A rainy, overcast rest day

Bageera-I thought she was lost last night after checking  the foliage filled back yard several times. I finally found her locked in Dick's office  which is a detached separate building. His hired worker must not have noticed her when he locked up. I breathed a sigh of relief because I don't want anything to happen on my watch.

 Last night I just couldn't get to sleep. It was 2 o'clock  and my brain just wouldn't settle down. I finally slept a little and got up at 8 to walk Sepp. Then I had breakfast and walked down to the local store area to buy some toilet paper because I cannot find where Carla keeps it. I also got some cheese, raisin buns, almond cookies and protein drinks and a gift for Wil. I noticed that everyone buys flowers and cheese. These booths had lineups.  

After another walk with Sepp, O had lunch, and researched  the bike ride from Calais to Paris. I tried to have a nap after but didn't fall asleep. 

I walked Sepp several times more. I met a nice man with 5 children and talked about triathlons, running  and his upcoming trip to Spain. I was disappointed with myself because I had decided to not bring my wallet with my cards or my phone which was charging . So I have no photo or anything to give to him. 

The rest of the evening was spent on Facebook, the blog and organizing my little journal.

I am an expert animal sitter

 Thursday, July 20. I fell sound asleep last night but woke up in the middle of the night wide awake. But I fell asleep again and Dick woke me up at 9:30.  I rushed to get dressed and go downstairs to say goodbye because they are leaving for Belgium for the big music concert called Tomorrowland. I am taking care of Sept, the dog, and  Begeera and Baloo the cats. I took Sept for his walk and had a quick lunch and headed out to find the phone store Dick told me about. His simple directions got me lost anyway and I had to stop and ask lots of oeople for help. I finally made it in a light rain but found nothing in the stores there so then with help I cycled to the centrum. I stopped at one bicycle place to get my handlebar tightened because it kept slipping with the weight of the bag. Then I got the phone card at Vodafone and camping fuel at Bever. When I came home I did some Warmshowers requests, Facebook and Blog work and walked Sept several times. I warmed pizza for supper and had a short rest. I am waiting for the cats to come in so I can go to bed.

Arrival at Schiphol and Dick and Carla's house

 It was so comforting to see Dic's face through the glass at Schiphol. I found my suitcase immediately after and was blrssed at the oversize luggage to have a man there to help put it on the cart. Then in my hurry to get out I mistakenly went past a NO ENTRY sign and pressed a button that I thought was an elevator.  An alarm went off and I had to wait until a security person cleared me before I could leave. At the exit of the secure area I had to ask 2 young boys to carry the box through because  it was too narrow. Finally I met Dick eith a BIG hug and we stood the bike upright  and peered past the side  and made it to his car. He paid about 8 euro for the parking and we drove the short way home and met Carla who was very busy with the 2 new grandchildren, Riley and Fayen. Later I met the other grandparents who took the children for the weekend because everyone is going to Belgium for the Tomorrowland concert. I stayed up all day and put Silver together and tslked about Dick and Carla's personal missionary work in Senegal and Gambia. 

Flying day

 The Sault Ste. Marie airport has a new scanner but since it is so narrow the bicycle box could not fit. To my horror the security guard had to cut it open to examine the contents. She removed practically everything except the bike.  I was so upset because I had spent 2 days packing it well. My face was beet red for a long time. The plane ride was beautiful and clear . In Toronto I made friends with Meagan who is going to tour 4 European capitals. I had a two hour delay to get another plane but didn't complain when I saw that I had 2 empty seats beside me to stretch out on to sleep.

Goodbyes

 

All packed and ready to GO

 

Final preparations

Three more days before I leave. Silver is in her box although her new shifters made it more difficult to fit her in. My suitcase is packed. Both the box and suitcase weigh lighter than the last trip.

I received nice cards from Tryne, Soren, Dane and Olin and Sarah. It was nice that I saw them all a couple of weeks ago. 

Emily and Matthew took Dave and I out for a goodbye meal.