Tuesday 31 May

Today, the mist continues. It comes off the sea, which is cold at this time of year, and meets warm air over the island and the mainland. It looks and feels like haar, and keeps the temperature down. Undeterred, we set off by bicycle to the Posthuys Restaurant, 5 miles away, where the sun came out for our coffee and applepie with cranberry sauce. A ginger cat joined us for a moment. We then proceeded further south, to the former army base (now derelict) and the crossing to the North Sea beach, 6½ miles from town. The mist drifted onto the beach again as we returned to the cycles. Returning north, there was a lot of birdlife in the Kroonspolder reserves, geese, lapwings, ducks - and a hen harrier. We had a break at Bomenland, then went back to the Boeier along the Wadden Sea side of the island.


 

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.