I don’t know that there is a better way to experience a foreign country. Sure, there’s a lot of time in the saddle. Occasionally there is an unfortunate crash of over eager bikers. Maybe just maybe you’d rather shop in those stores than just ride passed them… but for the most part…pedaling is a win-win. I’m not a fan of helmet hair . In Holland they are not mandatory but as Many of you know, I need bubble wrap to protect myself so the “helmet optional” lifestyle is not for me! But traveling by bike allows us to see parts of a country not accessible by bus or Uber. Today we navigated over locks and through tulip farms. We crossed mile long bridges and skinny causeways. We waited for draw bridges and marveled at the engineering. Hundreds of sheep joined us, unexpectedly for lunch! We all fell in love. We visited a town that flooded in 1953 on February 1 and 78 people were killed. We saw the monument and heard how this towns loss provoked the water management systems to prevent flash flooding again. Holland is mostly below sea level We celebrated a birthday! After a 30 mile day there is nothing better than a hot shower, a cold beverage and a nice meal…and maybe some Advil! Cheers to Earning your dinner” while on vacation!
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Things that made me go… huh?Mary’s little lamb runs with the passing bikes. No fence, no guard rail… no sign that says “please don’t hit the sheep” huh? T small domestic animals are carried about in these carriers… we’ve see birds, dogs, cats and lizards… because your pets need air, people! Duh! Huh? I particularly like this ladies room door. Huh? No matter where we go… we are served water, soda or a cocktail in cut glass… cut glass-class! Huh? There are still horse and buggies with their own parking lots.. huh? If you plan on being in a canoe/kayak event… expect a lock of claustrophobic friends while you wait for the water to rise! Huh? King William may have had a birthday but most of the Country loves his wife more… although she is a Princess, the Dutch have adopted her as their Queen. I love this… it’s a “plant lending library “ where community members share their favorite seedlings … only requirement is “to care “ for the plant! Huh? So this is the family bike. It’s electric. 3 kids sit in the front. A grown up drives and a spouse sits on the battery. No helmets…. Huh? No words! Huh?
Day one in the saddle will be our longest day. Thirty five and a half miles with so much beauty along the way. As I pedaled through quiet hamlets and the back yards of the Dutch I was enlivened by the sights, fragrances and textures. In my quiet moments along the trail, alone, lost in my surroundings I wished I had a go pro on my helmet to share the surroundings with my readers. I wished I had a microphone to help me write my blog while I was experiencing it.
you will have to rely on my memory of the day. The first amazing gift of the day, the Birds. We saw pheasants brooding and strutting their stuff in their glorious colors and long tail finery. We saw hawks circling and dive bombing for rodents with crazy precision and victory. We saw hundreds of swans! Elegant in their majesty even when sitting on their perfectly crafted nests. There were cranes. Grey and somewhat pink Cranes with their long legs and equally long necks that rotated in slow motion as if to ask…and who are you?” There were magpies bothering all the birds because that’s their nature and so many different kinds of ducks. Oh the colors of these beautiful birds and their signets were nearly as delightful as their songs. Some of their music was carefree and some was clearly a warning that we were in their house! we were captivated by babies! Oh man, the little lambs, cows, mules, llamas, piglets, chicks, geese, goats, donkeys… prancing as if to escape us as we passed their pens woven from twigs. The animals baaaaaaaing and braying as we sped by! In my head it was a Disney movie narration and as in Charlotte s web they were conversing about our intrusion. the fragrance. Of course there was an under current of wafting manure but this gardener loved it. I could feel my hands just wanting to get into the rich smelling earth as clearly these neighbors do! I have no photos as we aren’t allowed to stop… we have too many miles to do… but I did turn my bike around for a second whiff of purple lilac and to bury my nose in a pink peony in full bloom. There were so many fragrances way ahead of our garden cycle. The jasmine…intoxicating! The azaleas, magnolias, cherry trees! And with them the sweet hum of honey bees. sure, there were clock towers from the 1400’s and windmills that we all know from our grandmothers delft pottery… but for me it was the provocative sights and smells of this very wet 35.5 miles. such a treasure. Counting my blessings. Bike and Barging has been our vacation of choice for the last 8 years. We understand that gravity and age are tough battles to fight so we believe in “earn your dinner” vacationing”!
