Sent from my iPad
Wednesday 31 May 2017
The latest addition on the farm where we stayed. His sister is the white one at the back.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday 30 May 2017
Katwoude - Enkhuizen 36.73 miles
Katwoude - Enkhuizen 36.73 miles
It was a nice place where we stayed the night. Had a self contained annexe with table and chairs outside. The farmer came to have a chat as did his mother, who also provided us on arrival with a cup of tea. Nice folk.
On departure we needed a lot more layers than the day before. It was damp and misty. At times we had the wind behind and that was just great. The bike is doing very well. We did put new oil in the gearbox and also 'the bike clinic' came to service the rest. But the oil we always do this ourselves.
We headed for Volendam first and the place was busy with Japanese people. Very nice village which was then followed with Edam. We preferred that one. Very quaint. After Edam it was Hoorn. I have been here before, years ago with my parents to visit family. In fact this whole area is where my forebears came from, on my fathers side. I believe there is even a village like my maiden name! I once did see that on the map.
Hoorn is lovely as you can see on the picture. Their unique houses and some of them leaning over badly, but it adds to the character of the place. Their boats in the harbour with their lee-boards are also typically Dutch.
So far we have stayed with a painter and her paintings are very interesting, a retired farmer's wife, a singer who sings once a year in England with her choir :)) Canterbury and Ely Cathedral so far. Then last night another farmer. We keep meeting other cyclists and they are forever asking about Brexit! Want to hear our opinions. Tomorrow we head for Den Oever, just before the famous/infamous Afsluitdijk. I mention 'infamous', but that is another story - a very long time ago.
Sent from my iPad
It was a nice place where we stayed the night. Had a self contained annexe with table and chairs outside. The farmer came to have a chat as did his mother, who also provided us on arrival with a cup of tea. Nice folk.
On departure we needed a lot more layers than the day before. It was damp and misty. At times we had the wind behind and that was just great. The bike is doing very well. We did put new oil in the gearbox and also 'the bike clinic' came to service the rest. But the oil we always do this ourselves.
We headed for Volendam first and the place was busy with Japanese people. Very nice village which was then followed with Edam. We preferred that one. Very quaint. After Edam it was Hoorn. I have been here before, years ago with my parents to visit family. In fact this whole area is where my forebears came from, on my fathers side. I believe there is even a village like my maiden name! I once did see that on the map.
Hoorn is lovely as you can see on the picture. Their unique houses and some of them leaning over badly, but it adds to the character of the place. Their boats in the harbour with their lee-boards are also typically Dutch.
So far we have stayed with a painter and her paintings are very interesting, a retired farmer's wife, a singer who sings once a year in England with her choir :)) Canterbury and Ely Cathedral so far. Then last night another farmer. We keep meeting other cyclists and they are forever asking about Brexit! Want to hear our opinions. Tomorrow we head for Den Oever, just before the famous/infamous Afsluitdijk. I mention 'infamous', but that is another story - a very long time ago.
Sent from my iPad
Monday 29 May 2017
Huizen - Katwoude (just above Monnickendam) 33.59 m
Huizen - Katwoude (just above Monnickendam) 33.59 miles
Left just before 9. It had rained a little so everything had freshened up. We followed the LF route 23a and half way through it became the LF 21a. The countryside was wonderful. So much bird life. We also masses of yellow irises along the waterways. They have nearly come to its end. We had lunch at Durgerdam. One of the many fishing villages ending with the word 'dam'. Our lunch was the best so far. Smoked eels with toast. It really is my favourite fish. The owner of the restaurant told us, that these eels came from the IJsselmeer and they are the best. He explained to us, that it had to do with the mud on the bottom! They were also smallish eels; again these are the tastiest. You also need a good smokehouse. We did enjoy this. Just look at the picture.
We carried on to Monnickendam, a town founded by monks. It derives its name from Monk's dam. Quite a big village/town. We are staying at a farm in Katwoude and received a very nice welcome. It's a big farm with lots of cattle.
Sent from my iPad
Left just before 9. It had rained a little so everything had freshened up. We followed the LF route 23a and half way through it became the LF 21a. The countryside was wonderful. So much bird life. We also masses of yellow irises along the waterways. They have nearly come to its end. We had lunch at Durgerdam. One of the many fishing villages ending with the word 'dam'. Our lunch was the best so far. Smoked eels with toast. It really is my favourite fish. The owner of the restaurant told us, that these eels came from the IJsselmeer and they are the best. He explained to us, that it had to do with the mud on the bottom! They were also smallish eels; again these are the tastiest. You also need a good smokehouse. We did enjoy this. Just look at the picture.
We carried on to Monnickendam, a town founded by monks. It derives its name from Monk's dam. Quite a big village/town. We are staying at a farm in Katwoude and received a very nice welcome. It's a big farm with lots of cattle.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday 28 May 2017
Dronten - Huizen 44.67 miles.
