Today was going to be a very short day, as I couldn’t do all the way back to the ferry in one day. Rather than go direct, I decided to detour to see a couple of sights.
As with the previous day the ride started with a short climb from the B&B up to the cycle path which ran along the top of the dyke. The locals were obviously curious what I was up to !
It was not long before my route dropped down off the dyke, I assumed it was going to be a short detour, but I spent 7km along a not very interesting road, then inexplicably back onto the dyke
Soon after, I passed another memorial, this time to 4 men killed in 1944. I’ve only included it because I loved the sculpture.
Throughout my time here, I’ve see so much wildlife, but this was the first time I’d seen anything like this. I think most of the nests were storks
First detour of the day was to Slot Loevenstein, a pretty little castle by the river. I didn’t go in, as you had to park your bike a distance outside and I didn’t fancy leaving it for too long with all the panniers.
Of course after this, it was time for another queue for a ferry. A handy bell was provided to summon the ferryman, but there was no need. He was constantly shuttling between the two banks, literally non stop. A two or three minute trip was €1.80, he had 8-10 people on the ferry, so was doing good business ! It was the smallest ferry yet. I’m expecting a canoe tomorrow !
The ferry dropped me right outside the gates of my next destination. The fortified town of Woudrichem. The walls still exist and the town inside was exceptionally pretty.
I was starting feel peckish, so sat down at a nice looking cafe by the city walls. It was fairly busy, which is usually a good sign. In this case though, it might have been because there was only one person serving. It took about 30 mins to place an order and a similar time for the food (a rather delicious) apple pancake to arrive. That wouldn’t have been too bad except it was baking in the sun and I had no shade. I did my best to get as much of my body under the table as possible, but short of hiding under it, I was going to roast. As soon as a table with an umbrella became free, I commandeered it !
There was time to take a couple more pretty pictures around Woudrichem, then it was off again to head for Gornichem, which is on the opposite bank. Having had my ferry quota for the day, I opted to take a longer route via a bridge. It’s only when you cross the Waal like this you realise what a huge river it is.
So final stop of the day was Gornichem, the largest fortified town in the Netherlands, didn’t see much in the way of fortifications although you could tell there had been a wall around the old town, but it was a very lovely and pretty place. I opted for a Greek meal in the town square, very good it was too.
My B&B was in a lovely old house right by the river (behind the boat in the photo) , I had a lovely set of rooms, the fridge was full of food for breakfast, I just had to decide what to have. Think I’ll make up some sandwiches as well for the trip, plus a real surprise, fresh milk in the fridge. I’ve been mainly drinking coffee here, but will be tea tomorrow ! But the biggest surprise was unveiled to me by the owner – I get to sleep in a cupboard ! Or being more kind a traditional box bed ! What a great way to spend my last night in the Netherlands
Steady Pedals 