Cycling the North Sea coast in Zeeland
Anna's entry:
We followed the canal route from Brugge, Belgium to the North Sea coast which was suggested to us by our new friend Hilde, who we stayed with in Brugge. It was a very pleasant and peaceful way to go. We reached the coast, and followed the coastal line with the North Sea and sand dunes on our left, and the lightning and thunderstorm, on our right. Yes, it was raining again, we've got used to it by now, but this time pouring rain was accompanied by numerous lightning strikes, which we kept seeing ahead of us somewhere on the sea horizon. It was pretty - dark purple sky hit by lightning flashes, white sail boats in a harbor, dunes, and just the two of us paddling on the coast. The rain eventually stopped once we were close to the border with Holland. You would not need a sign indicating it was Holland - bike lanes were everywhere, all numbered, signed, with their own traffic lights. Yes, Holland is THE country for easy cycling, the entire country's infrastructure is dedicated to it, and the Dutch love their bicycles. The young in fashionable clothes, the old in wooden shoes, parents with kids in the bike seats, singles with dogs in the baskets - the entire country seems to be on the bikes, virtually! The difference is that Rob and I carry a lot more panniers and camping equipment on our bikes, and, well, we don't have dogs in our baskets.
Our first night in Holland we camped close to the coast in Zeeland, there is a beautiful bike path along the coast following the North Sea, and we decided to follow it for a while. In our camping we met a few Dutch guys, who were crazy about kite flying. They all spoke perfect English, and despite of their age seemed to be well versed in history and politics. We have observed by now that Europeans seem so much more sophisticated, though once in a while we also run into ignorance and stupidity. As an example, in Zuid (South) Holland we run into a motorcycle group of youngsters all dressed in in nazi uniforms - I found it very repulsive and stupid. Also, the Dutch seem to be stingy (thus an expression "go Dutch"), and not as helpful as their Belgian neighbors for example, though we did meet several very kind and helpful individuals.
We followed the canal route from Brugge, Belgium to the North Sea coast which was suggested to us by our new friend Hilde, who we stayed with in Brugge. It was a very pleasant and peaceful way to go. We reached the coast, and followed the coastal line with the North Sea and sand dunes on our left, and the lightning and thunderstorm, on our right. Yes, it was raining again, we've got used to it by now, but this time pouring rain was accompanied by numerous lightning strikes, which we kept seeing ahead of us somewhere on the sea horizon. It was pretty - dark purple sky hit by lightning flashes, white sail boats in a harbor, dunes, and just the two of us paddling on the coast. The rain eventually stopped once we were close to the border with Holland. You would not need a sign indicating it was Holland - bike lanes were everywhere, all numbered, signed, with their own traffic lights. Yes, Holland is THE country for easy cycling, the entire country's infrastructure is dedicated to it, and the Dutch love their bicycles. The young in fashionable clothes, the old in wooden shoes, parents with kids in the bike seats, singles with dogs in the baskets - the entire country seems to be on the bikes, virtually! The difference is that Rob and I carry a lot more panniers and camping equipment on our bikes, and, well, we don't have dogs in our baskets.
Our first night in Holland we camped close to the coast in Zeeland, there is a beautiful bike path along the coast following the North Sea, and we decided to follow it for a while. In our camping we met a few Dutch guys, who were crazy about kite flying. They all spoke perfect English, and despite of their age seemed to be well versed in history and politics. We have observed by now that Europeans seem so much more sophisticated, though once in a while we also run into ignorance and stupidity. As an example, in Zuid (South) Holland we run into a motorcycle group of youngsters all dressed in in nazi uniforms - I found it very repulsive and stupid. Also, the Dutch seem to be stingy (thus an expression "go Dutch"), and not as helpful as their Belgian neighbors for example, though we did meet several very kind and helpful individuals.
Going back to cycling... Loved the North Sea cycling route, beautiful scenery, beaches, dunes, fantastic cycling, and even despite the weather (rained on and off every day), had a great time here! Rob has a few long time friends in Holland from his past cycling trips here, and we stayed with one of the families in their caravan in Oudorp. As I mentioned before, Europeans take camping very seriously, and it is the main summer activity here along with all the infrastructure for it.
After Zeeland we headed out further North and inland, had more places to go, people to see...
We also spent several days in so called Nature Camping in Delft - the city famous for its blue painted porcelain.. The city was very pretty with numerous canals and medieval architecture, but the camping experience was the best. The camping owners promote a kind treatment of animals, so we had lots of cute bunnies running around and coming to the tent, along with the whole parade of wild ducks. Our camping neighbors were also nature lovers, so we had a great time here. Rob also had to repair his bike wheel in addition to a couple of flat tires, so we took advantage of free time. I also went on a bike ride through a park near by, and came across something unusual - the nudist beach, I mean not the topless beach, but completely nude, I guess it's Holland after all, right? I just rode my bike (dressed), and looked a kinda out of place. So, I let those nude men and women enjoy their sun shower, but I must say some of them probably would look better if they had something on. I tried not to look, but couldn't help noticing.... Ah, well, as long as it's innocent, let them enjoy. :)
With old time friends
The Dutch do transport their dogs on their bikes
After Zeeland we headed out further North and inland, had more places to go, people to see...
We also spent several days in so called Nature Camping in Delft - the city famous for its blue painted porcelain.. The city was very pretty with numerous canals and medieval architecture, but the camping experience was the best. The camping owners promote a kind treatment of animals, so we had lots of cute bunnies running around and coming to the tent, along with the whole parade of wild ducks. Our camping neighbors were also nature lovers, so we had a great time here. Rob also had to repair his bike wheel in addition to a couple of flat tires, so we took advantage of free time. I also went on a bike ride through a park near by, and came across something unusual - the nudist beach, I mean not the topless beach, but completely nude, I guess it's Holland after all, right? I just rode my bike (dressed), and looked a kinda out of place. So, I let those nude men and women enjoy their sun shower, but I must say some of them probably would look better if they had something on. I tried not to look, but couldn't help noticing.... Ah, well, as long as it's innocent, let them enjoy. :)
With old time friends
posted by Rob and Anna @ 1:22 PM
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