We ditched the bike at Femke’s, went back to Posterholt for a family party (by train) and then returned to Herwijnen to continue our cycle. Basically it was 132km or something from Femke to Posterholt and I was keen to preserve the integrity of my posterior.
It was a lovely ride actually. Biking in The Netherlands really is such a pleasure. Their separated bike lanes really make life a pleasure.
It took us past the container port at Rotterdam. We went in a massive tunnel – the Beneluxtunnel, but nicely separated from the cars (so the air was clean).
Finally the boat was in sight, and time for beer and a Frikandel. This gourmet food is “like a minced-meat hot-dog” and is a thing of unrivalled tastiness.
Getting on the boat was fine, they had racks to tie the bike up against. The room was very clean, the shower hot. Unfortunately we didn’t turn off the A/C and it gave us both nasty colds. I’m writing this 10 days after the boat trip and still can’t hear out my right ear due to congestion! Still, a very nice cycle. Biking really is such a lovely way to see a country. You really get quite a different feel for the place than you do whizzing by in a car.
Femke
July 13, 2016 at 6:54 am
Too bad you’re spoiling these very tasty frikandellen with a Heineken…
Gerrit
July 13, 2016 at 8:28 pm
You’ve guessed it Patrick… you’ve annoyed my Mrs. Her big guilty pleasure is… the frikandel. She has been moody ever since she saw your update.
Might have to bring her two ‘speciaal’ by lunch time.
Patrick
July 13, 2016 at 9:31 pm
I’m still bitter at Maaike for for introducing me to Frikandel until my *second* time in The Netherlands…
Maaike
July 14, 2016 at 7:41 am
In my defence for the beer we went to this typical local pub where they only served Heineken. You know, one of those pubs in which I almost didn’t understand their accents, they had trouble with mine and they knew everything about us in 10 min. And then we had the friet and frikandellen elsewhere
Glynn
July 14, 2016 at 10:58 pm
You can keep the beer option, but wow, those friet and frietsaus look soo, soo, soo good!
Patrick
July 14, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Honestly… after 80 odd km on the bike you’d drink it too ;)