Apple trees for you to pick

Only 30 minutes biking from Rotterdam, near the village of Rhoon, you can find a farm called "De Buytenhof". But why is this farm different from others, or at least interesting at all? Well, is what I would call an "updated" farm, where apart from growing different trees and produce, they offer to visitors the possibility of self picking fruits, herbs or plants.

Last weekend a friend invited me to a very unique plan: self picking apples. I thought to myself, self picking apples...is this possible? Or maybe I understood something else? Then she repeated: "yes, there is a farm where you can go and pick the apples directly from the trees and pay later by kilo".

It was a lovely autumm day, with very high temperatures (which is extremely rare for the Netherlands). We started our bike trip crossing the Maastunnel, the oldest tunnel under the Maas river in the Netherlands, it was a great experience. On the other side of the river, we started passing by beautiful and pictoresque villages in the south of Rotterdam, rural landscapes and lots of nature. After several stops to check our route (google maps was our guide), we arrived to "De Buytenhof". The place was full of children running in the fields, and parents going after them with baskets filled with huge red apples. We got our bags ready and started the picking! After the apples, we went for the pears (although it was already a bit late for the season, not many left on the trees), and had also the chance to feed the farm's pig with lots of fruit.

The session continued with eating fresh-made stroopwaffels and having some apple juice. We also passed by the little market they have, where you can buy all types of local products (yes, including apples, for those who are a bit lazy to pick themselves). The day ended with a lovely evening with food and apple-pie making (and eating, of course), funny games and nice friends! It is amazing to find this "cute" plans near the city, specially if you have good weather. I am definitely looking forward more days like this!

PS: Thanks to Alley, Lilly and Gabriella for a wonderful day (the three biking girls in the picture)! :)