Final Post and Wrap Up for Netherlands, Germany and Denmark Bicycle Trip, 2019

       Another bicycle trip finished. July 11th to September 19th, 2019  That was 70 days away from home. I believe it was a success. I met many wonderful people including all my relatives, friends of my relatives, relatives of those friends, Warmshowers hosts, Couchsurfing hosts, Danish backyard hosts and helpful "angels" along the way each day. I was able to hand out my card and John 3:16 fridge magnets to everyone that I met. I was happy to be going north as the weather was quite hot at the beginning of the journey. I only experienced one bad thunder storm during which I was able to find shelter immediately under a carport. My last week in Denmark had some drizzly weather but nothing to stop daily progress. The wind was mainly on my back or side except for two days. There were only two nights where I found accommodation at the end of the day. One of those days I found a hostel and on the other, I set up my tent.  I would have liked to go on to Sweden but I did not hear back from my daughter's  former exchange student parent I was not as committed in that direction. I had opportunity to do 3 days into Sweden but because I had made previous arrangements to stay in the west of Denmark with a lady, I felt I should honour that commitment.
    The 8 day Barge-Bike trip with my sister, Josephine, was enjoyable and interesting in comparison to bicycling solo. It was nice to meet Josephine's neighbour and family. I stuck out like a sore thumb every time we went out for the day because I had my own bicycle, Silver. sometimes it was frustrating riding in a line with everyone unless I was near the beginning and I also did not like being able to take a photo whenever I wanted to. I made more friends however and the food and accommodations were excellent and I enjoyed not having to arrange it every day.
     Special mention and thank you to Paul-Eric and Susan Hausting who were my first referrals in Denmark. They helped arrange many aspects of my Denmark trip, took me touring and welcomed me warmly into their home. The same special mention also goes to Palle and Pia Terkelson in Copenhagen  who were also referred to me and took me under their wings for 6 days. 
        I can't say enough about how wonderful Dick and Carla were to me. I stayed with them off and on during my trip. It was so comforting to have a warm, friendly couple to stay with when I was not on the road. Not only does Dick pick me up and drop me off at the airport but he and Carla also arranged some outings for me. They stored my belongings, fed me, did my laundry, included me in family outings and loved me to pieces! Thank you and hugs.
 My greatest thanks go to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus, who took perfect care of me all the time. My injuries were not severe. Angels were sent to help at just the correct time to help me. He sent good weather and shelter in times of heavy rain. He allowed my navigation program to work perfectly.He allowed me to talk to people about Himself and to hand out John 3:16 cards to everyone I met. My prayer is that some people may learn to love and trust in Him through all this.
 
     Some of the statistics:

Air Canada return ticket:                                                                        1099.61
Cost of Barge-Bike Trip:                                                                        1724.96
Suitcase and bicycle in Sault Ste. Marie: 50.00+60.00=                         110.00                 
Suitcase and bicycle at Schiphol:224.53+61.78=                                    286.31
Purchase of gifts:33.05+18.65=                                                                51.70
Telephone plan from home:                                                                      97.00
Dutch telephone plan:Vodaphone 96 + included in Visa tallies below
Euro spending money to start:500=                                                         783.10
Danish money to start: 250 Kroners                                                          52.00                 
Money spent using Visa card=museums, taking people out for supper,
Copenhagen Card, train tickets, phone cards                                        2351.18
                     
Total                                                                                                      6555.86

Places where I stayed:  R=relative, WS=Warmshowers, C=Couchsurfing, T=tent, REF=Referral

