So I’m going to start this post with a whinge, most unlike me I know ! Last night’s hotel was stylish, upmarket and very comfortable. However it was a case of style over substance, beautifully designed rooms, lovely walk in double shower with waterfall heads, but nowhere in the room to hang towels. Lovely Designer kettle carefully placed in the white oak TV bank, but the only power socket was on the bedside table. Not where I’d want a boiling kettle ! and then there was breakfast……
Delivered on little tray, with the position of the items no doubt dictated by design, but no plates, so everything has to be pushed aside to make room. I just left with the feeling that the whole thing had been designed with little thought to how people use hotel rooms and eat. That said it was a lovely hotel and for the money it was great value, I’d definitely recommend staying there. It’s just with a few little tweaks it could have been so much better.
Anyway enough of that, it was a sunny, but still chilly morning even at 9 o’clock, but it was time to go. Today’s ride had a more urban feel than previous days, that’s not to say it was all through towns, just that I’d been used to long distances with nothing but the occasional farm house, now urban life was becoming more common.
Still the route wound me past two more great windmills, the second in the middle of a housing estate.
There were still plenty of touches of rural life though. Two pairs of calves, the first were from some long horned cows, looked like the Highland Long horns from U.K.
Despite the fact it was becoming more urban, I struggled to find somewhere for lunch. It’s only the big towns that seem to have places, but I eventually did find a bakery , but it was all just bread and pastries no sandwiches. However, with typical Dutch helpfulness, the baker, or at least someone dressed as a baker, went off to his kitchen and knocked me up a cheese and ham roll. The strawberry pastry was delicious by the way !
After lunch it was a mix of urban cycle paths and the usual tree lined affairs.Also quite a lot of riding alongside canals, of various sizes. Some prettier than others.
The large canals are obviously used for commercial traffic. I watched this barge glide past, I was very impressed the captain had brought his car with him !
Home for the night was a B&B on a farm, but no slumming it here. Purpose built chalet really, two bedrooms, lounge, lovely bathroom, walk in shower, waterfall head and….. towel rail. It didn’t have a kettle but some strange machine that took me ages to work out. First you had to unlock the controls. Trial and error eventually brought success, then you had to select water temperature and the volume of heated water you wanted. Can’t help feeling a kettle be better ! Anyway I still enjoyed a free beer from the owner on my own private terrace, before wolfing down a surprisingly healthy chicken salad, followed by banana, yoghurt and an apple pastry (I was hungry !)
Steady Pedals 