Sunday Sightseeing

A few Sunday's ago, we decided to make a day out of visiting some castles nearby. Through a friend, Kristina learned about three castles that are a few towns from us, only a half hour drive. With the help of the internet, we learned that there are about 85 different castles in the Netherlands alone. While we won't make it to all of them, over time we would like to see as many as we can. While feeling like we were in a movie, we drove up the driveway leading to our first castle of the day, Ammersoyen Castle, which was built in 1350. We were hoping to take a tour of the castle but it was only offered by a Dutch tour guide. While we are slowly learning the language, we're not that good yet!







Our next stop for the day was at the Heeswijk Castle, which dates back to the 11th century. It was a very rainy day but we made the best of it. The dogs liked riding in the car ad having the opportunity to get out and walk around.









Our picnic lunch turned into trying to eat in-between the rain drops.






It turned out to be our lucky day. A british couple and friends were there to have a tour offered in English. We were allowed to join their group. It was perfect timing or else we wouldn't have been able to have a guided tour of this castle. The first picture shows the dining room. It had hand painted silk for wallpaper.



Both of us loved this bookcase and study. Wouldn't you like to have this in your own house?



The more castles we visit, we are finding that the job to have during this time period was a woodworker. This was all hand-carved and each little piece inter-laid together When you entered the room and closed the door behind you, it blended right in with the surrounding walls.



A bedroom



The toilet......at least it is INSIDE the castle!!



The torture room. We're going to show this to Pumkpin when he/she gets older. That way when he/she is misbehaving we can remind him/her that they are lucky we don't have these in houses today!



And..... the kitchen



We finished the day with a few more pictures outside.









We spent so much time at the Heeswijk Castle that we didn't make it to the final one we had planned that day. It is very close to the two we visited so we will save it for another day ......or when visitors come!! (hint, hint)