We love castles!

And here in Germany, there are said to be as many as 20,000 castles! Anything from little known ruins, to fully restored fairy tale style medieval fortifications, and everything in between.

So any detour to visit one of these castles doesn't usually involve too much of a route change. Yesterday, we drove a whole 41 kms (25 miles).

It's a good thing that there is so much information available online. Because some castles charge fees, and some don't. Sometimes the fees are worth it, and sometimes they aren't. We always read the reviews on google maps to get an idea of whether or not it's worth it to us to make a detour.

Yesterday, we went to Raesfeld Castle.

Raesfeld Castle.

Originally built in the 13th century, and renovated and added to in the 17th century. The building now houses an educational craft center and a modern hotel on the inside with an expensive restaurant. We asked if we could see the inside but didn't get past the very plain lobby.

It was a bit of a dull day, and there weren't many people around.

Surrounded by two moats, but the drawbridge is long gone.

Still, it's a really pretty setting.

Dragon rain spout.

Duck pond.

Pretty wildflowers.

We wandered around quite a bit.

We even wandered into the town of Raesfeld. The zipper on our camera bag has given up, so we're on the lookout for a new bag. Ended up in a kitchen supply shop buying an ice cube tray instead! It's really neat and seems like it was made for a motorhome, with a leakproof lid. You can fill it up and not have to worry about it sloshing around until it's frozen. A bit pricey, at €7 ($10.30 CAD, $8.30 USD), but we are trying hard to buy good quality things that will last.

This photo of a Tufted duck almost looks black and white.

Water off a ducks back.

We walked back through the castle grounds to get back to where we had parked Max.

Me!

Like I said, there were very few people around.

I took this photo just to show you how well Max fits into a normal parking spot.

We probably could have stayed the night right where we were, but there was a nearby municipal motorhome site that costs €10 ($14.70 CAD, $11.85 USD) per night and we didn't want to pay, and we didn't want to be told we had to move there. So we decided to carry on to a free motorhome parking area closer to the Netherlands border.

Scenery along the way in Bocholt, Germany.

We ended up at a parking area north of Bocholt across from a big swimming complex. They have ten free sites reserved for motorhomes, although you could have parked anywhere in the lot and I doubt anyone would have cared. Only one other motorhome here, a single man with his two dogs. His English was quite good, and we talked to him for a half a hour or so yesterday evening.

No photo of where Max is parked. I forgot to get one last night, and it's pouring rain right now. We need to go into town to do some groceries, so this seems like a good time. Although, they are calling for showers on and off for the next coupe of days.

I posted our June expenses earlier today. 

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