FONDUE, ANYONE?

 [Trip Date: June 25, 2019]

Today we ride from Delft to Gouda, about 41 km.  That's not too long, but it's 94 degrees outside!  We'll be melted by the time we get there.  This, however, would prove to be the most scenic day of our bike rides.  We took off about 9:45 after breakfasting just outside our room.  Yup, that's the door to our room.  Ta, Royal Bridges, you were quirky but just fine.

Our ride today took us through rural countryside along pathways everywhere.  I don't recall more than a couple of stretches where we shared with motor vehicles.

At one point, construction dictated that we had to take an unpaved road where the surface was littered with enough rocks and granite bits that DD suggested we get off and walk our bikes to avoid someone going down.  Eventually, we reached a canal with a line of windmills!

By following the path we ended up close to one for a family portrait.  That's my inside-out hat in my hand.

The moms.  The panniers were supplied by the company and were nicely waterproof.  Luckily, we didn't need that feature our whole trip.  Nothing but sun!
 

 

After some sandwiches for lunch, we took off again with about 25km to go.  The heat started getting brutal.  At one point, Addie looked like she was starting to doze off and we were concerned that she might be getting some heat stroke.  Found a shady place to stop and poured water over her head to cool her down and that seemed to do the trick.  We made sure both girls drank extra water, and we tanked up as well.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, altho there was much pondering which way to go by DD.  One option for these trips is to go it alone, without a guide, using maps and a GPS to steer you.  Believe me, we were thankful to have DD.  We never would have figured out the route without him.

Upon arrival at Gouda, we checked into the Best Western City Center Hotel.  Wow!  The rooms were huge.  Ours was a suite, with large sitting area, bed area, and giant spa-bath area.  I was pretty close to heatstroke myself, and didn't bother to unpack before shucking my clothes and making for the shower.  Ahhhhhhh.  The room-sized shower is behind the wall with the hair dryer.

 

After recovering, flat out on the bed, we went down to join the family for a stroll into the town, which is quite beautiful. There are churches galore (left, below) and of course there's a town hall on the main square (right).  We had a nice dinner on the square.  We split a goat-cheese and apricot salad and a nice cod fillet, then took a stroll around the area.
 

 

A nice spot to relax before heading back to the hotel.  These smaller cities in Holland really are peaceful and beautiful.