Sluis, The Netherlands July 21, 2012

Belgian Bike Rider

Slept good last night and since it was a bit wet out from late night rains, we snoozed a little more in the morning. We got out around 10:00 and walked next door to the market to buy some breakfast and lunch for our bike ride today. It was cloudy but they were getting higher and lighter so we walked to a bike place and it was closed. On to the next possibility, and we were successful renting two Belgian bikes for the day. A bonus is that Carols comes with a basket so the day pack can go in there. Only 8 Euros each with a slight discount. We find our way to the edge of town, bouncing down cobblestone streets. We are going to ride to the town of Damme along a canal path. A small about of Belgian suburbia and soon we are riding along a tree lined canal. After a while, a small paddle wheel ferry goes by that runs between the two towns. Looks easier than what we are doing. No padded bike short rentals, so the twins are a little squished. We make it to Damme in about 35 minutes and since the weather is holding up, we decide to keep going and add another country to our list.

Sluis, Holland

We are only about 6-7 miles from Sluis ( pronounced slaus) just across the border in Holland. Riding on, the weather keeps improving and the sun is finding its way out. We go through the one restaurant town of Silon and I look at our very vague map to see if we are still on course. Looks to be good and as we continue our ride, we start to see hundreds of people walking along the path. There is a fair amount of bike traffic as well, but we especially like the old guys on their racing bikes, one which zooms by, had the meanest looking face I have seen in a while. I think it is permanent for him. We make it into Holland and the edge of Sluis. There is a huge bird nest on a pole with what I think is a stork and another stork sitting atop a chimney.

Downtown Sluis

The streets are crowded with people as we weave and dodge through town towards a windmill we saw. Close, we lose sight of it by a park and decide to sit on a bench and have lunch. A baguette with Gouda cheese and peppered salami. The meats and cheeses are so much better here. I don’t think they are quite as processed as ours. There is a continuous stream of people walking by as something is definitely going on today in Sluis. We later learn it is a walking event and it is amazing how many people are out. Carol loves the red pants and green pants that many men and some women wear. Definitely a European trend we hope stays here. After lunch, we find the windmill, but not a way in so after a bathroom break, we make our way back through town to the bike path. I must say that the Belgians and Dutch are not as protective of their toilets as the Italians were. Plus, the toilet seats that were missing in Italy apparently found their way here. This is all a good thing.

Self Powered Canal Crossing

On the way back to Damme, we stop at a little manual ferry crossing where you crank yourself along a wire to cross the canal. We had to stop and try it for fun. And, fun it was, at least for Carol, who watched Charlie do all the wheel cranking. Back on the path, our much too unpadded butts are feeling the effects of the ride and both of our left knees are a little sore. We cruise into Damme and stop for a short town visit mostly to get off the Damme bikes. There is a nice church with a bell tower that we do not climb. The church is beautiful and we sit on a bench and have the rest of our lunch. It is now sunny and nice but still cool enough when riding to wear a jacket.

Still Working Windmill

Just outside of town we stop at a windmill and get to climb to the top. It is still working and family run, milling flour by the 50 pound sacks. Father and son are there minding the wind and the sacks. From here non-stop back to Brugge and give back the Bikes so we can find a Real padded seat to sit on. We decide to back to Cambrinus from the first night for more beer and good food. Great on both counts. We meet a family from of all places, New Jersey, that had just finished a guided biking tour in Holland, sleeping on a barge at night. They shared some of their mussels with us so we got to try this Belgian specialty without having to eat a whole big bucketful. Pretty tasty! We were pretty tired and decided to get back to the room so the laundry lady could do the wash. 8:00 o’clock, the earliest night yet.

CNC

Expenses                                                                                                                                                          9 E Breakfast pastries and Lunch meat, cheese, and bread                                                                  16 E-2 bikes for the day                                                                                                                                  50 E- 4 Belgian Amber Beers and 2 dinners                                                                                        53.00E- Hotel                                                                                                                                                   0 E – Laundry by Carol                                                                                                                             Biked 25 miles Miles                                                                                                                            Walked 7 Miles