Leave Camperplaats Oirschot and on to Utrecht, Jachthaven Marnemoende

Wednesday, 2nd October 2019.

Torrential overnight rain, but, this morning, we have sunshine, although, it is rather cool at 13C.

We leave Camperplaats Oirschot (N51.500518, E5.3219) and head for Utrecht area, Jachthaven Marnemoende, Ijsselstein, (52.04693, 5.01971), approximately 50 miles of mostly very busy motorway.

How on earth you pronounce either Marnemoende or Ijsselstein, I have no idea, I hope we do not get lost, and have to ask for directions!

Jachthaven Marnemoende, Ijsselstein, (52.04693, 5.01971) is another SeachForSites find.

Entrance is not that easy to spot.

First impressions are 50/50, it appears to be a bit remote, and, when we arrive, there is only one other Motorhome here, they subsequently leave, so, we are the only Motorhome here, although, there are three boats moored.

The spaces are clearly marked out, with EHU points nearby.

It is clean and tidy.

It appears peaceful.

As is often the case, Kathleen warms to it, after a coffee, some lunch, and, a survey of the "facilities", she is particularly excited by the washing machines (we have quite a lot of "laundry" to do).

We are only approximately 6.5 miles from Utrecht, and, there is, we are told, a cycle route. 

Facilities are good quality. Price (17Euro/night) includes EHU, waste disposal, water, use of toilets/showers, and, there is a bar/restaurant onsite.

There are two black swans wandering the Marina, I knew black swans existed, but, have never actually seen one.

The weather is "changeable" ie, sunshine one minute, raining the next. Much to my surprise, Kathleen suggests we go exploring on our bikes.

We cycle in the, what we think, is the general direction of Utrecht, the cycling infrastructure is an eye opener. Cyclist actually have right of way at roundabouts, and, have dedicated, light controlled crossing points at busy junctions. We have difficulty getting used to this, we are not used to car drivers actually seeing us, and, actually GIVING WAY!

We cycling through some very pleasant suburbs of Utrecht, inevitably, following a canal. 

We go slightly wrong, and, do not actually find our way to central Utrecht, but, have an enjoyable 12 mile ride, and, we know where we went wrong, and, can try again tomorrow. Kathleen is a start, not a word of complaint, despite getting rained on, by a couple of heavy showers.





Thursday, 3rd October 2019

Plain to see it is October, autumn is here. Only 10C this morning, but, some blue sky, it eventually warms to 14C, but, some really heavy showers too.

We make the decision to stay another day, and, much to my amazement, Kathleen is keen to have another go at cycling to "old" Utrecht.

We are fairly confident of the first 3-4 miles, and (I) have a little study of the map, to attempt to orientate myself to which way we go, after we cross the river.

A little further along this canal, we turn and cross a river, that much was right, after that, we are in new territory.

A sudden downpour, so, we dive under the nearest shelter, and, discuss our next move, ask directions is Kathleen's conclusion. The easy way out, in my humble opinion, I always prefer to relay on my personal sense of direction.

It so happens, the young man we ask, is not sure himself, which way to go, but, he does point us in the right general direction, which, was where I was going to go anyway (honestly), and, tells us, "once you have gone through the tunnel, watch on your right for the 'old' part of town".

It is apparent, from the volume of traffic (both bicycles and motor traffic) that we are nearing the centre, so, keeping a watch, on the right, as 

instructed, we do, as promised, come to the "old" town, and, very quaint it is.

So far, it has rained, but, we have managed to stay reasonably dry. Kathleen has been uncharacteristically good natured about getting wet.

A stroke of luck follows. Having parked our bicycles, we decide to have lunch in one of the many pavement cafes, choosing one with substantial awning coverage of the eating area.

Not only do we get a very good lunch, but, we avoid the tropical downpour which happens as we eat.

All we have to do now, is find our way back to the Van!

The cycling infrastructure is impressive, they even have traffic lights for cyclists!

The fact I am writing this, tells you, we got back, in one piece. It did not even rain any more.

Full marks to Kathleen, for coping superbly well, not only with the weather, but, the

extremely busy and crowded cycling, not what we are used to at all!

Sorry, if some of the photographs are a bit blurred, it is rain on the lens, not our speed!







Friday, 4th October 2019.

For the first time, this trip, we have morning temperature in single figures, 9C. To add to the joy, it is pouring with rain.

Fortunately, I packed bicycles etc away yesterday, so, this morning, I have the minimum to pack up, ie EHU cable, levelling blocks, door mat.

We have only fifty miles approximately, so, a leisurely start.

It is almost all motorway, but, quite busy motorway, and, for most of the way, it is pouring with rain, with poor visibility. Just like in the UK, this does not appear to mean a reduction in speed!

There are numerous messages flashing on the motorway overhead signs, all in Dutch of course. I can honestly say, this is one of the few places I have driven where I cannot read/understand most of the signs, Dutch appears to be like no other European Language.

Even with the Sat-Nav, actually finding our way into this site is not straightforward, requiring, in our case, one extra "circuit". Kathleen claims to have spotted the error we made, first time around. First, the wrong turn. Second time around, the correct turn!

Delftse Hout (N52.01813 E4.37919) is an ACSI site. It is about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Delft (old town). 

For the second time, this trip, we are told, they have no spaces! There are clearly too many "baby boomers" buying Motorhomes/caravans and enjoying themselves.

We are given the option of a "Camping car" area, just outside the gate. It has EHU, Water, Waste disposal, and, we can use the main site facilities.

First impressions are that this a typical "city site", ie a bit frayed at the edges, with its saving grace being access to the town/city. But, to be fair, it is a miserable day when we arrive, and, almost everything looks better in the sunshine! 

By 14:00, we are rewarded with some sunshine, and, we are able to explore Delft, a little, establishing whereabouts of the Church (Sunday looms), and, the Aldi/Lidl supermarkets.

Our evening meal tonight has an Italian flair, a quick Lasagne and Garlic Bread I rustled up, well, to be more precise, Aldi rustled up, and I put it in the oven, plus, I poured the wine, AND, washed the dishes.