Tuesday May 2 – Near Lisse, Netherlands.

You could have waterskied across the Channel

 It has been a long day and both of us are feeling a bit weary, but all went well with no hiccups. We were at the ferry terminal before 7, sat in the queue and had our breakfast before loading and we were on our way before 9. And thankfully, this was our 3^rd crossing of the channel and once again the weather gods were smiling and the water was so calm. You could have just about barefoot skied across it! I took my trusty pills just in case but never felt the least bit sick.

There were very few passengers on board and we enjoyed a very relaxing 7-hour crossing. We got chatting to a couple from London, Norene and Ian who had boarded the ferry with their bikes. They were heading off for a 10-day cycle tour around this region, staying in bed and breakfasts. We were impressed.

Farewell UK

The Port of Harwich

 I had prebooked a camping site not far from the Keukenhof Gardens, and initially thought it was about a 45 minute drive from the ferry, but we hit the rush hour traffic after we got off the ferry and it took almost double that time. Thankfully Jilly the GPS took us through the maze of motorway interchanges and we joined the rest of the traffic crawling along. I know why we try and avoid driving in rush hour traffic! 

Rush hour traffic in the rain.

The Motorhome Park is on a working arable farm, very pleasant and quiet, but understand we have just about missed the tulip season. Evidently the fields around the camp are normally full of bulbs, but it is bare earth now, and there are only a few red tulips in the garden beds. 160 years ago, this area was a lake but it was pumped out and we are now camping 6 metres below sea level.

We had only just parked Ruakiwi when a huge truck came in, tooting as he turned around, then he parked in the middle of the Park. People started emerging from their vans and disappearing inside the truck. Needed to find out what was going on, so joined them and found a mini supermarket inside with fruit and vegies, wine and beer and lots of cheeses and other delicatessen items. Returned with a piece of cheese that the driver cut off the round for me – and it is good. 

The supply truck

Not sure what we will see at the Keukenhof gardens but weather permitting will head there tomorrow and check them out.