Day 28: Ton’s Tours!

Last night we began our three night stay with Annemarie’s cousin Ton and his wife Monique. Very welcoming and we have had considerable fun ever since. Also last night my dear friends John and Cordula showed up with their camper van that John outfitted himself. We had walked together off and on for weeks in 2014 when I soloed the Via de la Plata. the reunion was brilliant complete with Santiago hugs!

We sat outside until late telling stories and sharing experiences, everyone very well travelled, so lots of fun! Everyone started talking about a late Sunday morning breakfast and I asked if it was ok if I rose early to walk. Ton said he would also be awake at 6:30 and that we could walk together. And we did. I wasn’t aware that I was also going to be provided with a history tour. It was great because Ton has spent considerable time learning the local history!

We set off in the dark, clearly the only people outside on the streets. No surprise there.

*Walking into the centre of Wijk bij Duurstede a city of about 18,000*.

Ton explained that the city was previously walled for protection complete with towers at the gates. It felt very much like an early morning start on the Camino as we walked through and out of an unfamiliar town. I was enjoying the experience considerably.

*A canal use to come very close to the spot where I’m standing. This is the building where taxes and fees were levied on passing vessels.*

*A passage way into the old town which clearly illustrates just how small the Dutch use to be. Now the tallest nation of people on the planet!*

The early morning light slowly claimed the sky as we passed on past many places where Ton provided some history for.

Then we found the beautiful mill still lit up. In 2011 we cycled through here on our tour of Holland. The mill is still in excellent condition and continues to be used.

*At the bottom there is s tunnel where cars can pass through. This is the only mill in Holland to have this feature.*

Then into the harbour that Ton told me has been considerably cleaned up.

And again from the other side of the harbour.

There has been considerable reorientation of the water ways in this area. This is the canal and there are two rivers as well.

Then back into town. Beautiful homes!

We walked out around the local 15th century castle and Ton told me about how most of the towers had been removed in order to use the bricks to rebuild the city after WWII. He showed me many examples of this in the walls and buildings. Building materials were very hard to find after the end of the war.