Day 18 - Groesbeek to Heijen (just past Gennep), Sept. 28

We really enjoyed our stay at De Oude Molen in Groesbeek yesterday. Nice big room and good dinner. Very friendly guy. The only thing wrong with it was the killer staircase we had to go up and down. One of those very narrow, steep jobs!  In contrast, we are now on a river boat and our sleeping quarters are 6 by 8 feet and 6 1/2 feet high. In there is a double bed, 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks. But we are able to use the back deck where we are now sitting, in the sunshine.

We had a bit of trouble getting out of Groesbeek. Not great signage again. But soon we were on the right track and we wandered through magnificent woods, all morning. We heard gunshots nearby and this fed into my war fantasies. It was cannon shots to scare birds from the tiny vineyard we passed. Yes, Holland has one. There was supposed to be a cafe when we eventually emerged from the woods. It was there but it was closed. Could not believe it. Plan B kicked in and we sat on the patio and had a bun and some juice. Some bushes were used for facilities. 

The afternoon consisted of a very long but lovely small road that eventually led us into Gennep. At an intersection we met two ladies planting some flowers. They told us their son and brother had died there in a car accident 19 years ago and they maintained a memorial. We had a lovely chat with these women. They were fascinated with us doing the PP. 

we finally had our cappuccinos in Gennep. A lovely,

lively town with a beautiful townhall. Where we are now, in this boat, is on the Maas River. In Heijen, just south of Gennep. The couple on board are going to cook dinner for us.