Monday 30 May

Today was the start of a five-day holiday in the island of Vlieland. As a family, we have been going there since the 1960s, and it is a home-away-from-home. We rent a holiday cottage to 'get away from it all'. So, at 10.35, we joined the bus to Arnhem, and were just on time to catch the 11.10 intercity train to Zwolle. Was rather disconcerted by the sight of several people walking along and on the railway - these appeared to be people not long in the country, and really, somebody should have told them to stay away from the railways. Arrived in Zwolle at 12.15 and were joined by my sisters who had come up from around Amsterdam. We had a great time on the trip to Leeuwarden, where we had to change trains again, this time into a local service to the port of Harlingen. At Harlingen, a stiff breeze was blowing. It was very busy with people going on the ferry, but it nonetheless left on time at 14.30. Visibility was very poor right the way across, and the island of Vlieland only materialised in sight when we were within a few hundred yards of the shore. Arrived at 16.00, collected luggage, rented cycles and headed for our home for the week, the Boeier (an ancient type of Dutch sailing ship) in the Ankerplaats, the westernmost of a large area of holiday cottages near the North Sea shore of the island.

Saturday 28 May

We took a walk today, about 3 miles, in the forest. To that end, we went out along the Scoundrels' Road to the locked gate into the Castle Country Park, then veered round to end up by the Castle. A peal of thunder rang out just as we were in the middle of the woods, but the storm passed us by at a distance.

Friday 27 May

Today's cycle run was rather longer, over 25 miles. We started by going down to the banks of the River IJssel, south of Velp, then wound our way north through the towns of Rheden and De Steeg towards the bridge at Doesburg. Having crossed the river, we skirted Doesburg and Giesbeek as well as the major water sports facility at Rhederlaag. The little ferry took us back over to Rheden, so we could head for home. Pretty knackered after that distance, and in warm weather. It's a nice run, mostly on a level.

 

Thursday 26 May

Today's outing took place by bicycle, and stretched for 12 miles across the Heathlands north of here. To that end, we rode up the Scoundrels' Road to the main road north towards Apeldoorn, then branched off after 3 miles into the Eerbeekseweg, a rough track with metalled cycle track alongside. About a mile west of the Imbosch hamlet, we turned south and headed for home, 4 miles. I'm out of practice on the bike, and had some difficulty with the inclines, particularly the false level between the Eerbeekseweg and the Brandtoren, the fire watchtower. Our return went via the Zypenberg down to Velp, the next town.

Scoundrels' Road
Apeldoornseweg
Iron Man
Eerbeekseweg
Terletseheide [Terlet Heath]
Firewatch tower
Koningsweg
Zypenberg
Pond near Velp

Wednesday 25 May

Our evening stroll took us round the Koningsberg hill, this time in dry conditions. The object was to avoid major inclines, which, in the case of a prominence like the Koningsberg (200 ft above sealevel) is tricky. But we managed, which is the main thing.

Monday 23 May

A very dark and wet day. Nonetheless, I went out for a stroll round the new path system on the Koningsberg hill, on the other side of the valley. The walk was only 1 mile, 1.6 km, and although I started in a slight drizzle, the conditions deteriorated to full blown rain.