Comments on: Fraeylemaborg castle in Slochteren, The Netherlands

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:30:53 +0000

In reply to Irene S. Levine. Yes, pretty cool, isn't it!

By: Irene S. Levine

Irene S. Levine — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 20:58:13 +0000

How neat to have a familial tie to this historic property!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:55:10 +0000

In reply to Grey World Nomads. No way we could afford it, but it doesn't hurt to dream!

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:54:43 +0000

In reply to Janice Chung. There's no way we'd be able to afford to live in a house like that!

By: Janice Chung

Janice Chung — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:36:01 +0000

I can’t even pronounce Fraeylemaborg but love the “tour” you took me through. I would call it the ancestral home as well, regardless that someone else bought it. The sad part about owning one of these homes is the cost. I can see why it would now be a museum. Owners could never afford the upkeep! These stately homes always seem to have beautiful grounds surrounding them and Fraeylemaborg is no exception.

By: Grey World Nomads

Grey World Nomads — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:07:41 +0000

Too bad that it’s not in your husband’s family anymore or maybe good, because you’d be bankrupt by the costs to maintain the castle. Anyway, a wonderful property with stunning gardens. Will have a look when we get to the Netherlands again. #boomertravelbloggers #greyworldnomads #Fraeylemaborg #slochteren

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:34:20 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Hall (Bex). A lot of my view of what life would have been like in homes like this comes from shows like Downton Abbey and from Jane Austen novels! But it would all have been uncomfortable by today's standards: smelly (think chamberpots and horse manure and poor hygiene) and cold (no central heating). The lower classes would have worked nearly constantly (no labor laws) and the upper classes, particularly women, would have led very boring lives.

By: Rebecca Hall (Bex)

Rebecca Hall (Bex) — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:49:09 +0000

What a beautiful piece of Dutch history and architecture! I love looking around stately homes (yes, I’m British and yes, that’s what we call them). It’s a glimpse into another world (but DO NOT be fooled by Downton Abbey!)

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:10:03 +0000

In reply to Anita @ No Particular Place To Go. Yes, the light was lovely, and it wasn't even particularly sunny out. I could see myself living there, but only if I had WiFi, modern plumbing, and could afford to pay servants and gardeners to maintain it all! :)

By: Anita @ No Particular Place To Go

Anita @ No Particular Place To Go — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:23:43 +0000

How fun to have even a long ago and distant branch of the family living in a small castle like Fraeylemaborgke and equally interesting that your husband can trace his family back so many generations. The “ancestral home” is lovely and it seems that it would be very comfortable to live in, even now. I especially like how light all the rooms appear to be – not dark and gloomy as I usually picture very old homes!