Bicycles, windmills and a dose of chicken pox...

And so we set off from Birmingham to Hull for the overnight crossing by ferry to Rotterdam. It was good to have DDU heading back towards Europe and we were all very excited about what the next 2 weeks would have in store. The supreme being was particularly energised about the prospect of an overnight ferry and spent a good few hours of hyperactivity on the boat before we finally got her to sleep. This over-excitement was to be replayed more than once during our holiday.

 Letting off steam aboard the Pride of Hull

 Land ahoy - farewell to Blighty

The early morning heat of Rotterdam

And so we arrived to a very hot day in Rotterdam. A quick pit stop at a nearby supermarket, and we were off to the north of the Netherlands, to a beautiful, eco-friendly campsite about 30km south of Groningen. I was still slightly wary of DDU's coping ability after recent performances but as the kilometres ticked by my worry lessened, and, despite a couple of supreme being over-heating incidents, we arrived at our destination in one piece.

It was a very laid back affair. We pitched up and, luckily, I remembered our allocated pitch number as no-one was to be seen bar some welcoming poultry and a couple of friendly neighbourly Dutch campers. So we set up and began to make ourselves at home.

The campsite was run by a couple of eco-hippies, who have dedicated themselves to making a lovely environmentally friendly place to stay in the heart of Drenthe. The site has chickens wandering around, berry laden hedges and bushes, a very tranquil atmosphere, along with an art gallery and outdoor sculptures to boot. Emily was in heaven and, once again, VERY excited.

Meeting the locals

All cosied in for the night

Eating natures finest raspberries

The joy of washing up

And so passed a lovely few days, the weather could have been better, but we still became initiated to the Dutch life of bicycles, fietspad (cycle paths) and ubiquitous apple pie. Bikes outnumber cars in the north of the Netherlands and the place is really geared up for it. Whether you were four or eighty four, everyone seemed to be cycling, and the network of fietspad and cycle signage is second to none. We saw every type of bike and biking contraption imaginable and it really is impressive the commitment that's given to the cycling cause. So, like the Dutch, we took to the saddle. And whilst our journeys maybe weren't as long as the locals we had our first taste of cycling across the flat lands.

The countryside traffic was horrendous

Emily getting in on the act

 Biking mother and daughter

 It's flat which is good for the sheep...

For growing flowers (and vegetables)...

 And for cycling!

But in true travelling campervan style it was soon time to move on to the far north of the Netherlands. But not without a pitstop for a lovely picnic on Paterswoldsmeer near Groningen with our even lovelier friend April. It was a pretty hot day for our change of campsite (we like to pick them), so it was great to break the journey and catch up with an old friend from my days in Nigeria. Spent on the banks of a beautiful lake eating fine cheese, ham and cherries, in the sunshine was a rare treat for us used to rainy Scotland. And everything we'd seen in the Netherlands seemed much more well kempt than back home. Tiny towns had lorries clearing out gutters and watering the ubiquitous flowers. There seemed to be a real pride taken in the apprearance of places and Paterswoldsmeer was not exception with some gorgeous lakeside pads on show.

And so we arrived in Camping Lauwerszee which was another rural campsite with hedges and bushes to space out the pitches. Our days there were fairly lethargic as Emily was clearly coming down with something and the weather wasn't at its best with some pretty hefty rainstorms. But we passed our time with a bit more cycling around some of the bird watching havens of Lake Lauwersmeer and a visit to an obligatory windmill in the local town. But this was all as the holiday started to turn, as that thing that the supreme being was coming down with was the dreaded chicken pox. Bless her, she did her best to be brave but it really didn't make for the best few days...

Strange signs were a portent of the future

A proper windmill...and it went round...

Cheese delivered to your tentstep...Daddy was happy

 

The only up and down on your bike is the odd dyke

But those same dykes can make seaviews scarce

Even the fields were well kempt with wonderful wildflower meadows at the edges of cornfields

Old Mr Heron keeps an eye on the rest of the tweeters paradise

And so we pressed on to our final destination of Camping de Waps (meaning Wasps - why did I choose that???), in Oudermirdum in Friesland. This was another beautiful campsite set amongst lovely woods which provided welcome shade during our final hot few days. 

