I’m writing this post in a pub/restaurant, a sign that I’m in the more populated part of the Netherlands. This morning started off at my B&B on a farm. The owner and his wife used to farm chickens, 12000 in all, but when the eldest son said he didn’t want to follow them into the business, they packed up farming bar a few sheep and pigs and concentrated on the B&B business. They really knew what they were doing, lovely accommodation and a proper spread for breakfast, with fresh milk for the tea and a bag to make up sandwiches for my journey. All this on top of the free welcome drink last night
Oh and I made a new friend, Basil. He just wouldn’t leave my side.
Today’s ride took me on a lot of gravel tracks, but being The Netherlands, some had solid concrete bike paths alongside – but not all.
I’d noticed on the map, that the Saksen route passed very close to the border, so made a short detour to have my morning coffee and snack (apple pie) in Germany. I knew I was getting close when cycling down the path, I saw a column of about 10 ladies approaching at speed. It was the Germans, kicking up dust as they went, they sped by me with a quick “Danke” as they passed – I’d sensibly got out of the way. I had an overwhelming urge to play Ride of the Valkyrie’s on Spotify, but I resisted.
After that little scare , it wasn’t far to the border. I have to say the Germans know how to do picnic tables, not so sure about the border infrastructure though !
Back in the Netherlands and another picnic bench by a memorial. This one to the crew of a Halifax bomber that crashed nearby in 1944. For some reason I found this memorial strangely moving. Maybe it was the piece of broken propeller, that brought home the reality of it. It was touching that the locals still looked after it and each year paid their respects there – nearly 80 years after the event. It had surprised me in Den Helder, when my hosts neither whom were born in the war years, shared how important the Remembrance Day and Liberation day was to them. As they said, you’ve never been invaded
The afternoon was the usual mix of forest tracks and windmills. Did I mention today was ridiculously windy (look at the flag)
I’d decided as I had a bit of spare time this afternoon to try navigation Dutch style. This is the route for a 20km ride !
No computer or GPS is required, you simply follow signs to the required numbered point. At most junctions you’ll see directions. You write down the points you need to go though and away you go. It worked quite well until I missed one sign ! But you soon get back on track
So that was day 9. How time flies – and my dinner in the pub -fantastic, probably best meal so far, basically liver, bacon and apples with fries and salad to make me feel virtuous !
Steady Pedals 