Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: andrewc on 26 August, 2017, 10:13:24 pm

Title: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 26 August, 2017, 10:13:24 pm
a looong day on the railways.  Liverpool to Nuneaton to Leicester, to St Pancras. Rode to Liverpool St then Manningtree to Harwich.  No missed connections & while I'll swear about the provison for cyclists on some of the trains the staff were as helpful as possible.


A few hours in the ferry terminal lounge then I rode out to join many other cyclists queuing up. I then realised I'd left my phone in the lounge & had already gone through Passport control. I was just getting ready to do an illegal border crossing when a nice lady from the terminal asked if I was missing anything....
Only a brain...


We'd been told not to ride onto the ferry but ignored the instructions & pedalled onto the car deck.


Found my cabin, had something to eat. Now time to decide where to go tomorrow.
Initial thoughts are to follow the Meuse towards Nijmegen and then head up to Arnhem.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Canardly on 26 August, 2017, 10:30:24 pm
Keep us up to date as always....... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 27 August, 2017, 08:15:56 am
A plot nights sleep followed by a large & extortionately expensive breakfast. Off the ferry & its a lovely day


Currently on LF12 which goes all the way to Maastricht.


Pics & route at [size=78%]Nederland Noodle[/size]
http://tmt.li/wzfs2
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 27 August, 2017, 04:23:28 pm
If you have time and the inclination visit Heeswijk nr Nijmegen (ish). Arthur van Rooij has fabulous collection of Gios, Colnago , Merckx & Gazelle classic steel. You can find him on Facebook 'Vintage Bicycles Holland'. Bring us a couple back...  ;D
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Auntie Helen on 27 August, 2017, 04:41:00 pm
If you find yourself heading for Venlo let me know and I will pop across and say hello  :)
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 27 August, 2017, 08:35:51 pm
95Km today', longest I've done with luggage this year so will probably feel it tomorrow.


2 tunnels under rivers, 2 ferries & 4 beers.



Basically off the ferry & turn right onto the waymarked LF12a route, which I follow for the rest of the day.


Starts out going through very industrial but still green , lots of heavy traffic on the river. The industry tapers off after Rotterdam and then the route starts following smaller tributaries. Lots of traffic on the various bike tours, roadies, family groups, old couples on electric assist bikes & gangs of people on "Brommers". Everyone having a good time.


Lunch was a huge burger with bacon & cheese & fries. 2 beers.
It's a very hot day & I forgot to top my water up so have a couple more later.


Stop at de Knotwig, campsite near Werkendam.
Sausage & tomato & pasta. I forgot tea bags!




Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 August, 2017, 11:43:29 pm
I forgot tea bags!
Oh dear. That's it. Holiday over. There's no point going on into the semi-civilized lands without tea bags. You'll just have to head back home, then hop back on the next train from Lime St to Euston.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 August, 2017, 02:17:58 am
I think that it is at times like this that YACF needs to rally round. Andrew! You must make for Venlo at your earliest convenience! The rest of us must find a reliable source of Lapsang Souchon and appoint our fastest courier to deliver them forthwith to Auntie Helen, who knows a thing or two about brewing up in foreign climes. We're British God damn it! The sun has never set on our capacity to make tea, even if it is a foul foreign tincture that tastes like a cross between Russian Black pipe tobacco and Hummers' Yellowed Thong of Ambition. The teabags will get through!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 28 August, 2017, 06:11:26 am
Woken rudely with a bang! One of the baffles on my Exped mattress has popped, so I've got an unseemly bulge.....


Cool & misty, lots of dew .  I seem to have a cold starting as well  :facepalm:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 28 August, 2017, 09:00:37 am
Is Wowbagger Tim Brooke-Taylor in disguise...? Ask TimC if he could manage a bit of a wider turn as he's coming in to the UK so we can air drop Andrew's tea bags.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Vince on 28 August, 2017, 10:32:03 am
Lipton Yellow Label is a reasonable attempt at UK style teabags, otherwise there is an expat shop in Utrecht.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 28 August, 2017, 11:05:50 am
Hmmm. Unseemly bulge might need surgery. You have your EHIC card...?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Clare on 28 August, 2017, 01:15:49 pm
Lipton Yellow Label is a reasonable attempt at UK style teabags, otherwise there is an expat shop in Utrecht.

Bleurgh.

While I grant you they look like teabags their contents creates a brew most usefully employed as a drain cleaner.

Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 28 August, 2017, 04:47:43 pm
Looks like today is going to be a risible 40km on account of not getting away till 10:30. There was no one to pay so I just left €10 in the office. Beautiful countryside, elevated roads & bike paths above the river delta. Masses of bird life. Everywhere looks clean & prosperous compared to the UK 😕 Unfortunately everywhere was also shut apart from a cafe & a couple of bars. So still no teabags.


I need Charlotte to do her "Woman From Twinings" act, dive out of a plane clad in black, sneak into my tent & leave a box of the life giving teabags on my pillow.


Edit: that probably counts for inclusion in the "You Know You're Middle Aged " thread.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 28 August, 2017, 05:23:01 pm
Coincidentally she's on the hunt for a ver' ver' fast motorbike.

Be careful what you wish for...
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: bhoot on 28 August, 2017, 06:50:39 pm
Unfortunately everywhere was also shut apart from a cafe & a couple of bars.
Ah, the good old "gesloten op maandag" - one of the first phrases we learnt in Dutch, having arrived (you've guessed it) on a Monday.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 28 August, 2017, 06:52:54 pm
I found a little ziplock bag of teabags in my cooking kit. Bog knows how long they'd been there, and not the smoky, tarry badness of LS, but its caffeinated  :smug:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 28 August, 2017, 07:55:53 pm
Looks like I'm going to have to go shopping for a new mat.
Where is likely to have Thermarest or similar?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 28 August, 2017, 11:38:53 pm
https://m.yelp.com/search?cflt=outdoorgear&find_loc=Utrecht (https://m.yelp.com/search?cflt=outdoorgear&find_loc=Utrecht)

This any use?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 29 August, 2017, 07:30:55 am
Thanks. Ouch! A replacement Synmat UL 9 LW is €199 at some places  :jurek:


It's the most comfortable mat I've had but is well outside its 2 year warranty  :(
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Canardly on 29 August, 2017, 12:30:41 pm
Decathlon are in Amsterdam and do their own mats. Possible temp solution.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: trekker12 on 29 August, 2017, 02:41:36 pm
Exped seem keen on repairing/replacing anyway. Their website states they don't like adding to landfill if they don't have to.

One of our baffles failed last month on our way to Venice and although outside warranty (but admittedly only three months outside) they have offered a replacement since we got it home. It's worth a try with them although you will probably have to carry the broken one all the way home first (or post it to a friend) and also buy a temporary replacement.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 August, 2017, 05:44:44 pm
Lipton Yellow Label is a reasonable attempt at UK style teabags, otherwise there is an expat shop in Utrecht.

Bleurgh.

While I grant you they look like teabags their contents creates a brew most usefully employed as a drain cleaner.
They are drinkable in extremis or after prolonged habituation.

I found a little ziplock bag of teabags in my cooking kit. Bog knows how long they'd been there, and not the smoky, tarry badness of LS, but its caffeinated  :smug:
The Empire is safe!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 29 August, 2017, 08:56:42 pm
It's been hot, 32+ according to the forecast, and very humid.  65Km


I slept unclothed most of the night, only pulling the sleeping bag over me in the small hours when it had cooled down.  Morning porridge was interrupted by a low level flypass by a couple of Apache gunships.
I paid up & cycled to the first of the days 3 ferries & onto another island. This place is just little lumps in a big river. More of the same riding, quiet paths above the fields, distant views of villages & churches, birdlife & herds of cattle bathing in the river.


As with any path of its type the LF12 is trying to show you the pretty bits & taking every twist & turn to do so, if I wanted to cover distance I wouldn't be using it. It takes you past the outskirts of most villages, but when I've ventured in there are bars & cafes but a dearth of small grocery shops. Have the supermarkets killed them all?


Lunch was uitsmijter with 3 beers. Another beer was consumed at a cafe later on....


And now I'm unwell, a rumbling tum has had me trotting to the loo 3 times so far. A bit zonked earlier as well


Too much beer? Too little fluid of other types? 2 large mugs of tea with breakfast, about 1.5l of water from the bottles, about 1.25l of 5% beer spread over the afternoon.  3 large mugs of tea tonight


Edit: despite clean, well broken in shorts I've a sore botty! Sweat I suspect. Feels like I've been riding on sandpaper 😭



Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2017, 06:46:48 am
It rained overnight, today's forecast is cooler with more rain.
My mat partially deflated as well so I think it's time to go shopping.
No other nocturnal emergencies....


