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Amster, Amster, dam dam dam

So...while I slept late this morning (confesses the old woman) Amy scouted out Haarlem. She discovered that you are required to bring your own grocery bags to the grocery store and that there is a large community garden behind the hostel.

We went to Amsterdam after lunch. Saw the red light district, lots of canals, with boats. All kinds of boats. barges and tugs, big and small and a sailboat with a mast step just like Albion! And it makes perfect sense here. (Albion's mast steps on the deck with a pivot attachment.) We learned be danka (Thank you in Dutch) and be danka I did not go to school here as I would have been an even worse speller. We also went to the Torture Museum and that was enogh culture for us. (Kitchie but with a very good political statement at the end that made it worthwhile). Also stopped in the VVV and bookstores where we found 2 fietsroute Karts that should help out a great deal here. I knew there would be bike roads, I didn't realize there would be so many,

When we returned to Haarlem (took the train to Amsterdam) we were happy to discover our bikes still safely locked amoung the million and one other bikes.

We're now tired again, but looking forward to hitting the road tomorrow.

PS Beth - We've enjoyed the stopenwaffles immensely. Amy especially thought they were /are great.

Hope all is well back in the USA

Stayokay Haarlem

Well, we arrived. We are tired, we went 10 hours without eating.

All the plane/flight/luggage connections went perfectly.The problem came when is was time to assemble the bikes and get to Haarlem. But with help from some great Dutch people we succeeded. Bikes still need a bit of work.

There are mountains in Iceland, and none in Holland. Lots of water and all we heard about the bikes is true. They are EVerywhere and they have their own roads.

Kelly

Euro Tour 2006 Agenda

• May 29: 21:30 - Icelandair FI630 From: BOS Seat Number: 15A, 15B To: KEF


• May 30: 21:30 - Icelandair FI502 From: KEF Seat Number: 15E, 15F To: AMS


• May 30,31 - Haarlem, Netherlands [map] [Hostel]
• Maps: Michelin #211, ANWB/VVV toeristenkaarten 1:100.000
• From the Arrival Area in Terminal 3 go to the end where the car rental companies are located. Go out the door and turn right. Begin by going left on the service road opposite the Sheriton. At 0.5km you pass a fietsenstalling (bicycle parking). The red paved path is the start of the bike path. This path weaves you out of the airport area, then through a bike tunnel. Follow signs to Badhoevedorp and Amsterdam. Cycle along a farm road until Badhoevedorp.
• At 4.4 km cross Schipholweg (N232)and turn left for Haarlem. Follow the Haarlem bike signs for 11 km.
• June 1 - Amsterdam to Gouda 71 km (44m)
• June 2 - Gouda to Willemstad 84 km (52m)
• June 3 - Willemstad to Kamperland 68 km (42m - headwind warning)
• June 4 - Kamperland to Bruges 71 km (44m)
• June 5 - Bruges, Belgium [map] [ Hostel]
• Maps: Michelin #213, 214
• June 6 - Bruges to Gent 43 km (27m)
• June 7 - Gent to Brussels 67 km (42m)
• June 8 - Brussels to Namur 80 km (50m)
• June 9 - Namur to Han sur Lesse 65 km (41m) [campground]
• June 10 - Han sur Lesse to 1/2 Luxembourg 50 km
• June 11 - 1/2 Luxembourg to Luxembourg 50 km [Hostel]
• June 11 - Luxembourg [map]
• June 12 - Trier, Germany [map]
• June 13 - Luxembourg
  
• June 14 - Luxembourg to Montmedy 70 km (44m) [Route map]
  
• June 15 - Montmedy to Donchery 56 km (35m) [Route map]
  
• June 16 - Donchery to Reims 108 km (67m) [Route map]
  
• June 17 - Reims [map]
• June 18: 14:15 - Icelandair FI543 From: CDG Seat Number: 15A, 15B To: KEF
• June 18: 17:00 - Icelandair FI631 From: KEF Seat Number: 05G, 05H To: BOS

June 16

This is the location for DHL shipping (if we decided to ship the bikes home)

June 4

Kamperland to Bruges

Includes 30 minute late afternoon ferry that transports you across the Western Schelde [schedule]

• From the center of Kamperland, follow the N255 to Domburg 20, Middelburg 17, and Burghaamstede 17.
• Follow signs all the way to Middelburg
• Middelburg makes a great lunch stop. I especially like the poffertes, tiny Dutch pancakes available at several local cafes.
• From Middelburg, follow signs to Vlissingen, turning when necessary.
• 27.0 As you reach Vlissingen, follow signs on the N58 to Engleland and Breskens. To reach Breskens the ferry runs every 20 and 50 minutes past the hour. Crossing cost is 2.90 including your bike.
• As you exit the ship, follow the N58 toward Schoondijke, Sluis and Oosturg. About 3 km ahead turn RIGHT toward Groede 3, and Cadzand 11 km
• Follow signs to Cadzand and Cluis. You'll pass Groede. Don't turn off for Cadzand-head for Sluis 6 and Knokke 15. You'll see signs for Sluis and Bruges.
• 51.0 In Sluis, there are marked and Bruges is 18km away.
• Follow the LF1 path left to Bruges 15 km. There's a VVV on your left just past the turnoff.
• 53.0 Belgium. In Hoeke, continue to Oostkerke and Damme, following the LF1
• After Damme (windmill, market) Bruges in 5 km.
• 71.0 Bruge

June 8

Brussels to Namur

0.0 Begin from St. Michel Cathedral at the corner of Rue d"Assaut and Rue du Bois Sauvage. Follow the Rue d'Assaut to teh end of the street and bear Right. Make an immediate Left down Wolvengracht in the direction of De Brouckere; pass the main street and turn Left down rue de Laeken/Lakensenstraat; the street bcomes Poissonniers Visverkopers; keep going Straight for Mons and you are now on Rue Van Artevelde.

