The day started with torrential rain and hail and, being fair weather cyclists, we opted to leave the bikes in the hotel and take a trip into Rotterdam.
Kim was determined to visit the Arboretum Trompenburg, John fancied a harbour tour whilst Ken and Jacky were keen to see the Cube Houses which we’d experienced on our way back from Floriade in 2022.
It was a short walk to the nearest railway station, one stop had us in the middle of Dordrecht, straight across the platform and we were on our way into Rotterdam. After a brief debate with Tourist Information, and a helpful local, we were on a tram heading out of the city. Within an hour of leaving the hotel, we were drinking a cuppa in the arboretum cafe. All good adventurers need a cuppa when a foreign journey has been completed successfully…. and you have to admire the Dutch for their unambiguous product names
Trompenburg is a 20 acre botanic garden, established in 1820. It holds the Dutch National Collections of Oak, Beech, Holly and Hostas as well as growing 700 varieties of rhododendrons. We were a bit early to see the trees in full leaf, the rhododendrons at their best or a single hosta but it was still a fantastic experience.
Please excuse the posers on the bridge, hopefully they will soon get tired of the ‘leg forward, chin up’ approach to photos.
Having decided a harbour tour would be too wet and cold, we took a break in the Markthall in Rotterdam. It was conveniently near to our station and it seemed rude not to explore what is essentially a multicultural food hall, spotlessly clean and full of tempting smells and free samples. We started to regret that we’d eaten lunch at the arboretum. There are no photos of the amazing interior, we were too busy going ‘oooh’. Luckily Jacky thought to take one of the ceiling
The windows that you see belong to offices and apartments housed in the exterior, an incredible design.
And, as a special treat, here’s the view from the top of the water tower we currently call home. Thanks to Ken who was brave enough to venture out on the iron platform around the 7th floor.
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