Ride: 69km; total: 1,734km
Early showers predicted but it had just rained
before I left the motel so was lucky. A very grey and dull sky most of
the day 11-17deg.
Made good time on smooth separate bike paths all the way to Haarlem. Stopped
for coffee at 10:15am at a coffee/lunch/paintball/info spot in the middle of
nowhere on the sea and the North Sea Cycle Route.
Got a slow leak in my back tyre soon after morning tea, so
stopped and fixed that; second for the whole trip. Although I had bought
a map of southern Holland it run out so just
south of Haarlem
so I followed the very well sign-posted route right to the city. Called at the Tourist Info Centre and bought another
map for Haarlem/Amsterdam for 5.50euro. Stopped outside a McDonalds and used
their free wifi to find the motel. But
when I got there it was just a normal block of flats with no body around and no
sign to say what to do. There was a young bloke sitting outside waiting
for his sister, but he didn't know anything and appeared annoyed that I had
even asked him. Had lunch and waited. When the sister of the bloke
waiting outside finally arrived, she told me to go to some motel in the city,
which I couldn't find. So I came back to
the address and found that the cleaner was there doing my suite. She drew
me a stick map and I went and booked in. Why not put the book-in details
on the door and/or the email I received from Booking.com. Also the email
said wifi in all areas and it's free, however it's not and you've got to walk
10 minutes to the motel to use their wifi. Nice little studio though,
microwave, jug, tea, coffee, kitchenette so will be able to cook my own meals,
joy! All clean and tidy and really close to the city centre.
While out walking I picked up a cooked chook, some eggs and
broccoli for both dinner and breakfast, all for about A$11. As it turned out it also provided me lunch for
the next day too. I also ended up with a free small bottle of red wine with the
six eggs I bought from a stall at the fresh food markets. It was the day of
some Dutch tradition of giving.
Had an early dinner about 5:30pm and watched a Dutch
classical music channel on the box while I read.
It was then a very early night as I didn't feel like going
out in the cold. Put the heater on in the suite and it's the first heater
(central) that's worked the whole trip.
Mornos
North Sea Cycle Route between The Hague and Haarlem
Part of my suite
Cathedral of St Bavo, Haarlem
Bike traffic
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