June 9

Namur to Han sur Lesse 65 km (41m)

Caves of Han (Grottes de Han) of the several cave complexes in the Ardennes, this one is probably the most spectacular. Guides take visitors on an hour-long tour. The highlight is a boat ride on an underground river

Seven Sisters Hookie

Today, May 5th, was such a nice day that I took it off work and headed North to hike the Seven Sisters trail near Mount Holyoke. The trail is described as "Extremely hilly with 3,700 feet of climb consisting of many steep hills with hazardous footing in places due to the many sharp basalt rocks that comprise the elevated ridge of Mt. Holyoke." There were a few spots that I had to lift Isaiah down. Also, bike riding does really prepare one for hill climbs.


This is a view to the South off Bear Mountain.


Trillium WakerobinTrillium erectum. There were many clumps and single trilliums on the mountains. They are amazing and delicate.


Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis


This appears to be another variety. Don't know how well it shows in the photo, but the leaves are greyish. (Speaking of which, has anyone seen my wildflower book?)


When I wasn't looking down (at flowers and rocks) there were some great views. This one is to the Northwest. That's the Connecticut River.

All in all, it was a good hike.

June 7

Ghent to Brussels 67km (42 m)

From Vogelmarkt (center of Ghent)

• Follow Vogelmarkt as it changes to Brabantdam
• Continue following signs to the R40
• 1.0 At a roundabout, take the thrid exit toward R40 Strads Ring/Dampoort on Niewwebosstraat. The road will become cobblestone, follow it around and you'll come to Tweebruggenstraat and then cross over a bridge.
• Continue Straight and you'll be on Kasteellaan (there will be a bike path on your right)
• 1.7 Turn Left toward Lokeren on the N70 and Zell on the N445
• 2.4 As you reach a roundabout, follow signs to the N44t and Destelbergen. Go under a bridge then continue to the right on the N445.
• Continue on the N445 and you are out of Gent.
• Follow the blue sings Right to Zele and Laarn on the N445
• 10.5 You pass over the highway
• 18.5 Overmere; Follow signs right for Uitbergen and Aalst
• 21.5 Uitergen; follow signs to Wichelen 2; as you enter Wichelen (23.5) turn Left for Dendermonde on the N416
• 32.3 Dendermonde. Follow signs Left for Dendermonde.
• 33.0 Turn Left for Andere Richtingen. As you pass through the area, head for Brussels on the N41 and Mechelen on the N17
• 36.3 Turn Right for Lebbeke on the N41 and Brussels on the N47
• 40.2 Go Left for Lebbeke on the N47
• 41.4 Turn left toward the church, then Right at Broed and Banket (Jules Buck Street)
• 41.5 Turn Left onto Laurierstraat; the road becomes Opwijkstraat
• 43.3 Opwijk
• 46.5 At a roundabout after crossing a bridge, follow signs for Brussels and Vilvoorde At the next roundabout continue Straight for Brussels and Vilvoorde
• 49.0 Turn Left for Merchtem 2
• 50.7 Merchtem. As you head through the town turn Right for Brussels 15 on a blue sign. Ahead 100 yards make another Left for Brussels 15. Keep following signs to Brussels and Wemmel.
• Wemmel. Head toward Brussels.
• Brussels. Follow signs for the Centre/Centrum
• 64.5 The Basilica.

Brussels Camping Druivenland

June 6

Bruges to Ghent 43 km (27 m)

Heart of Flanders with several small towns.

• Start from Novotel at the corner of of Katelijnestraat and Oude Gentweg.
• Turn Right onto Oude Gentweg
• 0.7 At Gentpoorststraat, turn Right and head over the bridge.
• Cross over the Buiten Gentpoortvest (a major road marked R30)
• After crossing R30 we're on the N337 (Gen. Lemanlaan)
• Continue straight on the N337 following signs to Knessselare and Assebroek
• There will be a bike path along the right side.
• 3.5 The bike path crosses the street Continue along the N337
• 8.4 Dedelem. Continue following signs to Knesselare on the N337
• 15.2 Knesselare
• 16.4 Cross the N44 and join the N461 (Straight ahead) toward Ursel 4/Eeklo 13
• 21.2 As you leave Ursel, you'll come to a stop sign. Continue Straight on the N461
• 24.9 You'll see Jubilar de Sportsman pub on your right; turn Right.
• Continue following signs to Hansbeke
• Take a left just ahead on Spinhout Straat.
• 29.9 As you reach Hansbeke, cross a white bridge. Continue into town and just before you cross the train tracks, turn left (30.4 km) Stay on the N461.
• 32.9 Continue over a bridge, and when you reach a stop sign at 33.6, turn Right toward Drogen 7.
• 37.8 Veer Right onto the Antoon Catrie Straat
• 41.3 Turn Left onto the N466
• 41.8 At a roundabout, continue Straight on the N466
• 42.7 Cross a large bridge and enter Gent.