The seaside!

I saw Mary and Emily off this morning as it was time for them to return home to Canada. I really enjoyed seeing them in Amsterdam.

When I got back from the airport, Kevin and I hopped on the omafiets and cycled to the seaside this afternoon. The round trip was a little over 75K, which was a long ride on omafiets! It was a lovely day for a ride and we saw many interesting things along the way. We look the long, scenic route there, travelling south past the airport, through Hoofddorp, Haarlemmermeerse Bos (forest) and Haarlem, eventually arriving at Zandvoort. The forest was very busy with people enjoying the beach and the water. We also saw an equestrian competition and scuba diving lessons. Kevin pointed out a restaurant on the water that he recognized from a work function last fall.

After an early dinner on the beach, we went for a walk on the fine sand and I dipped my toes in the water. We then cycled back home, this time starting north before turning east on the more direct route. About a third of the way home, we stopped for a drink of water at a lovely café next to a small peaceful marina, Jachthaven Joh van Assema, at Haarlemmerliede.

The national network of cycling routes in the Netherlands is really very impressive. These long distance routes are well marked, well maintained and they very are safe. The routes through the country-side are lovely and are intended for recreational bike tours as well as accommodating day to day needs.