8. Europe Bicycle Trip-Tour of the Ijmuiden Harbour

The biggest of the 3 locks

My Ome Frits and Tante Thea came on Day 2, Friday, April 18 to pick us up and take us for a tour. First we went to the Harbour in Ijmuiden, the area where they lived when I last visited The Netherlands in 1978 with Dave and Caroline, who was 4 at the time. We had stayed with them for 5 weeks that summer. It was a  cool, windy morning there today.

My uncle joked that he had ordered this big auto boat from Norway to be there coming out of the lock.

Tante Thea and Ome Frits, Dane and Sarah looking down at me.

TaTa Steel Company

The ferry that goes between Ijmuiden, Netherlands and Newcastle, England

An oil rig

Fort Island-When my grandfather was in the military, he helped defend on this island.

The fisherman's Monument to honour those fishermen that died at sea

A fishing boat coming in for Easter weekend.

7. Europe Bicycle Trip-Cousin Margot's House in Akersloot

Akersloot in North Holland

Margot's house-Ome Frits had a key

Front flower bed

Nice tulips in vases throughout

the house

The kitchen and a computer area

The living room-this photo refuses to turn!

The back yard--I love the cow picture!

After a half hour ride north, Carola and I arrived in Akerslot. We had stopped for gas on the way and I had tried to buy some flowers and found out that the card machines only have numbers on them when my passwords are all in letters . Now I keep a copy of both in my journal. Ome Frits , Tante Thea, Sarah and Dane arrived shortly after.  My cousin, Margot, who has graciously offered to host us, was still at work teaching her Grade 5 class. We had a cup of tea together, and a short walk of Akersloot before saying goodbye to our wonderful welcome group. My uncle had come from Ijmuiden and Carola had come from Rotterdam. Thank you for meeting us and transporting us here.
We brought Sarah's luggage up to the bedroom for us and also saw Dane's nice room with a playpen for sleeping. In the bathroom was also a baby changing area and Margot had also borrowed a car seat from her neighbours. Thank you, Margot for equipping us to care for Dane.
When Margot came home, we said our grateful hellos and she gave us a tour of her place. It is very nice as the pictures show. She has worked hard for our arrival.
We had a cup of tea and exchanged gifts. Most of our gifts are maple syrup based. Margot gave us children's books and music CD to go with them.

Goodbye to Ome Frits, Tante Thea and Carola

Goodbye from Sarah

HELLO to my cousin, Margot, and Zina, her very nice cat.

6. Europe Bicycle Trip--More Problems

It's a good thing that I am also a runner. I had been given Seat 2 at the front of the plane. Upon arriving in Toronto , I put on my backpack and grabbed my computer bag and was the first off the plane. Then I started RUNNING, asking people along the way for directions and looking up at the signs also. Thank you, Lord for answering my prayer for there was Sarah, with Dane coming toward me. Everyone else was boarded unto the plane already and we were the last ones! BUT alas the tickets we had purchased months ago showed our seats together in a side row of three and this was a different bigger airplane and they had completely split us up with Sarah 10 rows ahead and in the middle section of 5 in a children's row. The stewardess wanted us to take our seats so the plane could leave and would help us try to change later. The man next to Sarah was stubborn that he would not be changed even though it meant 2 little children

 near him but thankfully the man next to me offered to go and finally we were together on the side of the plane in 2 seats. Now we were in the air and really on the way! Dane fussed until about 12 o'clock our time and then fell asleep across our two laps. He looked funny with the black face mask over his face. Later, when he moved , Sarah held him. There was only a little turbulence and we arrived at Schiphol Airport almost 50 minutes early. Dane was out cold and we woke him up slowly. We were the last ones to leave the plane and what a messy looking plane it was. I wouldn't want the job of cleaning it. Now onward to the baggage area but first a short washroom stop to freshen up and change Dane. Well of course--NO luggage or bicycle for me so there was a LONG wait to double check and fill out appropriate forms. We thought our relatives would leave thinking that we were not there! Sarah finally went with her luggage and pushing Dane and met Ome Frits and Tante Thea and my cousin Carola who had her van for the bicycle. Then I followed later. There was a nice round of hugs and kisses and explanations. Walking past the airport I AMSTERDAM sign made us feel -yes we qare in the Netherlands now.

5. Europe Bicycle Trip--OH NO !!!!!

I am quite a bit behind as I have been so busy.Today is Wed. April 23.but I want to tell about Wed. April 16th.

