13C when we wake up. 25C by lunch time, but, rain, indeed, thunder forecast for this evening.
It being Sunday, Kathleen is away to church, an hour without supervision for me.
The more observant among you may notice, newly purchased back pack is not in evidence, so, when there is something to be carried, ie cycling jacket because it is too hot, then, it will be me carrying it!
The waitress is very helpful, translating the menu for use, and, even suggesting a German White Wine, which turned out to be very drinkable!, much to my surprise.
Listen to me, wine expert! the truth is, I will drink almost anything, in terms of wine!
Monday, 23rd September 2019
The forecast for last night was spot on, it started raining at 21:00, and continued until 12:00 this morning. There was thunder, but, clearly a long way off, since all we could hear was a distant rumble. So, damp, cloudy, but mild (19C) this morning.
A few chores (rubbish bin emptying etc) and book reading morning for me, and hair washing for Kathleen, she is away to commandeer the shower block as I type.
Although the weather has been a bit damp today, we have noticed even more people arriving, including new German neighbours, who are parked on a bit of spare gravel area, not an actual pitch. The reason become clear, read on.
This evening, as I was packing the bicycles etc ready to be away, tomorrow, the lady of our new German neighbours came and asked, are we leaving tomorrow?, can she have our pitch?, and, can she leave her bicycle trailer to "reserve" it for her?.
She explains that in a few days time, or perhaps tomorrow for all I know, there is a Fete or Festival of some kind starting in the village, and, many people will be coming.
All of this is told to me in German, of which I know the words for "beer", "Wine", "one", "two", "large", :small", and, "vegetables", not particularly helpful in this particular "conversation"!
It is amazing how a woman can get her point across, when she wants something!
Tuesday, 24th September 2019
Thick fog when we wake up, but a mild 13C. As we move on to Maastrict, things do not improve, steady rain by 18:00.
I have Maastrict (of treaty fame), in the Sat-Nav, as a destination for today, not sure if that is where we will actually end up, but, it is in the right general direction, and, you cannot set a route, without having a destination!
It turns our I got the conversation in German slightly wrong yesterday, it is not our German neighbour who wants our pitch, but, her friend, so they can be next to each other. So, they are ready and waiting to move, just as soon as we drive off our pitch, to the Motorhome Service point.
Approximately 116 miles of mostly excellent quality roads, smooth and well surfaced.
Ashamed to admit this, but, I did not actually know which country Maastrict, is in, although, the spelling made me suspect it was Netherlands. Sure enough, it is Netherlands, so, we pass through three countries today, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands
Disappointment at our first choice, Maastrict Marina (N50.823977, E5.699564), it is full, although it does look very nice, and, is almost in the town.
The Sat-Nav malfunctions as we leave Maastrict Marina, it is not displaying the map, just issuing verbal instructions. This is not much good in Maastrict's complicated traffic system, with cyclist whizzing about, exercising their right of way. We have quite a tour of the central road system, before the sat-nav sorts itself out, and takes us to Camping Oriental, Berg en Terblijt (N50.86005, E5.77258), an ACSI site, a short distance outside Maastrict.
All seems well, we are allocated a good size pitch, facilities are close by, and, good quality. All we need now is for the weather to improve! The ACSI rate is 18Euro/night, but, there is a dreaded tourist tax, making it 23Euro/Night (two people).
It would appear we have chosen a Campsite which is at the top of the only hill in The Netherlands! Great when you are going somewhere, but, not so good when you are coming back.
