Sunny Last Days in The Netherlands

Sunday afternoon was forecast the heavy storms that the UK had seen the day before. Another lazy start as that’s what happens on holiday, The Boss was lazy too and rode 40 miles, so we decided to stay put today. Not really a fan of being out in a storm we settled ourselves on pitch as the wind blew in. We made typically British comments like, ‘That wind’s bringing the rain’ and ‘Ooh here it comes.’ Seven hours and half a bottle of sun cream later, the storm seemed to have bypassed us, we did find time to test the car and return to Lidl where this time we could select reverse and wind up the windows (do only old people refer to ‘winding up’ windows) and return successfully in time to stick the cadac on and make tea.

After an early evening mooch round site and a chat to the proprietor we decide on her good advice that tomorrow a trip to Damme is on the agenda. Back on the tandem, passports and extra water shoved in the panniers, we’re heading back into Belgium, we had to cross a border patrol when we visited Bruges the other day, off we go. The cycle paths along the tree lined canals are just perfect in this heat. The shade of the trees is quite welcome. Having passed by this way on our way back from Bruge the other day we have an idea where we are going.

Cycling over the canal bridge, our wheels are greeted by cobbles. Not cobbles like in the north of England. These are pretty little square cobbles, typical in this part of Europe, fit to turn any bike into a bone shaker. Riding almost straight in the pretty little square, that I presume on most days is bustling with people, today, Monday, it’s relatively quiet. Lots of the bars and a couple of shops that look like bookshops are closed, Monday must be their day of rest. It doesn’t matter, we only really wanted a look around. Away from the square, an old church has it’s doors thrown open and the coolness from inside drags us in. As churches go, it’s a church, all impressive in their own ways. The churchyard displays a couple of sculptures, probably would have been good to follow the sculpture trail they are promoting, it’s just too hot. We wander down a side street aiming to grab a glass of something cold at a bar we’d spotted. Looks like I hit gold, the entire street had a variety of lovely front doors. I love a good door.

You may remember we are without GPS mapping on our phones because he won’t pay to ‘roam’. He also doesn’t like to ride the same route back so somehow, Sun, Stars, I don’t know, we end up on the wrong side of the canal hoping a bridge will appear, which it didn’t, but the alternative was fun…

Tuesday, our final full day in The Netherlands started with a ‘vision in lycra’ … indeed, yes he was out for another morning spin, 30 miles and he was back in no time. Once showered and fed I propped him up on the front of the Tandem and we headed to the beach one last time.

Settled in a beach bar with ice cold drinks we sit back to take in the vista. The beach, the sea, are my recharging points. They are where I like to be to empty my mind, put the world on hold and let nature de clutter my head. Staring into the distance whilst The Boss stares at his phone, he’s discovered the bar has WiFi, I start people watching, again. It’s a past time of mine that I find more interesting than the tv. I name some of the characters I see, invent careers for them and weave them into intricate lives. Frank and Sheila are dragging sun beds down to their chosen spot on the beach, they are already tanned to a crisp, her hair and nails perfectly coiffured, Frank places the sun beds towards the sun, carefully places towels on them beds, rubs sun cream on Sheila’s back, opens the cool box, hands her a glass and a sandwich and smiles loving at her. Sheila sits and eats, obviously used to being well looked after. Meanwhile a family have arrived and the girls are sniggering as dad hides under a towel trying to remove his underpants. Sheila has just passed Frank her empty glass and settles down for a snooze.

We head back along the coastal path to the caravan. We’re moving on tomorrow so I want to get a few bits packed up before bed. I don’t really pack things away if we are moving onto another site. I empty all the top cupboards into bags for life and stow them away in the car. Everything we aren’t going to need either tonight or tomorrow is destined for the boot of the car. Belgium here we come.