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- 22 de mai. de 2024 21:30
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- Países BaixosProvincie UtrechtGemeente LeusdenDe RuifGelderse Vallei52°9’60” N 5°24’40” E
Delft
22 de maio, Países Baixos ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”– Jack Kerouac
Another early start. We have a long trip ahead of us. The A30 has roadworks so Hilary gave us directions to avoid them. Google Maps had other ideas so we did some country waggling before joining the A30 just past the roadworks. We are supposed to get the car back by 1030. The Hertz guy when we collected the car: “Between you and me there’s nobody working there on Saturday so it doesn’t really matter what time you get there.” The Devon Show caused a massive traffic jam around Exeter so we lost more time there. Finally returned the car only about 40 minutes late then caught the shuttle bus to the airport. Then the Airport Flyer (bus) to Bristol Temple Meads. Then the train to London Paddington. This was a comfortable and peaceful trip rushing smoothly through the English countryside. Tony always thinks “this green and pleasant land…”. Next part of the journey was our second trip on the Elizabeth Line to Stratford. Then the East Anglia train to Colchester. Are you getting the idea? Lots of travel modes, all arranged flawlessly by Ursula’s master plan.
Jean and Vic meet us at Colchester and we drive for a quick gourmet early supper at Chez Hackers. ”Absolutely delicious”, (edited by Jean). Then the 2-train trip to Harwich International where we board the Stena Lines ferry to the Hook of Holland. We board well before the scheduled 11pm departure giving us time to enjoy the Deck 9 bar before retiring to our largish and very clean and comfortable cabin for a well-earned night’s sleep.
Smooth crossing of the North Sea. Loud wake-up music gave us a smile. ‘Don’t worry. Be happy’. [https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU ] Not much sleep again last night as it had been a lateish night and the strange surroundings were compounded by losing an hour. Clocks go forward an hour for continental Europe. Thick morning fog so we can barely see the water from our cabin on Deck 11. The foot passengers eventually get to disembark. Level walk to the Hook of Holland railway station. Contactless ticketing which means you simply tap a credit card at the start and end of the journey. Train with one change to Delft. Jean is in charge of the train journeys. At the large and modern Delft railway station, “Anyone know where the hotel is?” Jean went out one exit and Vic the opposite one. There it is. In your face. The Social Hub. Modern building with a funky vibe. Young staff and the clientele seemed to be mostly student types. It is only 10am so we leave our bags then walk into town (not far) for coffee and apple pie. Seems we are early for most cafes, but finally find one which is open. Grand Cafe de Sjees. Delicious.
We really enjoyed Delft. Turns out our first full day is Whit Monday. The holiday for 50 days after Easter. Hotel breakfasts looked a bit lacking, so we found a bakery Bakker Van Maarnen. We went there each morning, smashing the ‘one visit per venue’ rule. Lots of walking around this historic city. Population very close to that of our home, Launceston (100,000 people). One dinner was at a Greek restaurant in a barge on a canal, the second at Grand Cafe de Sjees again, putting the last nail in the coffin of the ‘one visit’ rule.
We did lots of walking around this historic city which has many canals and tree lined squares. Enjoyed a boat cruise on the canals. Visited the Royal Delft factory. Also visited de Oude en Nieuwe Kerk (the Old and New Church). The Nieuwe Kerk tower (108m) promises the best view of Delft so Tony climbed the 376 steps to test this. The tower is an interesting mix of 3 differently coloured sections. The church isn’t all that new. Over 600 years old. De Oude Kirk has existed in some form on the same site since around the year 1000. Its tower leans about 2m from the vertical. Just over halfway up it was straightened; also the clock face has been altered to try to reduce the leaning effect.
Most of us enjoyed the blond beers served almost everywhere. Milder taste than our beer at home, but more alcohol. New to us was the incredible number of bicycles moving quietly (dangerous!) around. Needed eyes everywhere.
Tomorrow, train journey to Amersfoort.Leia mais