May 16:

During our morning coffee planning session we discovered that this day was Castle Day at Muiderslot. They were having special events including sword fights and medieval displays. Had to go.

We arrived just before noon which was good timing since on this day the castle didn't open until noon.

This castle was originally built to guard the entrance to Amsterdam. Its been reworked over the years and today, it looks just like what we want a castle to look like. It has a moat, a drawbridge, a turret at each corner and a dungeon.


After waiting in line for a few minutes, we wondered over to the tournament area for a sword fighting demonstration.








The 1/2 hour demonstration was totally in Dutch but, with all the gestures of how to disable your opponent, we understood a good part of it. We just didn't know when to laugh.

Then across the drawbridge and into the castle.

Lots of displays of armor and costumes. Here's Ray pretending to be a fancy guy.




Once back outside, we toured the encampment showing how the common people lived.

These children are baking bread the "old way". The dough is wrapped over the end of a stick and held over an open fire until browned. Then, you have your individual roll.




Some leather workers:



We found this "well-off" couple being served something. Cute outfits.

On the way out was this staff member with Mr. Owl.

I asked about falcons, but the handler said that they used to have falcons but they got too stressed with all the people around them all the time. Apparently, owls are cool.







From there we walked down the canal into town and ate lunch beside the lock.

Before we drove home, we stopped at the Proef for a coffee inside. Just a little too cold to sit outside like we usually do.

Back at "home", Deb and Ray introduced us to two Netflix series we had never watched: New Girl and Suits. We like both of them.