Dutchman and I brought Dr. Balin to our favourite pancake house, the
Theehuis Rhijnauwen in Utrecht for Sunday brunch. Pancakes are typically Dutch and is an all-time popular favourite by Dutch families, especially during weekends.
Because I wanted Dr. Balin to see a little bit of the Dutch countryside, I decided to park the car in Ameliswaard, 2 kilometres away from the pancake house which is located in a small forest. I discovered this area a few years ago when Dutchman and I did a nature walk in Ameliswaard, afterwhich we continued our walk to the pancake house in Rhijnauwen for early dinner.
Dr. Balin walking along the Kromme Rhijn (Rhine) River.
This is the port at the Rhijnauwen Castle (not in picture) which is now a hostel.It’s a lovely place with a scenic river, the Kromme Rhijn River—a tributary river of the Rhine River that flows to Germany and the Swiss Alps. Rhijnauwen=Rhijn (Kromme Rhijn River). The place also exudes the typical Dutch countryside feel, with farm houses, cows and sheep on the fields.
It was already very busy when we arrived at the pancake house. The restaurant was brewing with activity. We wanted to sit outside by the river but all tables were already taken.
Waiting (impatiently) for our brunch to arrive: pancakes!Our brunch finally arrived!
Here’s our pancakes: Dutchman's pancake on the right had bacon with raisins. My pancake in the middle had bacon with apple and cheese. Dr. Balin's pancake on the left had ham, mushrooms and cheese.
To go with the pancakes are the typical Dutch supplements of sugar syrup and poedersuiker (fine powdered sugar).
Although the pancakes were thin, they were massive, we couldn’t finish them all, but thankfully Dutchman came in very handy!
Dutchman and I were here at Theehuis Rhijnauwen last May with the Dutch family. Incidentally the Dutch brother-in-law knows the owner who came to our table that day and gave us a free round of drinks.
Going back to the parking, we took the other path across the river and came upon this Dutch farm house. They sell fresh farmer's milk here.
And we passed by some big Dutch cows having an afternoon chill out spree on the grass fields:
A second cow came forward. Think this cow got jealous and needed some attention from Dr. Balin as well =)Visit Period: September
Destination: Rhijnauwen (Bunnik - Utrecht), The Netherlands
Down the hill from Whiston to Whiston Lock on the Nene. The couple going through with their boat had spent one month travelling back to Oundle from Bath. The water was pretty choked with weed, and the gates were difficult to close. Some weed has been raked out and left on the path at the side.From there we walked along the Nene Way by the river as far as Cogenhoe Mill, then up into the village itself.
The path emerges into Cogenhoe near Mill House
Chickens and Indian runner ducks (?) by the playing field in Cogenhoe. We took the footpath towards Brafield on the Green.
St Laurence's church at Brafield. From Brafield we took the path behind the church and made our way to Denton,, across some ploughed fields, and on one occasion we needed the machete.
Through the hedge, and onward. 
Denton.
Free range chickens between Denton and Whiston 
Whiston church tower dominates this part of the Nene Valley, but is not, as far as we could see, easily accessed by car. It was built by the Catesby family, and is very much their monument.
One of the Catesby cats inside the church. 
There are traces of some structure on the ground. I'm not sure what it is. 
this wild aster came up right next to my horse trailer which I almost never use. It got no care and only watered when it rained which wasn't at all until recently. But it grew, and bloomed even with out any water. Wish all flowers were this tough.
