A post-lock-down outing to the Zoo

2020-07-04

On Saturday a friend and I went to Ouwehands Zoo, in a wooded and slightly hilly area. In fact, on a hill which has been well known since WWII and was the scene of a notorious battle. A large war cemetery is located on the top of this hill, a perpetual reminder, lest we forget. A bit lower down that hill, more or less adjacent to it, is the zoo, a more joyful place to be. This zoo is he only one in Holland which houses two pandas, on loan from China, in the hope of getting offspring here. The programme has been successful, because a few weeks ago a baby panda was born. Although this attracts many visitors now that zoos have re-opened after the lock down, now it is the turn of the mother and child to be in a lock down. They can't be seen except via a webcam.

 

Their enclosure in a pagoda-shaped building, very Chinese, has been shielded off from the public. The male, who lives in another part of the building, can be seen and admired behind glass. Not that he was very active when we were there, for he was lazily lying down on his belly, apparently fast asleep. It amazes me that so much money has been spent on the panda house, a large and attractive construction, a regal palace for two equally attractive animals. For the pandas are really “on loan” and have to be returned to China in a few years’ time, a costly business. However, they look extremely cuddly and especially the children love them.

 Why bother...

Although the weather left much to be desired, with light showers and no sun at all, we did enjoy ourselves. Some people of course are dead against zoos, but zoos have changed. The animals now have plenty of space. There is a large wooded area with water for the bears, bears rescued from life in a circus for instance, or a very hard working life. They are given a really nice place to roam about, and live a relatively free life. They are cared for and well looked after. In fact, the bears are free, and we were imprisoned, walking high over the area on boardwalks through tunnels of wire. There are several breeding programmes for endangered species in this zoo, as in many others nowadays. As this zoo is built on a hill, it is quite attractive with lots of trees.

 

 

Some animals were very endearing, like the two giraffes cuddling each other all the time. 

 

The colourful birds, and tropical fish alone are worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For children, of which there were many, there is a large covered and very adventurous play area, with rustic seats for parents and grandparents

 

 

 

 

In spite of the corona measures the restaurant was working and had nice food on offer. If the weather had been fine, we could have sat outside, where there was plenty of space. Inside the tables were few and far between, but we did eventually find somewhere to sit and enjoy our lunch.

 Also enjoying lunch without any social distancing, feeling safe as somebody is keeping watch

 

 

 

 

Showing off

As my parents lived for years near or in this area, we would visit restaurants there after my father lost my mother, or on special occasions. I took my friend to one of them, De Blauwe Kamer, a restaurant and very nice nature park in the water meadows of the river Rhine. They are used as an overflow when the water level of the Rhine is too high. There are some lakes, shallow at times, with water fowls, and also some cattle and wild horses. I once remember people skating on this lake on a very cold winter’s day. From the restaurant, a favourite place for hikers as well as elderly people, the tower of the historic church in Rhenen can be seen. It is a very peaceful place, as there is no through traffic, except for some cars and cyclists using the ferry, one of many crossing the river. The water meadows are a loved spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. 
To our delight the restaurant was open. Although the restaurant changed hands 5 years ago, the personnel are still very friendly. It has been revamped, but in an attractive way. The food is excellent and some of the old staff are still there. The terrace can now be covered which makes it the perfect place to be even on a rather dreary summer day. Since we had not booked, we could not have a seat near the panorama windows, but near a fire which was fine. I enjoyed the mussels, which were quite good and well prepared.

After this lovely meal we took the provincial road, drove through Amerongen, and as the gates were still open, we had a peep at the castle which my friend had never seen before. Too late for the gardens or to go inside, but Amerongen as such is a very attractive village built up against the steep banks of the river, which are the beginning – or end - of a hilly area. We drove along the dike towards Wijk bij Duurstede, another historic and walled city. By now we couldn’t see much of the river because of the mist, the result of the rain and the relatively high temperature. We decided to explore Wijk bij Duurstede some other time. From here we drove to the motorway through farmland rich with orchards where one can pick one’s own cherries, and prunes later in the season. Too late for that, alas, so we headed home.  

This day out reminded me of my childhood and early youth. We would swap houses each summer with a family in a wooded area of Holland, a change from our seaside home. Whatever the weather, it was a holiday, so rain or shine, we would venture out, cycle to that particular zoo as well, and enjoy ourselves. After all, waiting for a sunny day in this country isn’t always a wise decision. Although this time we could have waited for a dry and warm day under normal circumstances, because of the Corona restrictions we had to book a day and a timeslot for the zoo well in advance and pay in advance as well. So we ignored the weather forecast and just went. At least, we did not have to cycle all the way home through the mist and rain!

Once back we enjoyed a "cuppa" before my friend left for her own home, a 20-minute drive. We both agreed we had had a glorious day.