03/04/13 Koningshof
Camp site 50200;200;3461 Apart from the people in the large
motorhome leaving their two dogs yapping very loudly. I think it's
very unfair on the dogs being left like that and especially any
other occupant on the site if they were having a rest, supposedly, in
their van for the day. Another good reason for not having a dog!
Left here at a reasonable time only find that the N2 was blocked off
and had a really bad job trying to find my way out, as TomTom as
usual didn't recognise the road was blocked and traffic diverted, so
it was back to manual tactics. Eventually got on the right motorway
and let TomTom take over as the traffic was getting very fast and
there was a lot of it. As soon as I started to go through Antwerp
the traffic got faster, more of it and I just slowed down behind the
trucks, because my heiky had become unlatched and was thumping in the
cross wind. I couldn't stop because if I'd pulled off, I would never
have got back on again. I just had to hope that the hatch wouldn't
take off on it's own! Buy the time I got to the campsite, my nerves
were shattered, I'd had enough. The weather was bleak, very cold and
there had been some snow in the air. As I was in reception I heard
the young lady say that the flowers were not out yet owing to the
late spring. Another let down. And Laundry was €6, that was with
blocks of soap of course! I had arrived 2 days before the others, so
I had time to do my washing and decide whether it was worth staying
to see none existent flowers or make a b line for somewhere else. I
got very depressed. However had a good nights sleep and rallied the
next morning. €40 diesel
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| Crossing the sea in Holland |
04/04/13 Did
washing. Also spent €2.50 drying, it was a gas dryer so it did it
very well and it was all put away quite quickly. Decided to wait and
meet 2B's before I decided whether to stay or not. Anyway had to get
my Camperstop book which I had missed during my way up through
France. However, it had been a good thing that I had downloaded all
the Aires on to my TomTom as you could see whilst you were going
along exactly where the next aire was. This was really a great help.
It was good to see a picture of the aire too, that is when the book
came in handy, apart from the other book “All the French Aires”
which I'd purchased several years ago. They weren't all in that one
either. A van arrived early who were with the Zodiacs and they were
charged €28 without electricity for the extra night. Good job for
Camping Cheques.
05/04/13 Good
to see 2B's again. Had a good laugh and they thoroughly cheered me
up. I think I was very tired after the journey through Belgium and
Holland and the very heavy traffic, a far cry from the leisurely
journey up through the Gorges Du Tarn. Zodiacs had a meeting in
the bar at 8pm, Vi and Tony invited me to attend. The owner of the
site, bit of a wag gave a talk and offered us a drink, not too sure
what it was liqueur and fizzy wine! Gave me a bit of a headache.
Good evening, nice to catch up with people. Decided I would stay as
the company was good and the weather hopefully would get better.
That morning I had got my bike out and found the supermarket about
2km away. It was expensive so I was a bit frugal with the shopping.
06/04/13 Arranged
that I would go on the same trips as the others, it came to €72 but
that was OK, hadn't spent that much going anywhere for a long time
and this was special. Decided even though the flowers were not out
there must be something there to warrant €15 entrance fee. We went
for a ride round on the bikes, first to the supermarket and then the
long way back to the campsite. It was windy and cold, however blew
the cobwebs away. Went into 2B/s van and played Rummikubs that
evening, it was very enjoyable. They had spent 2 nights on an aire
at Brasschaat.
07/04/13 Kerkenhof. Early
start 9.15am to get the coach, did a detour to see the dyke, couldn't
see any flowers of course because of the late spring, the fields were
bare, could hardly see any green shoots. We arrived about 10.15am
and there were so many coaches already there. The gardens were bare,
but the management had put big tubs everywhere with bulbs that had
been in greenhouses, just to brighten up the place. The amount of
work that had gone into the grounds was amazing. All new grass seed
had been sown around the bulbs and new turf placed along side each
path to give it that neat look. There was not a weed in site. It
was a very big place and we didn't get a map. However there was a
lot of walking but we managed to find the pavilions and they were
something else. The Orchids were marvellous, quite breath taking.
