This last week I travelled by train to Limburg to send a box to my son. Really? Yes, a six hour ( 3 hour each way by train), two day trip to Limburg just to mail a box full of books and small items.
It must have been my motherly instinct kicked into overdrive.
No, the Dutch postal system has not gone on strike (just too darn expensive to mail a box from here to where he is now serving in the Middle East). Last box was over 18 Euros for under 2 kgs.
Since he had requested books to read, that meant I had to call in some favors from some of my old government friends to get a box through the military postal service. Yes, that costs me more in train ride 15 Euro each way and overnight at a B&B (77.50 Euro) but in the end I got to hike along the way. Very costly boxes no matter how I send them.
I started at the Schiphol Airport via the train to Schinnen located in the heart of Limburg. I had a fellow retiree drive me around to get the box mailed. No task is ever easy and it took half a day just to get it all taken care of and sent. Hopefully the box will arrive in my son’s hands before Christmas.
At 3pm I checked into a wonderful B&B located long the Geleenbeek River in Schinnen. This is not the first time I have stayed at the Meens B&B in Schinnen, I had another stay about a year and half ago and was happy that this popular B&B had availability for stay.
The days are short and dark before Kerst (Dutch word for Christmas). Sunset is close to 4:30pm and so I had to hurry to find my way to the hiking trail. My plan was to hike the small trail that runs along the Geleenbeek to Castle Terborgh that has a small restaurant. The B&B owner told me I had to hurry as they shut down the kitchen at half past five.
As the sun started to set the shaded trail started to become shadowed. This wide path was easy to see even in the fading light. At one point a wood bench indicated that the restaurant was 300 meters.
The walk onto the castle grounds was exciting as I imagined the history that was contained within the walls. If only buildings could talk the history this castle most likely had some cool stories to tell.
The walls of this restaurant were filled with old photos, artifacts, and felt warm and inviting. I sat down and soon was in conversation with one of the locals who was sitting having a beer. Once he found out I was American he started telling me (as many Dutch do) about the last visit he made to the USA. Along the Florida coast.
After a very nice dinner, chat with this old guy, and a glass of wine to warm me for my return hike, I started out towards my B&B where I retired for a relaxing evening.
The next morning I looked out to grass covered in frost. The glow as the sun hit the sparkles of frost made everything shine with magical white glow.
I was greeted with a wonderful breakfast that was brought to the cabin in a picnic basket by the owner. Marleen is just a wonderful host and was concerned I didn’t have enough to eat.
This was the perfect short getaway. The large roomy private cabin that has every comfort overlooking nature was what I needed to recharge my battery for the upcoming holiday season. I always feel like the time I spend in Limburg is not long enough as I always find other places I want to visit and explore.
As I made my way to the train, I stopped one last time to look at the Geleenbeek. The banks covered in frost, the small brook flowing aimlessly towards the Castle Terborgh, a bit of sadness in my heart as I had to say goodbye for now to Limburg and head home to the Randstad.
© The Cedar Journal, 2018, all rights reserved.
The Cedar Journal 
I would call your response to the expensive shipping of a parcel ‘looking at the bright side’ of life. You made the best of your trip to LImburg. Beautiful capture of the cross in the field!
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Thanks Peter. I just take things as they come and really it was perfect hiking weather. I had one this last weekend where the conditions were not as nice. Hard to take pictures when my hands were freezing.
That cross has a story behind it that I have to get translated. Always happy to see your comments.
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de donkere dagen voor kerst have their advantages the low sunsets which you captured so lovely just to mention one of the many
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Yes- they certainly do! BTW- welcome back!
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Certainly an adventure just to mail a package, but you clearly made the best of it. Having previously worked for the USPS, I can definitely tell you we have our own deficiencies in getting a package somewhere, but we generally do not have to drive 6 hours to accomplish it. Hope all is well with your son serving overseas. I was stunned by your monument shot – stared at that for a long time and even ended up drawing it out on a piece of paper as a pattern – will look good in my Halloween graveyard (although mine will be made out of insulating foam and will replace the figure with a more Halloween appropriate theme). For the record, that is a beautiful shot, the symmetry of the stone and tree, textured sky and probably my favorite part is the edge of the meadow lines framing up the key elements of the shot like a perfect funnel. Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you liked the photo. It was a bit off my path but when I saw it I knew I had to capture. The MPS did a good job as the box made it to my son in only 5 days. The Dutch post hasn’t gotten him other box of art supplies yet…
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That’s quite a lengthy process to mail a package. But it certainly shows the depth of a mother’s love. I expect your son will deeply appreciate your gift.
That castle…oh, what a place that speaks history. As well as that cross monument.
I am especially intrigued by that breakfast, which appears large enough to feed several people. The food choices are so different than here in the U.S. for breakfast.
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Plus, the breakfast normally has yogurt, cheese of many sorts. I can’t have those things so I am guessing that is why she was worried I didn’t have enough to eat.
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