Wellies in Sunshine: Amsterdam

This Amsterdam post is for two very special friends who could not join us on our cycle trip. Sally and Alexis you were in our hearts and thoughts throughout the 4 days we were away. Next year we will be there again.

Arrived in Amsterdam on Friday 23 May and hit the streets. Love all the canals.

WE had a meal on this street with the most awful red wine. Very rude I thought. We decided may Marijuana was the way to go.

WE stopped for some cake.

Julia's new bike.

I loved the funky window display with the bold fabric. Reminded me of my friend Tracy in America.

Our first hotel. Very noisy, but a fab location.

WE off, ladies with a mission. The trip starts. On our way to collect our hire bikes.

Ceri, ready and waiting.

Not quite sure? You want me to ride that?

Now to pack our clothes in the panniers.

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What must I leave behind?

Enough snacks to feed an army.

WE trying to get the hang of the cycle paths and traffic lights. The cycle paths are out of this world and once you get the hang of it it works so well.

We christened the GPS, Helga. She was such a doll and worked well 90% of the time.

First windmill we saw. Look how fantastic the cycle paths are?

Loved the ingenious design of the dustbins.

Hey, Hello Ikea

Had to stop to put on raincoats.

Really beautiful houses along the canal. The gardens are all immaculate.

Zandvoort on the coast. Our first stop.

Cheers

My cool sandwich.

Amazing path through the trees

Horse dressed in a zebra blanket. Thought of my friends Susan and Janine.

WE here to see the tulip fields.

Look a few in the background. We arrived to late, as they had all bloomed already.

These are the only tulips we found.

Nearing the end of day one bike ride. We had to charge Helga, so thought a cold beer was well deserved.

WE cycled behind this lady. Loved the dog in the basket.

Bicycles and more bicycles

Julia saw a bike in the Ibis front reception so she took hers in. We thought it was hysterical, needless to say she was told to wait outside.

We carried our clothes in Tesco packets, so easier to pack and unpack from the panniers. We looked lovvvveelly in the hotel reception.

Day 2. This is going to be a long one. WE only got off our bikes at 10.45pm that night. Got horribly lost.

The Heron in the background. I wore my grans wedding band for the trip. As she loved Delft pottery and I wanted to share my experience with her. She is not around any more but I sure knew she was close by. The Herons were very special for Ceri as well. Throughout the trip at certain times along the water we would see a Heron.

Our first puncture.

Arriving in Delft

The most amazing church in the Delft square.

Delft square.

Stopped for pancakes

Goodbye delft.

Loads of cyclists

This lovely friendly pig saw us stop and waddled over to the fence to say Hi.

Reached Gouda

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Reminded me of my dad and his collection of goodies

Our youth hostel. The people were so friendly along the way. We started out at 9.30am and only got to the hostel at 10.45pm. One man cycled about 10 miles out of his way to help us. Another man stopped and helped with our second puncture.