. Either way, it’s a groovy city – not least for the hot chocolate (more about that later).

Nijmegen is traditionally a city for hippies and liberals. Sjoerd seems to have made his way into one of the most hippyish and liberal accommodations in the city. And it’s very very cool. Basically back about 40?! years ago a bunch of like minded individuals bought 4 houses in town beside each other to make a small community. They took out a mortgage and ran the whole place as a community (knocked down the garden walls to make a really big allotment). As time progresses people (inmates?! ;) come and go, but the basic philosophy stays the same. Rent is cheap, you cook and eat together (if you want), play games (more on that later) and generally it’s not completely unlike the place where I live (and love). What’s interesting is that the mortgage is coming to the end of its life – and I’m not quite sure what happens then – but it would be a shame if it fell apart.

Anyway, seeing as it’s unlikely anyone is actually reading this (rather than skimming to pictures ;) I’ll put in a picture of Sjoerd and his friend Merijn, and the fine, fine dinner they gave us one evening (honestly, it was, as they say, scrumdiddlyumptious)

Dutch oddity #4 – Clogs

This is a picture of a clog (wooden shoe).

Now, as you know the Dutch are renowned as an economical people – which should be recognised as an excellent trait in our current consumer age. Now, as wooden shoes have a very very long shelf life – basically everybody wears them – all the time. It’s kinda disconcerting the first time you walk down a street and hear what sound like millions of tap dancers – but hey – you get used to it.

One day we went for a cycle around the outskirts of town – seeing all the polders (reclaimed land).

This was followed up by, frankly, the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my entire life. If you’re in Nijmegen – this is an absolute must do. A must must do. Its served in De Blaauwe Hand – (The Blue hand – so named because of the textile makers who had blue hands from the dying process). Basically they get quality flakes (well, 5mm diameter balls) of good Belgian chocolate, steamed milk, and an aperitif?! and you mix it up yourself. It was sensational.

This has turned into quite the gastronomic post really.. still, this was followed up another day with just my favourite thing for lunch – a fresh Baguette and Boursin cheese. Honestly, my favourite. Still not sure if / where you can get Boursin in NZ.

Oh – and we played a really fun game of Werewolves and Villagers. In the basic game everyone gets given a card (You don’t have to have special cards (though we did, and I want to get a set soon!)) with a picture of a werewolf or a villager on it.

With 9 people, 2 would be werewolves, and the rest villagers. The werewolves get to identify themselves secretly to each other (everyone closes their eyes at ‘night’) and kill someone. Then everyone wakes up (villagers and werewolves) and try to work out who did it. At the end of each round the villagers vote to kill someone they think is a werewolf. So the werewolves have to try to sneakily get the villagers to kill one another.

It’s a really fun (and stressful ;) game. Well worth a play.

Unfortunately it was then time to leave Nijmegen and cycle to Maaike’s parents place in Posterholt. That was about 100km cycle or something. My bum wasn’t quite up to it. No idea why, it has plenty of padding – but I think just not used to their saddles / the position you sit in on the bike. Or something. And yes, I am making excuses, but it’s my blog and I’m allowed to. :Þ

So we took the cycle networks – complete with maps showing you where to go. It really is the ideal country for biking.

Then when I really couldn’t hack it any longer – we put our bikes on the train for the rest of the journey.

And a short video of us leaving Nijmegen.

And finally, a picture I thought was funny ;)