The day after we arrived, our hosts took us on a walking tour of their town. This included one of the local windmills where a couple of guides informed us of the rich history of molenaars (millers) in Holland. North Holland is one of the 12 provinces and I spent my last few days exploring this fascinating, culturally rich area.
There was a charity swim to raise money for cancer research and the swimmers were serenaded by a canal-side band, apparently a Dutch tradition.
Klaus took his rest and we rode, in convoy, to the point east of Amsterdam whence he began the return cycle, without a working Garmin, to Denmark. He had a tailwind and Erma texted him regularly to ensure that he was fine and to determine his location. By the time I was ready to fly home, Klaus was safely back to his homeland.
Erma and Wouter made me feel entirely at home during my time in Haarlem. We sampled the local frites. I got a quick lesson in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and read a novel, Ventoux, by a Dutch journalist, Bert Wagendorp. Martyn Wells had given me the book when he visited Toronto; he also gave me the Anna Hughes' account of her circumnavigation of the UK (Eat, Sleep, Cycle).
I had the privilege of strolling around Amsterdam and taking in the sights, of which there are many. Vondelpark is an example of urban green space that enhances the quality of life for all who choose to enjoy it.
Within the main library of Amsterdam, I found the following project which invites one and all to reimagine the place in which one lives. Wish that North American cities had such an open concept of urban planning.
One idea which has already worked is the creation of mass bike parking for commuters. Here is an example where there is apparently space for up to 8,000 bikes.
Being close to the zee (sea), we took one last ride to Zandvoort and savoured the simple pleasure of watching the waves wash ashore.
And back to the ordinary life of living and cycling in Toronto. At long last, the city has taken action to build bike lanes on Bloor, the main east-west corridor. Hallelujah!
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