Delft, Delftse Hout (N52.01813 E4.37919)... contd....

Saturday, 5th October 2019

Only 8C this morning, but, it is not raining! Forecast to 13C later in the day.

We even get a little sunshine today, so, looking at Delftse Hout (N52.01813 E4.37919), without the rain, my opinion still stands, a typical "city" site, it's main attraction is it's handy location for Delft.

I have found an App (Fietsknoop) which appears to be a means of navigating the myriad cycling routes. Not sure I have actually conquered using it, although, I have managed to change the language to English, which was a big help!

Armed with the App, and, a suggested route from the information booklet, given to us by Reception, we set off on our bicycles.

Twenty one miles later, I am not sure we actually followed the route, but, we did find our way back, which in itself was a major achievement!

It is positively a pleasure to cycle with this superb cycling infrastructure the Dutch have, both in town and out.

This photograph is not a road, it is an out of town cycle track, well surfaced, well maintained, excellent.

In town is just as good, but, what I particularly like, and, really enjoy using, to the point of seeking them out, just to go around them, are their bicycle friendly roundabouts, where, as the photograph below shows the cyclists have right of way over vehicles both entering and leaving the roundabout. Amazingly, it seems to work, although, I must admit, driving in towns here means watching all around you!

Not sure what was going on here, but, there was a massive convoy of trucks, mostly minus trailers, being given a police escort around Delft. Not sure if it was some kind of protest, or, some kind of competition.

It all appeared good natured, whatever it was with people waving and cheering.

We found a lunch stop (rather nice sandwiches and coffee), in what appeared to be a rather seedy part of Delft. 

Not sure if it was a "men only bar", but, Kathleen was the only female present, including the staff. 

Undeterred, she soon ordered the staff about, got them to give her a bigger cup for her coffee, and, very adventurously, for her, departed from her usual order of a ham and cheese sandwich, to have a Dutch Meatball Sandwich, which, she declared, very nice.

Just thought I would mention "the backpack", in case you are worried about it. No need, it is safe and in pristine condition, indeed, "as new", it is still hanging on the back of Kathleen's chair.

Sunday, 6th October 2019

Wet!, and, only 9C.

What can I say? today is my birthday, and, it rained and rained....

I have "passed through" the Netherlands, en-route to other places, several times. This is only the third time I have been here as a destination. First time was with work, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Arnhem (it was bitterly cold, is my recollection), the second time was a "Weekend in Amsterdam", I don't recall the weather being a problem, and, This visit, when it has been rather wet!

I wonder if this is typical weather for the Netherlands, if it is, it explains where everywhere we go, in the Motorhome, which is warm and sunny, is full of Dutch people!

Kathleen did the going to Church, whilst I toured Delft, searching out likely eating places.

Kathleen paid for lunch, as a birthday treat.

We return to find we have new (British) neighbours, not that there is any sign of them, they must be huddled up somewhere out of the rain!