Cruising the River Vecht to Utrecht

What a contrast to the week on the meers! As soon as we passed through the lock at Muiden onto the River Vecht everything changed. Not least the weather. We've had a week of balmy, autumnal days to cruise this lovely river.

You could easily do it in a day or 2 but there's something about a slow moving river in the sunshine that makes you want to relax (with beer and book) and take your time.

We are not far from Amsterdam here and the river is lined with magnificent mansions and stately homes built long ago by the wealthy merchants of that city and now occuppied by their present day equivalents. Probably financiers....



The houses have the beautiful manicured gardens common to most Dutch homes but on a much grander scale with sweeping lawns, formal rose gardens, statues and topiary.

Some even have moats and draw bridges-
or ferries

Here's one for sale if you have a spare few million (euros that is).

Lifting bridge, Weesp

We stopped at several of the villages on the way through and took to our bikes to explore the countryside.

This region has always been of strategic importance so there are fortifications from different eras; medieval castles, forts from the 19th century and WW2 gun emplacements and shelters.

As ever there are plenty of churches with their tuneful carillons marking the passage of time, this church at Maarseen joltimg us into consciousness and its parishioners into action each morning with Waltzing Matilda of all things!