Voorschoten.

14 August 2010
We've arrived at my Aunt's place in Voorshoten. We happened to arrive at the same time we did, and snuck up behind us to take these action photos.





Today the cycling was lovely. No head wind, no rain, and an interesting route along the Leidse Vaart to Leiden. We left Alkmaar at about 8:30 after having breakfast as a local bakery, cheese and ham croissant, followed by cake - it is never too early for cake. The Alkmaar Bed and Breakfast, despite its relatively steep price for a room without windows and a bunk bed, did not do Breakfast. They had a deal going with a local cafe, but they weren't open early enough to our liking. As per usual the GPS, now nicknamed Thingy, led us on a merry route out of Alkmaar. It seems to only take fixes every now and again, and need a direction of travel to work out where to go next. Standing still confuses it.


We crossed the Noord Zee Canal with a ferry. Bicycles were free, cars and trucks had to pay. I liked that. There was a sharply dressed racing cyclist onboard who took off at a rapid pace as soon as the ferry docked. He wasn’t carrying much other than a water bottle and stuff in the back pocket of his shirt. We didn’t think we’d see him again. And yet, some four townships later we were waiting at the same stoplights. He must have been very disappointed that we were just as fast as he was.
Yesterday we saw a couple of large fields of gladioli, and today there were many more fields of cut flowers, arranged in rows by colour. Think of Dutch tulip fields but then not so extensive. Along the Leidse Vaart there were two rows of houses, those built on land, and house boats. Most seemed to be rather permanent, with fences built on the shore.


We spend a couple of hours in Leiden, looking at the sights and having lunch on a terrace along the water. There was a tent there with some people carving. It looked suspiciously like Maori carving, so I went to have a look. And yes, two Maori chaps from Wellington were making a canoe for the Leidse cultural museum and giving carving lessons (in English) to those that wanted it. While we were having lunch they also performed some impromptu haka. I forgot to ask but they may well have come from Porirua. Small world. While sitting along the river in Leiden a troop of 6 boys appeared, about 8 years old, guided by a parent. The all had identical throw away cameras and had a whole list of things to take photos of. Suddenly one yelled, “look dog poo”, and then six wee fellows surrounded said object to take photos. Well it was on the list!


We're now being very civilised, sitting on a nice soft settee (which my behind really appreciates) drinking beer and soft drinks. Today, a day later and a Sunday (15 Aug), I’ve been to visit my aunt in Utrecht and George has been to visit friends in Bilthoven. We went via train (even the local ones go 100km/hr between stations) and came back via bus. Harry kindly dropped us off via car, so we’ve pretty much had all modes of transport now. Tomorrow we are off to Bergambacht to see the dairy farm and cheese making at my cousin’s farm, and we’ll stay with an aunt in Vlist. Then Tuesday the plan is to go via Polsbroek, for coffee, to Leerdam.