The grounds of Fort Vechten

Saved a little bird from drowning today. It had a wound on its leg and could barely keep its head above the water. Always nice to play the hero. ;-)

My brother and sister were over from Enschede and we spent the afternoon on the grounds of Fort Vechten. This fortress is part of the 19th century 'New Dutch Water Line' defense system. A very nice 17 acre area with bulwarks, narrow paths through the grassland, and quiet waters. David was wearing shorts and picking flowers and leaves along the path. I told him to beware of the nettles. He said: "Yes, dad, I will take care. When I touch a plant and it hurts, I know it's a nettle, and I won't pick it." You can't beat a child's logic.

On the road leading to the fortress they just finished a replica of a Roman watchtower (burgus) as could be found all along the Limes, the northern border of the Roman empire. Complete with a Late Roman re-enactment group. When Karolien explained to David that "the Romans were wearing dresses instead of pants", the 'priest' of the group remarked, a little insulted: "No, madam, this is called a toga!"