Dronten - Huizen 44.67 miles.
Although more miles than yesterday, it didn't seem more effort was needed. We left a very nice B&B and headed for the Veluwe Meer. Cycled along the shores to Zeewolde, where we had lunch. Carried on to Nuldernauw, Nijkerkernauw, into Eemmeer, crossed the bridge and cycled into Huizen where we are staying. It has been a beautiful day. Not quite as warm as yesterday and tomorrow the temperature will go down a little more. Having finished now with the Flevopolder, tomorrow we begin on the actual Zuidersea route and by using LF 23 to start with.
Sent from my iPad
Although more miles than yesterday, it didn't seem more effort was needed. We left a very nice B&B and headed for the Veluwe Meer. Cycled along the shores to Zeewolde, where we had lunch. Carried on to Nuldernauw, Nijkerkernauw, into Eemmeer, crossed the bridge and cycled into Huizen where we are staying. It has been a beautiful day. Not quite as warm as yesterday and tomorrow the temperature will go down a little more. Having finished now with the Flevopolder, tomorrow we begin on the actual Zuidersea route and by using LF 23 to start with.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday 27 May 2017
Lelystad - Dronten 40 miles
Lelystad - Dronten 40 miles
It has been very warm today, also a strong wind. Too warm, but we had to keep going.
We left for Urk, which dates back to the 10th century. It was an island at that time. In 1939 a dike from the mainland to Urk ended the towns island status. Seabed areas surrounding Urk were reclaimed from the sea and became the Noordoostpolder.
We had the intention to cycle to Urk and have a fish lunch and so we did as you can sea from the picture, washed down with an ice-cool beer. The place was so busy as everyone is still enjoying their 5-day break.
We then cycled back over the Ketel Bridge and headed for Dronten, where we are staying the night.
Sent from my iPad
It has been very warm today, also a strong wind. Too warm, but we had to keep going.
We left for Urk, which dates back to the 10th century. It was an island at that time. In 1939 a dike from the mainland to Urk ended the towns island status. Seabed areas surrounding Urk were reclaimed from the sea and became the Noordoostpolder.
We had the intention to cycle to Urk and have a fish lunch and so we did as you can sea from the picture, washed down with an ice-cool beer. The place was so busy as everyone is still enjoying their 5-day break.
We then cycled back over the Ketel Bridge and headed for Dronten, where we are staying the night.
Sent from my iPad
Friday 26 May 2017
Nederhorst den Berg - Lelystad 34 miles.
Nederhorst den Berg - Lelystad 34 miles.
You can see from the mileage that we don't cycle as much as in the past. However, it felt more like 60 miles as we had a strong headwind and especially on the dike it was hard work.
We stopped for coffee and had homemade Dutch apple tart. This was the best we had tasted so far. As good as mine!
I have tried to take pictures of the many birds we see, but they won't sit still for me. The place is teeming with bird life. We stopped halfway and visited a visitors centre and we stayed for a film on the richness of Flevoland's nature and countryside. Cycling in Flevoland is certainly not boring. Lots of changes, long acres of reeds, through wooded areas...and all of a sudden open spaces; of course there is water on every side; we are cycling on the bottom of what was once the Zuidersea.
Lelystad is in the centre of the Netherlands and is the capital of Flevoland. It is built on reclaimed land, founded in 1967 and was named after Cornelis Lely, who engineered the Afsluitdijk, making the reclamation possible. The town is appr. 9.8 feet below sea level.
Tonight we are staying at an address with Friends on the Bike. Very nice. The lady owner is an artist and paints wonderful pictures. A bit like Picasso! :))Really true!
Sent from my iPad
You can see from the mileage that we don't cycle as much as in the past. However, it felt more like 60 miles as we had a strong headwind and especially on the dike it was hard work.
We stopped for coffee and had homemade Dutch apple tart. This was the best we had tasted so far. As good as mine!
I have tried to take pictures of the many birds we see, but they won't sit still for me. The place is teeming with bird life. We stopped halfway and visited a visitors centre and we stayed for a film on the richness of Flevoland's nature and countryside. Cycling in Flevoland is certainly not boring. Lots of changes, long acres of reeds, through wooded areas...and all of a sudden open spaces; of course there is water on every side; we are cycling on the bottom of what was once the Zuidersea.
Lelystad is in the centre of the Netherlands and is the capital of Flevoland. It is built on reclaimed land, founded in 1967 and was named after Cornelis Lely, who engineered the Afsluitdijk, making the reclamation possible. The town is appr. 9.8 feet below sea level.
Tonight we are staying at an address with Friends on the Bike. Very nice. The lady owner is an artist and paints wonderful pictures. A bit like Picasso! :))Really true!
