Woke up and packed our bags in preparation for leaving for the barge. Met Richie and Bobi Steingart in our lobby and we started out for a breakfast. Typical Amsterdam breakfast - pricey and not so good
After breakfast, we walked towards Hotel a (which was very near where our canal tour was to begin). This was where Redikers' and several other couples were staying in Amsterdam. Of course, there was a driving rain! Pretty wet when we got to the hotel. Boarded and pretty much stayed inside as it was raining and cold.
On the canal tour boat. Rained the entire time.
The Anne Frank Museum from our canal tour boat.
We spent about 2 hours motoring around the Amsterdam canals and were dropped off ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER from our barge for the week (The Manifique). Little did I realize this would be a theme for the day.
This is a publicity image from the Magnifique's website. Image was taken before the boat was renovated and 5 additional cabins were added.
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Crossed this bridge to get to our boat.
On the bridge. Magnifique in background
Again, publicity image from the website.
Stowed our gear in our room (#10) for the week.
My bed. Took this the last day before we left the boat. Reality! Stuff strewn about.
Both beds. Small but we slept fine each night after all of the riding!
Porthole in our bathroom. Etched glass (you could see out through the lettering.
We were given a introduction speech about what to expect during our week and were to meet around 4:00 for our first bike ride. Seemed late to me but it didn't get dark until around 10:00 at night. We were quite a bit north of Chicago. 10 degrees north - about the same as Newfoundland in Canada.
Boat skipper (and owner) Walter
Bike guide Tom. First of many stories!
Everyone got fitted for their bike (which we would use for the week) and we were off. I was bike #3 and Connie bike #28.
Bikes at the ready. Were we?
Well, we'll see.....
Soon after we were riding into a stiff headwind AND a pretty driving rain. Even given that the ride was beautiful on little country lanes through quaint little villages. Saw quite a few functioning
windmills. Big ones! Rain stopped and skies got blue.
First windmill!
David Morse and David Tivoli - still in fine spirits!
Beautiful home along the path on outskirts of Breukelyn.
Made it to Breukelyn.
Right after here Peter and I stopped to chat up a local on a boat. Mistake.
Harvey and Peter from the boat!
The lost boys' return! Eventually......
View of dining area from website
Dinner was served just after we rejoined the boat - delicious soup, lasagna and a raspberry sorbet. Nice meal. We're getting the information about tomorrow's ride just now by our bike guide Tom. Supposed to be raining quite a bit tomorrow with a stiff headwind! 32 miles. Nice.
On the canal tour boat. Rained the entire time.
The Anne Frank Museum from our canal tour boat.
We spent about 2 hours motoring around the Amsterdam canals and were dropped off ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER from our barge for the week (The Manifique). Little did I realize this would be a theme for the day.
This is a publicity image from the Magnifique's website. Image was taken before the boat was renovated and 5 additional cabins were added.
.
First sighting of The Magnifique
Crossed this bridge to get to our boat.
On the bridge. Magnifique in background
Again, publicity image from the website.
Stowed our gear in our room (#10) for the week.
My bed. Took this the last day before we left the boat. Reality! Stuff strewn about.
Both beds. Small but we slept fine each night after all of the riding!
Porthole in our bathroom. Etched glass (you could see out through the lettering.
We were given a introduction speech about what to expect during our week and were to meet around 4:00 for our first bike ride. Seemed late to me but it didn't get dark until around 10:00 at night. We were quite a bit north of Chicago. 10 degrees north - about the same as Newfoundland in Canada.
Boat skipper (and owner) Walter
Bike guide Tom. First of many stories!
Everyone got fitted for their bike (which we would use for the week) and we were off. I was bike #3 and Connie bike #28.
Bikes at the ready. Were we?
Well, we'll see.....
Soon after we were riding into a stiff headwind AND a pretty driving rain. Even given that the ride was beautiful on little country lanes through quaint little villages. Saw quite a few functioning
windmills. Big ones! Rain stopped and skies got blue.
First windmill!
David Morse and David Tivoli - still in fine spirits!
Beautiful countryside!
Made it to Breukelyn.
Right after here Peter and I stopped to chat up a local on a boat. Mistake.
Harvey and Peter from the boat!
The lost boys' return! Eventually......
We were only supposed to ride for a couple of hours (2 hours) for about 18 kilometers (12 miles). We eventually arrived in Brukelen (the town that Brooklyn, NY) was named after and were told we had another 5 to 7 minutes to go to re-board the barge. Peter Shapland and I stopped for a few minutes to talk to a fine fellow who was waitting in a 60 year old boat in the canal. Beautiful boat! We then headed after our group only to have somehow become separated. We went towards the river for quite a while and then headed the wrong way! We doubled back and saw the barge in motion heading our way! Nobody had realized that 2 of us were not on the boat! Since we were on the wrong side of the river we had to ride an additional 5 miles to where we could cross the river at a bridge and rejoin the boat. So much for no child left behind! OUR ride became 3 hours and 18 miles. Just a bit more efforting to arrive at our berth for the night Vianen!
View of dining area from website
Above is another image of a dinner table from the website.
Bar area from website
Finished out the night with a "walk" to Vianen for the fresh air. Of course it POURED 2 minutes into the walk. Perfect. Back to the boat like a drowned rat. Good night, John Boy.
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