Quite a heady smell pervaded the atmosphere. From there we found the
tulips, daffodils and narcissus. The colours and smells were
beautiful. Again the work involved with all the displays was
marvellous. We felt we didn't have enough time to look round, but our
legs and feet told us something different. We were to be back to the
coach by 2pm in order to go for a tour around and then home.
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| The Entrace |
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| Map of gardens |
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| Old organ |
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| Spring 3 weeks late! |
08/04/13 Leiden We
decided to go to Leiden today. We went the long way round to start
off with, past the University and then found a good spot near the
canal to eat lunch. After that we found the old town, the old port
and the historic part of the city. It was lovely. When it was time
to go back we managed to find a shorter route home, however we were
soon caught up with the youngsters coming out of college. Quite
frightening really when they were passing us 3 abreast and we had to
keep on the straight and narrow. They were all so confident, and I
certainly wasn't.
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| Our first view of Leiden, beautiful, sat and had lunch next to canal |
It says "
It says
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| Looking towards the old boats moored at canalside |
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| It says" |
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| Lovely row of houses, some tipping forward, some backwards! All old anyway |
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| So they don't all ride bicycles, this elderly lady on her daily jog |
09/04/13 Amsterdam Another
early start. Weather brighter today too. At first we went to a
Clog/Cheese making farm. We saw a clog making demonstration with a
very lively host, playing up to the kids in the front row. After
that his wife gave a cheese making demonstration, it too was
interesting. We tasted some cheeses and then it was the tourist shop
where lots of cheeses and other touristy present were bought to take
home. I even bought to some smoked cheese, unfortunately it had a
short sell by date I discovered later, so did 2B's and they were
taking it home, too late. I also bought some clog key rings for the
girls school bags.
Then
we went to Amsterdam, the tour took us past various canals, the red
light district which actually had red sun shades above the doors so
you could tell which was which, with the girls actually parading
themselves very scantily clad in the windows. We went for a tour on
a covered in tour boat which wasn't very good for photos, however, it
did keep us warm and dry. You had to duck your head or get it
knocked by the low roof beams! This lasted about an hour and then
we had 1.5 hours to look round. We needed a loo and so went in
McDonalds for coffee, no loo, it was closed. We then took our life
in our hands and crossed the roads to get to the station where there
were conveniences on the 1st floor at 50cents a go! There were
bikes, scooters, buses and trams all jumping out before you and of
course other pedestrians trying also to cross the roads safely.
We
went off again further north to see houses on stilts in a fishing
village near the large lake which had been blocked off to keep the
sea out and off Holland. Again the usual tourist shops which were
useful because it started to rain. I went for a fish and chip shop
because I was hungry and bought a carton of chips for €3, shared
them and then 2B's bought their own. There were boats in the harbour
full of Americans and British, had a long conversation with someone
from Lincolnshire, because we had seen the coach parked near us. It
was a bit dicey too, the coach could only go up the coast at certain
times and then go back another time. Just as we were leaving the
hotel car park (he had a covenant in his agreement that coaches were
allowed through the town to park in his car park) a French coach
decided to come down the narrow street we were just about to drive
down. So he off loaded his passengers and then proceeded to reverse
so we could make out way out. It was touch and go whether we would
make the time to go out. The proprietor of the hotel, was at the
barrier gesticulating heavily, muttering etc whilst we were
negotiating the narrow street. We made it and it was back to the
camp site along the motorways at 5pm at night; traffic was bad. We
got back about 6pm absolutely shattered. Long day.
