The Hague to Gouda

This is a late posting.

We managed to find our way out of The Hague having cycled right around Zuiderpark before finally finding the waypoint directing us out of the park.  There were a couple of other incidents of missing the waypoint, but we found them eventually and enjoyed a lovely sunny cycle ride to Delft, through forests and alongside canals.  As we cycled into Delft hoping to find somewhere to stop for coffee we spotted a sign offering coffee and warm apple pie.  How could we resist.  Somehow I managed not to take a photo, but the pie was delicious and just what we needed.

Unfortunately, as we ate our pie and drank our coffee we realised that it was starting to rain - not what we wanted.  We hopped on our bikes and cycled up to and across the canal just before the barriers came down behind us to all three boats to pass further up the canal.  The bridge came up and the boats went on their way.  All very efficient.  We set off in heavy rain and found a bridge to shelter under while we pondered whether it was just a shower or had set in for the afternoon.  Having decided the latter was the case we decided to press on.  We were wearing waterproof jackets but our trousers weren’t waterproof and soon they were soaked through, as were our shoes and socks.  Ugh!  Despite the rain, it was still an enjoyable ride through more forest and alongside lovely canals.  There were interesting houses and lovely trees and flowers to admire.  Chestnut trees and wisteria seem to thrive in the Netherlands. The rain continued on and off for the rest of the day but we just ignored it as best we could and got on with our journey.  At one point we were due to take a “ferry” across a canal but when we arrived at that spot there wasn’t a ferry, only a sign saying “Niet”.  Not what you want towards the end of the day.  However, we talked to a couple cycling by and also a chap in the nearby restaurant and there was a bridge roughly 2kms further along the canal thankfully.  It cost us about 4-5kms but it could have been a lot worse.

We eventually arrived at our hotel in Gouda, stored our bikes, checked in then went up to our room.  Our trousers had more or less dried out, but our shoes and socks were still sodden.  MrMacD had a nice hot shower, I opted for a soak in the bath.  Bliss!  We stayed at the hotel for supper as it’s some distance from the centre and we just wanted to have a drink and relax.  Tomorrow we’ll explore Gouda.

Unfortunately, because of the rain I took very few photos today, which is rather sad.  The first three photos on the left of the blip show the boats moving along the canal in Delft, including the bridge being raised.  The bottom left is the sign telling us there wasn’t a ferry operating.  The photo of the cheese and clogs is in the foyer of the hotel and the other three photos were taken in Zuiderpark in The Hague.  The rather wonderful building is a sports stadium.