Amsteram to Germany

From Antwerp we motored north to Bloemendal an Zee, 7km out from Harlem and 20 km from Amsterdam.  On our bikes again we explored the Harlem township, great cycle-paths but managed to get lost again.  After a few hot words and some strategic map reading we managed to get back to our digs in the middle of the sand dunes.  Camp Klien is windy but has stunning sunsets.  

From the side this lassie is a fair representation of our pacific princesses but ... on the profile ... she's the image of one of the Lloydys friends daughters ... have fun guessing who!

Undeterred by our lack of orienteering skills we bussed and trained to Amsterdam (€28 return).  Shocked by the smokers –like stepping back in time and we don’t want to go back there.  Did the red light district, walked past the 200 people long queue outside Anne Frank Museum to visit some beautiful contemporary art galleries.  Of course stopped off at the obligatory pubs to test the local ales.  Sampled delicious herring, diced onion and pickles using a toothpick.  

Seconds was a variety of deep fried fish bits. Magic.  Thumbs up to Amsterdam tho it did dent the budget!  Amazed by the cycle parks everywhere.  Well done Nederalands.

Just to prove we were't tourists we travelled along the dutch coast and across the Dyke!  

Flushed with success we pushed Cally towards Germany.  We headed toward Den Helder and Den Oever along the Astradyke.  Incredible engineering.  Our first attempt at wild no-frills camping.  We ended up in Leer, Northern Germany, in a carpark!  That’s it.  CARPARK and we couldn’t put the greywater tank under Cally.  But what the hey, we’re troopers – the gas fridge was fantastic, leisure battery (lights and water/toilet pump) worked well.  We are champions.  Obviously we drank the local booze, visited sights (shocked at the luxury Yachts blah blah here) but couldn’t be arsed taking photos.

Next stop Bad Segeburg.  Sounds good.  Sounds nasty and we loved it!  BAD = Lake, bath blah blah.

We cycled … okay, the Lloyd buns will be rock had by the time they return to Bristol.  It was the first place in Europe where the internet worked!  Wot can we say!

Except we are punching north to ... Denmark!