A simple itinerary today:
- Keukenhof via the non-coffee shop,
- Haarlem via the non-steam-museum.
However, it is one that yields the glorious and impressive delights of the Keukenhof tulip displays.
Nico inserts a slight diversion into the transit to Keukenhof in order to meet part-time cyclist Dave who is only riding the second half of the journey – but riding it well, of course! We head for a local shopping centre for coffee, to find that the only cafe is closed until 12. Ah well, at least they have free internet and an ATM. What more can one ask for — except coffee?
Meanwhile! the non-cycling Carolines are able to join the riders by taxi. This allows everyone to enjoy the delights of those flower fields, the highlight of the trip and the reason we have chosen the tour timing to brave the early spring weather. The gardens will close for the year mid-May.
Encountering fleets of cars and buses foretells the approach to Keukenhof. Those who have been here before declare it much busier. Throngs of people queue for tickets and toilets, while crowds are to be found in every path and pavilion throughout the extensive gardens. The mild sunny day favours photographers and wanderers alike. There are none of the mythical black tulips but the full spectrum of colours in every imaginable vibrant shade is on display in an artistic patchwork of sweeping banks and plots of flowers.
MAP and stats for the first leg are HERE>
Northwards toward Haarlem, after which the Harlem district of New York City is named, the next ‘POI’ as the guides say is a steam-driven pumping station built in 1848 at Cruquius. Looking rather out of place in modern Europe, its gothic architecture, tower, embattlements and arches, were inspired by architecture during the Industrial Revolution in England.
However, the day is far advanced and the museum closed by the time we arrive. Nevertheless the shop and restroom doors are still open so we take a comfort break. Our milling around and chatting is terminated abruptly as one of the museum shop volunteers politely asks: “Would it inconvenience you to leave the museum — so that we can go home?”
Conveniently across the road is another of those small ferries for our onward progress. It is one of those small affairs that will only just accommodate our dozen or so jostling and laughing riders with their entangled cycles, plus a few slightly startled or amused locals who had been blissfully thinking they would take a peaceful solitary trip home across their local canal at the end of a long day.
Link to map and stats HERE> A fruitful 44 km ride for the day.
Elodians are invited to send favourite pics to add here.
Elodie Spring 17 