July 22, 2013
Day 11: Westeinder to Amsterdam!
WE ARE IN AMSTERDAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made it!!! It was two hot, sweaty, tired and weary touring cyclists who coasted into Amsterdam this midday, but two very proud and content ones, too! We feel ready to take on anything, now. Three countries, two languages, two arguments, six recipes, three punctures, four ferries ... We are here. Despite getting up at just after seven this morning, the heat was already so stifling, that we stood behind a neighbour's caravan whilst packing up. No shower, which means that your faithful diarists will feel very manky later on. I took this shot, without realising that I was watching the death of a fly.
Nature at its most brutal. We parked the bikes at reception and ate a lolly, desperate even at that time, to get some coolness into us..
Then it was back onto the road. By this time, we were a couple of miles from Schipol Airport, so we knew that the 'dam was close..
This was one of our many stops...
As we approached the capital, some forest gave us delicious respite from the viciousness of our nearest star ..
Then we came out of the forest, and were already close to our destination..
And eventually, stopping in a café close to the city boundary, to revel in our success...
On into the centre...
.. and eventually, getting to Vliegenbos after a lot of Fanta and miles..
Since we're not doing any more miles, then logically, this journal is now complete. We have paid until Saturday here at the campsite, and then we shall be doing as TC and I did: a train back to Calais, one night there, and then back to London via ferry and train. 266 miles - it's not a huge number, but Penelope hadn't done any tours until a fortnight ago. Wow. We are now ready for Penelope, TC and John Headin' South in barely a month, and then we can start to plan 2014!
Today's ride: 20 miles (32 km)
Total: 266 miles (428 km)
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