My long articulated vehicle: tandem plus trailer plus clobber plus Jack.
Thank you to all concerned parties inquiring after my whereabouts due to lack of website updates. Since returning home in September from my summer cycling jaunt in the ?Never Netherlands (as Daisy calls it) I’ve been here (and not there) and have been busy writing articles and my next book and chasing after children. In fact chasing after children has taken up a lot more time than writing so updating my website seems to go onto the back burner, but I shall strive to improve my ways.
So off to that low-lying Dutch land we go – a wonderfully watery place full of bikes, bike paths and bicyclists. And wind.
A quick recap: As soon as ?our village primary school broke up for summer we were off. We is me and offspring: Molly (9), Daisy (6) and Jack (2) – though at the end of our escapade Molly turned 10 in Noordwijkerhout and Jack became a big 3 in Egmond aan Zee. The husband (builder Gary) wanted to get on with building so it was my first attempt at cycling abroad looking after the young rowdy mob single-handedly. It was also Molly’s first time touring abroad on her own bike (she had always ridden pillion with me before on the tandem) so it was a bit of a leap into the unknown: would Molly cope on her own bike (after all she’s not that keen on cycling – she prefers rock-climbing!) and would I be able to cope pulling Daisy (22.2kg), Jack (16kg), 4 panniers, 1 handlebar bag, 2 rear rack bags and a trailer full of a lorry-load of camping clobber? The total weight (including the tandem) came to 144 kg (317lbs) but was sometimes more depending on how much food and water I was carrying. Cycling this weight was on the verge of ridiculous – and impossible. The slightest incline and I started to be dragged backwards (and the North Sea coast is not flat – there were a lot of hefty dunes to climb over). I’m amazed my knees didn’t explode.
We spent 41 nights away from home. Two of these were spent sleeping in the North Sea (on a Stena Line ferry). The other 39 were in our Hilleberg Keron 4 GT tent. It was an amazingly good tent and stood up unflinchingly to countless gales, storms, hail, heatwaves, a boisterous herd of large drunken German men tripping over it and a rowdy mob of constantly exuberant children running riot within.
Oh no! What’s this? A Dutch hill!
Strange but true – another Dutch hill!
Stopping for a breather on a cycle path near Zandvoort. Jack is asleep in trailer, Molly is taking the picture and Daisy has leapt into my arms.
Stopping to catch sun rays.
My sleeping-bagged caterpillars. We spent 41 nights away from home. 2 of these were spent sleeping in the North Sea on the ferry. The other 39 were in our Hilleberg Keron 4 GT tent. It was an amazingly good tent and stood up unflinchingly to countless gales, storms, hail, heatwaves, a boisterous herd of drunken German men tripping over it and a rowdy mob of constantly exuberant children running riot within.
My long wide vehicle was a bit too long and wide to manoeuvre through barriers on way to Leiden so I had to momentarily shed some panniers.
A kibbling and chips stop (Dutch version of fish and chips). Zandvoort.
We had two birthdays in Holland: Jack had his third birthday in Egmond aan Zee…
…and Molly had her 10th birthday in Noordwijkerhout.
The North Sea Route bike path is like a smooth motorway for bikes through the dunes.
We kept to the windy and…
…often sunny coast because I felt that having the…
…sea and ice creams and an endless near-empty and endless white sand beach ?on tap was a small reward for Jack and the girls after everything I was putting them through.
We camped beside the sea almost every night and…
…it was the best playground they could ever want.
This pushchair weighs 6.2kg (not including the contents) and I hung it off the rear rail of the trailer. I nearly left it at home as I thought the extra weight would be too much but it proved a boon. Along with cycling the girls often walked anywhere between 5 and 8 miles a day to and from beaches, along beaches, to and from towns. Jack was still too little to walk such distances and too heavy for me to carry. Plus he likes his sleep which he did a lot of while being pushed. The pushchair was also useful for carrying heavy bags of shopping, swimming kit, books, toys, water, bucket, spades, potty etc.
Jack spent quite a lot of time asleep in the trailer as well. But when he woke up ?he was full of bounce so we had to do a lot of stopping so he could release his excess energy.
Jack’s least favourite pastime were campsite showers so he had baths in the camping bucket instead.
Occasionally we would treat him to a luxurious bath in the campsite sink.
Us girls managed the odd shower or we would bathe in the sea. But you had to watch out – the North Sea was not only cold but full of jellyfish.
Poking and prodding the latest find.
After coming out of the sea Jack and the girls would do a lot of jumping to warm up.
More bike path running races.
More windy beaches.
(More pictures to follow…)
November 23rd, 2016
Welcome back. If you think the Dutch coastal dunes are hilly, try the Dutch Alps near Maastricht.They actually have a ski resort there.
November 29th, 2016
I had no idea Holland was like that. I imagined it was flat, wet & well below sea level. Just goes to show. Something about little boys with fingers stuck in leaky dykes to save the country from being flooded. You sound fun to be with. What a really super upbringing for kids. Looking forward to the book when you get time ;-). Tony B.
December 2nd, 2016
Welcome back! We missed you and your motley gang. Very excited to hear you’re writing another book!
December 2nd, 2016
Goodness me… I thought we over-packed, but your load has to be a record! However, thanks for sharing such an inspiring journey. It proves it can be done, so well done to all of you! Can’t wait to read a new book and add it to the long line of your others.
December 3rd, 2016
Jack looks as if he is filling the bucket himself!!!
Bathing babies/children in kitchen sinks is soooo sensible.
December 3rd, 2016
Looking forward to the next book……need it NOW for these cold wintry days
December 3rd, 2016
Well Done Josie. Thought you had left the country. Looking forward to your next book however long it takes, Phil
December 6th, 2016
Thanks for sharing the details of the trip – it’s so inspirational to see you manage the journey with 3 kids and a pushchair.
December 12th, 2016
All these wonderful memories you are building for your children, they will love and admire you more than you will ever know.
December 15th, 2016
Oh no! I nearly deleted your blog as it seemed to have disappeared when I clicked on the log. I thought I’d just have another go – and here you are still. I read an article in the paper or somewhere about you as well so knew you were still out and about doing stuff.
I’ll read all about your trip later, just now have to do some present wrapping and card writing but I’m so pleased I didn’t delete.
All the very best for Christmas and New Year. (and are you writing another book)?
January 19th, 2017
Don’t delete – I always reappear just when you least expect it!
And yes, I am writing another book.
January 19th, 2017
You are a wonderful mum. Your children should grow up well fitted for this puzzling world. I wish some of the mums around here would get out with their children or encourage them to get out, get stuck in and enjoy life instead of being glued to TV, cell phones, game playing zbozes or what ever they are.
Goodonyah.
January 19th, 2017
Thanks Tony. My young motley crew don’t always thank me for throwing them outside all the time, but in between these times we do at least have fun come rain, wind, gales or shine!
February 12th, 2017
Wow Josie ! A Legend ! Having spent many years long distance cycling the Velo trails in Europe and in other countries, its time for a change. Re reading your Japan trips. When do you recommend best months for this country?
Kia Ora and Best wishes from New Zealand .
February 14th, 2017
Hi Julie – the weather in Japan tends to be mostly temperate with 4 distinct seasons. Spring is beautiful with the famous cherry blossom. I was also there for 2 summers – mostly lovely weather though the constant high humidity can be very sweaty hard work while cycling and camping. During winter the Central and Northern regions tend to get a lot of snow. Okinawa is sub-tropical so tends to be good weather all year round though watch out for the typhoons!
Have fun whatever the weather.