I know I should stop complaining about the weather here. I’ve lived long enough in this country to get accustomed to the mood swings of the Dutch weather but its almost summer, it’s May and still crappy weather! 7C today with wind and showers and on some days like yesterday the sun shone through the grey clouds. This Dutch weather is definitely a woman with PMS who throws a tantrum and sulks.
Anyway, 3 weeks back the weather was nice even though it was chilly, and knowing that we rarely have gorgeous weather weekends here, we grabbed the day for an outside stroll. I suggested we check out Bunnik because I am craving for pancakes but this would be later, so we drove and looked for a nice place to walk near the Theehuis Rhijnauwen pancake restaurant which is part of the Rhijnauwen Estate. Beside this estate is the Amelisweerd Estate which we have not visited yet.
Here are some fotos of the Amelisweerd Estate:
This is Landgoed Oud-Amelisweerd along the Kromme Rijn River. It was still cold to be out boating but this group quite enjoyed it.
Landgoed Nieuw-Amelisweerd Estate. There were some girls kayaking that afternoon and this pair flashed me a bashful smile and quickly turn their faces away from the camera. 
The white bridge that leads to the little mansion in the Nieuw-Amelisweerd Estate. I don’t think someone is living in this little mansion.
The forest walking trail in Nieuw-Amelisweerd Estate. Middle foto is a typical colorful Dutch window shutter. You will see a lot of these when you visit Dutch villages.
Me and my souvenir foto in Amelisweerd. Next foto are pretty fungi growing on cut wood trunk.
We saw this black dog retrieve a branch thrown by the owner to the river. I managed to get away from the dog before he whisks water off his body. Next foto are interesting hanging ornaments found in a stable or warehouse near the little mansion.
Estates here in the Netherlands are usually owned by organizations, in most cases by government funded organizations, and if the estate is open to the public which most are anyway, they have tax advantage (according to a Dutch Nature Law enacted in 1928), which I pressume entitles to less property tax.
I think it’s a great idea to open the estate to the public for walks and picnics. It’s a win-win situation for the owner of the estate who wants to pay lesser taxes while the public gets to breathe in and commune with nature. Perfect deal!
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