A bike ride

I popped to the local shops this morning to gather the ingredients for the much anticipated meal this evening. I had two excellent coffees in the new (since last time I was here) cafe. And an ice cream on the way home.

Then T and I got the bikes out and rode to Laren, a mere 10 minutes ride. We sailed round roundabouts like we owned the road. And indeed, in Holland, cyclists do - everyone has to give way to you. You don't even need to give a 'thank you' wave - not that I was able to take one hand off the handlebars...

Every year when I was a child I asked Father Christmas for a bike, but I never got one. Which means that I'm a somewhat nervous adult biker. Last time we were on bikes in Noosa, I heard a loud kerplunk behind me, and looked back to see JR in a crumpled heap on the pavement! I was hoping there was not a repeat with me kerplunking this time. But certainly, I have not had a pain in that region since I was riding a camel!

We spent quite a while at an old traditional cafe which is packed away in the wintertime. The menu was simple - waffles or Poffertjes. What a brilliant concept! I knew I liked waffles, but I discovered that I loved the little Poffertjes even more! One of the ’chefs' let me have a wee go at flipping them over, but it seems there is more skill involved than I thought, as I made a bit of a mess.

We checked out the fabulous town library, built in the old nunnery, and borrowed 'The Imitation Game' DVD for this evening's viewing. I'm hoping it's Dutch subtitles, not Dutch dubbing.

Along to the supermarket for more items. We didn't need a 'winkelwagen' unfortunately, as I only needed two things. But I was very impressed with the system where you go round with a wee handheld scanner and pay with your store card. None of these annoying 'self checkout' contraptions that we have!

Today's collage:
A man enjoying his waffle. Even though I was pointing a camera at him. (I did ask, and I wasn't this close to him - it's cropped)
A special chair in the library for grandparents to read to the kids.
The 'chefs' at work making the divine little Poffertjes .
Inside the cafe - quaint little booths.

Right, I'm off to get the meal organised with my smuggled tagine sauce, thank goodness. I don't think anything can go wrong...