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| The ferry going over to a very special island which very expensive boats are built (€1M +) |
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| The Clog Maker |
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| The Cheese Shop |
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| Red Light district, red sun shades |
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| Can't remember the name! |
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| So there is a house in the middle of the Victoria Hotel, the owner didn't want to move so they built around him |
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| The village north of Amsterdam |
Week
15
10/04/13
Noordwijk on Sea Had
the morning to ourselves, except I decided to go to the supermarket
and get a few things. The coach ride to Noordwijk was at 1.30pm so I
had time. We had a guide, a lovely young man who tried to explain
that the river we saw was indeed the end of the Rhine but that it had
shrunk because it had been diverted so many times through Holland,
and it was also used in order to keep the canals clean. There was a
huge bridge and dyke with a pumping station which we walked past
which kept the Rhine in order and the sea at bay. We got back on the
coach and went for a ride round and then went to the lighthouse which
we could climb up and look at the surrounding area. Unfortunately it
was misty as usual so we didn't see much. After that we were invited
to taste some herring and onion which was raw. I didn't. But I did
taste the fried cod which was excellent. Didn't have too much
because that evening we were dining in the restaurant at €18.50!
We were then dropped off at the shopping centre and found a good shop
called Blocker, bit like £1 shop but more up market. It was a good
shopping centre, just found a café for coffee and cake for €1.40
when we realised we didn't have enough time to queue up, eat and also
get back for the coach. Never mind. It was good to look, see how
expensive we thought everything was, and thought we'd save our money
till we got back home.
The
meal was 7pm for 7.30. The soup with meat balls and lovely bread was
delicious; main course was either fish (which I had to start with)
meat balls (which were hot) beef slices also in a hot pepper sauce;
vegetables, rice or chips. Very nice. For desert it was ice cream
with raspberry sauce. Drinks and coffee were extra. It was a good
evening
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| The Rhine from inland |
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| The Rhine going out to sea |
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| The gang eating Herring and fried cod, Yummy not the herring! |
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| The germans raised the town fear of British invasion |
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| Cod swimming across the pavement |
11/04/13
Delft;50225;22;50203 Must pay. Could I find my camping cheques
which were supposed to be in the oven compartment of the van. No
they were not there. Just didn't know where they were. Wasted 2.5
hours finding them. Eventually I saw a piece of plastic wrapper
poking out above one of the cushions in the dinette. I had stuck
them behind a cushion but they had slipped down, not easy to see, no
wonder I couldn't find them! 2B's all prepared to lend me some of
theirs, was I glad I found them, had just decided to go and pay with
my credit card which would have worked out to something like €32 a
night for eight nights. Finally got on my way, caught up with 2B's
right at the entrance of the camp site. I was going on the aire at
the front which was only €15 but you could use the facilities, but
the gate was locked at 11pm that night.
As
soon as I pitched I told 2B's I was going into town to see the
Vermeer Museum. I rushed because it was nearly 2pm by then and I
didn't know what time the place shut. I walked only about 1km into
town but the morning's stress had left me quite tired. Found the
museum, paid €8 not 11 as it said on the www (good) because it was
with an audio commentary as well; sat, watched the video to start off
with and then dodged other tourists around the reproduction pictures
painted by Vermeer. I really liked the way it was presented and the
explanations in English and Dutch added to the tour. There were
three floors, a light section, his materials and also an explanation
as to the emblems that were depicted in the paintings and their
meanings. Very interesting and illuminating. I enjoyed it.
I
then went to the New Church paid 3.50 which also entitled me to view
the Old Church as well. Prince William of Orange was buried, along
with all the other Dutch monarchs in the New Church. It was very big
but quite stark and plain. Organ music was playing in the
background. The receptionist wasn't very forthcoming as to where the
Old Church was. However I went into the Info Office and she gave me
another map which showed me. I walked again to that church and saw
the very large tomb of William of Orange from the 17th century, it
was quite splendid. By the time I had finished looking around and
walked back home to the camp site it was nearly 6pm. There was a
meeting at 8pm so I had tea, had a rest and then went up to 2B's.
They had me on the site TV and could see me parked at the entrance to
the park. For another €1 I could have paid ACSI and stayed in the
park but I didn't want to get too comfortable because I wanted to
move on first thing in the morning to go through Holland.
