Monday, May 05, 2008

What happened to spring?


We are back from a longer stay at Cranberry Cottage. There were two Dutch holidays last week giving Jos some days off. We left for the cottage on Tuesday evening and stayed through Sunday morning. Our rhododendron greeted us when we arrived and is in full bloom now. This bush was becoming unsightly and overgrown. I have been reading online about caring for them and when to prune as well as how. We noticed a marked improvement on it this season.


It has been a total surprise to see what Mother Nature has had in store. We had a glorious but chilly weekend the week before last. There was a good strong wind which made it feel cold. Then it went back to rain. We then were surprised with summer weather. Our forecast is to become warmer each day this week which could not have come at a better time. My online friends will be arriving tomorrow morning. I will attempt to post about our sightseeing as this week progresses.


The weekend before last, we took my mother for a drive in the Betuwe which is an area between two rivers in Holland. It is known for its fruit orchards and we had hoped to see many in bloom but were a little too early. To get to this area, we used one of the car ferry crossings and enjoyed seeing the dandelion covered fields while waiting for ferry to come across to our side of the river.


We drove to a village called Amerongen on the way home for lunch. This is a really pretty place which was very busy that day due to the sunny weather. I was sure to take photos without people in them so you would never know how busy it was from my photos.


The Andries Church in the middle of the village has the Wilhelmina Tree planted in the church yard.


This tree was planted here in 1898 when Wilhelmina became the queen.


There is an iron fence protecting the tree base with pretty iron plates of the image of the princess who ascended to the throne.


We walked the path around Castle Amerongen. This is a beautiful castle that I visited years ago after just moving to Holland. It has been closed for some years due to major restoration work being completed. You will notice on some of the photos that portions of the castle are still in scaffolding.


There is a blog about the restoration which is in Dutch. I thought I would share the link with you as even the photos would be interesting.


Thank you all for the many comments on my last post. I really do love reading all your comments. I have had many new people visit my blog lately and will go back and visit many of your own blogs when I am able to. It is always wonderful to meet new friends.

20 comments:

Nancy said...

Your red flowers are so beautiful and the ride we took was so pretty. We had one fun night with thunder and lightening at the cottage and all the other weather has been great. We have a busy week coming up.
Love you, Mom

Heidi said...

Hi Heidi, So good to hear from you again!...Just read your comment & today's blog! I agree, I do so love doing all the things that make a house a home!...this week I was doing it to prepare for a "homestyle" class I was preparing for though, so it wasn't all just for my own pleasure...needed a bit of R& R yesterday!, but back on track this morning! I love hearing about your Cranberry Cottage, & all your sight-seeing! What a lovely area?...How did you end up living there?, I would love to know? And your friends are coming for a visit?...what a treat for all of you! Have a great time!...can't wait to see your posts!...Off to sew, garden ,etc.!!!....Your friend, Heidi #2 :) P.S. I purchased white guaze, but still need to wrap my chandelier!...one of today's projects! I'll post photos! Fabulous idea!....And yes, we live in California, in a small rural town north of San Diego...write back soon!

Mia said...

Dear Heidi! Your rhododendon looks amazing. And your weather sounds lovely. We have also been lucky weather wise; beautiful, warm spring days, just the type I have been longing for all winter (!)

Thank you for your lovely comments on my recent posts. I truly appreciate them! I have so much enjoyed visiting your blog, and will continue to do so, even though my own blogging has come to an end. I was starting to feel like I just kept repeating myself in my blog, and found it a bit difficult to make new entries, so I thought it best to stop while "the going was good". But I am sure to visit yours from time to time, to see what is happening in your world.

Hugs from Mia

BittersweetPunkin said...

Gorgeous! I always wanted to live in a castle...very nice!

Karen said...

WOW what wonderful pictures you've shared with us. It sounds like you've been having a wonderful time with your Mom. Have you been resting at all, LOL. Enjoy your time with your blogging pals as well.

Hugs - Karen

Nancy said...

Beautiful photos Heidi! Looking forward to seeing photos of all you do this week!

Betty said...

Heidi,
Thank you for the gorgeous pictures of your flowers and the castle.....

How blessed to have your Mother and friends visiting....lots of talking going on I'm sure.....

Thanks for visiting with me during your busy time.....Betty

Amy Marie said...

Great pictures, thanks for sharing as usual. Love seeing all your adventures! Thanks for the comments about the kids!

Heidi said...

Hi Heidi, Me again...You will love the cake!... & your orange cake sounds equally delicious! Would LOve the recipe!...I am very much in the mood for citrus flavors I guess!...What a wonderful story about you & your husband meeting & moving to Holland! Sounds like it was absolutely the right decision!...very romantic!...About me getting named "Heidi"...you're right, so few of us have that name. I was named Heidi because my mother is Swiss ( so I came by it very naturally!) & she loved the "Heidi" books! My mother was born in the States, in Oregon to be exact, to Swiss parents who had come here to live. Her father was a dairy farmer & her mother had worked for Christian Dior!...but that's another story altogether! Maybe a future blog!?... I am hoping to get my chandelier wrapped today!...will keep you posted. Enjoy the day!...Heidi :)

Elizabethd said...

Pretty photos, Heidi.
Our rhodies are just beginning to come out, and we have a lovely variegated one with deep purple flowers.
I'm sure you are having a wonderful time with your Mother.

Ragged Roses said...

Hello Heidi! Just catching up on all the posts of yours I've missed. You have been so busy and it seems, having a good time! The rhodedendron looks absolutely beautiful. It feels like summer here today, so very hot and still, gorgeous!
Kimx

Andylynne said...

Oh I love sight seeing trips, and your trip to Cranberry cottage sounded delightful as usual. The castle is beautiful, I bet it will be amazing when it is done. I also like the fact the tree is protected and being taken care of. Can you imagine all that has gone on under it's branches. The princess is very pretty, I wonder how close the likenes is? Thanks for taking us on your travels with your mom.

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi. You sure are busy with company! First your mother and now some more friends. What fun! That castle looks really interesting and I really enjoy all the sights you show us.
We are enjoying beautiful weather here. I spend most of the day in the garden, trimming overgrown bushes and pulling up 10 thousand little seedlings from our neighbor's mimosa tree that sprout every year in my garden.
Everything is looking so green these days.
Hugs, Rhondi

diane said...

Thank you for sharing those photos, I love to see the buildings and architecture. Your rhododendron is looking very nice, I remember saying you had cut it way back. Your stay at the cottage once again sounds surreal! Enjoy all your time together!

Anonymous said...

Your rhododendron is the most vibrant red...a real show!
Margaret and Noreen

Mary said...

Glad you had a relaxing long time at Cranberry Cottage Heidi and then took Mom to visit those lovely places - looks interesting.

Know you will all be having a great time with the friends coming to join you - wish I was a fly on the wall - well not really, would rather be a there in person of course!!!!

Tell Mom I'm posting on the porch today - know how she enjoys it. I've cleaned it up and the chairs are awaiting - why don't you come on over, I'd love that!!

Have a fun weekend. Hugs - Mary.

Anonymous said...

Hello Heidi,

Another lovely post ~ thank you for the tour.

Marie x

Nan said...

What is the word "boom" under Wilhelmina's name? Thank you for the little trip, Heidi.

Mia said...

Hello again, Heidi! I just thought I would let you know that I am back and blogging again... my just did not manage to stay away for good... I hope you are well, I am missing you.

Anonymous said...

Hi, very interesting photos...sounds like you had a very enjoyable day out and good weather too.
Margaret and Noreen