De Notelaer, Hingene

Today we did a geocache - for the first time in ages. So much easier nowaday, you can just download an app and off you go. We had a lovely time treasure hunting in the beautiful nature reserve near Hingene.

By chance we actually found "De Notelaer" - a beautiful house near the river Scheldt which belonged to the Duke d'Ursel. The domed ceiling is stunning!. We have visited the Duke's yellow castle many times, but never made it to this beautiful summer house. In it's hey day, the top floors were the Duke's and Duchess's day rooms and the ground floor was the ferry inn (run by the wife of the ferry man, who's family lived on the middle floor of the house.

There was still a little inn at the house, but you could also do an audio-tour of the house. All 4 of us were utterly intrigued by the story, house and surrounding. Great aftenoon out!