Dick and Carla vanderPrijt in Hoofddorp-R                                   25 nights
Tante Betty Heeremans  in Gouda-R                                               2
Simone and Huub in Amersfoort-WS                                             1
Annelies Gerrits -R                                                                         2
Rob and Marri in Emmens-WS                                                      1
Martin and Mariette Heeremans -R                                                2
Iris Czaja in Edewecht-WS                                                            1
Janina Mau in Osterhulz-Scharmbege-C                                        1
Camping Krautsand in Drochtersen                                                1
Eckhard and Hanne Driessen in Westerronfeldish-WS                   1
Jay Martin in Flensburg -C                                                              1
Michael Morten in Haderslev-WS                                                   1
Paul-Eric and Susan Hausting in Fredericia-REF                            5
Jan and Helle Scheurs in Assens-REF                                             1
Lene Wisbom in Fjaelbroen-REF                                                    1
Ann Marie Raff in Nakskov-C                                                         1
Bettina and Henrik Retslov in Idestrup-REF                                   1
Nina Sarauw in Naestved-T                                                             1
Trudy Hadley and Claus Steensbech in Roskilde-WS                      1
Palle and Pia Terkelsen in Copenhagen-REF                                  6
Eric Jensen and Kirsten Solbakken in Holte-WS                            1
Margareta Brender in Helsingor-WS                                               1
Niels and Lillian in Hundested-REF ,T                                           1
City Sleep-In Hostel In Aarhus                                                       1
Chanette Johnsen in Aarhus-CS                                                     1
John and Marianne Johnsen-REF                                                   1
Wild Camping in Billund area                                                        1
Barge- Sailing Home                                                                      7

Total                                                                                            70 nights
                 

September 19, 2019 Today my mother would be 100 years old . I am flying home today!

 This is flying day. I chose September 19th because if my mother, Mary, was still alive, today would have been her 100th birthday. She was born September 19, 1919. ( the 19th day of the 9th month of 1919).  I was up early and quietly packed the rest of my things. The only things I left behind were my crocks, my sandals, a florescent green T shirt and long sleeved white Nike shirt. They were all old and had stains and the sandals had been glued together.
   I tiptoed into Carla's room and wakened her to give a big hug goodbye and told her to stay in bed. Then I slipped downstairs and Dick was almost ready also. I had a raisin bun and we got in the vehicle and left. This way he would not miss much  work because he usually starts at 8 . He dropped me off this time and we hugged and said goodbye. I was a little apprehensive about how I would make out with the bicycle but it went very well. He helped me load it horizontally on the cart so I could see where I was pushing it. There was one narrow spot going in the door and an angel helped me angle everything to get by. Once inside, I realized that I did not have to go up an escalator like Josephine had to for KLM. AIR CANADA was all on this floor so all I had to do was walk forward to the lines where you start following people in a zigzag until you reach the counter. I saw one worker and told her I could not do that due to the width of my load so she ushered me past those people to a wider gate that if and when it opened I would be able to get through. I waited for a short while and then could have my turn. She took the suitcase and the weight was good and it was gone. Then we had a little debate about the bicycle box and what it should cost and I showed them my bill for when it came but I guess they were right as it is not only a second piece of luggage but also has a handling fee. I considered myself lucky to have saved some money on the way over. I paid the huge sum and then brought my bicycle to the place where you bring over-sized items. One real good thing that made me feel GREAT was that she said my bags and box were checked in all the way to Sault Ste. Marie. I would not have to touch them in Toronto. WHAT A RELIEF to hear that. I had been dreading how that would go.The young man there helped me to put it on the conveyor belt. I also gave him the two rolls of tape that I had brought in case they asked me to open the box to look inside and then I would have had to reseal it. I headed to the security check line and made it through there with not too much trouble. Then I headed to all the stores and did some shopping. I found out that what you buy in the duty free stores can be brought on the plane and not be counted as carry on luggage. I bought 2 more cheeses, three more stroop waffles of different flavours, a little bicycle for myself, a bicycle key chain for Emily, some playing cards, 4 packages Dutch decorated napkins and a bottle of water. I put all the heavy items in my backpack and the lighter items in the small orange nylon bag that I had brought on the trip and had used at Tante Betty's house to store items that I did not bring further on my tour.

I saw some huge Amarylis bulbs and lots of tulips. I talked to a couple from Canada that had just completed a Cycle Tours Bicycle trip to the south of Holland. Theirs was not as good as ours because there were multiple languages that needed translation and their bicycle leader was not as good as ours. They watched my bags when I went to the washroom. The plane left a little bit late and they were trying to get us to hurry to put away our bags and get seated. I watched two movies and then near the end of the flight, I played some games. That is when the couple sitting beside me livened up and joined me in making  words in one game.  I arrived in Toronto with lots of time before my next flight. There was not a number for my flight at the usual Sault Ste. Marie place and I checked that out and had to go around the corner and farther along to wait. I saw them take good care of Silver as she was loaded. Next to me on the plane was a mother who is a doctor and her baby. We talked quite a bit so the flight went fast. I wasn't tired yet. At the airport, Matthew was waiting with Amara. Dave couldn't be there because he was leading a sing song at Pathways Retirement Home.