The MIX-UP !!

Emily brought Dave and I  to the airport with her new truck loaded in the back with the bicycle box and the suitcase. As we pulled everything in and started to go to the counter, we saw people heading out of the building toward a plane. No one was left at the check in counter. What is going on.We are here 1and 1/2 hours early for my 8:55 flight out. At first we thought it was an earlier plane but upon examining the board, we found out the flight number leaving was mine. How could that be????? In desperation, we started asking questions to a friend of Dave that works in the X ray area. Yes, that should have been my flight and they had been calling my name and even delayed a little. I showed my ticket which clearly said 8:55 but this plane was to leave at 7:55 and no one else could get on. I could not believe that this was happening after all these months of preparation. The travel agency had not called me to tell of any change and I had talked to Air Canada about a week before (after being on hold for 45 minutes) about my bicycle and they would have looked at the ticket and did not say anything. (Even today-a week later I don't know if the travel agency typed an 8 instead of a 7 or if there was a change and they did not let me know. All I know is that I will NEVER use a travel agency again!!)
A very nice lady then came to the desk to help us out. I was near tears and it was good that Dave and Emily were there to calm me down! I would be able to catch the next plane but it would be a very close call in Toronto to make the KLM flight. I would have to run and Sarah, coming from Ottawa would have to try to delay the plane. We would see what would have. All is in the hands of the Lord!
Final goodbyes to Emily and Dave and off I went.

4. Europe Bicycle Trip-Last Of The Many Goodbyes

I have never said goodbye to so many people. I am blessed to have so many friends.All of you have my card and can keep track of the trip on this blog. Welcome and enjoy.

3. Europe Bicycle Trip- April 16th, 2014

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

The day is HERE! The hour is NOW! After I type this blog , it will be time to load Emily's truck and head for the airport. I have been waiting for this day since September when I purchased my ticket.

All the bags are packed, the house is clean (the way I would like it when I return), the laundry is all done, three meals are made ahead for Dave, and I have given my travel card and said goodbye to all my friends at worship meeting, Bible study, at the YMCA --fitness center, spin class, pickleball, snorkeling class and swimming--, and book club, and hiking, skiing and snowshoe friends and neighbours.

My thank you to Mary Jane Clark and her father Don for making my travel cards  with Dutch Bible verses on the front and my motto, address and blog on the back.

Thank you to my children, especially Sarah , who is coming with me with little Dane, for keeping me calm and helping with all the planning.

Thank you to Velorution for providing a bicycle box and protective pieces for Silver.

Thank you to Emily for the ride to the airport.

Thank you to Dave for letting me still go on these adventures even though he does not desire to do so anymore.

My prayer is that my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ will lead me to my  loving Dutch family, and then on to every person and place that He directs and in His way and time and in safety.

2. Europe Bicycle Trip---Preparations and Plans

April,13,2014

   Well spring is finally trying to come on the scene. The last week has seen a lot of melting. Our back and front yards are still all covered but the roof of the house is now clear. Hooray. I have 3 days to go before I leave for the Netherlands so I have summer waxed all my skis and they are hanging up. I have done the summer-winter boot turnover as they are all stored away in boxes. I have even been out for one mountain bicycle ride outside which I really enjoyed. The spin classes all winter have made my legs very strong. Silver is partially apart and all tucked into her traveling box. The middle bed upstairs is starting to show again as my suitcase gets packed. It is full and up to the maximum weight so the rest of the items will be in my back pack carry on.
  Sarah , in Gatineau, is packing for herself and little Dane who celebrated his first birthday on April 10th. They will be gone for 10 days so Sarah has been very busy cooking meals and lining up sitters for Tryne and Soren.
    In the Netherlands , my cousin, Margot has her house all ready for our stay. She has borrowed baby equipment for Dane and has researched about tickets and schedules. She has made an agenda for the days that we will be in Akerslot at her house. My Ome Frits and Tante Betty and my cousin, Carola will meet us at the airport and help with our baggage. Margot will show us Amsterdam. My other Ome Jan and Tante Betty will also tour with us when we go to Rotterdam with Carola and I will spend a week hiking and cycling with them.
    I have also emailed a few European missionaries from our missionary prayer handbook and depending on their replies, I will try to visit with them along my journey.
    We are looking forward to our adventure. I will be staying for 3 months and will try to keep up this blog at least once a week or whenever I can get internet access.
Please feel free to pray for us or leave a comment
 or encouragement.