Just waiting for the kettle to boil
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2017, 07:29:39 pm
I left the campsite in waterproofs for a misty, zig zagging route following the Maas. I brightened up & I took the skins off.  Crossed the river at Grave, with a Market Garden memorial. Then straight main roads into Nijmegen, stopping for krokket met frites. 


A short while on I steered the bike between 2 bollards & clipped one with a rear pannier, sending me crashing to the ground. Only walking speed, a bloody knee, bruised elbow & my seat post had to be readjusted.


My digestion is still a bit off & I had to make a quick sprint for a bars loo as well.


Nijmegen was bustling, lots of young people wearing identical t shirts. New students ?


I found Bever & bought a New Thermarest. I'll have to bin the old one, couldn't see any one sleeping on the street to give it to, which is a good thing
Sat down with a bottle of iced tea & decided to head for a campsite at Groesbeek, stopped at Aldi on the way for rice, steak, salad & litre of milk. Tea was bought as well.
Campsite is the worst so far. Nasty sandy soil & it smells of dead badger.


Decided to cook before my shower, had started rice when I was hit by a massive thunderstorm with torrential rain.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 30 August, 2017, 07:58:24 pm
Andrew. if you are looking for a camping mat, look for your local branch of Bever (Beaver).
Good quality outdoors store.

Oops - I think you already found one.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: gerwinium on 30 August, 2017, 08:06:02 pm

Nijmegen was bustling, lots of young people wearing identical t shirts. New students ?

I went to uni there. And it'll be intro weeks, it's usually the 2 weeks before start of term. I had mine when Gorbachev was abducted...
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Kim on 30 August, 2017, 08:06:16 pm
At the rate that things are going wrong, I hope you know where your towel is...
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2017, 08:22:03 pm
Yes, but it's damp & covered with grit.....


I was able to salvage the rice,  but the steak can wait for another day. Rain has abated a bit. 2nd brew on.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Canardly on 30 August, 2017, 08:27:15 pm
I used to stay at the Oude Molen in Groesbeek.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 30 August, 2017, 08:30:08 pm
Andrew, you are welcome in Eindhoven if you need to dry out.

Talking about Groesbeek  ... I stayed in a B&B in a mental hospital at Grote Beek. But that's another story.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 30 August, 2017, 08:30:38 pm
If you've still got a slate there I'll pop in for a few  ;)
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: loadsabikes on 31 August, 2017, 09:06:31 am
At the rate that things are going wrong, I hope you know where your towel is...

With the digestive activity, should that read "trowel" ;D
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: αdαmsκι on 31 August, 2017, 09:18:33 am
The outdoor firm Bever use to be called Bever Sports. Cue much giggling. I never went into a shop to see what they sold.....
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: quixoticgeek on 31 August, 2017, 09:19:01 am
If you come anywhere near Amsterdam on your travels, give us a yell and I'm sure I can arrange you a beer or 2.

J
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2017, 04:55:01 pm
You'll be right now you've got some tea bags.  8)
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 31 August, 2017, 07:37:22 pm
It was a damp, drizzly night but no more thunder. Waited a bit to get things dry then headed off again. Picked up LF3 the Rhine path & followed that for a bit. Massive Uitsjmiter at lunch, thick bread, 3 eggs, nice ham & cheese, salad, cashews & honey mustard dressing.


Crossed the German border at Millingen then rode right back.  2 ferries & some more riding found me in Arnhem.  Very busy & looks worthy of further exploration.


Currently at Camping Warnsborn just outside the city. The Hoge Veluwe National Park is a short distance away,  that may be tomorrow's ride. There is a large gallery in the middle with an impressive Van Gogh collection.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Canardly on 31 August, 2017, 08:26:40 pm
The Hertenstein museum in Oosterbeek is well worth a visit if you have the time.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Veloman on 31 August, 2017, 10:48:59 pm
The Hertenstein museum in Oosterbeek is well worth a visit if you have the time.

+1 to that.

And not forgetting to go over the John Frostbrug with the superb museum on the city side with the personal accounts of various folk involved including the residents.

Both were highlights of the tandem tour and where we discovered Holland has hills!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2017, 07:16:28 am
These Dutch mozzies are evil  >:(
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Veloman on 01 September, 2017, 09:39:12 am
These Dutch mozzies are evil  >:(

Probably Scottish and on holiday over there.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 01 September, 2017, 08:30:50 pm
Hung around to get stuff dry then into the park area & rode to the Kroger Muller museum where I spent all day looking at paintings & sculpture. The worlds 2nd largest collection of Van Gogh.