We stopped on the way home to pick up pizza that Dave had ordered. As we ate in the living room, I noticed a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of roses with a card from Dave. They were for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. I have never seen prettier roses!!

Treats for Sunday Worship Meeting

All together again except for front rack. She is headed to the bicycle store for new shifters and cables, a new chain and a piece for the back rack.

It is nice to be home again after a wonderful adventure!

Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 Last walk around the lake with Dick and Finish Packing

Today is September 18th and my last day in Europe. It has been a fantastic time. I woke late as did Carla.  I spent most of the morning finishing the packing up of Silver. I managed to get her into the box by looking at photos on my camera to tie her altogether again the same way she was when we arrived. I had a weigh scale borrowed from Carla and kept putting things in until it was just under 70 pounds. Then I taped her shut and this time put arrows to mark which way was up. I went upstairs and filled the suitcase until the weighing tool from Carla showed just under 50 pounds. I brought it downstairs by going backwards and sort of dragging it along. I did not want Dick to move it because of his bad back. I put it ready by the front door. Then my backpack could hold all the heavy items like all the museum pamphlets, bicycle key chains souvenirs, my two cheeses and the stroop waffle packages. It seemed heavy but was not near the 22 pounds allowed. At 12 0'clock I went to Marnix  in the office. He was going to help me with checking in with Air Canada. We had trouble with the luggage cost so I said to leave it until the airport. We did change my seats to aisle seats so I was happy about that.

. 

After lunch, I went with Dick to walk Sepp and Victor around the lake. We talked briefly to this boy who was fishing.

It was not busy today. The water was calm and the sky had nice clouds.

We had a good time and nice chat. I will miss that.

We loaded the vehicle before supper and enjoyed a nice evening together with a nice supper made by Dick followed by a "tootje" dessert, then some TV and Baguerra laying on my lap, a little drink, also many thank you's again for how wonderful Dick and Carla have been for me  and another  conversation about Jesus. At 11pm., I said goodnight and gave hugs and when I got upstairs I Skyped Dave one last time and went to bed.

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 Lia and Corry, Prinjes Dag, Shopping with Carla, Out for supper

I had a lot to do today. I only had two days left to pack my suitcase and my bicycle. I had received a phone call last night from Corry. I had wanted to have another visit with Corry and Lia and wasn't sure how I would fit it in but then when she called last night to say she had some photos for me I was happy to make an arrangement to have her and Lia come over this morning for tea.  I got up early and bicycled to the store to buy some treats for us. I had to walk back with Silver so I wouldn't drop the goodies.

 

 We had a nice visit. Carla made the drinks for us. Corry had lots of photos and they both helped me decipher my mother's dutch handwriting on the backs of the photos.

 We took several photos .

 Carla joined in the conversation also.

These were all the photos that Corry brought.

 Carla brought out this photo of my father's mother and father.

 Lia made the stain glass encasement for Daniel and Mariska's wedding invitation. This is the outside.

 This is the inside of the wedding invitation all encased in glass.

It was another nice visit and it was sad to say goodbye. We finally got Lia on What's App but not Corry yet.

 After lunch, Carla wanted to watch Prinjesdag (Princes Day) festivities on the television before going shopping.

 It is the day that the King goes to Parliament in Den Haag (The Hague) to give the yearly speech from the throne. Usually they have a pure gold carriage but it is being restored (takes 5 years) so this year they have a glass and gold carriage.

 The nice manners of King Willem Alexander with Queen Maxima

 Former Queen Beatrix looking on through a window

 The speech from the throne

 The reason many people call this Hoedjes dag (HAT) day is because all the ladies wear fancy hats.

Crown Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurntien on the balcony

King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima waving to the people from the balcony.

 After watching TV, Carla and I went to Toolenburg mall and shopped in the clothing store. We picked out a blue and white lightweight pullover for Dick as well as a blue front zip fleece jacket for him. Carla decided on a patterned green and black pair of tights and a black pullover sweater to go with it. The only trouble I had was that the store machine wouldn't take my Visa credit card for some reason. Carla used her card and I paid her back. When we went home she nicely wrapped them all while I worked for an hour dismantling  Silver.