As you can imagine we’ve been in some very interesting boats over the years… We’ve had beds that fold into the walls, showers and toilets which were one and the same, luggage remained packed and under your bunk… But today… the Magnifique has raised the bar… I’m not sure I’ll be able to ruff it ever again! Beautiful sheets, two pillows, a couple of chairs! Say what? USB charging stations! What? A closet! A private shower separated from the stool! Woot woot, now we are living! We’ve asked a dozen locals about the flag and it’s meaning. I have to applaud both the creativity and the apologetic admission of ignorance! So I took to google… now I can explain it to the locals. the three (X) crosses are the St Andrews Cross. This diagonal cross is also referred to as a saltire. Americans associate with railroad crossings. The cross is an 18th century heraldic sign. the black stripe symbolizes the Amstel River and the St Andrews Crosses were to ward off the Black Death (plaque), fire and floods but there is debate. The crosses also are said to represent the 3 tenants of the Dutch "Valiant, Steadfast, Compassionate“. Many visitors as well as locals thought the x’s referred to red light district but the flag is way older than the oldest organized profession. The flag was officially adopted on 5 February 1975 although it was already in use before this date, seen for example on the cover of the day programme of the 1928 Summer Olympics held in Amsterdam! So now you know…
it made me think about the American Flag. If a visitor asked you, could you tell them what it stands for? The national flag of the United States of America(often referred to as the American flag, or the U.S.flag) #consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the "union” bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars . The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states, and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British coloniesthat declared independence from Great Britain, and became the first states in the U.S. Nicknames for the flag include the Stars and Stripes and the Star-Spangled Banner. 7 million bulbs! Such an explosion of color! We are milling about this beautiful garden park, Keukenhof. We are gardeners so this is right up our alley.
we learned about multi planting bulbs, I tried to buy bulbs but they need to be certified… to get through customs. Whoops! we spent several hours walking around the park dumbstruck by the colors, the combination choices and the carefully planned gardens. We were overwhelmed by the humanity! It’s a beautiful place to be with international languages everywhere! You won’t be disappointed if you find yourself here! take time to breathe it all in! It’s a small world…Special night out!
Sweet Restaurant that is so locally popular the tourist don’t get in! We scored! There’s a thumping base and the staff naturally count the beat with a swivel step, a snapping finger or an all out twist… Mark is certain the Dutch are tall because they need to keep their head above sea level… Ha ha More tonight on blog. But phone is D Y I N G And the couple next of us… Grew up on Black Beach road in West Falmouth… (Only in my life… would I go to Amsterdam on a random Tuesday and meet townies) I know you’re wondering… Yes Of course I gave Them My Business Card❤️👍 With half of the Netherlands sitting a meter (3 feet) above sea level, and Amsterdam itself built on clay, the foundation of the city is a major feat of engineering!
That off size champion sweatshirt in Orange? Huh?I had the inside scoop.
My friends, Moira and Hal live in Amsterdam, so when I told them I’d be in country for Hal’s birthday 4/27 they reminded me that date is “Kings Day”! An exuberant Moira said “you must wear orange!” Leave it to Hal… he would share a birthday with the Dutch King! Mark found these off market-wrong sized Job lot sweatshirts for $10 a piece. I mean honestly, orange on Cape Cod means you’re a hunter, a life guard, or you’re working traffic duty on Route 151. So Mark purchased 2. But then I called Marcy… and suddenly there were 4 or maybe 5…. Then there were 7 and before long there were 14! I was scurrying to Job Lots on and off Cape to find the right sizes. I was a woman on a mission…. Sadly, I ended up special ordering the smaller sizes… What? The snowball effect… yet my embroidery queen appreciated a bigger order than only 4…. Denise has known me longer than most and she is the best embroiderer I know! But setting her machine for a batch smaller than 10 is just silly! So 14 folk received sweat shirts to celebrate the Dutch King! I will wear mine on Kings Day in Amsterdam! You will see me in the sea of Orange… however after this trip, I will walk the dogs during hunting season in this limited edition sweatshirt! I suspect some of my entrepreneurial friends will sell theirs on Kings Day for a premium … and this limited edition shirt will see many more Dutch celebrations! All because orange is the color, Mark found a terrific price at Job Lot, Sea Shore Embroidery gave me the long life love price on the logo! And Voila! Here you have our limited edition Kings Day Sweatshirts! #blessed We are at it again. This time back to Amsterdam for another crack at the Netherlands. The last time we were there we encounter driving sideways rain on our bikes. We are hoping for less water more tulips! We are meeting 20 of our friends and a few new friends for this bike trip!
While I am there I will meet with the Sotheby’s agent I’ve referred to my friend to list her Amsterdam home. Our wonderful friend Marcy has created an amazing tour while in Amsterdam. We will see Anne Franks home and the Keukenhof gardens! yet as I pack so much is going on… my life is blowing up as it always does right before I board a plane! Stay tuned! |
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