Amsterdam
This is a very belated post.
A couple of months ago, in the middle of October to be precise, I managed to wangle a long weekend in Amsterdam.
I don't know about you but I have a list of gardens, things to see and places to visit all around the world.
Having been to Amsterdam many times before, the Horticultural gardens were still on my list, having been passed over in favour of art galleries, museums etc. The weather when we arrived was not conducive to garden viewing, as it was raining heavily and a sharp wind was blowing in off the sea. Two days later it was completely different; bright, sunny and relatively warm, so off to the Hortus Botanicus we went.
Easy to reach from the town centre on foot, the garden itself is quite small, but, as they say, beautifully formed. Founded at the height of Dutch trading influence in the 1680's with seeds and plants brought back by traders, it was originally started for herbal and medicinal reasons. It has an amazing history of propagating coffee plants, from a plant still in the collection, which formed the basis of all coffee now produced in Central and Southern America. Incredible!
A 19th century curator, Hugo de Vries, lived in one of the elegant houses on the adjacent street. He was rewarded for his devotion to the garden by the creation of a private access and short cut for which he had the exclusive use (and the only key!). Dedication has its own rewards?
Todays' visitors to the garden are welcomed by a bright spacious entrance with a combined gift shop, bookshop and plantstall. Best of all, having viewed the garden and the hothouses, admired the quality and range of the plants and walked the canal boundaries, you can reward yourself with a delicious cup of coffee and, of course, the compulsory and well deserved cake.
Much recommended if you get the time, and a special ambience all its own.
posted by Dawn Johnson at
16:04
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