12 July 2016 (cloudy, rain, thunderstorm, cool-cold) 66km

Departure day from Lochem on our way West to the departure point in the Netherlands, Rotterdam. Downstairs at 7.40am. Bart had already gone to work at 6am and Wendy was in the process of getting ready. The girls slept on…..Had some breakfast and chatted to Wendy. They can’t wait for their holiday in Croatia, but first they have to endure the sixteen hour drive. Wendy said it destresses her and I’ve always felt the same way about Whangamata, the drive over prepares me and as soon as I see the Welcome sign, any stress goes out the window. After Wendy had said goodbye, I dived in the shower and we got the bags sorted. Jenny and Kate still weren’t up, which was a shame, so we had to slip away without saying goodbye, but I did leave a message on their blackboard.

This swan looks keen for a McFlurry!

A couple of kms outside of Lochem is the Holiday Shop, a camping store. Found a few tents, but the dimensions weren’t what we wanted and the price was severely steep. However, it did tell us what we are ruling out. Riding to Zutphen, a place we flew by last time we came here, as night was closing in and we didn’t know then, where Bart and Wendy lived. This time we picked up some supplies and had a look around. It seems a nice town and after some photo opportunities, we enjoyed a lovely lunch on a shady park bench.

Zutphen

On the road this time following the dykes for a while to Arnhem, before it was into the forest which was helpful as the rain which had been threatening, began. Nothing too severe, but it did bring out the rainjackets. The riding, in between showers was very pleasant with good road surfaces and tree lined lanes. Ventured into a National Park which was really scenic, but the rain we’d been avoiding all afternoon finally caught up with us about 6kms from Arnhem, when it began slowly but gathered in intensity until we took out the groundsheet, covered both bikes, squatted down behind them holding the sheet in place over the panniers. We then endured a fifteen minute thunderstorm where the rain lashed it down, turning to hail at one point and soaking the forest floor.  We watched helplessly as the puddles surrounding us grew bigger and bigger and shuffled our feet to the top of the roots of the tree we were sheltering under.  Thankfully the rain stopped before the puddles reached us and soaked our only pair of shoes.  We shook out the groundsheet which did a fine job of protecting us from the weather, tiptoed round the ankle deep puddles and were on our way again.

A hungry swan and a wild rooster.....what next?

Found a supermarket in Arnhem, in fact we virtually rode right through it. Stocked up for tea and even though it was nearly 5pm we found a nice outlook in a park and had a late afternoon tea of cheese buns and coffee. 

No wild rooster but we did spot a wild-eyed duck

Had a bit of trouble with the numbered route system we were following when as has happened all too frequently on this trip, the numbers come to a grinding halt. The problem can occur when you get a number to follow, it takes you over a crossroad and suddenly there are two choices, but no arrow or number to direct you. Can be great…..can also be a pain.

Loving some of the houses along the way

Finally through Arnhem and heading west for Osterbeek when suddenly we came upon a camp sign and not the one we’d chosen. The weather was still looking dodgy so in we rolled. Lovely little site and well occupied, with families and also about four other bikepackers. Rain began as soon as we unloaded so we sat and wrote the blog undercover of a small shed with a couple of chairs and a table and some games for the kids. It also had a washing line which we’d hung the groundsheet over after it’s drenching from the storm. Julia showered, then we put the tent up before it was my turn to feel clean. In the tent we sheltered and I put the storm cover on…..plastic rubbish bin liner…..and we waited to cook as the rain fell again with the sound of thunder and the odd flash of lightning.  Others must look at our setup and wonder what planet we came from, with their 900 Euro tents, but if it gets us to the end, it will only have cost us $120 and given us shelter for three months…..I call that a good deal.

Camp for the night

We blogged and did the photos and as night set in, hoped the wind wouldn’t get up too much and blow our fancy stormcover off onto our neighbours.