Today is King’s Day, the national festival. From early morning, people are setting up market stalls to sell everything from waffles to old comics and clothing. Many are wearing orange hats, scarves, leis, shirts or sometimes fancy headdress like a fascinator on a clip. The crew have thoughtfully provided for this dress code by providing an orange Elodie cap on each place at the breakfast tables.
As we gather for the foredeck for the ride, Michel kicks the celebratory mood off with surprise glass of Oranje Bitter aperitif (“Only one or two percent!” declares Michel, tongue in cheek as usual.) Thus fortified, we walk through the narrow streets to the centre of Delft, watching market stalls along the canals doing their trade, children selling old toys, families riding or wandering in orange accoutrements. Loud beat boxes and public sound systems are being set up and turned up to strength ten.
Escaping the accelerating celebratory activity, we reach the traditional old factory of Delft Blue pottery. Elodie is already repositioned right opposite — there’s a canal for every destination here.
Certain purchases are obligatory
A guide explains the process of pouring the clay mixture into moulds. After a certain period during which water is absorbed by the plaster of Paris, excess is poured out to leave the hollow item.
Plan A (45k through the sand dunes – shades and shudders of Portsea) died in the face of the party spirit for the national day. Shortcuts are instituted. Unusually, lunch is taken on board as the Elodie proceeds further up the stream towards The Hague where we take the opportunity for a group photo before resuming the ride.
Caps courtesy Michel and Mirjam, shirts courtesy Shena and Jack
A short ride leads us through the political capital. After an introduction to the fine art of slurping raw herring, we join throngs of orange-trimmed locals walking through the Binnenhof equivalent of the House of Parliament, observing the PM’s office tower. The Peace Palace, centre of justice for the Netherlands with its eternal flame and array of stones contributed by many nations, is not far away through very busy streets.
On the sand dunes overlooking the beach at The Hague is a museum containing a panorama showing the coast scene, looking all directions in the round. This impressive painting, a fascinating accurate record of the life of the town in 1880, is incredibly realistic.
A final leg takes us to Leidshendam, where Elodie conducts us for the overnight stay in Leiden.
This abbreviated itinerary worked extremely well, our crew arranging activities and routes with great flexibility according to the demands of events, locales and riders. A low total of 16 kms for the day but most interesting.
Link to map and stats HERE>
The Peace Palace, Amsterdam
Elodie Spring 17 