Dear All,
We have just returned from a 4 day jaunt to Holland and Belgium with
Over Gardening Club. The main purpose was to visit Keukenhof Bulb gardens in
Holland organised by Newmarket Travel. They are infamous for arranging
accommodation somewhat at a distance from the target destination and it seemed
they were on form again as our hotel was in Rotterdam rather than the nearer
Amsterdam. However all was forgiven as the hotel was very good – with possibly
the best shower we have encountered!
The coach journey there on Thursday via Dover and Calais was a bit
tedious but uneventful and the courier was very competent and experienced.
The plan was Keukenhof on Friday, Amsterdam Saturday and Brugge on
the way back Sunday. Unfortunately it was fairly damp on Friday but with
waterproofs and umbrellas it was not too bad. The bulbs were stunning: 32
hectares, 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths and a great display of
Muscari (Grape hyacinths) as well as indoor Pavillions with flower displays.
Muscari
There were optional trips on Saturday to clog making, cheese
production and a canal tour in Amsterdam but Kate and I opted to explore
Rotterdam, partly because we had visited Amsterdam before and partly because
one of our fellow walkers is Dutch and had lived in Rotterdam while his father
was engaged in helping rebuild the docks after the war. It was a good choice as
the city is an architectural wonder with some fantastic buildings and bridges.
We got a “Day Tourist ticket” which allowed use of underground trains, buses
and trolley buses and we made at least 12 journeys and saw a great deal of the
city.
The Cube Houses
Erasmus Bridge
The Paperclip
The Red Apple
View from the Euromast
We had visited Brugge twice before, but it was a fleeting visit of
an hour and a half to break up the homeward journey. Calais was very quiet but
the camps are only partially cleared.
Bruges
Love
Mike & Kate
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