Out to a campsite at nearby Oterloo. Between reception & my pitch I managed to lose a pair of bibshorts & my Tilley hat! Found them both picked up & on different fences later.


Annoyingly the showers nearest to me are closed & I'm too lazy to find others.


Spicy pork with rice & lots of tea.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 September, 2017, 08:31:55 pm
Is it wise to camp in an otter loo?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Torslanda on 01 September, 2017, 10:00:07 pm
Smells a bit fishy to me...
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 02 September, 2017, 07:02:48 am
Brrrr!  I've only brought my summer sleeping bag & a liner.  Last night was clear & I was feeling chilly. Socks, leg warmers & woolly top tonight then.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 02 September, 2017, 04:35:12 pm
A poor nights sleep led to a lie in, which became a rest & washing day.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 03 September, 2017, 09:24:11 pm
On the road again with a bike festooned with still damp washing. A bit cool so long too & legwarmers.
Out of Otterlo & through Hartskamp on the main road then turned onto the first of many cycle paths.  This area is still the Veluwe, but not the fenced off park. Tracks go through shady woodland & heath covered with purple heather buzzing with insect life.  People out on every type of self propelled transport, bikes of all flavours, even a back to back recumbent tandem. A couple of Eliptgos, runners & horse riders. It warms up & becomes a lovely day.


At Beekbergen I found an open Albert Hein & bought some food & a bottle of Spiritus for the Trangia. A cafe provided beer & pizza, though the raw red onions on the topping are now causing side effects...


From here I follow minor roads until I pick up the LF3 which follows the Ijssel, after a couple more beers I camp at Deventer, not the best of sites, a noisy location with a railway nearby & chiming town clock!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 03 September, 2017, 09:31:26 pm
It's Monday tomorrow, I've got to be back at the Hoek for Friday evening. Any suggestions for a pretty route?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Polar Bear on 03 September, 2017, 10:00:11 pm
Why not head towards Groningen and catch the train back to Den Haag?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 04 September, 2017, 07:45:37 am
Yes that's a definite possibility.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: JenM on 04 September, 2017, 08:56:16 am
I shall be in Groningen tonight for 2 nights staying at Stadcamping if you fancy a beer
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 04 September, 2017, 09:46:24 am
Hi Jen  :D   Not sure I'll be there in time, but we'll see.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 04 September, 2017, 08:43:47 pm
Up & paid for the campsite, then off. Deventer looks a nice little place. They filmed "A Bridge Too Far" there as Arnhem itself was too obviously rebuilt . Following the IJsell all day with a few diversions, but easy & very pleasant riding in the sunshine (I'd think some of these dijk top paths would be horrible in wet & windy weather)


I made a poor choice of cafe at lunchtime, they had no food due to a massive party yesterday. I had a large beer & rode off to find a bench on which to eat bread & cheese.


I got lost in Zwolle, which seems a nice enough place to do it. Another pretty town that has me thinking it would be nice to park the bike up & go for a walk about.


I missed the cycle route so just followed the river to Hasselt, there is a small campsite in the yacht basin.


Rice & beef with garlic & Chilli.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 05 September, 2017, 08:46:14 am
Don't think I've ever had so many mozzie bites. Even my arse is lumpy with them  :(


There don't appear to be that many about, but the ones that get through do the damage. I was sure there were none in the tent when I zipped up last night, but this morning she's there, bloated with my involuntary donation  >:(
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 05 September, 2017, 08:24:07 pm
Today started off bright & sunny, but clouded over later. No rain to speak of.


Left Hasselt & the LF9 route took me across dead flat polder fields, following the straight lines of the drainage ditches, zig zagging all the way to Meppel.


Skirting Steenwijk the route goes through a forested area with a lot of military activity & a big army base. I was thinking it was the Dutch version of Salisbury Plain when I found a couple of Neolithic barrows at Havelterberg.  For some reason I don't stop for lunch & make do with muesli bars. More woodland riding to Oude Willem where I camp for the night.


I've run out of tea again  :(
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2017, 12:02:46 pm
Just ran into JenM on a cycle path in the middle of nowhere  :D


https://twitter.com/andrewxclark/status/905384584384262144
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Dave_C on 06 September, 2017, 03:09:45 pm
Great tour blog, keep it coming!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2017, 05:14:03 pm
At Groningen after a damp day.  Pitched next to a couple from Milton Keynes.
Will have a look around the city tomorrow & get a train to Den Haag on Friday to ride back to the ferry port.


