Started the day navigating through early morning rush hour in Amsterdam. Crossing on a ferry we saw a mammoth cruise liner entering into Amsterdam - it did not look like it would make it through the canal and where would those 3000 people fit into Amsterdam!
Once out of the city we were back in lush countryside criss-crossed with small canals and rivers. We were amazed at the amount and diversity of wildlife (especially birds). We stopped for coffee (and obligatory cheese) at a tourist cheese and clog-making shop.
We passed through the coastal towns of Edam, Volendam and Hoorn where we stopped in a exhausted heap under the shade of parasols of a market square restaurant (delicious milk shakes :).
Then it was just a short hop (15 miles) to Enkhuizen. But once there we struggled to find our hotel. Luckily the local man we stopped to ask for directions, led us (he on an electric bike) to our hotel. The hotel was worth the effort to find - Hotel Restaurant de Koepoort - is crisp, clean and modern with a beautiful long bar and gorgeous flowers.
Not only was the hotel wonderful but Enkhuizen is beautiful. We had a meal at the canal and watched kids jumping off bridges into the water. Once again as evening fell the group split up. Most of us went out to a bar, while Hugh called it an early night and headed home.
Sometimes you just need to stop to soak up the beauty.
The land of big sky.
A local telling us where not to go! (Note how a clog is being used as a paperweight, they really are everywhere, though not so much on people's feet.)
Climbing the only hill in Holland
Truly cycling by the sea.
For a few miles we cycled by trees with trunks wrapped in colourful knitted blankets.
After a very hot ride in baking sun we stopped for lunch in a beautiful little town. While our bikes continued cooking we took refuge in a cafe which made the best milk shakes.
The centre square in Hoorn
Our Hotel De Koepoort - very modern and sleek, with a brilliant bar.
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