Den Bosch

Day Four

It is later than my first awakening and I am being coaxed awake by the deep throated growl of an unseen owl, mourning doves with their lyrical repetition, and a guttural fluttering sound of the unknown; is it a bird on wing or a daddie playing with his baby…or both? The flurry of pattering feet join the chorus as children begin their days with laughing and playing.

We visited the Maastricht Museum yesterday. The tour started with these words:
“Tell your stories in the company
of those who have already told theirs”.
I like this. What better motto to have on a history tour with historic friends.

Today, we have no agenda. Sit and breathe. Eat and savor. Be silent (or not) in the company of those who already share my stories. It is sure to be one of my favorite kind of days.

It is cool and bright. A very fine day, indeed. We venture into Den Bosch , also known by the crazy ‘sHerto…name.

The ‘square’ is bustling this Friday afternoon. The long tunnel streets lead up to it with their stately manors of brick and stone; many with a distinct peak and weather vane. St. Jon cathedral rises magnificently in all its gothic medieval charm. Its ornate expansive details ignite my doodling mind. Its stained glass glittering in the late afternoon sun.

The ‘square’ is more of a meeting of many paths into a wide gathering place. I am told it is like many squares opening together. It is lined with iconic pubs and shops. We sit at the edge in one pub under a green umbrella sipping smooth refreshment and watch the people.The town is alive with activity.

A Calliope-like music box is being pulled by two men. As we sit, it plays one of my dads favorite songs by Abba, I Have A Dream. It is the song that prompted him to send me the album when I was in college with Elske. Together with our roommates, we would dash out on the balcony at midnight and sing ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme…a man after midnight.” Turns out our wishes were granted to us all!

The evening in the glen of Namaste camping park is also full of life. The weekend has brought in families for every spot. The young ones find each other easily and become best friends in an instant. Their laughter and tears ring with abandon. As one of the olders, I sit with my friends and enjoy the close of day. The sun in its brilliant oranges and pinks illuminate the tree border displaying God’s natural stained glass in all its brilliance.

This place with my people, it gives my heart rest. I could stay here in this comfortable warm bed in my glamping tent of repose… if only the bathroom wasn’t a half a mile away in the middle of the night!💥 JK. (It seems closer in the daylight)

We return to Amsterdam tomorrow with wonders all its own.  I fall sleep, grateful for how pleasant my boundaries are, indeed.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places; indeed,
I have a beautiful inheritance.  
(Psalm 16:5-6, RSV)

NetherAnne
August, 2026