On arrival our host outlined how we had been in flat places up to now and that it was more hilly in Friesland. We really did fail to see that being most definitely still flat, but we did experience apparently the best medical service in Europe due to an increasingly uncomfortable Emily; some more picturesque and laid back Dutch towns; an incredible special needs school/play area/cafe (very forward thinking); some walking in the tranquil woods; a bit of coast for once; and a summer market where we purchased a nesting box for our garden. All in all it made for a lovely end to our summer holiday, which most definitely had its ups and downs, particularly for my enduring wife who bore the brunt of a clingy, pox ridden supreme being. Still that's the life on the road with a camper van, which, despite one minor incident for once didn't break down. Well done and thanks to DDU!

DDU all settled in the woods of Oudermirdum

 The poor pox ridden supreme being

 So much so we made her wear a bag on her head

 And she wanted to wear sun glasses in public

But at least she grew into her new shoes whilst we were away 

 And there was nothing wrong with her appetite

A rare shot of Daddy in action 

And so the Netherlands adventure drew to a close. But not without one final stop to the town of Delft to hook up with some other good friends from my Nigeria days, Yke and Michelle. It was really amazing catching up after what must be 17 years or so, but it did feel like it was only yesterday as the memories came flooding back. Thanks to them both for their wonderful hospitality and introducing us the gorgeous Delft.

Then it was time for final goodbyes and we headed off to the overnight ferry once more. And once again we had a REALLY excited Emily to deal with. Not much sleep didn't make for an easy drive back from Hull but hey, it was worth it. Shame about the dose of chicken pox though...

 

Campervanning Rookes

Goodbye Netherlands!

Diamonds are forever...

Our summer holiday this year started in style, with a trip to Birmingham for a few days to celebrate Grandma and Grandad's (my parents) diamond wedding. What wasn't so stylish was travelling from Kirkintilloch to Birmingham on the hottest day in July on record, in what can only be described as a large metal heat trap (the van). The other record that got broken that day was for the length of time it took us to make the trip - 11 hours total. What with an overheating supreme being, an overheating van, recovery from the free recovery area to the services, and then recovery again from the services to my parents house; we ended the mother of all M6 nightmares on the back of a tow truck in Birmingham at 9 o'clock in the evening. This really didn't bode well for the rest of our trip.

Still, never to let a small setback became a major disaster, we booked the van into the garage for what we hoped was a quick repair and set about enjoying the next few days with the diamond couple.

The Queen popped in to meet the happy couple

And even the sky was smiling it appeared

Sixty years of marriage is a tremendous feat. So many things have happened during that time, and they have shared many ups and downs, twists and turns during their epic journey together. But to remain steadfast together and in love through it all, is just so wonderful to see and an inspiration for us all.

And there were lots and lots of people to share their celebrations with them too. There was much partying, cake eating and good food consumed over the few days. There were cards, flowers and best wishes galore. I think they had a wonderful time, as we certainly did. And they can take the next week off to recover and reminisce over a wonderful sixty years together. They say diamonds are forever...well these two diamonds certainly seem to be giving it a go. 

Massive congratulations Mum and Dad xxx

 Obligatory cake cutting photo

 Obligatory cake eating photo

 Showing off the dress 60 years on

The happy couple - 60 years ago - many, many congratulations!!

And so, with the van fixed, and some more best wishes for an uneventful journey, we set off for Hull for the overnight to Rotterdam...

Firsts and Lasts...

 Munro bagging...my life in hills

So this is the first post that's NOT featuring the Supreme Being in some way...It's a bit of a strange feeling and am sure it won't last. Mainly because my readership will disappear rapidly, so normal business will be resumed soon, but I am just back from a wonderful weekend of hillwalking and campervanning with the brother-in-law John. There's another first...it was his first van experience. And I think a successful one, so lets hope it's not the last.

Another first was I had new walking boots so it was their first trip out. Which was also a last for my old pair - retired after 150 odd munros. It was also the last time I don't ensure the van door is properly shut in midge infested Scotland. I also hope it's not the last outing that DDU (the van) does given how he's been behaving recently - repaired from our last trip this was a test run for the Netherlands in a weeks time.

The end of an affair

The life on the road

Campervan delight

And so we headed to the middle of the Highlands near Dalwhinnie for a couple of nights and four munros. Highlights included the shoutiest chip shop owner in the UK in Pitlochry; beautiful scenery, good banter, beer and whisky; it not pouring with rain the whole time; learning why an afterlife is completely plausible; and campfire and contemplation by the loch. John's a grand ol' fella too so it was great spending some time with the big man. As Emily would say "Undle Don, he's really funny man" (you knew it wouldn't last - that's the first and last time I try and write a blog without mentioning Emily)...

 Mountains, beach, loch and a really funny man

 Loch views guaranteed

Man, fire, beer :-)

 Man, van, fire, beer :-)

On top of the world