June 30 – Only seven miles planned today, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Leaving the B&B, we stopped to admire the variety of colors and wonderful aromas of the nearby rose farm. Although the Netherlands is best known for tulips, it is also the world’s largest exporter of roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and other flowers.
So many roses!Passing through the town of Tienray, we stopped at an important pilgrimage site called Klein Lourdes, where folks travel to pray. The church was bombed in WWII, and was rebuilt.Inside is a replica of the grotto where St. Bernadette spoke with Our LadyNow we are off into the woodsWhat’s this? A field of immediately recognizable plants!Cannabis sativa or hemp? You decide!The sun is so bright that some folks shaded their beautiful hydrangeas with umbrellas so they wouldn’t get crispy. The temperature reached 92 F – very unusual for here.Lots of ferns…and some swampAnd we’re almost to our hotel! I’ll do a seven mile day anytime, even in the heat!Landhuishotel de Hilkensberg was like a spa, with extensive groundsA natural pool – Jim jumped right inWalking pathsFountainsWater lilies And – saving the best for last – a baby alpaca! How cute is that?
Taking Our Time 