Geilenkirchen, DE & Amsterdam, NL

Germany

Once again, I found myself in Germany for a softball tournament. This time, near Geilenkirchen. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very cooperative for softball or camping! Though it's quite smaller an not as pretty as Trier, the city is still charming and quaint. I greatly enjoyed strolling around the city and had the most wonderful breakfast at Cafe Schleypen! About the only wonderful experience during the tournament.

The weather proved to be as bipolar as that of England. About a week prior, I began checking the weather which was full of potential for a nice weekend. However, as it drew near, rain chances increased. And rain it did! While it wasn't so bad playing in the rain, camping was another story. It was quite difficult trying to stay warm after continuously being drenched, and the mud was miserable. Sunday though, the clouds gave way to some sun and warm weather. We finished our tournament early and packed our belongings and booked it to a nice cozy hotel in Amsterdam, fully equipped with beds and dry floors.

Amsterdam

The rain seemed to have followed us to Amsterdam. Our last hope for a sunny day, or at least a day without rain, was in vain. It rained the whole day! Luckily, for our group, we booked a bus tour so we weren't always walking in the rain to our destinations. The city is beautifully blended mix of old and new and just has an abundance of charm. Some of the houses are very crooked!

Now, some people associate Amsterdam with cannabis and prostitution. Yes, one does smell odors and see shops carrying all kinds of exotic goods. The Red Light District area is known for such; however, there is much more: the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank's House, Rembrant's House, Tulip Festival, diamonds (Amsterdam is called the city of Diamonds), etc. We saw some of these historic places, which due to the weather and limited time, we didn't really experience. We did tour the diamond company, Gassan. It was pretty interesting. We got to see some of the workers polishing diamonds and got an up close look at various styles (cuts, clarity, etc); one even worth €14,000! I'll take 2 please!

Because of the rain, we opted to eat and drink our way through Amsterdam. I highly recommend Bierfabriek for it's amazing, delicious, tender, farm bbq chicken and beers, Brouwerij 't IJ microbrewery for the beers and windmill (the last windmill within the city of Amsterdam). We also stopped at Rembrant's Bistro which was pretty good too! I enjoyed my pancakes cooked with bacon and sweet wine!

Despite the rain, the trip overall was fun! It's one that (eventually) will be looked upon in amusement on surviving the miserable, torrential downpours. However, it's the people that make the adventure, and I know some pretty great people!

East Anglia Distillery and Vineyards

Chilford Hall Vineyard

Chilford Hall Vineyard is one England's oldest vineyards and one of the largest in East Anglia. There are approximately 17,000 vines and 9 varieties. From the grapes to the glass, all is done at Chilfor Hall. The winery building at Chilford was rescued from near Linton as it was scheduled for demolition in 1976. There are several tour options available and the vineyard is open March- Oct. Thursday- Sunday (Mar/Apr Saturday and Sunday only). Just a short trip from Cambridge. Just beware, there were several signs posted that thieves operate in the area...

English Whisky Co. St. George's Distillery

England's first traditional whisky distillery in over 100 years! The last English whisky company ceased operations in 1905, most likely due to high taxes. 100 years later, the idea to re-establish English whisky began and in 2006, St. George's Distillery brewed it's first batch resulting in  29 barrels. The whisky is made by hand without the use of computers in copper stills made in Scotland. The whisky is then stored in oak barrels purchased from America, specifically Jim Beam in Tennessee for maturation in bourbon soaked barrels. Some whiskys are also matured in sherry barrels as well. The barley comes from East Anglia, of which, Norfolk is a major producer and the distillery rests atop an aquifer which provides plenty of water. The ground is chalky which supposedly results in a smoother and sweeter finish to the whisky compared to Scotch whisky's harsh burn. 

I would highly recommend a tour with Joy. She will tell you that she doesn't like whisky, but don't let that put you off. She is quite knowledgeable and entertaining. On the tour, you are told the history of the place, people, and whisky. The tour takes you around the copper stills and fermentation process, to the barn where the barrels are stored (of which 2 are were purchased by the Queen's son Prince Charles and are stored there), and ends in the main shop where you get to sample a few selections. 

Wyken Vineyards

Saturdays, Wyken vineyards hosts a farmer's market next to their farm shop/cafe. Also at Wyken, several variety of grapes are grown to be made in to wine. While the grapes are grown here, they are then shipped elsewhere to be made into the wine that is sold at Wyken. There is a public footpath to the vineyards that you can walk to as well as a few farm animals to enjoy. When we visited, they were shearing sheep. They do have wine tasting, but only if booked in advance. 

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle

The castle is situated in the market town of Framlingham and is part of the English Heritage Trust. The town of Framlingham is adorable! We had a fantastic brunch at The Teashop (No. 10). There are also several antique stores and charity shops, and a lovely looking secondhand bookstore that was closed when we visited (disappointing, but another trip may be warranted).

Framlingham castle is an early motte and bailey built during the time of the Norman takeover. The time in which it was built has been speculated by historians with various theories as to Framlingham's early history as it was destroyed by King Henry II as punishment for a revolt against the king.

The castle was eventually rebuilt and passed through many hands over the years. Framlingham did play a part in the War of the Roses between the Yorks and Lancasters and has ties in the battle for the crown between Elizabeth and Mary Tudor. A supporter of Mary, the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, Thomas was supposed to be executed at the Tower, but the day prior, King Henry the VIII died. Mary's brother, Edward VI gave the castle to her. Mary gathered her supporters at Framlingham and marched on London. She released Thomas as reward for his support. However, Mary was overthrown by Elizabeth at which time the 4th Duke was residing at Framlingham, accused of treason and executed. Framlingham then passed to possession of the crown.

After such, the castle mostly fell into ruins. It was later gifted to Pembroke College in Cambridge for studies, and later to the English Heritage to promote tourism. There is a lovely walking path around the castle and the chimneys were fascinating. There were only 2 or 3 chimneys that actually worked; the rest were decoration, aesthetically pleasing and intricate decorations.  

Angelsey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey

The weather while visiting Anglesey Abbey was near perfect, sunshine and warmth, the warmest day of the year thus far. A beautiful country home situated on a large acreage with a working watermill that produces flour that it sells to its guests. In the 1930s, Lord Fairhaven and his brother purchased the run-down country home unseen and remade it into a Jacobean style home and laid the grounds in 18th century style.

The grounds were very spectacular as many of the spring flowers were in bloom and there were still reminiscent of the winter garden. The Brazilian Cherry tree was spectacular; its copper colored bark is made smoothed by the oils from the skin. The trees are planted along the pathways so visitors can touch. The areas least touch, the bark was more papery and seemed to be shedding.  The mill was pretty interesting as it is still in use today. It takes some 750 tons of water to produce (I forgot how many kilos of flour).

The house was beautiful inside and out! Lord Fairhaven liked clocks and there were quite a few throughout the house. He was also fond of Windsor Castle and had many artworks depicting various images of the Castle. He had grown up near there and even served as a guard. His father had moved to the U.S. for a job, married an American, but later returned to England to raise their family. The title Lord was supposed to go to his father, but he passed before it was bestowed to him so it fell to his son.

I've also begun reading poems by Wordsworth, so I'll leave you with one of his more popular poems, Daffodils:

Second Version
I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden Daffodils;
Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:-
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

Published in Collected Poems, 1815