East to Dresden

5 pm on a Friday night and we pick the van up from servicing, pay the bill return to the car and start to hitch up, but wait, the electric cable is split and one of the internal cores is cut.  Back into the dealers explained the problem, 4 men and dog came out to look!  Luckily for us the auto electrician was there so was able to affect a temporary repair which enabled us to get on our way to Harwich for the night crossing to Hoek van Holland.  Stopped for dinner just outside Colchester and arrived at Harwich just gone 9pm.  Loaded almost immediately, went to cabin to drop off gear and then to bar for a well-earned pint.  

Offloaded at 0745hrs local time and drove to Delft Houte arriving at 0830hrs.  Checked in, set up had breakfast and walked into Delft via Ikea.  Lovely spring day so strolling by the abundance of canals, over little bridges, stopping for coffee was a delight.  We stopped at the Market square (the Largest in Holland) and wandered through the stalls all of which sold materials.  Lunch outside in the square in brilliant sunshine.  Went into the new church, where all the Dutch royal family are buried in a vault beneath the church floor.

Sunday we walked for about 10 miles (miles of walking/cycle paths) starting at the nature reserve just outside the camp gates.  Wild life abounds, storks, herons, spoon bills and a large variety of other waders so managed to get some reasonable snaps.

Monday we head to Keukenhof for the day.  If you have never been then it is highly recommended.  We purchased our tickets online before arriving in the Netherlands.  The flowers and landscaping were amazing.  Spent about 6 hours at the site and managed a little boat trip.  You have to pre buy these tickets as all trips are timed.  The ticket booth is by the windmill.

Delft Houte campsite.  This is a popular site with all nationalities and there is a mixture of touring vans, seasonal vans, chalets etc.   Reception is manned from 0830hrs to about 2000hrs and there is no midday curfew.  The shop is open from 0830 to 1800hrs. Euro 20 deposit for swipe card to activate entrance barriers.  Fresh bread can be brought from the shop and doesn’t need to be pre ordered.  There is a restaurant/bar on site but we haven’t used it. The facilities are excellent with both summer and winter toilets.  Showers are free and are of the push button variety.  There are plenty of washing up and laundry facilities.  In the summer there is a swimming pool and a children’s club. Free Wi-Fi is also another bonus of the site.  Look out for the local Parakeets.