Heemstede - Haarlem by bike...

Here I am (on the bridge), ready to take on any Olympic medalist... 

Yesterday was very special. I caught the train from Holland Spoor to Heemstade where I was met by Jaap and Gerda, Merel's parents. We went back to their lovely home for coffee and apple cake (to celebrate Merel's birthday of the previous day) and then set off to bike to Haarlem. I had no idea this was planned! Fortunately the day was a little cooler - perfect for cycling. I got to experience an 'upright bike' and the privileged position afforded to cyclists on Dutch roads. The countryside we biked through was just beautiful - farms, canals, old woods - impossible to do  justice to photographically (especially while on the bike).

19C pumping station for draining a polder

Gerda and Jaap ahead

We biked into Haarlem, secured our bikes in a 'bike-park' and had lunch in the city centre, by the river, where we could watch the passing boats and barges and the bridges opening for the water traffic.

Jaap and Gerda

The green bridge opens by swinging sideways rather than opening from the centre

We discovered the Haarlem red light district by accident...

Gerda and red lights

I wondered what Osh would make of this...

We stopped outside a community garden where Gerda and Jaap do some work...

...and I saw a stork nest...

We biked 25km in all - and I couldn't wipe the big grin off my face the whole way. I felt so happy!

Thank you Gerda and Jaap for a truly magical day.