12th July 77km

At last, today felt like being on the open road. I'm all for bike paths but there is something lovely about choosing the road from A to B and getting going. With a bike path it's often hard to tell where you are. Or make a change. Or get off. It's sometimes like being trapped in bicycle world. 

After I left the farm, and the puppy who had by then interrupted my quiet breakfast and ran away with my yoghurt container.  I followed the road from Drimmelen to Zevenbergen where I had lunch in a bakery. After that I headed south to Oudenbosch then onto Roosendahl.   I had planned to stop there for another break but it wasn't the most appealing place. Besides which, I had food that needed eating. After cycling for miles imagining it I finally gave in and sat on a grass verge to eat bread and runny Brie. 

I got on my way again and soon crossed the border into Belgium and Essen. I had my site picked out about 5k south so cycled through. I quickly hit the town I was heading for and found the campsite sign. But, no site. I went back and checked. Then I decided to go a little further along the road. Eventually I had to accept that the site had gone and so navigate my way back to Essen and the site here. That little journey accounts for the last 12km of the day. 

With aching legs I pitched my tent and then headed out on foot (I couldn't face unloading my bike and I quite fancied a glass of wine) to this little Italian. I have eaten 3/4 of a huge pizza but then rest is in a box- probably for breakfast. 

And the wine? I'm on my second glass.  

  

The open road

The dreaded cobbles

Welcome to Belgium

And as they've just given me a drink on the house, a name check to 'O' Sole Mio' of Essen.