€6 £145.00
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| The Vermeer Museum |
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| The well lit reproduction prints |
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| Girl with a pearl earring |
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| The New Church |
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| Tomb of William of Orange |
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| The Old Church |
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| The Palace |
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| Delft Lamposts |
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| All the little bells in the tower |
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| The dam along the coast |
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| Me parked under the windmill, bit noisy, looking at the dam above |
12/04/13 Diesel 50339 Damme 50376 3461
Took
the map reception had given me which showed me how to get to the
coast road that David W had told me about. Well, again it was
motorway, lost myself once because I missed the N57, but did catch it
on a return trip! I put Terneuzen into TomTom because there was an
aire there, however it was over a large bridge and the traffic was
very heavy so I decided to just pick up the N57 and travel down the
coast. It was a new road, you couldn't see the sea, but it started
to rain very heavily, even hail and it was sliding over the roof and
onto my windscreen. Took off a lot of that red sand from the Sahara.
Lindenreef 50407; 204; 3665 N51-38-25
E3-42-30 The Dam I stopped by a very large dam with
huge turbine looking structures and very large windmills. I parked
underneath one and it was quite noisy. I went for a walk to take a
closer view of the dam, obviously intended to hold back the sea and
regulate the water entering the land. It started to rain heavily and
I thought it would be a good idea to get going as the car park was
gravel and I didn't want to get stuck, it was already looking
dangerous. I kept driving on the N57 when I started to see signs for
the Tunnel to go under the last big river/inlet the fee was€7.45,
rather than a few € as the receptionist said. I stopped for diesel
paid by card. I carried on round the coast of this part of southern
Holland only to find the campercontact spots were all sites, no
freebies. It was mobile home land. Obviously packed in the summer.
I visited Damme where there was supposed be an aire, and there wasn't
and headed stupidly towards Zeebrugge, (another aire) first of all
route was blocked; got caught up in Friday afternoon traffic for the
ferries, followed by a truck having taken off and down the
embankment. Do hope the driver was OK. Caused a big tail back.
Once through that towards Blankenberg on the coast to find several
well sited motorhome parking places, but not for the night. Kept on
to Breden to a sports centre where there were 4, no 2 spaces, short
wheel based. I pulled up, had tea, settled down. free
13/04/13 Hondschoote 50448;41;3706; N50.97628
E2.58033 The next morning I woke to find there were two
further vans in front of me taking up the entire car parking spaces
down one side. Oh well nobody moved us on, but I didn't want to stop
there, too cramped and headed towards Hondschoote a town about 39 km
away. Parked up next to UK van who told me where the bakery was and
the local shopping centre. Quite a walk but there was a wedding
going on in the church, still in there. Walked round trying to find
grocery shop. I found a Carrefour down a back street, did €20
worth of trade and exited to hear the church bells ringing. Whilst
watching the wedding couple and their guests I was accosted by a
gentleman, don't know what he said, but just stared at him blankly
and said “Anglais” and he just grunted! Sun was shining, lovely
day, walked back to van. free
15/04/13 Cassell Having found the aire which only really had a dump there. No water, some rubbish bins. The parking spot was down the road and turn right up a small lane and then to a newly tarmaced large parking space, with football field and some huts. I arrived quite early, someone else joined me just for lunch, they left and then lots of menarrived and I couldn't quite make out what was going on but they eventually all left and left me to it for the night. I wasn't disturbed at all. Nice quiet night. Free
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| The Aire at Cassel's |
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| The School/village playing fields |
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| The vew as you are going down the hill from Cassel |
16/04/13 Calais As usual found the P& O Booking Office Carpark and decided to stay the night there, not a wise decision! It was very noisy and I actually didn't sleep all night because I have to line up to board by 5am. Never going to get an early ferry again. When on board I found the lounge and slept for most of the voyage!
17/04/13 Dover Landed safely and made for the first large Supermarket Carpark to have another sleep before heading up to Welwyn Garden City to recouperate. Glad to be home safe and sound, 24 hours before going to see my son, daughter-in-law and Sophia, Rosanna and Margot.
