Day 9 - The last stretch: Rotterdam to Amsterdam

Hi Friends,

I have been promising Mel that I would wake up AND get going early every day. There has always been a saving grace that I somehow managed to get out of it. Not today!

We had a stealth breakfast of fresh fruit and were out of the Winston Hotel by 8:30 AM.

9:00AM – a quick coffee in The Hague

9:15AM – decided to drop the usual scenic (recommended) cycle route in favour of the most direct path, along the side of the motorway. 15km to Leiden saved us loads of time.

12:30PM – canal side restaurant. Two starters each and on our way.

The route from Rotterdam to AMsters is fantastic. Nice sunny day. Who could ask for more?

We nailed 75KM in one day.

5PM – see snapshots of Mel sleeping on the couch

Or a video of our trip

We hope that you have all enjoyed the cycle trip to Amsterdam as much as we have. 

There were some harsh bits and a few deep sighs but it was all worthwhile.

Thanks to you; we have raised over £ 3,000 for the Red Cross Tsunami victims in Japan.

If you have not already donated OR are a stranger that has found this blog interesting – DONATE NOW!

Day 8 - Dordrecht to Delft via Rotterdam

Quite a pleasant route but it did get a bit windy. 

Rotterdam is like a harbour town and most restaurant shut on Saturday afternoon in Rotterdam. We did find this great little Italian place called Pavarotti's. € 7.50  for  any pizza or pasta. We enjoyed a lasagna and salmon linguine. 

Delft is a much prettier town; more residential and nice properties.

It turned out that we were actually staying in a little village called Rijkwijk which is just outside The Hague. The Winston Hotel had massive picture of Churchill, looking very dapper, in the reception. 

Rijkwjik proved to be ideal from a transport point of view. We caught a train into Rotterdam; the North Sea jazz festival was on and accommodation was hard to find. There were a few big names at the festival including Seal, Booka Shave, Paul Simon and Snoop Dog - of all artists?!

We saw this great three piece swing band called 'Bluut'. The double base was just wicked!

Route from north of Antwerp to Dordrecht

Google Map route:
http://share.abvio.com/fae7/77b9/4e15/e249/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110707-1109.kml

On the road again

Only well suited people please !?!

stranger things have moved

and later

Antwerp

Mas - new exhibition centre in Antwerp.
Has superb interactive displays as well being an amazing architecture piece.

Never enough teddy bears in the world

(shot at Mas, Antwerp)

Super picture displayed at Mas, Antwerp

And on the road again

Day Seven - Early start

Early start 

Rain prevented that - thank God! 

Bye Roosendaal. Hello open road.

There certainly were more cyclists using the paths in Belgium. The route itself was pretty good; it took in enough of the countryside and large canals.

We were actually stopped by a member of the tourism board who asked about the nature of our visit. Obviously - unbeknownst to ourselves - the helmets were a dead give away that we are tourists. T he Amsterdam to London cards were handed out and the guy even took a pic of us... who knows, perhaps we will be in the local news paper?    

We were looking for a restaurant in Williamstadand found a great little place called De Rosmolen (www.rosmolen.nl). Unbelieveably, we had two white wine spritzers and a couple of fresh oysters each for a tenner. Come one guys! Why are we paying more for Big Mac and fries iin London?

Today we definitely earned our salt AND MORE: 65km and an average speed of 16km per hour - not bad for tourist hey? 

We had ever intention of frequenting the Rotterdam Jazz bars tonight but feeling rather tired now...  

Day VII - before it begins

Some of you may recall my worry that there might be a conference in the town we are heading to and that there may not be any accommodation available ... Well that certainly happened.

Massive Jazz festival at Rotterdam this weekend. Hoteliers, boat owners, Bed & Breakfast hosts are laughing when we inquire as to availability. These Hollanders *really* like their Jazz.

Our plan for today has been adjusted accordingly and we are heading to Dordrecht for 1 night and then tomorrow onto Delft - which is famous for hosting deceased Royalty.

Oh and it looks like the Heavens will open today.