The Netherlands 2023
Our final stage and for me the most emotional stage, I will see my aging aunt (She will turn 100 in December) most likely for the last time, time to say goodbye.
Unlike previous train tickets where the train and seats were booked, NS the Dutch train system does not book seats and all tickets are OPEN not helpful if you don’t know the network, to add to that we had 3 changes of trains to get to Delft where I was to meet family for a day’s outing.
The first change was in Brussels itself but where, it was only by chance that we became aware of where to change, but what train to catch next, we only had an intermediary station not the end point, fortunately a kind person gave us the good oil and we were on our way.
For our next stop kind guard informed us to stay on the current train beyond where we were to change as that station required us to change platforms, that meant we would need to go up and down stairs with our bags on a tight change over. His suggestion was to change at a later station where the other train would pull into the same platform so no stairs to contend with, this we gladly did as it was so much easier.
Finally we arrived at Delft where Renske and Nat were expecting us about 20 minutes late now what would we do with our bags for the day, Delft has lockers for luggage that was the good news, unfortunately they were much too small, it was decided to ass the tourist information desk if they knew of a place that we could safely leave our bags, here we had some more luck as they kindly offered to look after then but we needed to be back by 4:00 pm, no problems as we still had further to go that day.
Nat spent his university days in Delft so was happy to show us around, little did he know we would encourage him to take us places he had never been to, (Uni students don’t normally explore the University town they are too busy either studying or partying) first off was to have a GOOD cup of coffee not the rubbish they were having while waiting for us (Starbucks YUCK). We became a little distracted when Carol saw what she was wanting to look at “Delft Blue Pottery” two shops down and we finally stopped for that cup and some local treat an Apple Cake which we enjoyed.
We continued on out explorations and lunch before returning to the train station to retrieve our bags and purchase our tickets on to Assen how ever due to track works we need to change to a rail bus a Zwolle where we would contact Renske again so that my cousin Alice and Jan would be at the station to take us to her home where we would stay for the rest of our trip by now it was getting late that did not stop us having a good chin wag and the odd red wine it was eleven o’clock before we noticed it (a lot to catch up on as we had not seen each other for 15 years), I was surprised to know the time as it was still twilight at this late hour and even more so in the morning when it was light at 5:00 am. (rolled over and went back to sleep)
After breakfast we had a quiet time then Lunch and a walk to my aunt’s home for the only chance for a visit which proved a little emotional for both of us, we knew this would be the last goodbye.
The following day Alice had arranged a day at Giethoorn an old traditional village for lunch, a boat trip then a wander along this “Chocolate Box Village” returning to Assen for a dinner.
Our last day, was a quiet day where Carol and I just explores the local area near where we were staying, before a family BBQ with the entire family sans my aunt who at her age does not cope with her great grandchildren all together (one at a time is ok, but all 6 and the rest of the mob is just too much) a chance to say hello and goodbye till the next time they are in Australia or we return to the Netherlands.
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Welcome to Herman and Carolann’s Travels to Europe
Portugal Trip 2023