Cycle Holland 2015

Hopefully the beginning of e'dam good week.

As this is our sixth cycling adventure and being this time in Holland we were not sure whether this was a blog too far, however a trip to nether Netherlands ( that's double Dutch) should ensure that it does not fall flat.

Blogging Steve

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ:

For some strange reason Day 4 doesn't show up when you scroll down through the blog. To see all the exciting pictures of Day 4 (and of course you really want to!) you have to select Day 4 from the menu on the right. Also Day 7 is under 'September' in the menu on the right, so click on the arrow beside September to find Day 7. Happy viewing!!

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Day 1 - Oxhill to The Hague

We set off from Oxhill at 5 a.m. with bikes loaded onto 3 cars (we were 7 cyclists). It was a very easy drive to Harwich, arriving well before the ferry set sail at 10 a.m.

Most people slept on the ferry but Mike and Steve headed to the bar where they camped for 5 hours (surprise :)

On reaching Hoak of Holland we had a short enjoyable 16 mile cycle along the coast, mainly along cycle paths through sand dunes towards our destination of Den Haag.

Den Haag, as well as being the seat of government in Holland, is also a lovely seaside resort, with many bars, restaurants, hotels and large sculptors along the sea front.

The evening started and ended at the bar at the Boulevard Hotel (we recommend this welcoming hotel) with a delicious meal at a beach restaurant watching the sun go down. They even provided blankets to the customers as it got a bit chilly (we discovered is a common practice throughout Holland).

Mike sorting out which bra to wear

A sign of things to come - Brian's bike without Brian on it.

Love bugs :)

An illegal immigrant - Brian doing time.

The blue team discuss race tactics.

Brian taking off down the runway.

Bunny

Hunny bunny

Tapping glasses Vic's way.

Dining on the beach at sunset - glorious!

Sweet dreams

Day 2 - The Hague to Zaanse Schans

The day's journey started like yesterday - cycling through sand dunes along the coast. It was super-hot day (as was the whole journey) at almost 30 degrees.

Day 2 was eventful as the group suffered its only puncture in Zandvoort (Hugh's bike) on the entire trip. Where is Joe when you need him?

Our route took us through the centre of Haarlem (not the Spanish one). Finding the right way out of Haarlem proved to be difficult. We didn't stop for lunch - too busy trying to find our way out of Haarlem - but we had delicious ice cream while waiting for our ferry to Zaanse Schans.

Zaanse Schans has a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses.

After a long tiring day we were greeted by the lovely vision of Sharon, the landlady of our hotel Heerlijck Slaapen. It is a brilliant hotel - a 17th century house (with different buildings) once located somewhere else in Holland and then carefully put on a barge and brought to Zaanse Schans. (In fact 35 historic houses were barged and shipped to the little town in 1961). The rooms were all different - with individual character and stunning views.

Future tourists please note that the town closes up on a Monday night at 7 pm. For food and drinks we had to walk about a mile out of town, but it was well worth it. We stopped at the busy bistro Het Heerenhuis and sat outside and enjoyed a delicious meal.

Back at the hotel, some of us toddled off to bed, while others cracked open a couple of the wine bottles found in each room and sat outside on the pontoons till the early hours.

Our hotel, The Boulevard Hotel, on the beach in the Hague - wonderful view from the bar and dining room

Vanessa over-reacts when getting her picture taken (maybe this is why she doesn't get her photo taken much).

Brian marking his territory

Cycle break: out of the hot sun for a hot cup of tea and coffee. Only mad dogs and English men.

Unlucky Hugh gets the only flat tyre on our holiday.

Where are we?

Zipping through Haarlem

Brian resting his load.

Mind-meld

A boat getting its bearings.

Another cycle path separate from the road. Holland was the safest place we ever cycled.
Only 1% of the population wear helmets but they have the lowest cycle injuries in Europe.

For Brian :)

On the ferry

Work is never far away.

Another successful day of navigation from Hunny Bunny. Here he is sitting outside our hotel.

The hotel was a collection of small wooden houses. Our room was on 2 floors. Downstairs was long dining room with beautiful tiles around the stove. I think they are Delft porcelain tiles because of their age, colour and design. All the pictures on the tiles were representations of verses from the Bible.

Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."

You can recognise Noah's Ark on the centre tile.

What an interesting idea - a chandelier made of milk bottles.

Are you watching Vic?

Mike has a good nose for beer.

Sharon, oh Sharon.

How do we move our legs again without a bike underneath?

You know what will turn Brian's head.

Early morning mist in Zaanse Schans

Day 3 - Zaanse Schans to Amsterdam

Just a short day's cycle today as we decided to spend most of our day in Amsterdam. The ride to Amsterdam was through gorgeous green countryside - and so clean!! Countries around the world (including our wonderful UK) could definitely get a lesson from the Dutch in how to keep their country clean - roads, towns, rivers even highways were free of litter and well maintained.

Amsterdam, on the other hand, is like most European large cities - too crowded, too busy, too noisy and barely enough room to push a bike (or swing a mouse :)

We all clamoured onto a barge for trip through the canals of Amsterdam. The barge was hot as H*** because it was encased in glass and heated up like a green house. In spite of the heat it was a good way to see Amsterdam. After the barge we split up - the pub boys went to the bar and the camera girl (with 3 suffering souls including one sulky pub boy Mike and the ever-dutiful Liz) went on a 2 hour trek to find a camera charger. (Thanks everyone :)

We met up later at the hotel and headed to the Red Light District (Liz had no takers) for drinks, dinner and more drinks and then yet more drinks. A few of us sensible ones stumbled back to the hotel. Hugh headed back to the hotel as well, but couldn't remember his room number. The clerk at the desk was no help (could Hugh not remember his name?) so Hugh had to stagger back to the bar where Mike, Steve and Brian H were holed up celebrating a barmaid's retirement. No one would tell Hugh his room number (or his name?) so Hugh had to stay and drink to the bitter end. Mike returned home at dawn, tripped over the room's threshold, landed flat on the floor, giggled for 10 minutes and then passed out (or so says Vanessa - Mike has no recollection).,