Tag: South Holland

Hiking the Floris V Pad- Haastrecht to Schoonhoven

The Cedar Journal May 3, 2021

I had planned to hike Friday but a storm blew in and pushed my plans to Saturday.

I once again had the Hubby be my transportation to and from locations. Due to another mid day appointment we started our day at 05:30. It must be a passion to get up at that hour during retirement!

It was a cool morning at 3.5 C or 38 F. I layered in my wool garments and was even to the point of being over warm by the end of my 9 km hike.

The first thing that greeted me on the trail was the songs of thousands of birds coming from the Nature Sanctuary.

Haastrecht Nature Sanctuary on 1 May 2021

I saw this seriously serious birder but he wasn’t alone as I passed several with large lens at the start of the trailhead.

A birder with sound recording equipment.

The first part of the trail was hard packed dirt that was on top of an old dike. Off to the left with a good 20 foot drop in elevation was flat green farmland, to my right the bird sanctuary. Birds kept flying overhead either leaving the protected area for the fields or returning. Each take off and landing was filled with a chorus of bird noises.

While I was hiking the Hubby tried his hand again at photographing the birds with his small lens. Here are some of his shots from his morning.

A Reed bird that waited just long enough for the Hubby to capture it’s image.

These are only a very small sample of the number of birds that were nesting in the area.

This easily could have been one of the swans I saw from the trail. This one was captured heading towards a landing spot.

After about a kilometer I hit a turn where the trail headed more South towards my destination of Schoonhoven. The rest of the hike was a hardtop access road for large farms that lined the river.

One of the large farms along the river front and opposite side of the river.

There was plenty to see in this farm country. Lambs, poultry, milk cows and beautifully groomed gardens. The sounds of chug, chug, swish,… coming from the dairy farms brought back memories from my farm life childhood. The hard work that never ends. Did the Dutch kids working this morning have big dreams of escaping to another country, or profession? I wondered as I continued hiking onward.

I passed a small family run park with an invitation to sit. I did just long enough to get a good swig of water. Making a note that this was a really cool area created by these people.

One of the stumps that was aged at 2000 to 2500 years old. That was an old tree!

This park was filled with handmade benches of all sorts and beautiful blooming apple trees, but the view of the river was breathtaking.

I didn’t have much time to get back on the trail. I kept watching the traffic on the other side of the river to see when the “pace/chase/support”Hubby vehicle would pass by. Soon I saw him and he asked how I was doing.

Now the pressure was on to get moving and stop taking so many picture stops.

How could I not stop to take this picture?

One last place before Schoonhoven caught my eye and I had to stop.

Farm fresh milk is available from this self serve machine! Awesome idea!!!

As I entered Schoonhoven I once again encountered the trail sign issue that seems common in larger towns. Not very clear what direction I should go with several trails, numbers, and directions placed on poles and mostly no indication which trail is the Floris V Pad direction.

I stopped, looked at my map, consulted my cell phone map, and at one point after going with the sign posted on a pole, got that gut feeling that I was walking in the wrong direction. Stopped again, checked again, back tracked and went the most logical way through town. That took me through the city park that was part of the old fort style city defense. These are easy to pick out on satellite photos as they look like large stars with a canal of water that separates it from the rest of the landscape.

While leaving the park I saw a group of women having an outdoor fitness class. I surprised them by stopping, dropping (with backpack still on my back) and entertaining them with four pushups. I laughed and mentioned I could do more if I hadn’t had already hiked 8kms. They all laughed and I am sure they had something to share the rest of the day of how some old American lady, fitness bombed them.😂😂

Looking towards the Schoonhoven town center from the fortress defense (now a park).

I was soon after at my end point, the Schoonhoven ferry boat.

The ferry boat just getting to Schoonhoven.

My hike of 9 km was complete. I went off to locate the Hubby, who was parked at a nearby parking lot.

Some of the views from my route.

The Common Birds of Haastrecht

The Cedar Journal April 19, 2021

Last week Friday I hiked a short section of the Floris V Pad (read that blog here), while I was busy hiking the Hubby found he had parked next to a Nature Sanctuary filled with all sorts of birds. This is a photographic selection of his adventure.

