Meppel to Zwaartsluis (again)

SUNNY!  Yay. Cornflakes, coffee, and we were off on the bikes. We took a bike route suggested by the tourist bureau.

We stopped for a chat with some pygmy goats and a spotty pot belly.

This little lady was mighty preggers.

It was a lovely route out into the wooded countryside through very upmarket villages, gorgeous horse farms and the occasional stately manor house. Very smart. The quality of the window vases went up, probably some antique ones too.

Oh, did I not mention the window vases? Every dutch house, and I do mean every one, complies with what must be a federal law that states that one is required to display at least one pair of, usually white, vases in your front window. Of course, other doo-dads and knick-knacks are not actually prohibited, but only if displayed ALONGSIDE a pair (or more) of white vases. Occasionally there is an audacious grey or, whisper it, black vase. But that is only for the reckless.

I know this looks weird, but this was a talking post.
 As you pumped your foot up and down on the lever, the post talked to you!
Of course, we had no idea what it was on about, but STILL, a talking post.

We stopped halfway for coffee and Clive's favourite thing in Holland,
warme chocomel mit slag!

We got back to the boat just after lunch and then headed down river towards Zwaartsluis 10km away. As we had been here before (18 days ago) we carried on to Genemuiden 3 km further, but we didn't like it. So here we are tied up in Zwaartsluis again. The supermarket is close, so we did a big shop of all the heavy things like milk, beer etc as we were able to wheel the trolley right to the boat. Of course skip couldn't resist another 2kg box of mussels...

Yes, I know I've sent you one of two of these, but here's another one anyway.
This one houses the tourist office where a very nice man gave me some cycle maps.

It is starting to look very autumnal around here.