A Green Oasis connecting Towns

Discovering the tranquil Goois Nature Reserve just a stone's throw away from my son's new home, was a true triumph for him!

Emigrating to the Netherlands was a big step; and having to work in a big city, he naturally expected to find cramped accommodation in a concrete jungle.

Finding a spacious apartment on a tree-lined quiet road, just five minutes from the train station, and getting to work in under half an hour, was a huge surprise and a big bonus.

Coming from SA, a country known for its natural beauty, and open spaces, he was super excited when he discovered a nature reserve on one of his walkabouts a couple of weeks after moving there.

The location of the Goois Nature Reserve is the Gooise Meeren, and is 32 hectares. It truly is a green oasis in the midst of several urban developments, connecting a couple of towns with wide pathways.

These giant tree stumps look like they belong to dinosaurs with those big toes clinging to the ground, not letting go. They certainly are not doing any walking, are firmly planted for sure!

The nature reserve has giant oak forests, a pond, and fields of heath. Deer and Highland cattle can be seen. This little Deer stood looking at us, before darting away.

The forest opens up into open expanses of heath where Highland cattle graze. Signage warns one not to get too close, so we were a tad nervous, but wanted to get a better look, although not up close and personal ;)

We later saw that we had nothing to fear, as joggers, cyclists, and people walking their dogs, got very close to these cattle.

We took a couple of walks through that forest during my stay, and it was balm to my soul, as it was for my son; we were able to talk and share our feelings of loss.

We searched for mushrooms, not very successfully, unlike when my son took his first walk there.
We saw the odd fallen tree, as well as tree stumps covered in lush green moss.

The weather was still warm when we went on our first leisurely walk. However, on our next walk, one could feel that winter was on its way, so we dressed up warmly. We took a rather brisk walk when in the middle of the forest, and slowed down when we got to the open field, enjoying the heat from the sun.

There are many pathways with signage showing the distance to some of the towns it connects.
Some cyclists were in office gear so it became apparent that many use the nature reserve's pathways to travel between work and home, heavenly, I would say!

The north-eastern forest originally was part of what used to be the Kamphoeve farm and was a coppice forest. They used to cut wood as fuel for local bakeries' ovens, making the forest more sparse, but giving the oak trees space to grow tall and proud.
They created the heath zone in Kamphoeve so that animals could cross over to other areas.

We saw the overnight corral where the cattle gather at night for shelter.

We spent our time walking, talking, and looking up to see the sun trying to find its way through the forest. Seeing the sun shine brightly at the end of a pathway, showed us that the sun indeed will shine warmly in our hearts again once the shock of our loss wears off.

The hole in my heart however will never be mended!

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Original Content by @lizelle
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