Today’s challenge – visit the Japanese Garden in Clingendael, Boursot Wine in Ardres and catch our booked Eurotunnel crossing.
It’s a relief to leave a hot hotel room. Regardless of the fan, it was an uncomfortable night and we will be writing a letter of complaint to James Dyson.
Last night we packed and were ready for an early start, only to find we couldn’t get in the carpark to retrieve our car. After trying all entrances, a trip back to the hotel was required and we were informed the access code had changed. Armed with a post it note containing a selection of options – they weren’t quite sure what the new code was – we recovered the car and were on our way.
Before we leave Leiden behind us, the Bee Totem for RefuBees is worth a mention. It’s just around the corner from our hotel and part of a project created by intervention artist Hans Kalliwoda. The totem is a work of art creating an ecosystem for wild bees in the city. Locals feed the central wormery with green waste and the worms feed the soil and plants which provide food and a home for the bees.
Our route to the Clingendael park took us past the Louwman Museum which holds the worlds oldest collection of private cars. We’d been talking about whether this part of Holland was worth a return visit and, unsurprisingly, the answer is yes.
We were so organised and early that we had to wait for the Japanese Garden to open. It’s well worth the visit, it is the most tranquil place despite a group of noisy schoolchildren. They all arrived by bike, chattering away before being shepherded around by a solitary teacher. It feels a world away from home.
Can you see which Acer is been controlled to ensure it has the correct form for the space?
Next stop Le Shuttle via Ardres to pick up some wine. It was a long, hot drive, we arrived early for our crossing and hit rush hour on the M20 and M25. Fours hours later we were home. In fact, you can travel from Le Shuttle all the way to Leiden in the same time and we know which we’d rather have done.
A final word of wisdom: If you are taking a self opinionated, keyless entry car on Eurotunnel, do not let your husband wander off with the key. The car will panic, alarms will sound and embarrassment will ensue.
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