Post-Wedding

We met Andre's parents before and after the wedding. They are a wonderful couple. They love their sons (and their new daughter, too!) They truly welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like family. They have residences in both Germany and Spain. Like our American snowbirds, they plan to "fly south" for the winter (in Spain.) They plan to return to Germany to visit with Amanda & Andre in the springtime (before the depart to the US.) Afterward, they plan to return to Spain (maybe for a few years?) So, it sounds like our next trip to Europe MIGHT include a visit to Spain as well. :-)


We had originally planned to take Amanda & Andre to Dublin, Ireland after the wedding. But, there is only ONE airline that offers nonstop flights between Dusseldorf, Germany and Dublin. Plus, their flight times were opposite of our desired schedule. The end result, as a rate that was too high (for a stay that would have been too short.) So, we shuffled our plans a bit, and made a run up to Amsterdam instead.

Amsterdam is only about a 2-3 hour drive north of Dusseldorf (depending on traffic.) We had day-visited Amsterdam when we came to Europe a couple of years ago. We REALLY enjoyed the pulse of the city. But, it was just TOO COLD for our Florida blood-flow. So, we welcomed a chance to return, and we were blessed with sunny skies on our first day, too!

I still can't say enough positive things about Amsterdam. It's a unique mixture of cultures, history, languages and geography. We LOVE waterfront cities (especially those that embrace their waterfront heritage and locale.) Amsterdam seems to have as many canals and boats as it has streets and cars. The only thing that out-numbers cars and boats -- are BIKES!!! :-)

We had made tentative plans to subsequently drive to Hamburg and/or Kiel, Germany -- or maybe Denmark or Berlin. But, time was running short, and the car we had borrowed wasn't very comfortable (for people sitting in the back seats) on long trips. So, we explored Amsterdam for two full days.

No! The little red car pictured is NOT the car we were driving. It was so small/cute, I simply couldn't resist taking a picture of it. If my mechanic friends double-click on the photo, and look closely below the driver's-side headlight/bumper, you will notice that this little two-seater is BELT DRIVEN!!!!)


A wonderful surprise, however, was an impromptu side trip to the sea-front town of Zandvoort, Netherlands. What Clearwater Beach, Florida is to the residents of Tampa -- Zandvoort is to Amsterdam. It's a quaint little sea-front beach town, complete with all the typical tourist traps, restaurants and bars. Andre bought us fresh seafood sandwiches and snacks from a vendor at the beach. We then settled into the wonderful little beachfront restaurant for warm drinks, and to watch the sunset. (Andre won extra brownie-points from Kelly for picking such a happy ending to our excursion.)

Zanvoort is only about 15 miles (as the crow flies) from Amsterdam. Due-west 120 miles across the sea (English Channel) is the coastline of the United Kingdom.

After our trip to the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday, Kelly & I borrowed Andre's car for some alone time on Wednesday. During our previous trip to Dusseldorf, we learned that a dear/close friend's family history originated from a town (and castle) just 45 minutes north of Dusseldorf. We didn't have enough time to locate and visit this castle last time. During this visit, however, we MADE the time! (And, we're very glad we did!)

Castles in Germany (I'm assuming throughout Europe) had two basic origins. They were either built as a fortress -- for defensive purposes (like a military fort;) or, they were simply built as elaborate chateaus. After all, if you have some extra coin in your pocket -- why not build your wife a castle?!!!

Castle Lembeck (or Schloss Lembeck as it's called in Germany,) was the later. It's a large estate, built among the farmlands of Germany. While we Americans think/assume that any/all castles have moats -- that's more the exception than the norm. Castle Lembeck, however, is indeed a Wasserschloss (water-castle.)

Personally, I was more impressed by the plot-plan of the estate, than the castle itself. Someone put a LOT of forethought into the layout and development of the grounds -- before a single brick was laid. IN addition to the moat, there are several creeks and what appeared to be irrigation ditches/canals throughout the property. Even some of the stone walls that were around the castle were designed with built-in planting beds atop of them <-- proof-positive that the designers/architects were more focused on the look, feel an grandeur of this castle, than it's defensive characteristics. The castle now hosts a restaurant, and also serves as a hotel. The locals speak very little English (outside of the major cities.) But, that was PERFECT by me/us. We have seen TOO MUCH American and English influences during this trip. While we saw several McDonalds in Amsterdam, I was HAPPY that we didn't see a single Starschmucks!!! So, it was actually quite "authentic" for Schloss Lembeck to be exclusively German during our visit. (Sure, they probably have a member or two of the hotel/restaurant staff who speak English, and/or offer an English menu for the asking.) But, we didn't ask, and we LOVED it! Oh, and I can't stop there... Many castles today have indeed been converted into restaurants, hotels, or bed & breakfast establishments. But, THIS castle also functioned like a community park! Sure, it had picnic benches and countless spots to cozy-up with your sweetheart among the rose gardens and such. But, THIS castle also had a few surprises for the kids!

First, there was a park-sized playground area (complete with slides, swings, jungle-gym, etc.) But, that's NOT ENOUGH for a castle! A castle demands MORE! And, Schloss Lembeck didn't disappoint the little ones, either!

Adjacent to the playground was a trampoline!!!

Oh, but wait... That's NOT enough for a castle...

Instead, they had what APPEARED to be TWO above-ground trampolines (engaged for safety purposes.)

But wait, there's more!!!

Each one of these "cages" actually enclosed MULTIPLE trampolines!! The first cage enclosed six trampolines; and the second cage enclosed four trampolines. Children could literally bounce from once trampoline to the other (within the cage.)

We had dinner plans for the evening with Amanda and Andre, and didn't stay to eat dinner at the restaurant, nor spend the night.

What we enjoyed most about our post-wedding adventures, was exploring like LOCALS. We could only fantasize about what it would be like to LIVE here for a couple of years ourselves... To discover little beachfront communities along the Baltic, North, Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. To pack little picnic lunches monthly, and go find and explore new castles. To take day-cruises on the various rivers of Europe. And to re-live history, and make a little of our own...

I hope that I have enough time (and money) to finish getting my private pilot's license before I return to Europe again. Google Earth just doesn't do the place justice. And, there's only so much you can see and discover from the motorway at ground-level.

Tomorrow (Friday) morning, we will be at the airport to catch our flights back to the States. It's indeed time. Amanda and Andre need their space -- and we need to get back to our own space, too. We depart very satisfied, and happy. Our family has expanded exponentially, and even reconnected with some of its European roots (Roeder, Isselhardt, Mueller, etc.)

I'm already looking forward to our next visit -- hopefully a summertime visit next time?

Tchuss,

Nick & Kelly.