7th July long hot 80km from Amsterdam to Liden

A bloody hot day to be out and about on a bike. I looked very English: white top and a straw hat. I spent all winter researching warmer gear. Got a bigger tent so I could sit up even if it rains. Got a down bag. Bought 2 jumpers. And now look at it! I've been slapping on the factor 50 like it's going out of fashion. 

It's preferable to rain though. 

This morning I packed up and headed out of Amsterdam. I had originally planned to go via Utrecht but I rather felt like avoiding the urban sprawl. I started trying to follow the bike paths but kept getting directed back to the same place. It took me longer than I care to admit to realise that this meant something akin to all directions (google translate has it as 'through traffic). That made things clearer     

When I was eventually free from the endless houses I started to relax a bit. I stopped a couple of times to eat, once an ice cream and a coffee with a teeny cone on the side. A second time to eat a crunchy egg shell omelette. 

Every so often I stopped to lather on the suncream. Other cyclists chatted as we went, as I was the only tourist visible my load was always the subject of discussion. 

I cycled through the Dutch equivalent of the Cotswolds. Thatch abounds and every house has its own little bridge. I chose the road because of all the bends. You can miss turns and hills when they are in short supply.   

As the Wimbledon final started (wow indeed) I started to look for a site. First I went to a well signed farm only to find that the camping advertised was actually last night's party. The owner did tell me about an actual site but, it was in the wrong direction. 

Eventually I made it here (Vlietland).  It's a campsite come mariner so, on this sunny weekend it's packed. The lady at reception was fielding calls, gathering keys for speed boats, doing other stuff I didn't understand.  Having dealt with all these things she decided to check me in before the night was done (her words). No wonder everything took so long. I have two keys for the loos, a key for the water and another key, the purpose of which I have yet to establish. I had to pay a €20 deposit making the total for two nights a hotel worthy £40 odd pounds. 

Tomorrow I will be visiting Liden and Delft. I will be visiting any open museums but, having  battled through the day using two maps (one cycle one Michelin) and my black biro, purchasing a pink highlighter is first on my list of things to do. 

Gallery (apologies for the quality. Between screen glare, sunglasses and phone case, subject matter was guess work)

My coffee and cone. It melted. 

That sign again. 

6th July 0km, 2 museums

Another relaxing sightseeing day. I was woken by next door singing 'cause I got high' so I can only assume they had a good night. I still haven't seen them. 

Having got the lay of the land yesterday, and found a map with tram and metro numbers I could read, I had today all planned out. 

First metro and walk to the Tropenmuseum via the very lush university district. Great museum, very quiet though. It was 11 when I got there but still, the place was silent.  It billed itself as having interesting exhibits from around the world and indeed it did. I was particularly taken by the painted horses and the blinking Jesus. 

As I made my way long what has become the 'Blackpool strip' in my head, I found a Thai festival so brunched on spicy coffee and Thai fruits.  On then towards Anne Frank's house. Not to look in-queues, you know my feelings- just to look at. A wander back towards the Bag Museum via lunch (a very tasty grilled vegetable sandwich and glass of wine) and shops. 

The bag museum offered an interesting and comprehensive history of bags and purses of all kinds including a special exhibition of school bags. The shop had lots of want to buys but, alas, they can't be carried. 

Finally, a walk back to the metro via a market. 

At some point something seems to have stung my foot so I've stuck some cream on it. It's sore to walk but should be fine to cycle.  

Which is lucky, for tomorrow I am off to Wassenaar. I've enjoyed my city break but, in all reality my favourite bit of the holiday is not seeing the 'big hitters' rather, the little surprises you find along the way. 

Gallery

Silent museum

Thai Brunch

Toad skin shoes

5th July 0km

A wander around Amsterdam followed by an afternoon at the Rjks Museum. Amsterdam looks as it should, apart from the building works (metro upgrades - despite which I didn't get lost). The weather has been lovely, no hint of rain.  

Got home and wandered the site trying to work out the wifi logic. Still none the wiser. 

Gallery 

No idea. 

4th July 50km (ish)

I slept the sleep of the Stugeron dosed last night. From 8pm until the wake up bing bong the next day. The travel sickness tablets, despite their soporific appeal, were quite unnecessary. The North Sea was as still as a mill pond and so I ate breakfast looking out over a sun drenched ocean. 

The time came to collect my bike and for me to join cyclists (motor and push) in the long wait to disembark. After a rather claustrophobic hour we were finally allowed to wheel our way off. A friendly passport check and then away I went. 

The ride into the city was a long, industrial 30k. I saw the back of many wind turbines (For reference, you want those facing you, into the wind) And lots of factories. 

In the end (after temporary loss of centrum signs), I was spat out of a park and into a suddenly bustling Amsterdam. Cycling was challenging as you can't manoeuvre  a fully loaded bike easily but, with a little walking, I got past central station and picked up the signs for the east. Eventually I found signs for the park and after cycling through an endless housing estate I made it to the sight.

I took part in a very detailed check in and followed the man to a non-cordoned off area of grass. I pitched and slept. Again.

Up and showered. (Tokens. I don't object if its a real shower but when it's one of those push button jobs, it annoys me). I finished my book (nothing to recommend it apart from the fact that I kept falling asleep) and came to the restaurant for tea. Given a choice of pizza or chips I have gone for the latter. With a glass of wine. 

I retreated in here when the drum circle started. Now I'm listening to a heady mix of Gabrielle and the Eagles whilst eating away. 

Gallery

Cabin (cause people are always curious about accommodation)

Amsterdam in the morning. See those smokey factories? That's the bike path just behind them).

Yarn bomb

For those cyclists unsure of how to approach technology.