"BACK" TO THE FUTURE

[Trip Date: June 23, 2019] 

Disaster strikes in the most unlikely of spots, with consequences that could not be foreseen at the time.  Who'd of thought an instant's mistake would lead to a world of hurt.  I say this with the benefit of hindsight, as I am writing this a full 1 1/2 year after the fact, and unfortunately have observed the effects on Loni's life.

We had a good night's sleep and decent breakfast.  No so elegant as the Staatz, but still very nice.  At 10 we met the family and DaeDae (hereafter DD) to start the ride to Delft where we will stay for two nights.  We took DD's shorter route option (37km) as our rookie bike muscles are protesting from yesterday's start.  All went well until we approached a footbridge that had a sharp 90 degree turn leading into it.  Loni & Meghan decided to walk it rather than risk the maneuver.  That was prudent.  Sadly, in getting off her bike, Loni got tangled and fell hard into a side wall, bending her back awkwardly and hearing a pop! pop! crack, followed by her back muscles seizing.  After a rest, she was ambulatory, but in severe pain in the back and the pubic bone.  The rest of us didn't learn how bad it was until later in the day, because she insisted she could go on, like the trouper she is.  She was going to need a diet of major ibuprofen for the rest of the trip.  This undoubtedly was an exacerbation of her crushed vertebra from her car-vs-pedestrian disaster earlier.  Again, as I write this, she continues to have almost constant pain, has had scans galore and pain specialist treatments with steroid shots, etc.  It is looking like surgery is in the offing, which isn't even possible in this height of the Covid pandemic.  She will soldier on, that's what she does.  

We made it to Delft without further incident, DD said his goodbyes and headed for the train station and, as our rooms weren't ready at the Royal bridges, we walked to the town square for ice cream.  John, Meghan, and the girls piled into a horse drawn carriage for a tour around the town while we were content to sit and watch the people in the square.

After the carriage ride, we checked into the hotel.  This is a very quirky place, and it's pretty clear it was cobbled together from 2 or 3 adjacent buildings without a lot of thought for integration.  The family's room was at the top (garret) level, while we ancients were given a ground (actually, sub-ground) floor one.  It was really a strange, although perfectly adequate, setup.  

On the other side of the wall is the reception desk.  I have no idea what the fireplace is all about or what this room was in an earlier life.  The wall to the right of the fireplace (not shown) has three steps which lead up to the door, which opens directly into the dining room, and immediately adjacent to one of the buffet bars.  I was originally concerned at check-in that this would be too noisy, but it turns out those brick walls and thick door did an excellent job of soundproofing.  Still, it felt a little weird to exit the room and be face-to-face with a stranger with a plate in his hand.  The wall to the left of the fan has a series of windows that are at about kneecap level of the pedestrians on the sidewalk right in front.  Thankfully there were blinds and curtains so we didn't feel we were in a fishbowl.  None of the windows opened, and there were no air ducts at all.  Apparently, the only fresh air it gets is when you open the door.  So, this ranks right up there with the strangest rooms we have occupied.

After Loni got a few winks, courtesy of the pain meds, it was time for dinner.  We decided to just stroll around and see what we encountered.  That turned out to be the De Delft, a canal boat restaurant.  Although an idyllic setting, the food was a little overcooked.  The appetizer tray, however, was a hit, as was the beer.  After a leisurely meal, the kids all went for a walk and we went for an early crash.  For Loni's sake, come on drugs!