Leave Roermond, Helenawerf for Oirschot

Monday, 30th September 2019

Last night was extreme weather! Blowing a gale, and, raining at the same time all night. But, we wake to "cloud with sun", still windy, and a cool 12C.

The weather has been beginning to be a problem, as regular readers may have deduced. But, Netflix came to the rescue last night. I had previously checked with "3" (Mobile data provider) if the "Go Binge" package, included "free" with my Data Plan, could be used when "roaming" in the EU. Last night, I decided to check again, to be sure, didn't want any nasty surprises with the charges!. Either, only one support person works there (Uday), or, they all use the same login ID, not sure which. Anyway, for the second time, I exchange "chats" with Uday, who again assures me, yes, I could use "GoBinge" whilst roaming in EU, provided I had not used up all of my "inclusive" data allowance.

Sure enough, it worked superbly well, no data used from my allowance to watch a 2.5 hour film. 

In the five or six weeks we have been away, this is the first time we have been inclined to watch TV.

The plan today is to stay at Camperplaats Oirschot (N51.500518, E5.3219) another Stellplatz, or, Camperplaats as they appear to be called, here, in the Netherlands, obtained from the very useful SearchForSites website.

About 50 miles, mostly on free, but, extremely busy motorway, particularly busy around Eindhoven.

Things do not start well. There is a road closure, and, we are directed off the SatNav selected route. SatNavs do not understand diversions, and, it keeps on telling me to turn around and head back for the road closure. Eventually, it gives up, and we get the "recalculating route" routine. 

The good news is, we chance upon a Lidl, to buy more wine etc, AND, they have my favourite Danish Pastries!

This place (Camperplaats Oirschot), is superbly well done.

The "site" is neatly landscaped, with marked out spaces for about 60 vans, although, there are only five vans here, including us.

Each space has EHU (optional) and water point. There are toilets, showers, dish washing sinks, and a Motorhome Service point which would put most "full price" sites to shame. 

It is 13.50Euro/Night (without EHU), or, 16Euro/night with EHU. Hot Water for showers (1Euro),

Dish Washing Hot water (0.20Euro).

Wifi is included, and, it is FAST!

You check-in and pay via an "honesty box" system.

The place is located alongside a canal, with cycle track running in both directions.

The small town of Oirschot, with supermarkets, including a Lidl, about 7 minutes walk away, (less than 5 minutes on a bicycle).

According to the literature in the "information Hut" there are also Restaurants, although, we have not found any, so far.

Once "settled", and lunch eaten, (including my Danish Pastry), we cycle along the canal to the towards Eindhoven, mostly dedicated traffic free cycle track, for 14 miles in total.

Later in the afternoon, while "catching a few rays", Kathleen declares she would like to stay another night here.

Isn't it amazing how a little sunshine makes everything appear fine?

Incidentally, I went to the trouble (well, typed the question into Google) as to what the difference is between Holland, and The Netherlands. It turns out, it is rather similar to our sloppy use of the terms UK, Great Britain, Britain, and even England. Although "Holland"

is often used to mean the whole Country, strictly speaking, it refers only to the two provinces Holland actually only means the two of Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland, whereas the term Netherlands refers to the whole Kingdom of The Netherlands.

While sitting in the sun, we fall into conversation with one of our neighbours, a German. It isn't exactly a flowing conversation, since he does not speak very much English, but, Kathleen does know a smattering of German. We gather he has travelled from Venlo, where it is raining heavily, and, that they have come away in their motorhome, because, their house in Germany is flooded! Although, he appears, fairly laid back about it.

Tuesday, 1st October 2019

15C, pouring rain, with thunder and lightening is the start to the day.

Today, we were undecided as to if we should head to Utrecht, which, I have been told, is very nice, or, stay here for another day and explore on our bicycles. The thinking now is, if we are to be confined to the van by the rain, we may as well be confined here, as somewhere else?

Rain stops, and it brightens up at 11:00am.

We take a walk into Oirschot, it is a very pleasant little town, there is a street market, sadly(?) just packing up as we get there.

Coffee and cake, well, apple pie with cream (Kathleen) and waffles with cherries (me), in a pavement cafe.

Mid-afternoon, the sun emerges!

We set off for a "5 miles there, 5 miles back" cycle ride along the River/canal, and, end up doing 14.75 miles.

This area is exactly what I imagined Dutch Countryside would be like, ie, flat, open, mainly farmland.