Diary for Skiing in retirement


Through the Low Countries

2015-08-02 to 2015-08-06

Cycling into the Netherlands, we pass the 5,000k milestone. Actually, the Netherlands was quite hard to find: there is no visible border point on the cycle path, so we had to stop a passing cyclist to ask what country we were in.

Failing to find a campsite in a suitable place, we opted for a delightful, secluded beach camp with sunset views. All peaceful until 7.00am when we were joined by a herd of ponies who took a keen interest in what we were doing and having for breakfast.  Also an unhealty interest in the bikes (which they chewed) and the tent (which got pawed). Bravely, we shooed them away.

Then a few miles into Arnhem where, after 28 days consecutively of tenting, we opted for the comfort of a B&B and to await the arrival of Andy and Nicky who had organised ferry and trains from BSE in order to join us for 3 days in the Netherlands and the final day from Harwich.

A & N duly arrived the next morning suitably kitted for camping and attired for the rain.  Yes, rain!  But the forecast for sun proved accurate and by mid afternoon it was shirtsleeve order and cold beer in the sunshine.  This set us up well for our campsite, suitably positioned across the road from a riverside restaurant serving delicious pancakes. That left 2 days to cover the remaining 150k.

The first leg ended with a wildcamp in the marshes of the Biesbosch National park after an excellent day's cycling through "typical" Dutch landscapes and a luchtime dip in the river for 2 brave members of the party (A & N, you know who I mean).

And so to the final day in Continental Europe. Day 121 took us through the urban industrialised approaches to Rotterdam, where we admired the modern architecture (well, some of it) and enjoyed an Indonesian meal in a restaurant where we were the only diners. A final stretch along the Rhine into a strong headwind brought us in good time to the Hoek of Holland for our ferry.  Well, we were in good time, but were left standing on the quay for 90 minutes after check-in before being allowed on board.  A small inconvenience, considering........