Rolde

Well here we are at the end of week 3 and it is time for more ramblings from the OAPs, I am sure you know that if you click on a photo it will enlarge it (I didn't until last week) , mind you may not wish to - we leave that decision to you!
Kath and I decided that we would like to travel over the Afsluitdijk, this is a 30km causeway, on our way to Rolde which is our next stop.

This structure is an amazing sight which we felt privileged to travel over.

The important dates we have listed below.

1891 draft plans for closing off the Zuyder Zee

14 June 1918 Plans passed for construction note the time span, I think Highland Council planning dept work on the same set of rules (Keith if you are reading this I am only joking).

1920 work finally got underway.

January 1931 Dam completed and traffic allowed.

1976 Road converted to a motorway.

We really enjoyed the experience of travelling over the causeway, especially as we were able to stop midway for a coffee and climb the observation tower where we took this photo. If you look closely you can see our home from home or click on the photo.

We certainly benefited from the clear skies that day, especially after some of the Summer rain we have had.

Arrived at Camping De Weyert which is a short stroll from the centre of Rolde, a delightful village set in the middle of the Drentsche National Park. The park has lots of walking and cycling routes, the pictures are of a sandy area called the Ballooerveld which is one of the routes through the area. The sand was quite soft in places so gave the old girl some moments! Kath was very athletic and managed to stay in the saddle (well most of the time).


From the camp site we managed to cycle most days, our longest effort being 20km. I know that doesn't sound far to you youngsters but to us OAPs we felt a sense of achievement. Rolde and the Ballooerveld have been very popular with the residents of outlying areas such as Assen and Groningen for many years and has now developed in a popular tourist destination.

Leisure time is a fairly recent enjoyment in the Netherlands it wasn't until 1962 that they had a Saturday off and the 5 day working week did not become official until 1975.
Right that's the history lesson over, well not quite there is a bit more later on.

As was mentioned in a previous ramble Kath loves the cycle routes which keep the car users safe from us. Actually Kath insisted this photo be published as proof she does actually ride her bike.

Perhaps our local councillors could incorporate a cycle path in the A82 upgrade? Well I can fantasise can't I?

Back to that history lesson, this time of year sees villages and towns throughout the Netherlands  remembering when they were liberated in 1945.

During our time here in Rolde celebrations took place, which included over 95 different types of transport descending on the village of Rolde, as seen in the photos.

On the day as well as all the vehicles we had a big band playing music from the 1940's, a choir, military brass band and just to make us feel at home the Clan McBeth pipe band from Groningen

We have really enjoyed our time in Rolde and the surrounding area. The weather has been kind to us this week and temperatures are slowly rising. Tomorrow we move on again this time south to Eindhoven and WIFI permitting we will continue with our ramblings next week.

                                                         So until next week

Cheers from Harry and the Old Girl!

xx