Day 3 Soest - Neidermormter

Decided follow some of these today, that improved the navigation greatly ( although still dodgy in places)

Had breakfast in the centre of Amersfoort where they were setting up tables in the Square for a celebration breakfast to mark the 10th anniversary of some hotel, however we were wanting to press on today so we didn't hang about.

We had lunch in Arnhem then carried on up the Rhine and ended up in a campsite just south of Niedermormter. There wasn't much in Niedermormter and most of that seemed to be shut.  After pitching the tent we set off in search of some food.  We had seen a sign for a cafe about 1km away but it was shut, as was the ferry across to the larger town of Rees. Things weren't looking good!

We decided to have another look in Niedermormter and soon found the pub, it was shut too.  Things were definitely not looking good!

Fortunately we then heard some Euro-pop belting out from the local fire station and soon discovered the were having some sort of gala day (we never really found out what was going on), and after working out the complicated beer voucher system we managed to get ourselves sausage & chips with curry sauce and a few beers.  Sorted!

Miles today - 80

Miles total - 148

Hills so far - none

Day 2 Ijmuiden-Soest

Got off the ferry in pouring rain and gales. Never mind, on with full waterproofs and off we set.  Fortunately a German Motorcyclist soon suggested we'd be better off riding on the right hand side of the road!

The first 15 or so miles into Amsterdam were pretty straightforward if a bit boring, through the ports and industrial estates.  Had lunch in the centre of Amsterdam by which time the sun had come out.  After lunch the route was far more interesting although we were definitely navigationally challenged.  First of all trying to navigate through the centre of Amsterdam was a nightmare. Then we (I) decided to change from our planned route, unfortunately this took us off the photocopied sections of map I had taken, after a quick trip to a map shop in Hilversum we ended up at the campsite at Soest, only to find it closed!  Fortunately the elderly owners were just returning home as we were about to head off in search of somewhere else and decided to open the place up for us. Result! 

Miles travelled today - 52

Miles total - 68

Number of times we stopped to check directions - thoosan's!

We're Off!

ŶBeautiful sunny morning to cycle through to Aviemore, still nervous about getting the second unbooked bike onto the train. This wasn't helped by the station attendant saying that the East Coast Guards can be a bit funny about bikes packaged as luggage. Sure enough the guard was particularly arsy but eventually agreed to take it. Phew!

No more hassle on the way to Newcastle, managed to avoid most of the stag & hen parties on the train and a good cycle path from the train to the ferry (which had a top notch buffet.)
Miles cycled today - 16
Calories consumed - thoosans!

Three Days to Go!!

Severe flooding throughout central and Eastern Europe suggests that we could get a bit damp going through Germany, riverside campsites could be slightly soggy!  The link below relates to areas further east than our proposed route, but I suspect the Rhine will also be pretty high.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339619/Floods-Europe-Burst-dyke-leaves-entire-German-town-submerged-aerial-shots-reveal-devastation-recent-heavy-rain.html

Hopefully water levels will have gone down by the time we get there otherwise we'll need to stick to the high ground 

(Alternatively we could get a couple of these)

The Plan

The plan is to cycle from Amsterdam to Venice over three weeks during June & July 2013. We'll start off taking the train from Aviemore to Newcastle on 14th June, catch the overnight ferry to Amsterdam then set off with our camping gear for Venice. The main concern at the planning stage is getting the bikes to Newcastle as East Coast Trains only have space for one of our bikes! Hopefully we can get the second one accepted as luggage, fingers crossed 

 Here's the approximate route