goodyandstevec2c

One of the really nice things about working in Amsterdam is riding to work and back on the bike. We are about 15 km from NISSAN according to Google earth but it doesn't seem that far. It takes about 45 minutes. I've got a couple of routes, along the Amstel canal, thru the Vondel and Rembrandts parks is one nice way. Lately I've been heading straight down the Amstel River thru central Amsterdam, past central station and Harlemmerstraat and thru the Westerpark. Goody has ridden most of the way with me in the mornings when she has not been gadding about Europe. Have only gotten wet a couple of times and have fought the wind on a few occasions but overall it is very pleasant. Here are a few photos from this morning.

Straight out of the underground carpark of our apartment.

A view of the start of Prinsengracht on the far side of the Amstel.

Along Kloveniersburgwal


De Waag ( The old Amsterdam City Gate ) now a restaurant.

Haarlemmerstraat one of the morning bike freeways

A pleasant cruise trough Westerpark takes about 10 minutes.

Getting into the industrial area at Naritaweg

And finally to the real industrial area, NISSAN Warehouse.

A great way to start the day ... and to finish it !

By the way.... just learned how to read peoples comments in our blog, apologies if you felt ignored ! You can tell I work in the IT industry ( not ! ). and thanks for your contributions... more please !

An energetic weekend on the bikes

Saturday we caught the train to Zaltbommel and cycled to Vicki Gay's ( from NISSAN Europe IT department ) house in Kerkwijk for a quick stop.

I think we should take shares in the Netherlands Train service.

Met Vickis' husband Catharinus and spent a pleasant time with a cool drink enjoying the rural peace and tranquility.

We continued further to Huesden on Vicki's recommendation, a picturesque historic town with old walls and surrounded by a dyke.
We actually walked a circuit around the town along the dyke that surrounds it and had a traditional dutch pancake. Bacon, apple sultanas, icing sugar and dutch stroop ( sugar syrup ). Sounds a bit weird but the combination of sweet and salty is quite nice !

On Sunday we were on the train again to Texel with Deeptha, Geetha and Vasanthe.

Train to Den Helder and then Bus and Ferry to Texel
Another day in the saddle. The weather was quite hot and we cycled about 25 Km.
Visited the ECOMARE which is a big display centre for marine life and a refuge for sea creatures that especially have been affected by pollution. Cycled across the island into a stiff breeze but eventually had a lovely cycle back to the ferry along the top of the dyke from Oudeschild with the wind at our backs. Great effort by Geetha, Deeptha and Vasanthe who have not ridden so much recently. Geetha and Vasanthe could really move along on the tandem !!

THe forest paths on the island are really beautiful ( little too busy though ! )

We decided to go for a nice walk on a lonely beach whilst in Texel.

Hmmm wrong beach I think !!

Huge crowd, restaurants, salsa music booming out, kick boxing lessons, dogs, ice-cream wagon down at the waters edge. It was all happening !