Visual Delights
Netherlands & Belgium: Stage 03 – Haarlem to Utrecht 58 Km (Thu 7 July 2022)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 18⁰C max, windy with light morning rain
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” ~ Jimmy Dean
It was windy and a little damp, but that did not detract from a stunningly beautiful ride. My camera found the vivid pink hydrangeas irresistible, so apologies if you are overwhelmed by the number of photos of these spectacular flowers. There was no escaping the colourful display … all along the cycle path, over the banks of the numerous canals, and decorating almost every house.
Although the hydrangeas were clearly a feature, other visual delights included water lilies, authentic Dutch windmills, ducks and swans, quaint canal-side houses with little bridges providing access to the road, and impressive riverside mansions.
Once again the cycle paths were incredible, like nothing I have experienced anywhere else in the world. Paths here are so smooth and flat that you find yourself steaming along effortlessly at a cruising speed higher than you might normally achieve.
Words cannot adequately describe the visual delights I experienced today, so I will let the photos tell the story. Enjoy!
Wow – so many beautiful photos – poppies and other flowers (you’re right about the hydrangeas!), cows, a tractor, cheese, bread – what more could you want?
All my favourite things. But wait until you see the cheese in Gouda.