My battery pack & phone are both dead. Need to find somewhere to recharge.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 06 September, 2017, 05:26:48 pm
In Den Haag visit the Maritshuis if you can.  They make a big fuss about the Girl with the Pearl Earring, but there are also some Rembrandts too. It is a lovely location.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2017, 05:43:07 pm
Thanks.  I've been before a couple of years ago but another visit would be good. I worry about leaving the bike & gear alone in a city though. Do they have supervised parking over here ?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: ScumOfTheRoad on 06 September, 2017, 05:56:57 pm
They do. Try the railway station.
Should be an attended bike park for a couple of euros per day.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 06 September, 2017, 07:03:22 pm
I love my "Light My Fire" firesteel but it's no good for lighting mozzie coils.  Light the Trang,  set fire to piece of cardboard, burn fingers, light coil.


Smells worse than joss sticks..... :sick:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Vince on 06 September, 2017, 09:02:22 pm
Thanks.  I've been before a couple of years ago but another visit would be good. I worry about leaving the bike & gear alone in a city though. Do they have supervised parking over here ?
In the basement of Centraal Station, accessed via a ramp on the South side of the station. Look for Fiets Stallen signs.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 07 September, 2017, 07:37:12 am
Someone has nicked my battery pack from the campsite toilet block where I'd left it on charge overnight
 >:(

Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 September, 2017, 08:12:42 am
Bastards!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Dave_C on 07 September, 2017, 08:52:29 am
Sorry to hear this, hopfully you can purchase another in Groningen? It's a large enough city.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 07 September, 2017, 09:32:50 am
Just found it in the ladies. Bloody yoof group messing about I think.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: orienteer on 07 September, 2017, 10:15:29 am
What were you doing in the Ladies?  :demon:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Wowbagger on 07 September, 2017, 02:09:08 pm
What were you doing in the Ladies?  :demon:

Recharging his batteries.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Dave_C on 07 September, 2017, 02:43:26 pm
What were you doing in the Ladies?  :demon:

discharging his batteries.

Fixed that for ya!!
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 08 September, 2017, 10:37:28 am

Bloody slugs everywhere 😱
On the tent, in my shoes, in my pans, I even found one curled up in the bowl of my spork!


Another was fixed to the spout of my meths bottle & others were slurping on broken bits of mosquitoe coil.
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Kim on 08 September, 2017, 02:59:12 pm
You're really getting value for money from this tour, aren't you?
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 September, 2017, 03:08:11 pm
You're really getting value for money from this tour, aren't you?

Splutter...    ;D 
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 08 September, 2017, 09:05:26 pm
And the last day.....


It pissed down all night, hence the Slug-a-thon.  The battery pack doesn't seem to be holding a charge, so no phone for most of the day.   I packed up all my damp gear & rode to the station where a nice machine sold me a ticket. €33 for me & the bike to Den Haag.  (Groningen station is quite pretty as stations go)


Uneventful 2 1/2 hours on the train. I left the bike & bags in the massive underground parking area & walked to the Maritshuis. As well as the permanent  collection they have borrowed a load of stuff from the main gallery in Antwerp (being refurbished) so several lovely  Van Dyck's & Rubens to look at.


I left at 17:45 and the heavens opened. I was only wearing my light camping trousers on my legs as well.


Gave up on the cycle route & just followed the road to the coast & turned left into a headwind...


I was not a happy bunny when I reached the ferry port.  After standing at a barrier in worsening rain for 20 mins a bloke in a truck thing gave me a personal escort onto the ship.


Now washed & dry, supping an indifferent red in the restaurant. Don't think it will be a late night...
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 09 September, 2017, 07:04:05 am
Off the ferry & waiting for the train to Liverpool St to depart. It's not raining:-)
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: PeteB99 on 09 September, 2017, 10:39:23 am
It's pissing down on Merseyside at the moment (I've just splashed down the M53 from Ellesmere Port). I'd make sure the waterproofs are packed on top ;D
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 09 September, 2017, 10:41:15 am
Yes, just been told. London was nice & sunny 😧
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 09 September, 2017, 01:04:31 pm
Home.  11 days riding & I've only lost 2 1/2 kilos  :(
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: andrewc on 12 September, 2017, 01:14:43 am
Oh look. A slug in my hall after I hung the tent up to dry.


Posts to Teresa May as an illegal furriner... :sick:
Title: Re: AndrewC's Nederland Noodle
Post by: cycleman on 12 September, 2017, 07:46:49 am
You could have sent it to Kim ,slugs seem to like her   ;D