Mierlo

This week finds us in Mierlo, a small town east of Eindhoven. After the last few hectic weeks we have decided to chill out a bit and the improvement in the weather has made that decision all the more easier. Temperatures have soared to 18' C with clear blue skies. Sun hats, sun cream and shades - what more could we ask for and it's only April. Still gets a bit chilly when the sun goes down but hey - we are not complaining. The gazebo has had an airing and is a nice retreat in the heat of the midday sun. This week has also seen us eating outside for the first time and we hope there will be many more opportunities to do so.

The site we are on is very family orientated but has lots to offer to both young and old. It is situated close to a Nature Reserve which offers cycling, walking and has a trim trail. I reckon Harry has plans to get me fit on this trip! We have done more walking than cycling this week which has the advantage of spotting more of the wildlife. We have seen 3 red squirrels and some deer at close quarters. There are ducks everywhere (mostly Mallard) pairing up for the breeding season  and it's quite comical to watch Mrs Duck being pursued by 5 or 6 suitors unrelentlessly.

One day we took ourselves off to Geldrop a nearby town to see what it had to offer. Harry told me there was a castle there and would be worth a visit. It wasn't a castle as such, more of a mansion house surrounded by a moat set in some lovely gardens. It was a very tranquil setting and very enjoyable to wander about the grounds.  Of course with all that walking we had to seek out some reefreshment and so into the town square where we sat (as you do) glass in hand watching the world go by.                                                                                                

Back at the camp site life is very leisurely, as I said earlier there are some very good facilities including an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor natural lake with a man made beach, tennis courts, volley ball, basketball, football pitch, table tennis, boules, numerous swings and trampolines etc and to cap it all a resident rabbit called Koos who does his rounds in the mornings to get all the kids going. He's there at the Disco, runs the kids club and basically it's what this place is all about - you can even have your photograph taken with him but Harry declined. There is also a boating lake and a fishing lake, all set in really beautiful surroundings. The site has been fairly quiet but I am sure it will get very busy in the height of the season.

Tomorrow we pitch camp and leave The Netherlands which has been our home for the last 4 weeks.  Not having spent any time here before (just passed through on the train) it's been really good to visit some of the different areas. We've met some lovely people - the girl in the local bakery, the friendly barman in the local pub, our Dutch neighbours on the site in Rolde who gave us some of their guide books and maps to help us on our way and their crazy dog who used to ride around in a basket on the front of the bike and who had an aversion to shopping. We met them in a large department store in Assen, dog on lead but spreadeagled on the floor being dragged along like a big mop cleaning the floor. 

Tomorrow we venture into Germany, a nostalgic trip for me - but more of that next week.

Our love to you all

Kath & Harry

PS - Please note I haven't made any derogatory remarks about my other half!!! I am biding my time