We went for a day out yesterday with two friends. They took us first to the vantage point known as the Posbank in the Dutch National Park of the Veluwezoom, and then we went on to visit the grounds of Kasteel Rosendael (Rosendael Castle).
There’s been a castle on this spot in Rozendaal since the 14th century, but it was in the early 18th century when the grounds, the formal gardens and fountains were landscaped and built.
The most famous fountains are the "bedriegertjes" (little tricks). Everybody, except me of course, knew about them. The guide was telling our small party about the origins of the fountains and their shell sculptures.
Meanwhile, I was busy trying to take an arty shot of the castle framed by one of the small fountains.
And naturally, while I was crouching down taking the photo, the guide revealed the bedriegertjes "surprise". She threw a lever which diverts the water from the main jets to a set of hidden jets placed in the tiled surround. The entire area becomes a fountain – including the part where I was crouching. Much merriment from the rest of the party, who had retired to a safe distance. My, did I laugh. Not.
And then, to add insult to injury, she turned off the hidden jets, waved me across to join the rest of the party and, as I stepped onto the tiled area, threw the lever again. As you can imagine, I was most amused. Tee-hee. I studiously ignored her for the rest of the tour and contented myself by taking photos.
Geoff Coupe's Blog 
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