We were only in the Netherlands for a short time. The Netherlands has the reputation for being a cycling nation, more bicycles than population. However, I found that when the Dutch are in their cars they forget how to behave around cyclists. On some of the narrower roads the Dutch drivers did not wait to pass.

The country was clean, due to the multitude of garbage bins that were at a height and direction for cyclists to use.

The Netherlands use the junction to junction system www.Hollandcycleroutes.com

We found that most Dutch people ride e-bikes and surprisingly not very friendly or helpful. However, when the Dutch, are abroad they are really friendly and very helpful.

We stayed at two different campsites, a large campsite with lots of facilities for kids and a small family run campsite close to the German border.

Having only spent a short time in Holland we could not comment on the political situation.

June 11, 2018

This is the route we followed today. Last night I found the Netherlands Cycling Routes website and planned the route, then wrote all the numbers down we needed to follow. We saw lots of cyclists out yesterday with only cue cards to follow.

This is where we cycled?

I think I prefer the French way – they would have signs underneath road signs at main intersections with how many kilometres to the end of your route and the next Town you were heading to.

After breakfast of cereal and juice we headed back into Bergijk and found our first set of numbers. We seemed to be doing o.k. but then the numbers got confused (or we did) and we headed out in the wrong direction. Fortunately, today there were information boards with maps on them placed regularly throughout the route. This means we could find the number and correct our route by looking at the map as well as the numbers.

We were only misplaced three times today!!

The route was very nice once again a mix of paved cycle paths, a couple of unpaved areas and a few streets with cobblestones.

We saw horses disguised as zebras.

We followed the route through a small town with a private house – Kastel Heese – that had its own moat. Ralf said every house should have its own moat to keep out the riff-raff. The house is open on the week-ends for tours of the house and gardens.

I wouldn’t usually comment on garbage bins, but in Holland along the cycle routes they have these bins that are designed to be used from a bike, they are cone shaped and at the height of cyclist. It seems to work as we didn’t see a lot of garbage, although around the bin some cyclists aims were not so good.

Although it was a lovely route today, the wind was brutal. We were heading north-east and we were into the wind all day. Of course Holland is flat however, we both struggled and felt shattered by the end of the ride.

We eventually arrived in Venray at 2:30 and found a Tourist Information Centre open. The two older ladies behind the counter were more interested in chatting than assisting me. Eventually one of them turned to me, I asked if there was a campsite in the area, not too far as we have already cycled 78 kms. I can honestly say she was the most unhelpful person I have encountered at a tourist information centre. I did manage to get a map of the area we are going to cycle tomorrow, they had no maps of the City Centre and eventually she went on-line to find the route to the campsite. She was quite surprised that we didn’t have a phone that we could get all the information ourselves. She even directed me to a telephone store! I told her we would be in Germany tomorrow and would get a cell phone then. Her response “That is not very helpful now”

Venray is a nice city with lots of historical buildings, but don’t expect a lot of help from the Tourist Information office.

We haven’t managed to find a supermarket open yet, other than the small campsite store yesterday. A lot of the stores are closed on Mondays. The market in Venray was already closing down for the day. We decided to head out to the campsite in the hopes that they would have a small shop or cafeteria or we would pass a supermarket on the way. No such luck, the camp site is a small campground with few facilities, a swimming pool, good, hot, clean showers, a small cafeteria (closed on Mondays). The campsite was called Barrier Oude de Camping and cost Euro 14.50.

Fortunately for us we had passed a McDonalds (1 km away). After setting up the tent we headed back to fill our empty tummies. Chicken filet on a bun, large fries, salad and a milkshake, I almost replenished the calories I burnt today. We might have to head there for breakfast tomorrow as we don’t have any coffee.

We will be in Wesel tomorrow and visit with Ralf’s family for a few days and then we will be joining Eurovelo 15 route down the Rhine.

Windmill spotting two to one for me Running Total Ralf 6-Jacky 3

June 10, 2018

We had a good breakfast and were given directions to the start of our route. Our campsite, dinner and breakfast came to the grand sum of 28 Euros about 42 dollars Cdn. We thought we had to turn left out of the gate, but the person on reception gave us other directions to pick-up the canal and follow the canal, a more scenic route.

We got terribly misplaced and realized we were heading south-east instead of north-east. We managed to find the N163 and followed the road until the Town of Kasterloo only 15 kms from our start but we had already done 25 kms! The N163 is a busy road however, it did have a cycle path along it for almost all the way. The Tourist Information office in Kasterloo was open and I was able to find the route again following the # intersection system.

We were hoping to end our day in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Due to the wrong direction this morning and another wrong turn in the afternoon and the heat of the day (25 degrees) we found ourselves in the Town of Bergeijk, Netherlands, we had a late lunch of paninis and fries and checked out where we could find a camp site. We had not been able to get any food as most of the shops are closed on Sundays.

We did find Camping de Paal, where there is a restaurant and a supermarket, it is a large camping site, designed for families. Swimming pools water slides, petting zoo, quiet cycling areas, games areas, everything you could possible need for a weeks holiday with the kids.

We were able to buy dinner for tonight and breakfast for 15 euros from the camp supermarket. Tonight’s campsite is costing us 23 Euros for a pitch (no electricity).

European campsites have a special 3-prong plug for the power outlets. We had one last time we were cycling through Europe but not this time, we might have to buy one because they are used at every campsite. We do need power to power the garmins, phone, laptop and iPad!! The things you carry on a bicycle.

The routes today varied from on-road town routes to rural, scenic routes. We crossed into Holland without realizing we had crossed an international border. Ralf spotted another windmill, Running total 5-1 and we heard a cuckoo.

We were hoping to get to Wesel tomorrow, but it is going to be Tuesday now.