goodyandstevec2c

Goody is still in Germany in Cuxhaven and Agathenburg. I spoke to her earlier today, she is visiting Berlin and the Copenhagen later in the week. She should be back in Amsterdam next Friday. Goody spent the week with Cristel and Siegbert. They joined Werner for his 73rd birthday and then Goody went to Cuxhaven with Gertrud and caught up with all the relatives over the weekend.

Then back to Agathenburg and onto Berlin with Cristal for the day. It is wonderful to see this city since reunification all the building and construction still continues with new buildings and old buildings being restored. The history of the wall, the Brandenburg gate and many other attractions are well worth seeing. There is a huge are of parkland that was made from the area were people tried to escape from east to west.

Then Goody ventures of to Copenhagen for an overnight stay. A wonderful city with huge wide streets, bike friendly, (even the major rides a bike) and an atmosphere not unlike Amsterdam of openess and tolerance. Goody went on a walking tour that lasted 5 hours instead of three as a few side visits were made. The statues and monuments are everywhere and the architecture and granduer of the buildings is quite breathtaking. Well worth a visit but just as expensive as England as they do not have the Euro's.

I decided to go in search of the fabled dutch "mountains" in the south of Holland. I took a 2 1/2 hour train trip along with my bike to Maastricht and followed the signs to the "Plateau Route". The mountains are really just pleasant little rolling hills. Very picturesque area. Had a coffee and cake in Gulpen. Bit too early in the day for a Gulpener (beer). Took about 4 hours to ride the 35k circuit. Its clearly a favourite place for Dutch road riding groups, they are in big groups all round the hiils . Very tempting to ride to Vaalse the highest mountain ( a dizzying 321 meteres ) in Holland since its only about 10k away but I resist. You can see it in one of the photos.

I think this is Vaalse (since I couldn't see any other mountains around ).
Its that pyramid shaped hill in the centre of the photo to the right of the trees.

Photo from St Jans cathedral Mastricht. You can see the area of the "Plateau route" in the distant hills.

This was actually a steep hill ! I had to get off and walk ! ( no gears , well that's my excuse ).
The people on the path below were picking blackberries. They dont seem to take over here like the do in Oz.

I had bit of a wander around Maastricht . Lovely city but it is crawling with people. Better to come on a week day if you can manage it.
Decided to buy a book to read on the train and head back to Amsterdam.

Goody headed back to Bonn with Lisa and Johanna on Friday. Goody had a wonderful week spending time with Lisa and her neighbour Earnst. They visited the wine region along the river Ahr and sampled a few wines at the Kruizburg winery, they were so impressed they each purchased a 1/2 dozen bottles to take home. The picture below is of this region, very beutiful and very steep.

They also spent some time at Essen in Grubba a huge parkland with wonderful gardens.

Goody also managed a trip to the Birkenstock factory and bought a pair of shoes for summer.

I stayed in Amsterdam and on Sunday travelled to Weerribbenen with Geetha, Deeptha and Vasanthe.
After a 2 hour train trip and a 1/2 hour bus trip we made it to Weerribbenen

Weerribbenen is a national park consisting of a large network of canals that were created from turf cutting in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.

We had a fun morning canoeing our way around the maze of canals.

Later we walked along a large canal from Ossenzijl to Kalenberg.

Vasanthe and Deeptha showing their consumate skills with the canadian canoe.

Deeptha, Geetha and Vasanthe on our walk from Ossenzijl to Kalenburg

Lisa and Johanna travelled from Bonn and Zurich to visit us in our apartment. They had a fun week shopping and visiting tha Van Gogh Museum, Anne Franks house and Goody and Lisa helped Johanna pick up a couple of outfits for some upcoming Weddings.

This was a favourite watering hole for Steve Wilks, Steve Hogan and Larry a couple of years ago. It's in the Jordaan area and it's a great spot to enjoy a beer and watch the world go by. Here Lisa, Johannah and Goody are enjoying the ambience. Turns out Marcus Blackhall only lives a couple of hundred metres from here !

Had a nice Indonesian meal with Wim and Nanda and then explored around some lovely little backwaters of Amsterdam that Wim knew about since he lived here as a child. Found a very nice little Restaurant / bar called Zeppo's

This nice bar is just down the river from our apartment and is a lovely spot for a drink / meal on a warm evening.

Goody and Hannah Blackhall

Goody had a fun day visiting Volendam and Marken with Terry and Hannah Blackhall. They managed to dodge the thunderstorms amazingly well .

Zaans Schans Windmills

Jonathan and Marlie

Euaun, Lisa and Willem at Enkhuizen

Our weekend with Jonathan and Marlie

Sunday 8th July, sunny 24* We caught the train to Alkmeer to Jonathan and Marlies house from where we travelled to Enkhuizen for the afternoon. Enkhuizen is a sort of Dutch version of Sovereign Hill for you aussies out there. We had a very enjoyable day with Jonathan, Marlie, Lisa, Willem and Euaun. Stayed for a nice meal and caught the train back.

Kaspar, Steven, Carolien and Floortje

Floortje making some music

Goody near the Ship Museum

Sunday 01/07/07 A sunny day (No rain - marvellous)
Today we took the train to Delft (were they make the famous Delft pottery) the town is very old world and beautiful. Very quiet when compared to Amsterdam. As is the custom in Holland on Sunday nothing gets up and going till around lunch time. We took a cannal ride and wandered around the market in the city square, would have liked to go to the pottery, however, time was short as we were expected at Carolien and Steven's (friends of Lori)home around 2pm. We took the train to Den Haague and were met by Carolien who along with her family made us very welcome. We had a very enjoyable afternoon, first we strolled through the sand dunes to the beach near by, then came back to their home for a yummy vegetarian dinner and to top it all of the family gave us a recital with Floortje on Cello, Kasper on Bassoon and Mum (Carolien) on Piano. Then sadly we had to leave we arrived home at 12 midnight. We hope to catch up again before we leave.