28 degrees forecast today so it seemed a good idea to go cycling, we plotted a leisurely 30km route to Reolofarendsveen overlooking Brassemermeer, a large lake mainly used for water sports. Also home to the oldest ice sailing club in the world.
It’s been such a peaceful ride, through pretty suburbs, alongside waterways and past fields. There has been the odd detour when the Fietsknoop app hasn’t recognised a diversion or we have not been paying attention to signs.
It wasn’t long before we were on the outskirts of Leiden, cycling though a small estate of reed clad houses. According to one of the house owners this was nothing to do with insulation or energy efficiency, simply a design choice by the architect
We arrived in Reolofarendsveen in time for elevenses. Watching boats negotiating the lock, we fortified ourselves with tea and cake and plotted a longer route back. Obviously a sugar high took hold of us, we had cycled 15km and felt we’d barely got started .
The route took us on a ferry and past more fantastic houses before coming across a Jeu de Boule club at Rijnsaterwoude. We’d only stopped to fill our water bottle and were drawn in by shady benches to sit and eat our lunch. Today was ‘family day’ and club members were playing against a variety of family members. It was a lovely atmosphere and we’d still there if it wasn’t for the remaining 25 km of our route.
Our last stop, before Leiden, was in a bar overlooking the Widje Aa at Hoogmade and there was so much activity. Boats sailing past every few seconds and the road bridge lifting to let larger ones through. It surprising how long one beer can last when you’re reluctant to sit on a saddle. Padded pants were in the car in Leiden rather than, sensibly, on bottoms!
We arrived back hot and tired, but it’s been an adventure. Our highlight of the day? We now have a fan in our non air-conditioned bedroom and temperatures may be cool enough for us to sleep.
braysabroad 