More Dutch stuff...

Kasteel Hoensbroek

This castle is two miles south of our home.  The circular turret seen on the left was built in the late 14th century.  Over subsequent decades, the castle went through numerous changes and additions under the direction of a procession of Lords of Hoensbroek.  The present structure was completed early in the 18th century.  In the 1920's,

a descendant of these Counts opted to sell the castle to a preservation society in order to keep it from decline.  This foundation, called Ave Rex Christe, is the owner to this day.  The castle is open to the public, and visitors receive a self-guided tour book which is available in many languages.

We visited on a weekday, and we literally had the place to ourselves.  The coat of arms over this archway reads Verus Amor Nunquam Perit, or "True love never dies" and Sit Pax Inviolata Tibi, or "May untroubled peace be yours".

Drielandenpunt

Drielandenpunt is about 20 miles southeast of our house.  Dutch for "Three countries point", this little park is situated on the spot where the borders of Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany all meet.  There is an obelisk marking this point, and another one identifying the highest point in Holland.  The park features an observation tower and also a labyrinth.

In the photo above, I'm standing in the Netherlands and Germany, while Jimmy straddles the German-Belgian border. I don't mind telling you we spent approximately 3 weeks lost in this maze!

Janssenmolen

Located two miles north of our home, this windmill is my favorite local landmark.  It was built in 1879, and it is currently owned by the town of Schinnen. The windmill is open to the public one afternoon a month.  When the wind turns the sails, wheat grain is ground into flour by a grinding stone inside the mill, and this flour is sold to visitors.