Cycling in Holland with Jon & Allyson

Cycling in Holland

We were eager to get measured up for our bicycles and helmets and set off for our first adventure. We took it nice and easy and cycled around the great cycle paths around the park.

 

 We loved cooling off in the swimming pool after our active days out. We rode the river rapids and dived into the waves. We also discovered an underwater aquarium where you had to dive down with goggles on to see the fish on the other side of the glass. We all ended up relaxing in a massive jacuzzi and the brave (or crazy) jumped in the ice cold plunge pool! 

 

 One of our rides took us to the village of Valkenswaard,  where they had fountains in the 

  middle of the square and we cooled off riding our bikes through the spray from the fountains! We had a good giggle getting soaking wet! 

 We came across a  beautiful lake where we enjoyed watching the water-skiers being pulled around by a speed boat. As it was so warm we took out a small electric boat in groups of four and enjoyed cruising along, soaking up the sun. 

 

There were so many great cycle paths for us to follow. With a view to die for we ate our picnic lunch overlooking a picturesque lake. 

We stopped at the World War II cemetery where we remembered those brave young men and women who fought for our country.

In Bokel, we saw our first real Dutch windmill. It was huge and we all looked so small in our photos compared to it. 

 With some Belgian waffles to keep our energy levels up, our active group managed an impressive 20 kilometre ride along the flat terrain and through the nature reserve. 

 Feeling confident we also did a little bit of off-roading. We rode round the big lake admiring the scenery and the smelling the perfumed poppy fields. 

 We always managed to find an ice cream stop which was always a great reward for our incredible efforts on our bike rides.  

 

 At the farm we fed all the cute and friendly animals. First on the feeding list were the cheeky goats and sheep. Lots of them had recently had babies and we all adored the one week old lamb, especially Joseph who didn’t want to leave its side. Lastly, we went over to feed the donkeys where some of us got to brush their soft coats.