First, I think this was the most entertaining of his adventure.

Under attack!

He was asked several times by actual birders if he was finding anything special. I had to laugh, he is only an amateur, as he told them he was only capturing normal or common birds.
Here are some of those “common birds”.

Not sure of this ID but closest I could come was a Tureluur, *Tringa totanus*

Ahhh… much easier for this Minnesotan to ID! Canadian Geese, Canadese gans, *Branta canadensis*

This subspecies was very common at this location.

That adventure file is now empty. We are off on another adventure today. Product testing a new Kelty tent overnight at a local campground.

Until next time, travel safe and be adventurous.

Netherlands Hiking

Floris V Pad Hike: Oudewater to Haastrecht

The Cedar Journal April 17, 2021

I started hiking the Floris V Pad in 2017 on a cold, windy day. I trekked first across the landscape to my start point in Weesp on public transport. You can read about my start to this hiking self challenge, Floris V Pad Weesp .

My Totals for the Floris V Pad including this hike:

Oudewater to Haastrecht – 8 kms
Total hiked Floris V Pad to date – 75.8 kms
Total distance for Floris V Pad 244 km from Amsterdam to Bergen op Zoom
Total distance to accomplish – 100 km (153 km per sign at end of this blog… ?!)

This week, that trip across the countryside was made easier with the Hubby as chauffeur and personal hiking support team. Details of all he was required to accomplish was kept from him as a surprise so that it would encourage his help. He dropped me off 80 meters from my start point in Oudewater.

The last time I was in Oudewater was in August 2019. I then had just completed my last section of this hike on the Floris V before COVID came along and placed my 2020 hiking plans to finish Floris V Pad on temporary hold.

My drop off point in Oudewater this morning.

As I started on my trek through the quiet streets of Oudewater I instantly found a photo opportunity for my “Hummm file”. This is always a good sign for an interesting hike. My readers will have to wait for another Hummm… blog post for that great reveal.

Nicely groomed trail leading out of Oudewater.

The first section of this trail took me along the Hollandsche IJssel River. This small but well maintained hiking path was quiet and picturesque of the Green Heart of Holland landscape. Large old farms lined the river mixed with new homes on large parcels of land. Gardens of all sorts gave me a view into these private areas along the trail.

One of the interesting homes along the route

Not far outside of Oudewater I came along my first person of the day out walking his dog. He almost passed by with no more than a normal greeting until I guess he saw I was a hiker. Then he made the statement it was a beautiful day for a hike! I turned and had a very nice conversation with “Gert” who has lived in Oudewater his entire life and also enjoys hiking. It was nice to have such a welcoming conversation with him and gave me a good feeling about this section of the country. He was not the last person on this section of the trek to engage in conversation with me.

A barge making his way towards Oudewater.

I got into my hiking rhythm and was pinged. The Hubby was at the endpoint. I got the feeling I needed to hike faster. But, I didn’t, as I knew he would go for a bike ride instead of just waiting for me to finish.

As I walked, the sun warmed me as I was so very thankful for having this moment of solitude hiking. I have missed my outdoor activities so much during the last year and this hike felt normal and refreshing.

An interesting camping location I hiked through.

As I got closer to my crossing point over the river, houses started getting closer together. Still farming country, but smaller tracks of land. At one point I came to a camping area where several campers were already preparing for a day of activity in the beautiful weather.

As I approached the bridge, I saw other hikers sitting enjoying a cup of coffee next to the river. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

As I crossed the bridge I felt like I was being followed. When I turned around no one was there and I laughed at my sixth sense failure. Crossed the busy street and continued on my hike. But, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being followed and once again turned and saw a lady walking her dog behind me.

“Nothing unusual there!” I thought to myself.

As I got to what I thought was my turn in the trail I looked for the marker and as usual it was as clear as mud. This is where a good look at the map helped. Now, the lady who was walking her dog caught up with me and asked if I was hiking the Floris V Pad. I am sure shock registered on my face as this was the first person in all my hikes that seemed to know it existed. I confirmed that I was and we had a very nice conversation to my next turn off point. Her and one of her friends have completed several sections of the Floris V Pad as well and it was nice to converse with a kindred soul about the trail.

