The small town of Hillegom is the epicenter of the bulb growing region (at least I think so). Located close to the Keukenhof and surrounded by bulb production fields it is a town that has a old world soulful feel. I had investigated kayak launch points a couple of weeks ago when the weather was, for one day, beautiful and warm. (read A Taxing Week)
The weather since has been snow, then bitter cold, then back to the normal rain and wind. I was about to give up on ever getting the kayak into the water.
Yesterday, the magic weather finally happened. The clear blue sky, very little wind and the temperature hitting 52F (11C) by late afternoon. A quick text message to the hubby and it was arranged that after work we would head out to slip my kayak into the water for a short paddle through Hillegom.
Start and End points in Hillegom with route in red arrows.
The launch site was listed on kanoroute.nl and after looking at several other launch sites around Hillegom I found this was the best site to launch a kayak.
Getting ready to launch
double checking my gear
The launch had easy access to the water from the parking lot and was low enough to the water that it was easy to get into the kayak.
I planned this to be a short paddle. 2km to a take out in the middle of Hillegom.
The first part of the paddle took me past a football field (soccer) and then a small park.
Under the bridge at the start point Hillegom.
I paddled and saw ducks everywhere. The ducks are a bit crazy nervous this time of year as they are getting ready to nest. I was invading a bit on their waterway.
As I paddled, I was thinking how great it was being on the water again. A bit of a breeze brought the strong smell of hyacinths blooming just up and out of my view in the fields I was passing.
I paddled next to a bike path that I have taken many times that goes between the bulb fields. I was now experiencing the same area from my kayak. The bike path stops at a main street but from the water I headed straight into the Hillegom town center.
Paddling into Hillegom
My hubby was waiting at one of the oldest bridges in Hillegom (1724) to take a couple of pictures as I went past.
Paddling into Hillegom
Paddling through Hillegom
Heading towards the take out in Hillegom
This was a perfect first paddle of the season. A special thanks to my hubby for all the pictures he took of my paddle. Next time we are taking the canoe on this stretch of water.
Where is your first paddle of the season?
Perfect ending to my first day of the season kayaking. Tulips from the pluktuin in my office.
This was my first, personal tour of the canals of the Netherlands! How freeing it must have felt to be on the water again. I imagine your senses being awakened and mind being energized. The tulip bouquet at the close was also beautiful!
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It was amazing to be back on the water. Glad you came along for the ride and enjoyed it from distant MN.
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What a surprise for you when Spring finally did show up and gave you a chance to try out your kayak for the first time this year! Now that the ‘ice has been broken’, you will want to repeat the adventure. Looking forward to the next adventure. Peter
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I was so happy that I was granted one day. We are back to wind, rain, and forecast is for snow again over the weekend! This year has been a crazy weather pattern here. Best wishes for your Spring in Canada.
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Yes, spring is in the air!! But not today unfortunatly. Love to see the corcusses poking their heads above the earth. Little brave flowers. Hope to be in a kayak soon.
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As I am reading your comment I am looking at snow falling again here close to the ocean! The poor flowers that have poked out of the ground… Can’t wait to see some of your new adventures. We are adding another boat to our collection tomorrow. Our back garden is looking like a harbor. LOL
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Always exiting to buy a new boat! A cedar kayak perhaps?
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No, I wish… there have been a couple of those listed on Marktplaats but I would have to have a shed to work on them to get them water ready. It is a kayak for the hubby…more on that to follow soon.
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Thanks for the Duck pictures! Always looking in your pictures for the feathered finds – not very knowledgeable on NL birds so always cool to see the different varieties. For the record it is sleeting here in the heartland ha!
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Sorry they were not better. I was having a hard time paddling and managing the camera at the same time. Went online yesterday and ordered a Scotty gear to mount on my kayaks to help manage the issue. The duck with the redhead was interesting. I looked on my Dutch water bird sheet and couldn’t identify. 😦
Don’t feel bad about your weather as ours turned back to snow today. 😦
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