Showing posts with label Ijmuiden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ijmuiden. Show all posts

Thursday 10 October 2019

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

Monday, 7th October 2019

It is not raining! Cloudy and 8C start, 14C by lunch time.

The 8C is according to the weather App on our phones, it most certainly does not feel that warm to me!

We set off to find Lidl, which we know to be "in the vicinity" of the Aldi we walked to on Friday. We take a deliberately circuitous route, because Kathleen wanted to avoid cycling on the cobbled streets in old Delft centre. They are not exactly cobbled, more like block paving, but, with a definite "joggle factor". We definitely "do a tour", just over 8 miles later, we arrive back at the van with our shopping.

We saw our first, and hopefully, only cycling accident today, a young woman, cycling along, whilst holding a telephone conversation om her mobile phone, failed to notice a kerb, bumped into it, and fell off her bike. Other than the embarrassment, no harm done, to young woman, or mobile phone.



For followers of the "backpack saga", I can report, the backpack was christened today, and, here is the proof. 

Only minimal complaints about the extra weight (I had the five bottles of wine, and assorted heavy stuff on my back).

For some reason, there are many new arrivals today, there are now about 9-10 vans here now, in this Motorhome area.




Tuesday, 8th October 2019

According to the weather forecast, it is sunny with a bit of cloud today, and, 16C. In reality, it is raining and 14C, Why should we believe the dire predictions of the "experts", or, even the odd 16 year old Swedish school girl, reference future climate, years from now, if we cannot even forecast the weather correctly on the day it is happening!

After weeks of encountering very few UK vans, one arrives this morning, so, now we have two UK neighbours.



Wednesday, 9th October 2019

As to be expected, today looks as if it is going to be a nice day. Not raining, some sunshine and 16C. Bikes etc are packed away of course, ready to go!

Only a little over 40 miles to the Amsterdam Ferry Port at IJmuiden (N52.45861 E4.61944). 

The final approach to the DFDS loading facility at IJmuiden is not well signposted, and, the co-ordinates given are not exact to the facility, but, to a nearby roundabout, needless to say, we have a tour of the dock area, before we discover we should have turned right at the roundabout at the petrol station!.

We are in good time, well before the two hours before sailing time, but, check in is unbelievably slow, since, check in, includes a sales pitch to get passengers to pre-pay for onboard meals. There is a saving to be had by doing so, but, check-in is not a good time to carry our this activity, in my humble opinion!

Departure from IJmuiden is prompt, but, under leaden skies.




























































Thursday, 10th October 2019

We arrive on time, and, the weather is pleasantly sunny, although, unloading and exiting the dock area can hardly be described as slick.

The approach to the Tyne, with South Shields and North Shields, bathed in autumn sunlight, makes them look positively attractive.

Back home, everything in order.