Welp, I discovered an old train ticket that I had bought on sale a number of months ago now. It was just lying there getting old and running out of time. The ticket was due to expire within a day or two, so a decision had to be made and action taken quickly...or not. It was time for an internet consultation. If nothing could be found, and no trip was to be taken, then the ticket would expire and I would be out some money. It didn't take too long to discover a flower show at an old palace that once belonged to our royal family. The palace is called, `Het Loo`. Loo means `water` and is pronounced, `Low´. There is a lot of water on the grounds (the gardens)-- with pools, channels and fountains. When the castle was built originally it had a generous moat surrounding it...but that has all been changed--landscaped-away. Still all of the water features are attractive and no doubt are fun to see. I say this because all was dry and packed-in for the winter. Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself now. So then, it was to be the palace flower display and then a walking trip around Amersfoort with supper at a restaurant before the trip back. I was up early and out to the train station. The train trip was not complicated--The train from here to Amersfoort, then another train from Amersfoort to Apeldoorn and then a bus to the palace. As the train left my city, it goes along the allotments as many of you already know. Well, I was engaged in conversation and too late realized that the lotties were very close. I whipped out the camera and the button was still down for downloading pics, so by the time that I managed to get it ready to shoot, my gardens had gone by and so I just klikked this foto . While not a good foto, I think that it gives an ´feel´ of the size of the complex. This is only a small section. I think that you can gather that the weather conditions were not optimal for photography that day, right? Today I will not give a room by room and detail by detail description of the visits, but rather a superficial commentary. It is all too much and I do not have any fotos to go with the explanation anyway. The palace had lots to see for those who are interested in old things, but I primarily went for the gardens and that "winter garden display". It was called something like ,`A Winter Garden Revived`. It gives an idea of how the garden was kitted-out with a variety of exotic flowers by King Willem II. There were parties held here in the winter time and in addition to the plants on display, there were also live birds flitting about the room. There was a lot of glass there, so there was indeed light enough to keep the plants alive. Here is a link if you want to have a look-see. http://www.paleishetloo.nl/newsitem/147 ... vived.html You can navigate around and see more stuff and even a video if you want. http://www.paleishetloo.nl/templates/ev ... &iLangId=2 After viewing the palace and exhibition it was time to go out into the huge formal gardens. Well, of course it is winter and so there were no blooming plants, but one can see the symmetrical sculpted Buxus designs. They are even nicer to see from above, in the main palace building. The dry water channels and fountains were no representation of their summer glory, but with some imagination one can sort of imagine how it would look. Here is a link for a better look and explanation-- http://www.paleishetloo.nl/mainpage/17/2/De_Tuin.html This gives you a good idea, but if you want to navigate the WHOLE site, then begin here-- http://www.paleishetloo.nl/mainpage/1/2 ... ijzen.html It was a nice and cold visit, so now it was time to head back to Amersfoort. Luckily we have warming tubes/columns on the train platforms and in the open halls for waiting passengers to stand near and warm themselves. Sometimes they are near the smoking areas and sometimes not. The train ride from Apeldoorn to Amersfoort was just as busy and the trip TO Apeldoorn. I cannot understand why. I had to look and look to find a seat. Well it was late in the day now--gone 16:00 and with the total cloud cover, it was almost like twilight. Be that all as it may, I was determined to see the town and scout out possibilities for a longer trip in the coming months. One thing about Amersfoort is that they have little squares all over the centrum--sort of like old Spanish towns and cities. Very cozy and I could see that there were cafés too--so that means terrases to sit on and observe people over tea. That was one aspect...but the thing that draws me is the abundance of "old architecture". There are curious houses, bridges, gates and such. The weather was just too dark to take fotos in the narrow alleys but I did want to take some fotos of the best known gate in Amersfoort--"de Koppelpoort". I shall post a few fotos of that here. First, a frontal view of the Koppelpoort. Here a view to the left showing the a stream flowing in. The back side of the main city gate building. ...and then the backside of that city gate from a bit of distance. You can't see it, but there was a little iridescent-blue kingfisher fishing over to the left that day. Yes, this is indeed a lovely town with charming spots here and there to enjoy investigating. I am looking foreward to returning when the weather is better and I need a little break from the gardening. The day was topped-off with a nice meal in an "Indian" Restaurant, Akbar.
'Het Loo' is really beautiful and charming, thanks for taking me there!! And I'll will definately want to return to Amersfoort with you. Yes I like the "old architecture" too, they are so intriguing.
That location is very fetching to the eye Sjoerd, like a trip back to medieval times. I would have used the ticket also. Hate to see money go to waste.
Sjoerd, What a great way to spend a day! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I love the pictures. The buildings are very charming. It will be nice to return when the weather is nicer, and you can enjoy being outdoors and see the trees, shrubs, and flowers in bloom.
What a fantastic day! It looks like a summer return trip is in order to see the gardens in their glory!
Thanks KK-- I amso glad that you liked the posting, I find old buildings intriguing as well. Thanks FRANK-- Yeah, I hate wasting money as well. Thanks KAY--I am happy that you liked the pics. I have great hopes for when the weather is nicer. Thanks NETTY--I expect that I will return, but not to the gardens....to Amersfoort!
I always enjoy your tours. I like the old buildings, too. I'm glad you decided to use your ticket. dr and I like riding trains and have traveled many miles on them. Much more enjoyable than flying here and there. Take us with you when you go again. Sure wish we could have enjoyed your meal, too. dooley
Oh dear, oh dear... I am getting wanderlust after this tour with you, Sjoerd.... The architecture of that City Gate canal and building is very fascinating. How old is the building? The Dutch are obviously very fine structural engineers, among other things!
DOOLEY--I am glad that you do, its fun to have you along. I enjoy riding trains so much--I never miss an opportunity and the longer the trip, the better. Oh DAISY--I can see why, because the old city gate is so attractive--it compels one to take notice of it, its details and its Hx...as well as the Hx of the whole city. That gate/building was completed in the 1400's (I think around 1426 or so)--I am not sure of the exact year. You are right about being good builders--whether it be buildings, boats or dikes...things were built to stand the test of time, and in the case of dikes--to protect us and re-claim land from the sea.
wonderful pics sjoerd! i love those old buildings! can't wait to see them in the summer time. thanks for sharing!
I missed this when you originally posted it. What a fun way to spend a winter's day. The first photo reminds me the lotties we passed 35 years ago on our train ride from Amsterdam to the Hague. We were there in March so the gardens were dormant like they are in this photo. Wonderful architecture in Amersfoort, although its not Nottingham, I can picture Robinhood and his merry men passing through the gates.
You are so welcome, BUNKIE--I will be sure and show more pics of that town during the summer. Yes GAIL-- I'll bet they look alot like the ones that you passed on your train ride. hee hee hee---I liked your Robin Hood thoughts.
I enjoyed my trip with you so much.I missed it the first time around.I will look forward to your next trip.Thank you so much.
