Exploring Nijmegen

Today we had a chance to walk into Nijmegen and explore. The town is much quieter this time of the year on a grey cloudy day but again, no rain.

Lots of stores and walkways without cars. 

Some shops in the older part of town are more unique and one can find fun things to buy. And we did! 

We had hoped to see a market in the town centre but this red awnings turned out to be cafe seats. In the background is St. Stephen’s Church. It has been here for more than 750 years and is the oldest and largest church in Nijmegen. It was severely bombed in 1944 but restored by 1969.

A closer look and below is artwork about the wartime bombing.

Some unusual sightings along the way.

I wonder what this store sells? 

More art? 

Time for lunch at the Bagel and Beans. Maybe not totally Dutch but tasted good. In fact we ate before we realized we forgot to take a photo.

We headed home from town to relax.Every afternoon as we relax at Kees and Dineke’s, Dineke brings us tea and a treat. It so delightful. 

We set off again with Kees to explore his neighbourhood and say hello to one of his siblings, a sister, Jook  There were 8 children in their family! 

Next stop, time for a drink at Cafe Jos, a very traditional “brown bar” named because of the brown woodwork and varnish (and probably all the tobacco smoke of years past).

A glass of beer and a Dutch tradition, bitterballen. In the brown atmosphere, Mary had a brown drink, Coca-Cola. 

The Cafe Jos is called a brown neighbourhood cafe.

What makes this cafe so unique is that it has the highest degree of professional competence in the beverage-providing sector of the catering industry. What this means is that the hosts are able to provide an explanation of all drinks- beer, whiskey, wines, spirits, tea, coffee- the origin, preparation, taste, giving the customer a chance to explore new regions of the country. It is called …. Meesterschenkerij. Google it!

To finish off our day, Dineke prepared a traditional Dutch dinner - stampot with mashed potatoes and kale plus sausages. A hearty and delicious meal. 

A perfect visit to Nijmegen and tomorrow back to Amsterdam with one more cousin stop.