2014 Holiday: Rolduc Abbey

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After Amsterdam, we headed to Rolduc Abbey in Kerkrade, a small town in the Netherlands near Germany. My husband had a conference there and the quiet of the Abbey was a welcome change.
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The grounds were beautiful. Early in the day this lake was surrounded by local fisherman.
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And if you followed the path behind the abbey, you’d be in Germany.
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There was fenced area filled with chickens, deer, geese and a pig because having animals nearby is nice (that’s what the staff said).
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The rooster crowed each morning and just across the road we found sheep.
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There’s a vineyard and the abbey makes their own wine and beer.
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This patio garden area reminded me of Jane Austen novels.
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The view from my room made me never want to leave.
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(A close up of the small coy pond just outside my window.)

Rolduc Abbey is the perfect location for a retreat; if I ever plan a destination art retreat, it might be there. The accommodations are amazing and the food was delicious. On the grounds is a magical flower/garden shop. The owners only spoke Dutch, so I didn’t feel right snapping photos, but I wondered around for a long time admiring the handmade mobiles constructed from sticks, rough felt, ribbon, charms. I was able to communicate just enough to bring home some of that felt and a few charms.

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