Tonight I had offered to take Dick and Carla out for supper. They have made so many nice suppers for me but I thought it would be nice for them not to have to cook for a change. We started with an appetizer plate and a small glass of wine. Dick had new information to tell us about a young boy in Senegal who is having sight problems and how he might look into the matter when he goes there in a few weeks to see Abou and find out how the chicken farm is going. During the conversation I accidentally spilled wine over my clothes which was totally embarrassing.

After the appetizer we each received our pizza. I thanked Dick and Carla for having me stay at their home for so long. I felt very much at home all the time I was with them. I gave them their card and pointed out the Bible verses on the back. Then they opened their gifts of clothes. Finally I gave them the friendship and poem books that I had bought at the church in Edam. It was a very nice evening but I guess we did not need the appetizer because non of us could finish our pizza.

 When we got back home Dick tried on his pullover sweater and it fit perfectly.

 Carla's pants and sweater fit perfectly and Dick thought his sweat jacket was a little big so we decided to change it the next day for a smaller size.

Carla started a load of laundry for me with the wine stained clothes and when she couldn't find Bagerra it was because she was hiding in my laundry bag.


It had been a very good day. I enjoyed the company and the shopping and our supper meal at  the restaurant.

Monday,September 16th, 2019 A Day with Margot

On Monday morning, I went with Carla to the Toolenburg mall but on the way there we stopped along the IJweg at Walter's house to drop off some dishes

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Walter, who is fighting cancer right now, has his house up for sale.

At the mall I went into the cheese store while Carla was in the grocery store.

I also went to look at all the goodies in the bakery.

I thought it was cute to see a Canadian beaver in this fall display. I bought a box of chocolates for Dick and Carla to enjoy.  We spent a few minutes looking at the clothing store where I decided that a clothing purchase from that store would be a nice thank you gift for Dick and Carla. We decided we would come back tomorrow to shop for the clothing. 

Margot picked me up at 2 pm. She had decided to take me to the locks in Ijmuiden. The port of Ijmuiden is the gateway to the Netherlands. On the way we stopped at this ice cream "paleis" to enjoy a cone. 

We could not get to the SHIP museum the way Margot had planned because it was blocked off due to construction so she drove back to where there was a ferry to cross the water.

I got out for a minute to photograph all the students crossing to the other side...

...and Margot's car...

...soon we were approaching the other side to the Pontweg and then the Noordersluisweg.

Industry

We came to the SHIP museum (Sluis Haven Informatie Punt) and could enter for free.

We watched an interesting movie where you feel like you are in a very fast moving boat going through the locks and going toward Amsterdam.

Diagram of the locks

Photo of the locks

Margot tried successfully to operate a lock by changing the water levels to allow a boat to go through.

Well done!

Various diagrams showing the digging out for the lock, and the make-up of the lock door

Before we left, we watched the first movie again because it was so fast the first time. I concentrated this time on the growth and expansion of Amsterdam and the locks as the years went by.

Then we went outside and took photos. Here we see the Hoogovenkanaal.

The closest lock is the Noordersluis.

A big empty ship

The Tata steel plant

A big cruise ship coming through the lock

It was huge and I started waving and then Margot waved also and we were successful in getting passengers to wave back at us. Then we drove on the busy highway to Akerslot and Margot's house.

I met Gijs, Margot's living partner now. Tante Thea was already there and we had a cold drink and visited for a while. Then Gijs made a nice supper for us. Inge and her boyfriend, Bart, also joined us.

With Margot and Gijs

With Margot and Tante Thea

With Inge and Bart

After supper we had dessert of an ice cream bar and then played a game of cards called 51. Bart took this group selfie.

Beginners luck I think because I won the game!

I gave Tante Thea her scarf and  a neck scarf to Margot and Inge. Bart was playing around with it but had the maple leaf upside down.

Now it is better. He looks like he is touching the ceiling.

We finished the evening by looking at photos of Margot's trip to Canada in 1980 with Carola when they were younger. There was this photo of my father.

My father and mother

We all said goodbyes and Margot was kind enough to drive me all the way back to Dick and Carla's house. We hugged goodbye. Thank you Margot for a nice afternoon and evening with you.