Dutch Courage

---

---

Hello all. We are now in Amsterdam following a soggy few days cycling from Bruges. Holland is lovely and flat and everyone is really into cycling. They all have crazy bikes with weird attachments for carrying children, dogs, shopping. Whenever we so much as stop to look at a map, people are there offering directions and help. When Simon had a puncture they were falling over themselves to give advice. The best bit has been the fact that it is really well equipped with decent cycle paths so it has been much more pleasant riding.
Our route took us up the coastline and over little islands all connected by ferries, dams and bridges. We camped on 'mini camping' sites and spent one night wild camping in the dunes near the Hague. That was fantastic in terms of location but unfortunately we awoke the next morning to the most terrible sound a camper can hear - the pitter patter of rain on the tent. It continued in a pretty torrential fashion until us and a lot of our stuff was pretty soaked. However, all is better now we are exploring Amsterdam. I didn't expect it to be so pretty here, it's quite elegant really with the canals and town houses fronting them. And there's obviously going to be loads to do for the next couple of days.
So on the whole we are having a good time and making excellent progress. After here we're going to head across Germany in the general direction of Prague. Take care!

---

Comments

[Catherine Pudner]

We want Photos!
Lou, Add some photos. You must have some good ones by now. Did you take a digital camera with you ?? Hope you are both getting on ok.

[Sue Crammer]

Bonjour!
Hi Simon and Lou, I've just got back to Brussels after a gastronomic week in Cefn Mably and have read your first two blogs with great interest. It's been great to read the account of your travels so far - I think you're both brilliant and brave! I'm going up to Holland myself next Sunday - to the island of Ameland for a week's cycling for the fourth year in a row. Yes, it's the ideal biking country, people are so nice and friendly. and everyone speaks English! As they say in these parts, "bonne continuation" and keep us posted as you go along. (I hope your Folkestone camp-site experience will never be repeated!) Take care and best wishes, Sue