After Germany

The day after returning from Germany it was cold and dreary. We decided to rest and stay inside. Moeke came by to say hi and hangout with Linda.

On Friday, it was time to pick up our Florida friend, Joy. She had been on a week's cruise on the Rhine that ended in Amsterdam. We drove down to Amsterdam with Lynda and after a little confusion, found her and brought her back to Soest.

On Saturday, we all took the train to Amsterdam for a dinner with Joy's traveling buddies: her husband's brother and his wife, and a friend. We had found a restaurant off the web and it turned out to be really good. Six of us had the duck leg and Linda had a lamb stew; everyone was happy. If you're ever in Amsterdam, try Humphreys, there are two locations. We went to the one which was an 8 minute walk from the train station.

Our neighbor, Liesbeth, sings in a group who calls themselves "Queen". Therefore, they sing songs by Queen. Liesbeth and her singing partner have decided to additionally go out on their own and they have formed there own company. This week they had their first paying gig singing at a wedding. When they returned in the mid afternoon, they invited us over to hear them sing a couple of songs and to see their fancy dresses that they purchased at a second hand store. 

After singing for us and eating dinner, the two women drove off to a concert. They told us later, that during intermission, they found a piano and put on an impromptu performance in the hallway. They have a lot of fun performing.

Liesbeth had to cook dinner for her family before the concert.







On Sunday, Lizzie and Peter came over to say goodbye to Lynda. She wanted to drive to the airport alone, so we let her go off by herself.

This weekend was Monuments Day weekend in The Netherlands. That means that some historic buildings across the country that are usually closed are open for this one weekend. Lizzie and Peter came back over and took Linda and me and Joy to Amersfoort, a neighboring town. We visited the fortified gate in the old city wall,

and were shown how they raised and lowered the gate. Lizzie, Peter, and Linda got to try out moving the giant wheels that were hooked to pulleys to move the gate.

Peter and I at the top of the wall.

We also visited what I would call an "alms house". A place established by a private foundation in the 1300's to provide a bed and food for the poor and travelers. It was still in use till the 1970's. The beds are small because people slept sitting up to keep their heads elevated. If they laid flat it was said they "were going to the devil". 

On our way back to the car, it was time to shoot the canon. That was interesting.