Time to move on! So we did! The plan was to visit our friends (by invitation) at their mother (and mother in laws') home in Enchede. This is nearer the German border and the Rhine and Ijssel Rivers (that sounds German) , for four nights to enjoy their hospitality and catch up with these friends we met some four years ago in Utah, USA.
Renate's mother lives in Enschede and she and Ronald are hosting us for this time to see some of the eastern Holland and experience some birding sites that they are familiar with.
But the journey to get there from Werkhoven was flawless. Three different National highways and we were there in less than 2 hours. Again I praise the Dutch roads. They are terrific. Renate's mother has lived in this home for about 50 years on the outskirts of Enschede in a very isolated , wooded spot still a few hundred meters from the city center.
It has many trees, a large garden space surrounding the house, and to our delight, prolific bird activity.
After setting in we were invited to seek out two fairly close birding observation areas . One was in Germany just across the border and the other closer to the house than that one. It would be important to mention at this point that Ronald is a member of at least two bird organizations in both the Netherlands and Germany. Both of them are active in conservation and nature protection efforts in their life.
So, we moved on to two significant areas of bird life. The first was Ellerwicker Field that contained a host of birds including the Spectacled Goose, Marsh Hawk, White necked Warbler and a few Curlews to mention a few.
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| Ellerwicker Field in Germany over the border. |
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| This Fen holds the only flock of Flamingos in the Netherlands Very unusual. |
We traversed the border in this "new Europe" without any border crossing "checkpoints, like we do in the states from state to state. IT has been about 30 years since passports were required to do that. The sight of the Flamingos brought gasps and "Wow's" from most of us and it was a great sight to see here in this northern country. Also seen were Shovelers, Teals, Black Headed Gulls, and we heard a sedge sparrow and a Cuckoo although we could not see them. It was a terrific afternoon of birding with terrific guides. (Ron knows his birds and sounds with expertise.)
We ended the day withy a light snack after the birding and then a very nutritious dinner of Mexican tortillas , done Dutch style. (lots of veggies and a little meat, ) withy a dessert of berries, sherbet and toppings to top off the day.
l in all a very delightful introduction to life in a Dutch family's home in the quiet, rural part of Netherlands. Tomorrow more birding and a "taste" of how the Dutch enjoy a "Sunday Brunch" (my term for a 4 hour dinner). (I found out it is also the Dutch term...BRUNCH") We shall see what that is all about . I know it will be a great culinary experience. See you tomorrow.
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| A Black Cap in the field |
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| The meadow with the geese |
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| Waking to see the Flamingos |
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| The flamingos at the pond and many other birds |
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| The pond with the flamingos |
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| Ruth and Renate together at last! |
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| Renate's Mum's home in Enchede |
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| Our home for four days. A delightful and comfortable place. |
Ranunculus in the yard.
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| Currant bushes are prolific here and they are both red and blue. |
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