Completion

no project is complete without celebration. it's my name day, too.

Central station!

Self portrait proving I was here.

Amsterdam

I am now officially within Amsterdam city limits! And as I started at Eiffel Tower, I am now headed to Amsterdam's pride, Central Station.

Where to now?

For a second, I forgot where I wad going and who I am. But at least I got a good cup of coffee. I think. Maybe.

Towel day

I have knit my towel to the steering wheel in observance of Towel Day.

Ferry ride

Well, what do you know. Some places, they still run ferries. Albeit, I am sure they don't serve svele on this 3 minute ride...

The good people you meet

Waiting for the ferry, I asked one of the other bicyclists if there was a fee. In Norway, this trip would surely cost €5. Here, it was 60 cents. The kind woman with flowers on her steering wheel (yes, I got to know how to do this elegantly for my wife), insisted on paying my ticket. With her ten trip card, it was only 46 cents.

As my direction is Gouda today, I got to learn how she visits her father-in-law in hospital in Gouda by bicycle. So I got a quick guided tour of Schoonhoven, leaving me at the start of the SCENIC route to Gouda.

Kilometer after kilometer with ever changing beautiful scenery and gardens.

The people you meet on your adventures...

Crossing Hollandsch Diep

Being a bit ahead of schedule, I am taking two "slow days". This means that I cycle anywhere I feel like, stop in every town and take it easy.

In terms of milage, I seem to be down to 60 km per day as a result, but it is quite relaxing, and I seem to particularly enjoy the parks and any space of meditation.

My detour has taken me further west, which apparently means more side wind. So as soon as I have crossed tje Hollansch Diep east of Dordrecht, I shall find my way inland again.

Norwegians

At gas station east of Lommel
"So where are you from?"
"Norway"
"I has a friend in Norway. In Oslo. Rolf."
"Oslo is a big city."
"Yes, I know. Anyway, he is dead now. He was one of my best friends."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
The next customer in line adds in a deep, mysterious voice, "Norwegians are not SUPPOSED to die..."
"Oh, we do, occationally. I think half of us already have."



Of course, it takes me a while to realize I could have had a new pen pal.

Out of town

As I thought, the humongous city is basically along the canals that industry built. It is so good to be out of the industrial city zone. The city areas are just too crowded.

Bonjour Binche

The forecast for today was rain. This has now been downgraded to fog. As yesterday, it is expected to be nice and cool.

I will try to cut northeast today. The question, of course, is: Is this a back country road or a city streey? Can't tell the difference on the map. The Belgian experience so far is that it is a huge city.

Canals

Crossed over to south side again, to cross over to the historic Mons-Charlesroi canal. It is... Higher up... And the ascent is 19%

First canal experience

Actually, the second for the trip, first for Belgium, and first planned. A guy on the other side tried to tell me something. Hard to hest him across the canal, and I don't speak French.

A little further down, mosquitos came out of nowhere. I increased my pace, which seemed to work.

Next, it felt as I ran into a hail storm every 100 meters. It was of course mosquitos, not hail. So THAT was what he was trying to tell me. But will the south side of the canal be better?

(Yes, it was)

Bonjour Belgique

500 meters into Belgium, I suddenly discover I am no longer in France. Where was the road sign? Not There. Just suddenly I was here.

Bonjour Escaut

Oh you beautiful canal

Bonjour Lens

Odometer, which started in Chantilly, now reads 184.9km.

Bonjour Montdidier

(apparently, this post didn't go out tuesday morning)

Approaching Montdidier

This is what most of the road looks like. No traffic. Just me, the bike, the road, the birds.

A friend post mortem

Francois was born in 1973. So was I. August 24 is also of special meaning to me. I feel strangely connected to him as our paths cross where his life came to an end. And I wonder, who was this person? (Cauffry, France)

Bonjour Chantilly

Les velo

Tour Eiffel

One day to go

Short story of long day:

Met up with Klemet, went to get van, spent the rest of the day finding bicycle and parking for van. Paris is terrible for parking if you are 205 cm tall.

Unfortunately, my cell phone battery ran out while I was paying for the bicycle, so you have to wait for the photo.

Bonjour Orly

Very quick summary.

First plane was late, so boarding on Paris flight started boarding at the moment I lander in Oslo. I ran the entitet length of the airport and just made it.

Upon arrival at Orly, I figured I would walk to a hotel. Fyringsolje this two hour alternative form of transportation, I ran out of battery, recharged with sløser cell battery, found out that Google Maps is not always correct on details, and praised my phone for having å compass.

This is by far the best hotel room I have stayed in for a long time. I particularly enjoyed the bath tub. The breakfast with excellent coffee brought to my table lacks one thing, though. I say as my wife:

KURRAT, KUS MUST LEIB ON? (Damit, where is the dark bread?)

Mobile publishing

Testing the Blogger app for Android.