July 7 – Happy 85th birthday, Ringo Starr – peace and love! We said goodbye to Marijke and Ruud, and Ruud drove us back to the little Lourdes chapel so we could pick up right where we left off yesterday. Seven miles planned for today.
Same chapel, different day. It may rain later, but right now, the weather is cooperating. The high today will be in the low 60s. We’re wearing our long pants today!Sunflowers Interesting sky – will it rain on us?Beware – wild boar area!More interesting skyDoesn’t this tree look like it should have Keebler elves?These cows ran rushing toward us – maybe they thought we would feed them?And then these chickens rushed toward us – we are feeling very popular today!A little stand offered snacks and souvenirs to hikers, and a bench to rest on. On the Appalachian Trail back home, townspeople often set out treats for hikers, called Trail Magic. This stuff is for sale, so it’s not quite as magical.And now the sky is blue – no rain for us after all!We looked at a Pieterpad bench detailing distance traveled and distance yet to go, and I realized it is in German, not Dutch…For one block, we are walking in Germany, then we turn the corner and are back in the Netherlands Approaching SittardWall art – my kind of place!Roses above We are staying at de Limburg Hotel, an historic place on the main squareRight next door is St. Michaels church, so we peeked insideSt Michael graces the main altarMuch of the signage has to do with St. Rose of Lima, the patron Saint of SittardThis little lion near the entrance commemorates the day in 1938 when an escaped circus lion entered the church and strode boldly up to the altarPretty buildings Many of the statues here are music relatedDoor art – St. Rose of LimaHappy to be here, but tired – tomorrow will be our penultimate hiking day
July 6 – Today dawned gray with rain forecast all day. The temperature was in the low 50s and the high for the day was expected to be in the low 60s. Nine miles planned for today.
We passed the Montfort castle on our way out of town Off we goAcanthus or mallowThe farmer is watering the crops even in the rain A fairy house in a hollow tree with a Buddha inside A little memorial to the Canadian airmen who lost their lives here in WWIIWet rocksWet horsesAnother trove of ancient Roman coins was discovered here Wet cowsA little chapel of St. AnthonyPretty inside…with a a snail for a doorknob!Here is where an ancient Roman hammer was found. I assume the actual hammer was not this bigThis is our endpoint for today, the little chapel to Our Lady of Lourdes – the second one we’ve seen in this country. We waited here in the rain for Ruud to pick us up and bring us back for one more night at the B&B Botervleig. I am chilled to the bone. Can’t wait for a hot shower!
Taking Our Time 