My turn onto the last part of the hike. A dirt road.

This last section of the hike took me through flat farm fields. Flocks of sheep dotted the pastures and all sorts of birds were singing Spring songs.

There were also more hikers and an occasional runner along this stretch of trail. I got a text message that the Hubby was just up ahead and I was heading towards a bird sanctuary. He was busy capturing bird pictures.

So I captured my own. Some friendly swans.

I was able to ask one of the hiking couples to take a picture of me. So much nicer than a selfie. Thank you for the kindness of fellow hikers.

Not much further I saw a man with a camera pointed at me.

On the final approach with some guy pointing a camera at me!

“Hey! I know that guy!” The Hubby was heading towards me.

Finished for this day! Only 153 KM to go!

Ahhh… a birder… yup, this will be in another blog.

We hiked together to the nature sanctuary and then on to the car where we had a nice camp lunch.

The Hubby walking towards the car at the Nature Sanctuary.

We have more planned adventures for the coming weeks.

Are you planning some adventures?

We would love to hear about them in the comment section below.

Travel safe everyone!

Liberation Day 2020

The Cedar Journal May 5, 2020

75 years ago today the Dutch citizens danced in the streets to welcome the Allied Forces, their liberators after more than four years under Nazi rule.

Each year flags are hung to remember that day and to celebrate freedom. This year the national day off was, well less than normal.

We took the opportunity to head out on our first canoe ride of the year. We both needed to be on the water, to flex our canoe muscles, to free ourselves of the four walls of the house. I am usually on the water for weeks by May. Either in Minnesota or here but the last two years have presented some challenges. This year I am guessing most of my readers can relate to the cabin fever syndrome.

He travelled to Hillegom, NL to a place we have paddled before in the Spring. The canals lead through the tulip fields and usually are filled with color and scents of blooms.

The Bulb Canoe Route starting in Hillegom, NL

This was the first time we have had to place Cedar on our new (to us) VW Caddy. We were worried about how we would lift her to the much higher roof of this van. In fact we talked about it most of the winter, tried to watch videos of people who lift canoes onto higher profiles vehicles (no luck on that!), and finally came up with a system that seemed to work for us.

We love the fact that the VW Caddy has so much more room for our gear.

A step I have to use to reach the tie straps.

cedar strip canoe

The Netherlands- Memorial Day

The Cedar Journal May 4, 2020

I admire how the Dutch honor this day. As a veteran who has seen the worse of the world I know that the Dutch realize it isn’t a day of celebration it is a day of remembrance of all the costs of war. Not only for soldiers who fight these conflicts for their governments but for the souls of millions of civilians who suffer and pay the cost of conflict.

I stood for awhile to remember those two crew members who never made it home.

This morning the Hubby and I made our early morning drive to a local US Air Force crash site to lay flowers in remembrance of the sacrifices they made to freedom. Not only for themselves but to the all European Nations that waged war against the Nazi’s of World War Two.

Millions of lives were struck down before they could really experience life. Young children taken to prisoners camps and killed, pilots and gunners of allied flight crews that flew countless missions (over 6000 flights crashed over Dutch soil). The many families that were separated and never seen or heard from again to those who returned to the home soil changed forever.

For years I have placed flowers at this site. Riding my bike each Memorial Day to remember.

Today, the Dutch will pause for 2 minutes of silence nation wide. To remember all that was lost, gained, and to never forget!

This time the Hubby joined me as he isn’t working due to the current international crisis. His first visit to the site.

We didn’t forget the crew of the bomber Jayhawk. Please visit the site dedicated to their Air squadron. Then remember we are here due to all the sacrifices of those who came before us. Honor them today and always.

The floral arrangement made by my local florist who incorporated flowers that symbolized the scarifices of the Dutch and Americans. This part of The Netherlands was liberated by the Canadian forces in 1945 but it took countless missions by the RAF and USAF air crews to soften the Nazi forces before Liberation Day. 5 May 1945.

The Jayhawk Memorial in Sassenheim, The Netherlands.

Stay safe, stay humble, and stay healthy. Love always!