Windmills, Windmills

NOTE: Be sure to check out new pix in Barge 1 Photo Album


Last night lasted until around midnight.  Geoff and I took a go at the jacuzzi - which felt wonderful - and then we joined the after dinner discussion for a while.  When the topic turned to politics, we bowed out.  Don't feel like going there on vacation.

This morning we awoke to some drizzily skies.  Breakfast consisted of the usual granola, breads, cheeses and even an egg with Dutch bacon if desired.  By the time we were ready to roll out, it was down right pouring. Ted, Janet (who slept in), Richard, and Lucille stayed behind to enjoy a barge ride, while the rest of us geared up and went for it in the rain.  Once you're wet, you're wet, and then there pretty much isn't anything else more that can happen.  We were actually pretty lucky, since it did eventually stop raining and we were able to get blown dry as we rode.  We biked through some beautiful countryside.  Our first stop was at some pub type establishment where some of the guys played darts.  After a cafe and a rest it was on to our next stop which was some farm that ran a little shop for coffee and such.  Lots of animals running around but the big attraction here were the emu.  Very cool.  From here it was onto Neuwport and back to the barge for lunch.  By now the sun had come out and we were able to enjoy ourselves out on the deck.

Some folks who stayed on the barge in the morning came for the afternoon ride and others stayed behind.  The afternoon ride was windmills, windmills, and more windmills. All tolled, we biked around 33 miles today which really wasn't bad at all.  It is a very flat country. After boarding the barge, we sailed for about an hour until We docked in Dordrecht - we call it Dorchester.  Cora and I took a walk around the neighborhood.  It is like walking through a storybook town.

Dinner was served at 6:30 and it was to die for.  Salmon on pasta over a salad of greens and marinated tomatoes.  Dessert was even better - I can't even describe that.  After dinner, Thomas gave a quick talk of tomorrow's events and then we all headed out into town.  I stopped to talk to a woman on one of the large houseboats and she was a hoot.  She informed us that there was a big Indonesian festival going on in town.  Apparently, there is a big community here.  We passed through the festival and continued on our tour through town to the mint, the square where William of Orange started the rebellion against King Philip of Spain and declared their independence.

Heading back to the ship, Mike and Ted came out of a bar with beers saying that Elvis is in the building.  Well it didn't take long before, Geoff, myself, Joan, Mark, Louise, Mike, Ted and Janet were all in the bar on the dance floor.  The place was wild - with babes on the bar stools.  I was so very tempted, but I still have a few more weeks on this trip - can't hurt myself too much.  A very good time was had by all.

So far, so good.  Everyone is getting along great and this trip is turning out great and everyone we pass wants to know who organized it!  We are being shadowed by the barge the Iris which is occupied by VBT'ers.  They weren't pleased when I told them what we were paying. They are paying exactly double, in fact a little more than double what we paid.  Of course, they do have their own sag van that stops with them and provides them with water!

Next time...  Zeeland