July 17, 2015. Hoensbroek Kasteel, Valkenburg and Three Land Point. Zuid Limburg, the Netherlands

What a busy day today! Also very warm. At least 36 degrees. We are lucky that we  have air conditioning at George & Marja's House. We got up early and were out the door before 10:00 am. We drove to Zuid Limburg which is the southern most province of Holland. Folks here speak a dialect of Dutch and German. It is also interesting driving here because you go in and out of Holland and Germany without any borders. Very amazing and something Canada and the USA could take note of. 

We started of by visiting the Kasteel Hoensbroek. Very beautiful and lovely and it just appeared in the countryside. The Dutch and German countryside are similar and lovely. Green fields, red brick houses cows in the fields, many birds, cyclists. A country of gardeners and farmers and people riding bikes. Peaceful and tranquil. 

The moat was full of lily pads and water.

An interesting courtyard and castle.

Some interesting statues and pictures.

Zuid Limburg map. Lots of interesting places to visit.

The view of Valkenburg from a patio.

Such a lovely city.

Canals, small cafés, old castles, a cave, lovely place to visit.

We decided before lunch to visit the ruins of Valkenburg.  Castle built in the 1100s up on the hill. Valkenburg Limburg is the only place in Holland that has hills,and elevation. There are some lovely views to see from the hilltops.

The ruins of Vallenburg. An old castle.

The castle  is older than a view we saw in Europe.

The weathervane at the top of the hill.

I had to bend down to fit in the stocks, people must have been shorter than us.

It must have been hot standing there all day.

The inner courtyard.

The view from the top of the hill in Limburg. After a lovely lunch at a sidewalk cafe, we went for a drive. 

The view from the top of the tower. We also went and had another ice cream cone at a roadside stand.

Out for dinner at a restaurant in Roermond. Great fish, wine, and company.

Walking home from the restaurant! The boys are having fun. It was a great day. Tomorrow we leave for Chalone sur Saone. Up at 4:30 am and out the door at 6:00 am. Hopefully not too many traffic jams.