Our final days in The Netherlands

Thursday, August 18 was our last full day in Holland.  It poured most of the day and the weather was coolish but yesterday was perfect biking weather and so we spent our time doing just that in the Veluwe nearby Apeldoorn where our cottage was located.    In total, we covered 30 kilometers.  The surroundings were gorgeous with lush plant life, streams, fields of heather and lots of people on their bikes!
The following day we went to Mudorodam near The Hague.  Here, we visited a site that contained a miniature scale of The Netherlands with boats, canals, cities, some rural areas, an airport, bridges, locks and even a stadium conducting a rock concert with people waving and moving their bodies to the beat of the music.  Willem was fascinated.  We had taken Cameron there when he was a few years younger than Willem is now and he was equally mesmerized by this incredible structure of The Netherlands.
Before our flight left for Rome, on Friday, we had time to take in the open air museum in Arnhem.  That, too,  held fascination for Willem as he watched one the of workers do a demonstration on the method onced used for making paper.  The Dutch used strips of cloth in the process and demonstrated a variety of stages employed to get the end result.
We are now in Rome in 40 degree weather.  Not a cloud in the sky and boy is it hot!!  It's quite a change from the weather and culture experienced during the past week and Willem is taking this all in with much pleasure and appreciation as we are as well and in particular, enjoying this holiday with him.  He has been a constant source of delight for his grandparents!