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?
wonderful pics of that country, thanks
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