Sent from my iPad
Thursday 25 May 2017
Hazerswoude Dorp - Nederhorst den Berg 31.22 miles
Hazerswoude Dorp - Nederhorst den Berg 31.22 miles
Today is Ascension Day but here in the polders, it is also Polderland's Day. I don't know why but that is what we read here and there as we cycled through the polders. Yesterday I called them 'marshes'. I was wrong, it's polders.
Before our breakfast this morning I went out to take a picture of the Rietveldsche Molen just outside where we stayed. This mill dates back from 1648 and was in full use untill 1966, draining polderland. Since 1967 it has come under the protection of Ancient Monuments. See picture.
The countryside has been so beautiful today. Holland really is a very special place. So much water everywhere. Many houses have a stream/river at the front and you need to go over a small bridge to get to your front door.
Nobody goes to work on Ascension Day. Shops and schools are closed. Only the cafe's are open. They needed to as they were busy. It appeared, that if you had a bike you were on it. Cyclists everywhere. Chaos in places, as the racers think they are superiors on the paths.
We had to cross the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal by foot/cycle ferry as you can see in the picture, all free of charge.
We came across a stork with, I think, 3 young ones on the nest. I wish they would put up these stork poles in the UK as they will use it. It has been a wonderful day.
Sent from my iPad
Today is Ascension Day but here in the polders, it is also Polderland's Day. I don't know why but that is what we read here and there as we cycled through the polders. Yesterday I called them 'marshes'. I was wrong, it's polders.
Before our breakfast this morning I went out to take a picture of the Rietveldsche Molen just outside where we stayed. This mill dates back from 1648 and was in full use untill 1966, draining polderland. Since 1967 it has come under the protection of Ancient Monuments. See picture.
The countryside has been so beautiful today. Holland really is a very special place. So much water everywhere. Many houses have a stream/river at the front and you need to go over a small bridge to get to your front door.
Nobody goes to work on Ascension Day. Shops and schools are closed. Only the cafe's are open. They needed to as they were busy. It appeared, that if you had a bike you were on it. Cyclists everywhere. Chaos in places, as the racers think they are superiors on the paths.
We had to cross the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal by foot/cycle ferry as you can see in the picture, all free of charge.
We came across a stork with, I think, 3 young ones on the nest. I wish they would put up these stork poles in the UK as they will use it. It has been a wonderful day.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday 24 May 2017
Hoek van Holland - Hazerswoude-Dorp 39.50 miles
Hoek van Holland - Hazerswoude-Dorp 39.50 miles
Arrived at The Hoek and disembarked at 8 o'clock. Set off for Kijkduin where we were going to meet an old badminton friend from way back. It has been 52 years since we last saw each other and we just carried on where we left off! So much to say, reminisce and catching up. It was great. But ..we had to go as we booked a BandB in Hazerswoude Dorp and we didn't want to arrive too late. The route I had chosen was with using the link number (Fietsknooppunten) system. It worked well and the route mostly went past rivers, lakes and marshes. We were cycling on a dike in the area of Stompwijk, where much work was going on to repair the dike from erosion. We stopped as it was so interesting. The Dutch do their piling a different way as the chief, a woman :)) of course, was explaining to us that a 15 metre long metal tube -see picture- was driven in the ground. Not with the hammering noises we are used to in England, but pushed in under enormous pressure. She continued to say, that her firm (Dutch gebr. De Koning) go anywhere in the world to do this kind of work. It's not really a holiday picture but we were fascinated by it.
We arrived at our BnB at 5 and it's a really nice place. We have a unit adjacent to the water with our own landing staithe and overlooking the reed marshes.
It has been a wonderful first day, nice weather and for 90% cycling on cycling paths and.....no hills here!
Sent from my iPad
Arrived at The Hoek and disembarked at 8 o'clock. Set off for Kijkduin where we were going to meet an old badminton friend from way back. It has been 52 years since we last saw each other and we just carried on where we left off! So much to say, reminisce and catching up. It was great. But ..we had to go as we booked a BandB in Hazerswoude Dorp and we didn't want to arrive too late. The route I had chosen was with using the link number (Fietsknooppunten) system. It worked well and the route mostly went past rivers, lakes and marshes. We were cycling on a dike in the area of Stompwijk, where much work was going on to repair the dike from erosion. We stopped as it was so interesting. The Dutch do their piling a different way as the chief, a woman :)) of course, was explaining to us that a 15 metre long metal tube -see picture- was driven in the ground. Not with the hammering noises we are used to in England, but pushed in under enormous pressure. She continued to say, that her firm (Dutch gebr. De Koning) go anywhere in the world to do this kind of work. It's not really a holiday picture but we were fascinated by it.
We arrived at our BnB at 5 and it's a really nice place. We have a unit adjacent to the water with our own landing staithe and overlooking the reed marshes.
It has been a wonderful first day, nice weather and for 90% cycling on cycling paths and.....no hills here!
Sent from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)