Six Friends, Three Days, a December tradition
Sunday afternoon, half past three. Three cars drive up the gravel path of Landgoed Frymerson. Sophie and Mark, David and Thomas, Lars and I, we’ve known each other since our university days. By now we live all across the country, but every year we plan a few days together. This year it was Limburg’s turn, and since Lars and I live here, we couldn’t have been happier. It meant we could finally show them the best spots.
The kids are staying over with friends, a logistical puzzle in itself, but the result is three days without obligations. Just time for each other.
Catching up
We started off quietly with a drink at our little house: the Cuypers House, which is located on a beautifully scenic estate. The owner told us that the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, the one who designed the Rijksmuseum and the train station in Amsterdam, had also designed this manor house. In the evening, we sat down for a wonderful dinner atKasteel Daelenbroeck.
he castle was built on the foundations of a 14th-century fortress, another beautiful place with a great atmosphere, just what we needed after the drive. It’s always remarkable how quickly you fall back into the old rhythm, as if we had seen each other yesterday instead of months ago.
Dinner was wonderfully arranged. We stayed longer than planned, but that always happens with us. The conversations drifted from work and children to that one teacher we all had, and before we knew it, it was eleven o’clock.
Day 1: De Meinweg and Herkenbosch Golf Course
In the morning, we took it easy, and after lunch we headed out Nationaal park de Meinweg in. I never knew that the adder lives here, as well as many wild boar, although we unfortunately didn’t see any. I have to admit, it’s beautiful here — even more beautiful than I expected. The walk did us good, although we quickly agreed that the drink at the only forest golf course in the Netherlands de Herkenbosche, would be the highlight.
And it was true. What an amazing location. The golf course, the view, the atmosphere, we immediately agreed that we have to come back here someday. David and Thomas gave the driving range a try. The result was… entertaining. But that wasn’t the point anyway.
In the evening, Lars cooked for us in the house. He has learned quite a lot from his cooking club recently, and we could taste it. Ingredients from the local butcher, wine from Limburg and the local supermarket, the end result was really good. We stayed at the table until late, as you do with good wine and good company.
Day 2: Roermond
Soaking up culture in Roermond, or at least making an attempt. We wandered through the city, stepped into a few churches here and there, took our time in a couple of boutiques, and of course ended up at Designer Outlet Roermond. Officially, we were there to find Christmas gifts for the kids, but everyone walked out with something for themselves. Mark found a shirt, David and Thomas bought new sneakers, and Sophie picked out a handbag. That’s how it goes.
The drink at De Verleiding was a good warm-up for dinner at Damianz. This restaurant is located in a unique setting, right in the middle of a former prison. Today, it is a five-star hotel. Het Arresthuis, We will definitely remember this one. The food was excellent, exactly the level we appreciate. We kept talking until the place was almost closing.
Dag 3: Aan alles komt een eind
On Wednesday morning, we packed our things. Checked out, and then headed home again. Booking midweek has its advantages, less busy, better availability. And it also feels a bit like a statement: we are consciously making time for this.
Before we left, we had one last coffee. “Next year?” “Next year,” we all said.
It doesn’t matter where we’ll be then. Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, or somewhere else entirely. What matters is that we keep doing this. These three days a year have become sacred. An investment in what we’ve built since our student days, and one that only becomes more valuable as we grow older.
