Getting around the river Ijssel we
intended to spend the day in Arnhem but with yet another puncture we were
forced to stop in the city of Doesburg. As we tried to enter the high-street we
were (and I kid you not) stopped by medieval guards who informed us that bikes
were not allowed. Having explained the situation we were then escorted by guard
to the bike shop beyond the gate. Turns out the town was having its annual
medieval celebration, the Doesburgse Hanzefeesten. Well we thoroughly enjoyed having a
look around the craftsman stalls, antique market, and traditional venders, listening
to the folky live music and observing everybody’s medieval fancy-dress.
Eventually we made it to Arnhem. A
place I’ve always wanted to visit, being a bit of a history lover. We wandered
through the city streets on the way to the Battle of Arnhem Museum situated
intentionally within sight of the John Frost Bridge (named after the
Major-General who led British forces in defence of the bridge). The museum was
really interesting, mapping out the movement of Allied and Enemy forces chronologically with clips from the infamous film A Bridge too Far (although that is of course fiction). I
really liked the walls displaying the feelings/accounts of German and
British soldiers as well as Dutch eye-witnesses (both young and old).If you really don’t know what I’m on about I suggest you read up on your WW2 history. Be warned though, there's no happy ending here.
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