Europe 2018 - August 6 - Muiderslot Castle

Monday - August 6
Our last day to explore before heading back across the ocean.

We hopped back on the train headed to Weesp.

The amount of bikes at the train stations never ceases to impress us!

Our next transportation segment was by bus. This tire changing scenario kept us entertained during the half hour wait.

Hello Muiderslot. In 2011, we passed by so many castles that were too far up a big hill to pedal our full loaded bikes. We called it the Law of Castles. Muiderslot finally showed us that the law was not totally universal and we have such fond memories of our time here.

We arrived just in time for a guided tour. Our tour guide was multi-lingual. His English was quite good and it was interesting to hear things repeated in the other languages. The is the Knights Hall, a place for sharing feasts.

The castle was originally built in 1280. Restoration focused on how it looked in the 17th century. 

On to the kitchen.

The Prince's Chamber, a royal guest room.

Upstairs there was an exhibit that focused on women that were important to the history of the area. The falcon hunt was the one hunt that women were allowed to participate in during the Middle Ages.

An indoor "toilet"

An outdoor "toilet" or privy as it was called.

Pretty simple plumbing back then, straight down to the moat.

We spent some time wandering through the adjacent gardens too.

Goodby Muiderslot, we enjoyed our visit even more than last time.

Lunch in the shade.

And dessert, of course!

The bridge opens for boats pretty frequently.

We did appreciate the shady bus stop chairs as it was almost 90F.

Then back on the train.

And back to the hotel.

The stairway...glad they have an elevator! Our bikes were stored at the bottom today because they were putting new mattresses in the rooms.

A little hand cleaning pod provided before dinner at de Beren Restaurant. The meal was a very pleasant end to a very nice last day.

End of Week 7 - Lelystad to Hoofddorp

127 miles - 204 kilometers (plus a lot of walking)

Total trip so far: 1,272 miles - 2,052 kilometers

We added some more cheese, churches, canals, and another castle....

...and, of course, cycling. If fact, the Netherlands has had every "C" except the World Cup.