Day 47 – Sat 26 Jul 14, Haarlem

Forecast: 17-23 deg C, cloudy with showers in the afternoon; Listed distance: 0km; Actual distance: 58km; Cumulative distance: 1869km; Av speed: 15.3 km/h; Start time: 8:45am; Stop time: 2:30pm; Ride time: 3h43m

As it was such a lovely day, we decided to ride out to the airport to make sure we know which way to go on Monday and don't get lost and then panic.  We were originally going to follow the numbers, but found an actual “Airport” sign instead and the route was much more direct and probably a better/smoother path.  At one stage we were directly under the flight path and stopped to watch a few planes come in.  We found the entrance easily and Greg then went to check on bike box availability.  As we were leaving we saw an Italian who was unpacking his bike to set off for Copenhagen and he was getting rid of his packing material so Greg disposed of it into his saddle-bag as it will be handy for us on Monday.

On the way home Greg decided we should go via Amsterdam and possibly have lunch there.  Once there it seemed there were a lot more people in Amsterdam this time than when we were there last.  It was absolute mayhem.  All traffic lanes (foot and cycle paths, and roads) were full, but still moving. Wendy couldn't wait to leave, so after lunching at Greg's favourite restaurant chain "La Place" in the department store V&D we left the city pretty quickly.  About half way back it suddenly started raining - big fat drops, so we stopped and put the rain jackets on. It was not very pleasant, but it soon stopped and we were almost dry by the time we got home.  We re-parked the bikes back in the largest bike park in Europe (allegedly), and just made it back to the hotel before the skies opened up again.   Watched a bit of the TDF but as it was individual time trial day it wasn't that interesting so switched over to the BBC to watch the Commonwealth Games.

Then it was time to get ready to meet David (who has been working in Amsterdam for the last 5 years), a friend of Greg's from way back. We have stayed with them whilst visiting the UK, and keep in regular contact.  Despite it being eight years since we last saw each other, it was not hard to converse.
Had an OK and rather expensive dinner at a steakhouse recommended by David with a few beers and then wandered back to the hotel.  David caught the train from Amsterdam to have dinner with us and as the train station is 100m from the hotel, it was a good place to say goodbye from.  Another great day in the Netherlands.  We had just enough time to do the teeth and shower before turning into pumpkins.

Airport cycle tunnel
Amsterdam
18th Century bridge at Haarlem
A typical Dutch cycle map

Sunday afternoon on the canal

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