Blogs from South Holland, Netherlands, Europe - page 5

Today was the day we would say goodbye to fixed lodgings and become part of the motorhome and vanlife community, it was the start of a long road trip and we couldn't be more excited. We had a few last minute things to do so after checking out of our airbnb we went shopping in Emmen for a mattress protector, LED lights, bike lock and food. We had to drop the car off at the airport and it was my job to do that as Vaughan would be driving Matilda. I hadn't driven a car since leaving Australia May 2017 and its been a very long time since I had driven on the wrong side of the road! it was going to be interesting and there was no time like the present to get behind the ... read more

This morning we pack for our overnight journey to Belgium. As time is limited before our early train, we choose a Starbucks in the beautiful train station in which to break our fast. It's muffins and mochas beneath high gothic ceilings, heavy wooden beamed architecture, and droopy, amber-colored chandeliers. A tile mosaic above the doorway reads Europa. It's the most stunning, ornate building for an otherwise familiar trip to a coffee shop. ROTTERDAM Our train whisks us to Rotterdam where we hop on a tram to the Erasmus bridge to await our water bus. The chill of the wind bites through our zippers and drawstrings. And yet, there's no rain, so we are pleased. We board the water bus (thankfully with indoor seating!) for a 30 minute ride from urban, modern Rotterdam to rural polder countryside. ... read more

We hopped on the tram today to visit the beach and resort area of Scheveningen On the Zider Zee (North Sea). It was a very windy day and the waves were just wild. We immediately pulled off the shoes and headed for the sand and sea. We saw many adventurous kite ? surfers out on the water. The wind was so powerful we marvelled at how they could hang on to those kites and were not airborne! After our paddle in the sea we wandered up to the promenade and wandered along the oceanside. ? Lots of open air cafes and there was also a casino. ? A Ferris wheel on a pier over the ocean. Such a windy day, we didn't want to chance it. Many people were out strolling in the sunshine and enjoying ... read more

A new day and we are off. Another adventure in the tram, this time a little further to the town of Delft, famous for its blue and white hand painted pottery. It took a little time and a good walk to find the Delft Pottery factory but it was a pleasant walk along the side of a canal where boats and ducks and geese were gliding along. We came across an Indian bicycle rickshaw and of course had to stop for a photo op! We finally found the factory and were taken on a short tour where they explained how the pottery was made and how the designs were placed on the pottery. Very interesting and expensive! We did get some very small items wanting to keep our luggage light. Following our tour we shared a ... read more

The fever is gone, so no more excuses; to the gym. Because the personal training session is booked for Tuesday, today is a bit of free-wheeling around the machines and weights. After a 20km cycle adventure through the French countryside (you've got to love these modern stationary bikes), a couple of chest, shoulder and biceps/triceps exercises. Tuesday the first day of 'real training'. The intake was a blast to reality. Fat percentage, BMI, weight, how many insults can a man take in 20 minutes :). We agreed on a schedule alternating upper and lower body and 4 times a week. This gives me time to play some golf as well. The goal set is to lose 2,5 kg in 4 weeks; an easy target knowing the Singapore regime of 4+ pints/day is history. Wednesday my first ... read more