Epe - another family reunion

We travelled to Epe in the province of Gelderland where another cousin lives.  Gerard is the son of Andrew's father's sister Frouk.  He lives in a particularly lush and verdant part of the Netherlands with his partner Monika.  Once again we enjoyed wonderful hospitality.  As well as all her other accomplishments, Monika is a fantastic cook.  In spite of her generous serves, both she and Gerard are slim and they both look youthful.

Gerard is a wonderful piano player and he played for us a number of times during our visit.  Monika Ligteringen is an accomplished artist who does sculpture, painting, jewellery, felting and quilting and she has her own website. The photo below is of Gerard at the piano surrounded by Monika's sculptures.  The sculpted head in the photo is one of her three sons.

Part of Monika's garden.  If you click on the photo you may see more of her sculptures.

Gerard and Andrew standing on stepping stones in the garden pond.  By the way, for the English speakers -  when Andrew and Sieska were talking about Hierat I did not realise his name was Gerard.  It was only when I saw it written that I twigged to the connection between Hierat and Gerard :-)  I am slowly getting used to the Dutch language.

Inside the Protestant church in Epe.  The organ is apparently a very good one and quite well known organists welcome the opportunity to be invited to play it.

I was intrigued by the two pulpits side by side.  One is a very old one and the other a modern one with microphone.

A delightful sight of a mother duck with her ducklings.  As we watched, more ducklings emerged from under her.  She was still sitting on some eggs.  The drake came by frequently bringing food for the young ones.  Notice the adventurous one down by the water on the left?  All this was in a dyke and under a bridge.

The gateway in Elburg a 14th century former walled city we visited.

 

Below is the the tall church tower in Elburg.  Gerard and Andrew are walking towards it.

The synagogue in the walled city of Elburg.  It had a congregation of about 100 people.

An unexpectedly sunny afternoon and we grabbed the opportunity to have coffee in the town square.

This is the town square in Elburg in front of us in the cafe.  Unfortunately I failed to capture the grandmother cyclist with her grandson in the carrier behind who had just passed us.