Hanzestedenpad 3 & 4

Hanzestedenpad part 3
Bakkers Hoeve - Zutphen (9,7 km)

This weekend the weather was so unexpectedly warm and sunny that we decided to ignore our chores and enjoy ourselves instead. We left our car along the way on Saturday morning. The first part of this days walk was a nice stroll along a beck next to the woods. The insects were really thirsty for blood and I was glad I brought my fleece. At this time of the year the gardens are especially beautiful. The dahlia’s are in full bloom. In the sunlight we could see cobwebs and leaves slowly responding to the wind. We passed ’Huize Voorstonden’ a former manor house and, as far as I know, in the hands of a foundation now.
We passed busy farms (it’s the time of the year) and were pleasantly surprised to see that some of the famers organized themselves and now offer self-service coffee/ tea, biscuits, local ice-cream and restrooms.

We took the opportunity and Butch had a coffee and I enjoyed a local hazelnut ice-cream. The farm dog loved our attention and while drinking and eating we watched the calves and the beautiful landscape. There is a website where you can see what farm offers a rest – ‘rust.nu’
http://www.rustpunt.nu/

We envy the people who live in this beautiful area. We passed horses, young German Shepherd’s pups, donkey’s and we saw a green woodpecker. A bird I have not encountered since I was a child.
We arrived in Zutphen and it is always a great sight to see the church towers towering above the town. It is a very beautiful town, but because I work there and spent a lot of time there shopping and dining, we decided to pass and continue straight away.

Hanzestedenpad part 4
Zutphen – Zandwei (9.8 km)

We continued the next day. The path mainly follows the top of the dyke along the IJssel. Breathtaking views when it comes down to birds (storks, water birds and herons) We took a break with a nice view of the remains of Slot Nijenbeck dating from the 13th century. It had quite some importance, but now there is only the tower to be admired.

For the first time we used stiles in the Netherlands and to be honest, the Dutch can learn from the Brits. Smashing day, too much calories because at the finishing point there was a van selling ice cream from local farms. Yummy!