Holland - the Ups and Downs

As you would expect of a country as flat as Holland , there are not many ups and downs, but the title appealed to me so we are stuck with it.

It is now Tuesday, and we have cycled ever day for the last 6 days. Not always for very long but every trip has be interesting with its own particular character.

As you saw, our first day was a charming route through the forest and dunes in a very strong north westerly wind.


Fiona in Texel

On Friday we crossed to Texel and cycled all over the island, climbed the lighthouse, went to the top of the highest hill and saw lots of unusual birds (spoon bill, rough legged buzzard to name two)...... in a strong north westerly wind.

The island has a long and varied history. It was one of the last point of the continent to be connected to the UK before the North Sea arrived. It was also a centre of whaling and Den Hoorn, where we stayed, was full of quaint old whaler houses.

On Sunday we returned to the mainland and drove over the huge causeway that crosses the Waddensea to the charming province of Friesland .....and the wind continued to blow.

Oudega -Boat in the centre of the village 

Now Friesland is a little know gem of a place with picturesque villages, a never ending network of canals and lakes full of the most wonderful boats, and very friendly people.

Our cycle ride on Monday took us from our campsite near Oudega down to the coast at Hindeloopen and back by the ferry at Gaastmeer in a strong north westerly wind (for a change).


Hindloopen - old port still on the coast

Fiona inspecting a Lemster Arc

Friendly ferryman at Gaastmeer

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Then on Tuesday we went sailing on the Aleisa Hendrika, a dutch sailing barge built in 1905 and now running trips for cyclist from Heeg to Balk. 

It was a beautiful day and with a spanking northerly.  We sailed down the canals and across the Slotermeer in fine style . As you would expect John bounced about, pulled all the ropes he possible could, and got particularly excited when he was allowed to helm. Fiona was far more helpful and worked her passage with her usual focused skill.

After the wonderful down wind sail , and fixing Fiona's third puncture in 3 days , we cycled north into , you guessed it , the brisk north easterly , back to the van.

Woods around Balk

Fiona marvelling at the canal
over the road

As I write the wind has finally dropped, the mosquitos are coming out , so we head south for France tomorrow...