The plan for today was to go for a bike ride (very Dutch :-)!) into the surrounding areas to show us around as well as show us a few places of importance to Brii’s family.
We visited Gardaren, a small village where Tante Dreesje (Brii’s Opa’s sister) and Um Ernst lived for many years. Brii met Tante Dreesje on her last visit to The Netherlands in 2000. We went to their house (Meester’s huis = teacher’s house) and also visited the grave yard where they are now buried. This grave yard is also where Brii’s Great Grandparents are buried.
We also visited the site where Brii’s Great Grandparents had a Pension (Bed and Breakfast) ‘Dennelust’. It was a gorgeous white house set on a 10acre block but unfortunately the house was knocked down about 4yrs ago so only the overgrown block remained. It was still very cool though, and important, as both Brii’s Dad and his cousin Ernst (who we are staying with) were born here.
A short stop at Castle Staverden which is actually more of a manor that has housed many Dukes and Counts for their hunting expeditions over the last 800yrs. We strolled through the gardens which a nice way to stretch our legs.
Our ride took us through many beautiful landscapes including the plains and fields where the sheep are let out to graze. Ermelo was traditionally a framing community.
We enjoyed a beautiful lunch in a local restaurant where Jack sampled his first Croquettes, and then rode home.
Our fabulous day was topped off with a scrumptious dinner at Bea and Jan’s house... which we also rode to so no one had to drive home... :-)... a total of 46km for the day!
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